Community Forums

rgreen45 · 07-09-2011, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Folks, please start your own thread if you want to talk about Foretravels. Hijacking tlcdoc's tire thread to chat about your favorite brand of motorhome is discourteous to the originator and confusing to others.

My bad .... I started the ForeTravel stuff. I didn't realize a short poke would end up a side discussion.

Forgive me.

Alan_Hepburn · 07-09-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveLevin

From a "truck" standpoint even the F450/F550 (using Ford nomenclature) trucks are considered "light" -- you have to move to the much more industrial F650 to be considered a "medium duty truck."

Steve

But then the F450/550 come with 19 1/2" wheels and tires, and the tires are Load Range G - at least they were back in 1999 when I bought my F450...

SteveLevin · 07-09-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

But then the F450/550 come with 19 1/2" wheels and tires, and the tires are Load Range G - at least they were back in 1999 when I bought my F450...

Yes, eventually even Ford came to the 19.5" party. But 450/550's are still considered "light trucks" and not "medium duty."

Steve

falconbro · 07-09-2011, 01:35 PM

I have 16's and had a nasty blow out two weeks ago. A nasty blowout. My story is long, I wont do the whole thing. But, I had 17.50R16s, with a D rating on my RV. All the tires were no more than five years old. It's a 1990, P30 Chassis, 28 feet, class A. In the emergency situation that I was in, the tire store installed 7 - 235-85R16s, E rated. It wasn't till I arrived at the beach that I realized that the rear dually's were "kissing". I found out that it was hazardous and could catch on fire and would blow at some point.

I had the tires replaced yesterday with 215 85 R16s, E rated, steel valve stems. My motorhome, from the factory, indicated that D rated tires were fine. It probably came with D rated tires. The "tire experts" have told me that E rated is more than enough tire and should do fine.

My dry weight is 13,000 pounds. With 80 gallons of fuel, water tanks, beer, clothes, dogs and two people I'm more like 14,500 pounds and that's without the toad. They tell me that 6 E rated tires will carry it fine. It seems to drive nice.

Point being, if the incorrect tires were installed, and they were touching at the bulge, then that might be the reason for your blowout.

tlcdoc · 07-10-2011, 06:42 AM

Thanks for all the posts. The wheels are the original and the tires are the same size and load range that were on it before. Nitrogen... 78% vs 99+% and the difference that would create in the temperature in tires which normally don't turn more than 65 mph. Not much I'm a thinking.

Having to run a load range of E makes it a bit more prudent to run with less weight and gives me incentive to get rid of some more "stuff" I haven't looked at in the basement in a couple of years.

Cya...

Alan_Hepburn · 07-10-2011, 07:47 PM

Be aware that if the rig came from the factory with Load Range D tires then the wheels might have been matched to the tires, and may not be rated for the higher pressure that Load Range E tires allow - so instead of overloading your tires you're now overloading your wheels...

Mr_D · 07-11-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoc

Having to run a load range of E makes it a bit more prudent to run with less weight and gives me incentive to get rid of some more "stuff" I haven't looked at in the basement in a couple of years.

Cya...

"E" range tires will support more weight than a "D" range. Although that's only if the wheels will take higher pressures.

wingman8 · 07-12-2011, 10:25 AM

I have a 2001 winnie ult advantange with 275/80 22.5 tires and it is time for some new ones. Has anyone used kelly tires on their class a? I can buy four of them for $1,780 out the door and mich are $2,700. Are the mich $1,000 better than kelly?

bbeane · 07-12-2011, 06:19 PM

Kelly is a decent tire, mich may ride a little better. The bottom line is the tires are going to rot off way before they ware out, save your 1000 bucks for diesel fuel.

cphilip · 07-12-2011, 06:27 PM

I heard good reports on the Kelly... but also Sumitomo tires are getting real good reports the last few years and a good bargain. Not the cheapest option but a good compromise and much cheaper than a lot of other options. I just put 6 on today with valve extension systems on the rear and all for $1506.60 in 225/70 19.5's.. They have a real good ride feel and in the 19.5's they are F rated like the Michelins that I took off. Not sure I have ever heard of a Class A with 16" tires before. Seems a bit small for that kind of chassis but... I guess there are smaller Class A's then that do.