What about tires?

[Bigwheel]

Does anyone know what tires came standard on a 1994 Southwind? My "new to me" MH has good looking bridgestones but they are ten years old and I'm going to replace them. I'd appreciate any input on tires, load ratings and pressure. Right now she rides like a U-Haul with 80lbs pressure and 65 pounds in the airbags. Suggestions?

[Marty too]

Bigwheel, since no one has made a post, I’m going to do a guess-a-mate on part of your question.

I had a 94 Class A and it came with Michelins. I believe the majority of motor homes came that way from the factory. Of course they might have had Goodyear’s also which was the other brand that was common at the time.

With Goodyear’s, many people complained that the tires were generally out of round and just couldn’t be balanced to be smooth. Michelins had a problem of blowing out the sidewalls and as what I had, only had a 2 ply sidewall to begin with. Tire pressure was critical at that time. I believe both tire company’s have now corrected these problems.

Finally, since your unit is a 94, it would suggest to me that the tires were replaced in 2000 with the Bridgestone’s. Even though that would be a 6 years span, I would also suspect the original tires were probably manufactured even two years prior probably in 92. I’m basing that thought on what I found with the new coach I bought in 2005. However, regardless to what brand tires you go to, the general consensus has been to load the coach to travel condition, get it weighed corner to corner, then go to the manufactures site to find a loading check list and air your tires to their recommendations.

Hope this helps in your questions.

Marty

[Bigwheel]

Thanks, Marty. We took her to a truck service place in Modesto for a checkout and he had the tires replaced with the same size that was on it. Monday I'm calling Fleetwood to see if I can get a manual and calling the place where they brought it for tires to talk to them about air pressure etc. There is just a lot to learn and I appreciate all the input I've received (this is not the only post.)

[RUNDLC]

Hey Big, you may want to check right behind the drivers seat on the wall near the floor, there should be a plate there that says what the gvwr and tire pressure specs. are.

[Bigwheel]

Got the MH back today with new Firestone tires. RUNDlC, thanks for the info on the nomenclature plate, it had all the info I was looking for. Still rides like a truck (I was looking for more of a Greyhound bus ride) but I'll take it down to a scale and see what options I have with the air pressure. Thanks to everyone for your input.