Driveability of 19.5 vs 22.5

[mikelm48]

I'm considering the purchase of a smaller gas MH to replace my diesel. I find a lot of 19.5" tires. How does the handling compare with the 22.5" tires? Is there a big difference?

[PbdBlue]

I'm sure you'll get all kinds of opinions. My personal experience. I had a 99' F53 with 19.5" and currently a 2014 F53 with 22.5's. Huge difference in the ride and handling. How much of this is due to chassis difference and how much, if any, is due to the tire difference I can't say but the 2014 package is much better.

[Skip426]

I think if you check the chassis GVWR, you'll find that the step up to the 22.5 size , happened as the weights got over 22,000 LBS , and the need for a heavier tire to support the weight got to the point where there wasn't a 19.5 available.
JMHO; The 22.5 size makes for a much more stable RV.

[Beau388]

Usually the reason for the larger diameter tires is their weight carrying capacity. With a lighter coach, you don't need the extra weight carrying capacity. Tire pressure has a great effect on ride quality on the Ford chassis so the less you can safely use is the best. The 245/70-19.5 tires can support about 22,000 lbs total. So the coaches below that 22,000 lbs use the cheaper, smaller tires with steel wheels. That saves about $3,000 in cost and puts the coaches about 7" (one step) closer to the ground. I only know the modern Ford chassis, but keeping the weight as far forward as you can effects handling more that any other factor. If handling is important, look for a coach with only storage and the gas tank behind the rear axle.

[F4Gary]

Originally Posted by Beau388

Usually the reason for the larger diameter tires is their weight carrying capacity. With a lighter coach, you don't need the extra weight carrying capacity. Tire pressure has a great effect on ride quality on the Ford chassis so the less you can safely use is the best. The 245/70-19.5 tires can support about 22,000 lbs total. So the coaches below that 22,000 lbs use the cheaper, smaller tires with steel wheels. That saves about $3,000 in cost and puts the coaches about 7" (one step) closer to the ground. I only know the modern Ford chassis, but keeping the weight as far forward as you can effects handling more that any other factor. If handling is important, look for a coach with only storage and the gas tank behind the rear axle.

7 inches? That means the diameter is 14 inches greater.

[Yellowboat]

I have a 2016 with 22.5" tires. My previous 2006 coach had 19.5" tires.

The 2016 coach is much easier to control. It is more solidly in a lane of traffic eliminating much of the white knuckle driving and reducing drivers fatigue.

I don't know if the better handling is a result of larger tires or other chassis changes.

Safe travels. JD

[747Driver]

Day and night. My 2003 with 19.5 had stabilizers, sway bars, and steering stabilizer. Still white knuckle. Good news, Volkswagen Beetles no longer swayed my rear end.

New one with 22.5 has nothing, solid as a rock.

[okcnewbie]

I'm pretty sure the tire size isn't the determining factor in drivability.

We have an old 29' Tioga Class C with 16 inch tires and it's so easy to drive it reminds me of my van.

[TeJay]

One difference not mentioned. The 19.5" tires you can R&R them with little effort. The 22.5" tires/rims are heavier but more importantly they require a torque wrench that will go up to 450 ft/lbs. I don't have one that will go that high. Even if I did I don't believe I could make it click.

I know some do have torque multipliers and do torque their rims. So it is possible.

That may not be an issue with you but I know for various reasons over the last three years I've had all my tires off at least a dozen different times.

As explained, generally the larger tires will give you a better ride but some with those tires still had some white knuckle driving. There are a multitude of reasons why that happens: tire pressures to high, improper loading of an axle, worn SB bushings, worn shocks and alignment to name a few.

I would imagine driving coaches with the different tires might give you a better idea concerning handling. Bring a tire gauge with you and do check the pressures. A tire set to high will give you a lousy harsh ride. They should be set at the pressures listed on the inside stickers. That's always a good place to start.

[Waiter21]

Changing the 19.5 may be a lot easier for the DIYer.

Also price for replacement tires. I'm not sure what the difference would be for same manufacture of two different size tires.

[Matt A]

Originally Posted by Beau388

That . . puts the coaches about 7" (one step) closer to the ground.

Originally Posted by F4Gary

7 inches? That means the diameter is 14 inches greater.

The difference between a 245/70/19.5 and 235/80/22.5 (22K) is 13.5" and on the 255/80/22.5 the difference is 17.5". All else being equal that's a huge step down.

[z3406]

This is my impression based on owning a 2015 FR3 30DS with 19.5 and two Bounder 35K’s with 22.5 tires. The FR3 handled OK but required a lot more attention and effort to track straight. Before I did the Cheap Handling Fix on it, it was a handful. It was my first coach and I had a steep learning curve on it, nothing dangerous but required a LOT more effort. 2014 Bounder 35K 22.5 tires whole new ball game everything is easier and less stressful. After 5000 miles I did the cheap handling fix to it and got a noticeable improvement. The coaches with the 22.5 just felt like a different animal. I don’t know how much difference the tire size was by itself, but I would not buy another coach with 19.5’s based on my experience. I’ve been waiting for a thread like this to get other opinions.

[bydnar]

Originally Posted by SHO Continen

The difference between a 245/70/19.5 and 235/80/22.5 (22K) is 13.5" and on the 255/80/22.5 the difference is 17.5". All else being equal that's a huge step down.

245-70 x 19.5 = 33" diameter

235-80 x 22.5 = 37.3" diameter

diameter delta = 4.3"... / 2 = 2.15" which is the vertical centerline of wheel delta

255-80 x 22.5 = 38.6" diameter

[Pirate]

I have 19.5. It drives like a caddy WITHOUT the CHF. Safe-T-Plus on the front and Tiger Trac on the rear. I couldn't be happier with small tires and can/do carry spare under bed and can change if I need to.