steer tire question

[dale1]

greetings.

Even though the steer tires are only 3 years old i have cracking/splitting in areas. so, its time to change.

I'm noticing a much larger tire being used on the front on coaches similar to mine.

what's the deal?

does the bigger tire lead to a better ride? what is the tradeoff? how big a tire can go on the factory wheel, or will that need to changed as well?

thanks, dale

[CntryCoachRV]

Originally Posted by dale1

greetings.

Even though the steer tires are only 3 years old i have cracking/splitting in areas. so, its time to change.

I'm noticing a much larger tire being used on the front on coaches similar to mine.

what's the deal?

does the bigger tire lead to a better ride? what is the tradeoff? how big a tire can go on the factory wheel, or will that need to changed as well?

thanks, dale

What size tire are you currently using? What is your front axel weight?
What larger tire size are you seeing on other like rigs?

[RamiDav]

Wow, 3 yr old tires cracking and splitting, what brand are they?

More than likely your coach came with 295/80/22.5 tires and yes some Monaco coaches will accept larger tires but some won't. Tires can rub on the fiberglass and worse rub the right front airbag steel mounting plate.
The right front bag is located slightly differently because of the door.

Personally, I wouldn't try it, you might not be able to find a tire dealer to try the tires and then take the tires back if they won't fit.

[wolfe10]

3 years from when they were installed?


OR


3 years from manufacture date (from DOT code).


SO, what are last 4 digits of the DOT code?

[Carnac]

Are the tires that are cracking of the original load range and size?

You can check the tire placard by the driver's seat for size and pressure.

Running lower than required tire pressure for the axel load can damage the tires.

My local tire dealer has a sign stating that if a MH comes into the shop with a tire underinflated by 10% or greater, they will not service the tire, only replace.

As stated by others, an underinflated tire runs hot and its service life will be diminished.

Jim

[CntryCoachRV]

Originally Posted by Carnac

Are the tires that are cracking of the original load range and size?

You can check the tire placard by the driver's seat for size and pressure.

Running lower than required tire pressure for the axel load can damage the tires.

My local tire dealer has a sign stating that if a MH comes into the shop with a tire underinflated by 10% or greater, they will not service the tire, only replace.

As stated by others, an underinflated tire runs hot and its service life will be diminished.

Jim

Jim, just curious how that dealer determines
The proper pressure, does he weigh the Rv then use the tire manufacturers inflation tables to determine if tire is under inflated or does he just use the maximum weight inflation printed on the side of the tire and mistakenly state that the tire has to be inflated no lower than 10% of maximum weight pressure? Many people just inflate to maximum printed on the tire which is wrong according to information found on information published by tire manufacturers in their weight vs inflation table. Michelin has a great educational brochure on commercial tires.

[jacwjames]

Check DOT codes and see how old the tires are.

But even 3 years installed and cracking isn't good, what brand?


My tires are 295/80R22.5. I checked the brochure on a 2001 Sceptor and yours are only 275's. But later years (I checked 2005) they went to a larger tire. My guess it the tires were marginal on carrying capacity when you look at total weight.



What is your front axle weight? I know mine is lower, they installed a slightly lighter rated axle on my chassis.



The benefit of going to a larger tire would be a safety buffer on the weight. But there may not be enough clearance, the tire may rub while turning.

[Carnac]

Originally Posted by CntryCoachRV

Jim, just curious how that dealer determines the proper pressure...

They just look at the placard by the driver's seat for the recommended pressure. The placard pressures are based on the actual factory weighed weight (required at the original build) with a nominal load (water, gas, and what is considered a normal load). You are correct - the placard pressure could be off depending on the vehicle load, but they do not base it on the max sidewall tire pressure and they do not weigh the vehicle.

I'm sure that they are covering their liability against someone that limps in on a very under inflated tire. Driving even a short distance on an under inflated tire will damage the tire internally.

Jim

[dale1]

Sometimes you guys are like squirrels. Except for jim. The question was, has anyone gone to a bigger steer tire? If so, did it improve ride quality? I don’t care about looks of the motorhome that much anymore. Mainly function. It’s like my feet. I wear 1 or 1/2 size too big shoes because they are more comfortable. Wife complains, I don’t care :-). Thanks. “Fellow rodent”

[oh no]

Your tires have a weight rating. PLUS heavier side walls. Tires have more issues under inflated. Heat. Now Here come the can of worms the Michelin has issues cracking on the side wall .half way up the sided wall and next to the rim.Dont take my opinion go look at some 3 to 5 year coach tires.

[vito.a]

I've increased the front tire size on our last two coaches. They came with 295/80R22.5 and I installed 315/80R22.5 tires. Monaco factory installed the larger 315 tires on newer Signatures and several of us have retrofitted them.

The advantage is the larger tire has a higher load capacity and you can run less tire pressure resulting in a smoother ride.
I see yours are one size smaller, but regardless you need to check clearance at ride height from lock to lock.

[RamiDav]

Originally Posted by dale1

Sometimes you guys are like squirrels. The question was, has anyone gone to a bigger steer tire?

Guess I missed the question. Nope, I looked again, it ain't there.

[Chargerman]

I want to go to 315’s when I replace all of my tires in the Spring. I have had the opportunity to physically compare Michelin 295’s to their 315’s. I don’t know the weight difference but it is very significant. I like the price of mind having a heavier duty tire up front. I know Michelin approves of their 315 being mounted on a 8.25 wheel while making it clear that the load cannot be increase over the 295 if using the 8.25 wheel instead of a 9”. So….considering that my 295s currently run 120psi what would I run 315’s at? 120 also?
Also, considering the crazy cost for Michelins I’ve been considering Toyo’s M144’s. I’ve read a lot of folks positive experience with them and they are the only 295 with the same weight rating as the Michelins. Toyo does not list 8.25 width wheels for the 315’s though. I’m thinking I could follow the same rule a Michelin. What do you guys think?

[CntryCoachRV]

I would use the Michelin inflation table for the 315, just as I do with the 295 size tire.