Bounder: Newbie Question Re: Tire Pressures

[Muddypaws]

We just traded our fifth wheel for a 2006 Bounder 34H. The tires on it were the original factory tires so we had them replaced with Michelin XZE 2+ in size 275/70 R 22.5.

The new tires have a max pressure of 120psi (dual) and 130psi single. The tire installer inflated them all to 91psi and I'm thinking that's not quite enough for the weight of this coach.

Anybody have a 34H with these tires? I'm not too worried about being exact but I would like to be in the ballpark at least.

Thanks
Muddypaws

[JiminJersey]

If the tires themselves are rated for the weight of your coach, I'd run them up near the recommended pressure - maybe 100-110? and see how that works out in terms of ride, etc.

I've noticed that a lot of tire installers run 5-6 or more pounds UNDER the sidewall pressure, which in an auto can be 20% or more. They do this for a 'softer' ride but I think it's incorrect.

[Elkhartjim]

Please go to the Michelin tire website and read about how to properly inflate your tires. Until you weigh your mh there is no way to know the correct air pressure.

Check the discussion going in this thread.

time to change tires?

[RJay]

If you haven't weighed your coach yet, I'd suggest you air the tires to match the axle weight and then adjust the air once its weighed. I would guess that 90 psi is in the ball park for the XZE's.

[wildtoad]

There should be a chart for you Bounder showing the front and rear axle weights as well as gross vehicle weight. Find these and then go here: Michelin North America RV Load & Inflation Tables You should be able to determine the proper tire pressure. To be more exacting you should get you unit weighed.

[The General]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddypaws We just traded our fifth wheel for a 2006 Bounder 34H. The tires on it were the original factory tires so we had them replaced with Michelin XZE 2+ in size 275/70 R 22.5. The new tires have a max pressure of 120psi (dual) and 130psi single. The tire installer inflated them all to 91psi and I'm thinking that's not quite enough for the weight of this coach. Anybody have a 34H with these tires? I'm not too worried about being exact but I would like to be in the ballpark at least. Thanks Muddypaws

Hey Muddypaws,

First thing, wear gloves and you won't have muddypaws any more.
Get your 34H weight capacities and actual weight, then go here for the actual psi suggested by Michelin:
Michelin North America RV Load & Inflation Tables
I always add 5psi to suggested Michelin psi for better handling.



Steve

[RickO]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Jim's right. There is no way to know the proper pressures for your tires until you get your coach weighed and then go to the Michelin website inflation tables. I have XZE Michelins 275/8022.5 LRG on my rig (which is much heavier than yours) and run nowhere near 110 lbs. RJay is probably pretty close with his 90lb suggestion. Typically you would only harm your ride comfort by inflating them to the sidewall pressures but if you're going to do that make sure you check the pressure your wheels are rated at. Both are equally important.

Michelin North America RV Load & Inflation Tables

Good luck...

Rick

[Batman_777]

If you set the psi near the max (5 psi under sidewall max), then you don't have to worry about the MH weight unless it is over the gross weight of the vehicle. In that case, you're in trouble no matter what the psi is. Having your psi near the max can only make the ride a little stiffer, but that's better than having the tires blow due to under pressure.

Are you really going to weigh the MH every day and adjust the psi accordingly?

The only reasons I know to set the psi at an optimum pressure is even wear acoss the tread, softer ride and some handling characteristics.

It's far worse to not have enough air than to have close to the max. Err on safety

[Elkhartjim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elkhartjim Please go to the Michelin tire website and read about how to properly inflate your tires. Until you weigh your mh there is no way to know the correct air pressure. Check the discussion going in this thread. time to change tires?

We've been beating this poor horse to death on another thread and I would again suggest you go to the thread I gave the link for and read it carefully. If you choose to not believe or trust the tire manufacturers then that is the choice only you can make.

[Wayne M]

X2, x2

[ga traveler]

There is a label on the wall right by the drivers seat. It is usually halfway up the wall just behind the drivers door jamb. It will give you your wt limits and tire inflation pressures.

[Elkhartjim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler There is a label on the wall right by the drivers seat. It is usually halfway up the wall just behind the drivers door jamb. It will give you your wt limits and tire inflation pressures.

And that has nothing to do with the recommended air pressure only the maximum air pressure.

I'll give up now. We all have choices. Run at the maximum rating for the tire. Run at the placard rating. Run at the tire manufacturers recommended pressure based on the weight of each axle.

We can each make the choice that we think is right for us. Personally I'll go with the tire manufacturers recommendations.

Go luck with whichever choice you chose to make.

[The General]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elkhartjim And that has nothing to do with the recommended air pressure only the maximum air pressure. I'll give up now. We all have choices. Run at the maximum rating for the tire. Run at the placard rating. Run at the tire manufacturers recommended pressure based on the weight of each axle. We can each make the choice that we think is right for us. Personally I'll go with the tire manufacturers recommendations. Go luck with whichever choice you chose to make.

Ditto

Steve

[Muddypaws]

Two Golden Retrievers = 8 muddypaws. & I just bought a case of rubber gloves!