All Terrain Tires for Class C

[Swimmer]

I would like to install all terrain tires on our Class C for off grid camping, mostly in the desert.

A few questions for people who have installed AT tires:

1. Is the noise level from the tires louder on the freeway compared to stock tires?

2. Is the overall wear similar to a stock tire?

3. Any other significant differences you noticed between the two types?

Note: We are also doing a lift kit so there is room for a larger AT tire, but just looking for tire feedback please.

2022, 30 Ft, Class C, E-450

[MooseCountry]

Two of our tow vehicles have Toyo C/T's. 3 ply carcass, 3PMSF rated, and a long tread life on our heavier pickup trucks.

Recently purchased a Ram 3500 4x4 HO Cummins and switched this month at 1,400 miles from the LT 275 70R18 Firestone HT's to the same size in Toyo C/T's while we were towing in Minnesota. There was no noise or ride difference.

On our Ram 2500 4x4 Power Wagon it came with 285 70R17 Goodyear Duratracs. Those were entirely bald at 30,000 miles and had two rock punctures. Currently running 35 12.5R17 Toyo C/T's with over 50,000 miles on them with no more rock punctures. Starting to get more road noise with them, but it's no more than the old Duratracs on our Chevrolet 1500 4x4 pickup.

The 3500 and our 1500 both have 3.73-1 axle gear ratios. So I'm running stock size tires to not diminish the performance living at high altitude in the Rockies. Our 2500 has 4.10-1 and the upsize tires are equivalent to reducing it to 3.73-1. The upsizing helped reduce RPM cruising at the legal highway speeds of 80 MPH.

[SafariBen]

I occasionally drive a pickup with slightly aggressive off road tires. It's not a quiet enough or smooth enough riding pickup for me to notice any difference when they swapped tires, or from vehicles with highway tread on them. The wear usually isn't a factor in RVs, most people change them out on age, or after flats. They won't go the miles, but if you need an aggressive tread, the miles don't matter.

[rtaggio]

I would argue your tires aren't the limiting factor for going off road with a class C MH.

Chassis weight, minimal ground clearance, 1 drive wheel, etc are the problems.

[cwstnsko]

The challenge you may run into in trying to install larger tires is not so much lift as dual spacing on the rear wheels. When I’ve looked into it, most larger OD tires will not have enough space between the duals to dissipate heat properly or may actually even touch each other under load. Some people are comfortable with spacers, but in addition to safety concerns, some RV have clearance issues with moving the outboard tire out even more.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

I would like to install all terrain tires on our Class C for off grid camping, mostly in the desert.

A few questions for people who have installed AT tires:

1. Is the noise level from the tires louder on the freeway compared to stock tires?

2. Is the overall wear similar to a stock tire?

3. Any other significant differences you noticed between the two types?

Note: We are also doing a lift kit so there is room for a larger AT tire, but just looking for tire feedback please.

2022, 30 Ft, Class C, E-450

As others here have mentioned, there’s more things to consider for planning off road adventures with the rig you’ve identified. Actually…..a 30’ motorhome is not ideal given the road clearance needed. The motorhome market addresses your hopes with factory built AWD motorhomes, most of which are much shorter….around 20’ maximum. They also have the types of tires you mention, and have the clearance to handle them. It sounds like you’re trying to take a family car where Jeeps or 4x4 vehicles go.

If you can’t go where you want in your rig as equipped, I believe you’ve got the wrong rig. Just my $0.02.

[wildtoad]

Knobby tires on highway makes for more noise, lower life if tread. The latter may not be an issue as you’re probably not going to use it as a daily driver. Noise level can be subjective. It may be okay especially since you wanting to go off-road. Class C and gas Class A motorhomes already are noisy so may not be an issue. What’s a little road noise.

[Soppy]

I do a lot of boondocking and run mud & snow tires on the rear of my motorhome. I kept the same tire size. I didn't notice much of an increse in road noise. The tires do make a difference especially on wet slick surfaces.

[Swimmer]

Thank you to those who replied regarding the tires as per my original question.

For the other concerned parties: I had a 4x4 vehicle when I was younger and am well aware of the limitations of using an RV for off street use.