Planning for new wheels and tires

[Patric]

I have 9-20's on mine with split rims on the front and normal on the back. Tires are 10" wide by 40.2" diameter.

I would like to eventually have all aluminum 22.5 x 8.25 rims with some good radial tires - my teeth hurt for the first few miles with these bias plys!

My use of this bus is probably a bit different than most folks on this forum. I won't be doing any long distance travel. Local camping trips in this area involve dirt roads and of course there are a couple trips per year to the playa (dry lake bed).

I am thinking about a tire with some mild mud and snow type tread (for the drivers). I am also wondering if I can go a bit smaller in diameter (or the same) and wider with a tire that has a higher load rating so I can safely run lower tire pressures. This will give me a larger road patch for more traction (dry), flotation and a bit softer ride and some protection from stone cuts.

Also - is there any reason that I cannot replace the steers now and wait a bit for the drivers? This endeavor will cost more than I paid for this coach

Any experience or advice on sizes that are known to work? Criticism of my thinking on this?

[oldmansax]

No reason why you can't do the steers first & then the drives. You can also do the steers (2 rims & tires), save up & buy two more rims & tires and put the steers on the drives & the new tires on the drive, while moving the remaining old set back to the steers, then finally buy the last set.

If you do the above, put the NEWER tires on the right (passenger, curb) side. Most roads are slightly lower on the edges than in the center. The newer tires will be slightly larger & help even out the coach.

Us po' folks got to help each other!

TOM

[Patric]

Thanks Tom

Nothins free - I could be making payments on a better Bird or making payments on upgrades and fixing things. I chose the latter

My to-do list is long and categorized into Safety, Needed and Wishful. Steer tires are #1 on the safety list.

[iamflagman]

Originally Posted by Patric

...........................................I am thinking about a tire with some mild mud and snow type tread (for the drivers). I am also wondering if I can go a bit smaller in diameter (or the same) and wider with a tire that has a higher load rating so I can safely run lower tire pressures. This will give me a larger road patch for more traction (dry), flotation and a bit softer ride and some protection from stone cuts..................

Patric,

If you haven't already read this thread, check it out Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner > Tires, Brakes, Steering and Suspensions > New Tires especially concerning the tire that you use and then deflate for the rear duals spacing, here is my post from that thread;

Originally Posted by iamflagman

Tire spacing is very important;

http://www.pbase.com/image/133835688

For those members that may need to either read for the first time or brush up on these topics that relate to this discussion, check out;

Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner > Tires, Brakes, Steering and Suspensions > PROPERLY MATCHING TIRES TO WHEELS.pdf

Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner > Tires, Brakes, Steering and Suspensions > Tires and Wheels and Weighing Your 'Bird

Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner > Tires, Brakes, Steering and Suspensions > Anyone using 8.25 rims for 315/80r 22.5's?

[dentmac]

Hi,
Possible safety concern with mixing. Google "mixing radial and bias tires"
Perhaps rear first?

[Stephen]

Don t ever get into trouble with 2 different tires on a vehicle in most jurisdictions it is illegal and unsafe the lawyers would have a hayday
change all or none

[oldmansax]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Don t ever get into trouble with 2 different tires on a vehicle in most jurisdictions it is illegal and unsafe the lawyers would have a hayday
change all or none

I am not sure about the laws on this but I did drive trucks for over 25 years all over the US and in some of Canada & Mexico. I have been through hundreds of inspections, local, state and federal. I was put out of service a number of times for real or perceived infractions, including once in Fayetteville, NC for having too much grease on the fifth wheel and my exhaust pipe not being tall enough. I would think someone would have said something about mismatched tires if there was a fine in it.

Not trying to be argumentative here, just something I have never run up against.

I also would not make the same suggestion to someone who is running long trips at highway speeds. Patric specifically said he was doing local trips involving off highway & dirt roads.

TOM

[Patric]

John,

Thank you for the reference. I had read the new tires thread and the 315's one but the others I missed. Good information. I need to get better at search techniques

Stephen and Ross,

Thank you. Good point. Goodyear just says not to do it on the same axle but others say not at all. Michelin says to avoid it but if you must to put the radial at the back.

I think I will wait until I can do them all. This just leaves me the the question of what size to select. Looking at the tire websites is making my eyes bleed

I don't really want to break new ground so what is known to work for my year and what is most popular (I don't want a tire most places don't stock)?

[Patric]

Originally Posted by oldmansax

I am not sure about the laws on this but I did drive trucks for over 25 years all over the US and in some of Canada & Mexico. I have been through hundreds of inspections, local, state and federal. I was put out of service a number of times for real or perceived infractions, including once in Fayetteville, NC for having too much grease on the fifth wheel and my exhaust pipe not being tall enough. I would think someone would have said something about mismatched tires if there was a fine in it.

Not trying to be argumentative here, just something I have never run up against.

I also would not make the same suggestion to someone who is running long trips at highway speeds. Patric specifically said he was doing local trips involving off highway & dirt roads.

TOM

I find lots of opinions on mixing in a google search but nothing saying whether it is legal or illegal for commercial vehicles. Goodyear, Uniroyal and Michelin all state it is not ideal and never on the same axel but if you must put them on the rear. It would seem they would have a caveat if doing this was illegal under some circumstances.

Since I am most anxious about replacing my steers and less anxious about the drivers I think I will just wait to do them all.

[oldmansax]

Originally Posted by Patric

Goodyear, Uniroyal and Michelin all state it is not ideal and never on the same axle but if you must put them on the rear.

I can offer a little real world experience here. I have driven several vehicles with mixed (bias ply & radial) tires & they tend to steer a little more squirrely than a vehicle that has only one type on it. Bias tires tend to stand straight when cornering. Redials will roll over on their shoulders a little. When those two effects are combined, it makes it harder to judge exactly how the vehicle will react in a given situation. It is especially difficult when one tire depressurizes suddenly. If the bias ply tire fails, the vehicle will react one way and if the radial fails, it will react another. Neither of these situations are usually relevant unless you are traveling at highway speeds. BTDT.

I don't think you will have any problems, whatever you decide.

TOM