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12-13-2009, 06:23 AM
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#1
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Member
Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 36
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Dutch Star tires
This forum is absolutely marvelous especially for us newbies..My recently purchased 1999 38' Dutch Star on Freightliner chassis has 255 80R22.5 tires on it now, due to age they should be replaced. I have ordered Michelin XRV tires of the same size but have seen that way back Newmar changed some front tires but I haven't figured out if they went to different tires or recommend different tires or just replaced some defective tires. I am sure that someone out there can clue me in...Thanks in advance and have a great day.
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12-13-2009, 11:18 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 799
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1999 Dutch Stars on both Freighliner and Spartan chassis came with Michelin 255 80R22.5 XRV tires. The problem was the tires were rated for 10,410 pounds on a front axle that was rated 12,000 pounds. The tires had to be inflated to the max of 105 psi and still most Dutch Stars were overloaded on the front axle. This also gave a very rough ride and left no safety margin.
Newmar and Freightliner / Spartan had a recall on 1997 through early model 2000 Dutch Stars and replaced the front tires free with Michelin 275 70R22.5 and I think they were XZA2 tires. At the same time the owner was allowed to buy the upgraded tires for the rear at wholesale price. Some owners replaced all six tires, some owners replaced the fronts only and some owners did not follow up on the recall and kept running the 255 80R22.5 XRV tires.
Newmar chose the size of the upgraded tires because they were physically the same size as the originals, just a little wider, and the speedometer did not have to be reprogrammed.
In mid model year 2000 Newmar switched to 275 80R22.5 XZA1 tires and they could be run at a lower psi, had a large safety margin and were very smooth riding and quiet.
The tire of choice now is the Michelin 275 80R22.5 XZA3 with a load range of H. They are expensive (all tires are), but are well worth the price.
All of the above mentioned tires will fit your 99 Dutch Star without modifications or changing the wheels. Just one thing to look for with any of these tires. Newmar installed the front jacks and the front forward mud flaps in slightly different places. A few owners have reported they had to shave a half inch off a jack pad or cut an inch off the mud guard. After you install new tires turn the front wheels to the max in both directions and see if you have a clearance problem. Probably 90% had no problem, but a few had to cut or shave a bit and that is easy to do.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
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12-13-2009, 01:26 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 318
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Nice answer, per usual, from Norm and when I got my 1998 DSDP on a Spartan I did the upgrade but they were the xza with no letter and LR J...but it made me much happier having the extra margin and also the somewhat lower pressure for a nicer ride...If it were me I would do the upgrade to the newer and higher load range xza 3
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12-13-2009, 06:11 PM
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#4
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Member
Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capt Frank
This forum is absolutely marvelous especially for us newbies..My recently purchased 1999 38' Dutch Star on Freightliner chassis has 255 80R22.5 tires on it now, due to age they should be replaced. I have ordered Michelin XRV tires of the same size but have seen that way back Newmar changed some front tires but I haven't figured out if they went to different tires or recommend different tires or just replaced some defective tires. I am sure that someone out there can clue me in...Thanks in advance and have a great day.
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So if I replaced the front tires with the 275 80R22.5 XZA1 or XZA3 tires and put new 255 80R225 on the rears I would be OK is that right?
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12-13-2009, 06:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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With load range "J" you should be okay. If load range "J" is not available, get the highest load range so the tires meet or exceed the GAWR.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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12-13-2009, 06:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 799
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capt Frank
So if I replaced the front tires with the 275 80R22.5 XZA1 or XZA3 tires and put new 255 80R225 on the rears I would be OK is that right?
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Yes that would be OK. On my early model 2000 Dutch Star I ran 275/80s on the front and 255/80s on the rear for about two years. I checked with Spartan before I did that and the engineer at Spartan told me he owned the same motorhome and had the same tires as me. You don't even need to change the ride height because that is measured from the frame to the coach.
I know some other Dutch Star owners that ran different size tires front and rear and also some Fleetwood American series owners that had different size tires. The only bummer is if you want to carry a spare - which size?
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12-13-2009, 11:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Posts: 532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capt Frank
So if I replaced the front tires with the 275 80R22.5 XZA1 or XZA3 tires and put new 255 80R225 on the rears I would be OK is that right?
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Capt Frank,
Be careful. You quote upgrading from the 255/80R to 275/ 80R tires. Others on this thread have posted saying owners upgraded to the 275/ 70R size.
Check to be sure you're comparing apples-to-apples. For absolute certainty, check the Michelin website for detailed sizes (radius and width) for your current tire and potential replacements so you don't end up having a problem.
That would stink!
__________________
John
2005 Newmar MADP
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12-14-2009, 08:52 AM
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#8
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Member
Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capt Frank
So if I replaced the front tires with the 275 80R22.5 XZA1 or XZA3 tires and put new 255 80R225 on the rears I would be OK is that right?
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I talked with Newmar Cust. service...I was informed that Newmar would replace my front tires with 275/70R 22.5 tires even at this late date. I have to purchase them and send them the invoice...if all works out I will have to give Newmar a big pat on the back...
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12-14-2009, 10:25 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 920
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capt Frank
I talked with Newmar Cust. service...I was informed that Newmar would replace my front tires with 275/70R 22.5 tires even at this late date. I have to purchase them and send them the invoice...if all works out I will have to give Newmar a big pat on the back...
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WOW!! Another example of the kind of company Newmar is. Replacing tires on a ten year old rig is going way beyond what any other company might do!
__________________
Dave
2010 Canyon Star 3647
2010 Ford Escape
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12-14-2009, 01:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 799
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capt Frank
I talked with Newmar Cust. service...I was informed that Newmar would replace my front tires with 275/70R 22.5 tires even at this late date.
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WOW, what a company. Great customer service is why I have always bought from Newmar.
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12-14-2009, 04:07 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Manteca, Ca
Posts: 1,373
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There may be better companies out there, but they have to go a long way to match Newmar. My experience has also been excellent with many of their suppliers, especially if you mention the Newmar brand.
__________________
"Piddln"
2008 Jeep Sahara '4Dr"
Ronnie Bledsoe
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12-14-2009, 04:34 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Posts: 532
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A couple of years ago, there were a lot of grumblings from the "old guard" Newmar owners complaining about Newmar going downhill. They were concerned that the influx of ex-Fleetwood management was eroding the quality, reputation, and customer service that had built Newmar into what it had become.
From many of the recent posts (on all forums), it seems like Newmar may have righted its course. Perhaps the continued rise of Tiffin (they keep eating away at market share and are growing quite rapidly) has helped light the way. Tiffin is renowned for standing behind their products, even long after the warranties have expired. And they have siphoned off a lot of the Newmar faithful, who see the Tiffin of today as being equal to the Newmar of yesterday.
I'm glad to keep reading all of the GOOD things people have to say about Newmar. From my experiences with them throughout my years of Newmar ownership (both in and out of warranty), they deserve it.
Go Newmar! Go!
__________________
John
2005 Newmar MADP
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12-15-2009, 08:28 AM
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#13
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Member
Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capt Frank
I talked with Newmar Cust. service...I was informed that Newmar would replace my front tires with 275/70R 22.5 tires even at this late date. I have to purchase them and send them the invoice...if all works out I will have to give Newmar a big pat on the back...
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Additionally, I didn't receive an owners manual or any wiring information with this mh I was concerned that I may not be able to get them....Called Newmar Cust. service...they e-mailed to me the whole thing, manual with wiring as they know it as well as start system schematic...Freighter was great as well and sent me chassis schematics via e-mail..had to have theirs reproduced on paper at Kinkos on large paper so I could read it however. Both great companies.
Thanks everyone for all of your help
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02-12-2010, 03:16 PM
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#14
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Member
Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capt Frank
Additionally, I didn't receive an owners manual or any wiring information with this mh I was concerned that I may not be able to get them....Called Newmar Cust. service...they e-mailed to me the whole thing, manual with wiring as they know it as well as start system schematic...Freighter was great as well and sent me chassis schematics via e-mail..had to have theirs reproduced on paper at Kinkos on large paper so I could read it however. Both great companies.
Thanks everyone for all of your help
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Received the check from Newmar Last week, they did as promised, when I upgrade Newmar will be the first choice.
Capt Frank
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