Community Forums

R1Kirby · 01-04-2010, 12:18 PM

I have purchased a Class C Motorhome that has a gross weight of 18000 lbs. It has LT 225/75R16 Load Range E tires on it. I have looked for an upgrade to a higher load range, but E is the only on I can find for this Motorhome. My questions is; How good is the load range E ?

CD · 01-04-2010, 01:05 PM

R1Kirby
IMHO how "good" a tire is would depend on who made it. According to Good Year's load chart, your tires are only good for 15240lbs. That's if you only have a set of duals and singles on the front. Using 6 tires you will need LT235/85R16 G rated to have more than 18K capacity. Then you need to know if the wheels will stand that much tire.

TXiceman · 01-04-2010, 06:23 PM

R1Kirby, you need to look at that weight rating again. Is it a Super C? The one listed in your profile cannot have a a gross weight os 18000# on an E350 chassis. Are you thinking GCWR (GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING) which the most the RV and what ever you tow.

For a class C on the E350 chassis, a load range E is more than adequate. If it is a newer Super C, it will have larger than 16" wheels.

Ken

R1Kirby · 01-05-2010, 06:58 AM

Ken, This is a newer motorhome that I just purchased. 1998 Coachman with a Ford V-10. The registration papers say Gross weight not over 18000 lbs. The Coachman sticker says GVWR 14050 lbs. So how good is the Load Range E ? Thanks

CD · 01-05-2010, 11:56 AM

R1Kirby
The registration is a licensing number set by your state. It may include the weight of anything that you are towing. If your actual weight is even close to the GVWR you will need to run 80lbs in all the tires and even then you may over load one or more corners of the MH. Hope this helps.

TXiceman · 01-05-2010, 06:52 PM

we had a 1999 E450 class C with a GVWR of 14050#. We generally was right at 13,950# when loaded, 1/4 tank of fresh water and empty waste tanks.

The original Firestones were a joke and I replaced them with Bridgestone load range E commercial highway radials. No more problems with tires.

So go with a good name highway tire and load range E and you will have enough tire for the chassis.

Ken

DriVer · 01-13-2010, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

So go with a good name highway tire and load range E and you will have enough tire for the chassis.

Ken, I concur with your assessment. Load Range E is going to be just fine.

RandD · 04-18-2010, 08:49 AM

Hi R1Kirby,

Owning a Class-C E450 based motorhome, I would suggest that you need to watch the rear axle weight more than the tires! Since you are looking at an E350 based unit - that is even more important!

The typical LRE rated tires (Michelin) used by Ford on the E450 have a weight rating of 9880lb for the axle. However, the rear axle rating is lower than the tires at only 9450 LB. Your E350 axle limit will be even lower than the E450s.

We have no problem with the weight rating of a full set of Load Range E tires - being able to safely use that weight is a whole different story. You will absolutely have no problem with LRE tires on an E350.

Safe Travels!