Community Forums

yudamann · 04-09-2010, 07:30 PM

Does anyone know of a link to find acceptable replacement tire sizes for Tiffens? Mine is on a Freightliner chassis. I want to see what different tires can be considered, not just a swap of the OEM sizes so I need info on rim widths, separation dimensions for rear duallys, etc.

Nap&Joe · 04-09-2010, 10:32 PM

yudamann, I just replaced my OEM Michelin XRV 235/80/22.5 for Toyo M154s (245/75/22.5). These tires a a bit wider for better control. They are approved for the 6.75 -- 8.50 rims. I had no problem with the rear dual spacing (plenty of room). Check out the Toyo Comercial Tires on the Toyo Website for complete information.

historyljc · 04-10-2010, 10:43 PM

yudamann,
According to Freightliner you have:
Tires: XZA 2 275/80R 22.5 LRH
Wheels: 4 aluminum, 2 steel 22.5 x 8.25 in (572x210mm)
with 10 bolt lugs 11.25 in (285.75 mm) diameter bolt center

You can see these and other chassis specs at http://www.freightlinerchassis.com/p...C0205-2005.pdf.

What are you trying to do, go to a larger tire? They started putting 295s on the '08 buses. But your OE tires will carry all the weight you rear axle is designed to handle (20,000 lbs). If I still had duals I would upgrade to the 275/80R22.5 LRH XZA3®. That's what I put on the front of mine for steer tires. I have the XR1 singles on the back replacing the duals.

paz · 04-11-2010, 06:19 AM

If you click THIS LINK and download the Michelin RV Tire Guide, it will give you widths, diameters, acceptable wheel widths and loads for various models and sizes of Michelin tires.

You will want to find a tire that will carry sufficient load, but will be a similar diameter to your old tires. Otherwise, you will have to get your speedometer recalibrated.

Grant Lasson · 05-11-2010, 09:34 PM

I had Bridgestones put on last year. I took the coach to a truck tire shop. They recommended the Bridgestone carcass over Michelin. So far, so good.
Grant

Cruzer · 05-12-2010, 06:33 AM

Not sure what tires were on your Bus. In 2005 they may have been Goodyear G670, Michelin XZE, or Michelin XZA3. My '04 Bus had the XZE while my '07 has the XZA3. I do know that the Goodyear G670s were used in 2006 but don't know about 2005.

I found the XZE and XZA3 series tires to be very good tires. The Goodyear G670s are good tires but they have had some issues in 2006 regarding out-of-roundness, which is why Tiffin dropped them in 2007. They probably have that corrected by now but the Michelins are good so I'd just stick with them.

I would NOT recommend the Michelin XRV tires. The XRVs are designed especially for RVs. They have a thinner sidewall in an effort to make for a smoother ride. However, they are very picky on inflation. If you run them low ion air they get hot and the sidewals fail with those infamous zipper tears. They also are unforgiving if you brush up against a curbing. The XZE and XZA3 tires are heavier sidewalls and do not have those weaknesses.

As previously mentioned, you do indeed have the 275/80R22.5 LRH tires on 8.25" wide rims. The 2005 40' Bus was never heavy on the front axle so you really shouldn't have to increase the size to 295s. Tag axle Busses were a different story however, and they may benefit from running 295s on the front axle.