Clas C and tires
I have been doing online research for the purchase of a new to us RV. A Class C is high on my list. Probably an E450 from about 2000 to 2004. I really want a dinette, sofa and a chair. That would mean...
Forum Discussion
This discussion reminds of a discussion thread some time back in which I "got into it" with a tire expert.
I wanted Load Range G tires for my Class C's 16 inch E450 rims, but of the same stock size as came on it. Of course Load Range G tires can be inflated higher than Load Range E tires so as to be able to carry heavier loads, but my stock rims as supplied by Ford are only rated for up to about 80 lbs. of pressure.
I tried and tried to make the point that I didn't want to take advantage of the higher pressure capability of Load Range G tires because I didn't need higher load carrying capability. All I wanted was tires built with the heavier duty construction that probably would be present in Load Range G tires over Load Range E tires ... as I thought that it was "obvious" that to carry more pressure a tire would have to be built in a stronger way ... i.e. with a higher ply rating or with more actual plys.
Extending my reasoning further, I stated that with Load Range G tires I would therefore wind up getting a tougher tire for use in off-highway camping due to more plies or a higher ply rated being present for Load Range G tires over Load Range E tires.
The expert insisted that "toughness" in a tire was not rated to "Load Rating", so I was off in my reasoning that I'd be getting a superior tire for rough roads if I merely increased the Load Range of the tires that I used on our Class C RV.
Of course I later discovered that Load Range G tires in the common Class C motorhome 225/75/16R size were impossible to find, as the industry has now migrated to larger rims being necessary in order to at the same time get a higher ply rating than 10 ... which is what my Load Range E tires are rated at. I was not convinced during that earlier discussion with a tire expert, so I guess I still maintain my logical position that Load Range G 12 ply rated 225/75/16R tires at 70-80 lbs. pressure would take rough roads better and longer than Load Range E 10 ply rated 225/75/16R tires at 70-80 lbs. pressure would ... if one could find Load Range G tires of that size. I think that they used to be available in that size years ago, but am not sure.
I like my tires to have a larger rubber chamber profile between the road and the rim edge for a better ride, and staying with 16 inch rims provides that. However, thicker sidewall rubber (from a higher ply rating) would counter some of the cushioning effects gained from staying with a 16 inch rim.
I wanted Load Range G tires for my Class C's 16 inch E450 rims, but of the same stock size as came on it. Of course Load Range G tires can be inflated higher than Load Range E tires so as to be able to carry heavier loads, but my stock rims as supplied by Ford are only rated for up to about 80 lbs. of pressure.
I tried and tried to make the point that I didn't want to take advantage of the higher pressure capability of Load Range G tires because I didn't need higher load carrying capability. All I wanted was tires built with the heavier duty construction that probably would be present in Load Range G tires over Load Range E tires ... as I thought that it was "obvious" that to carry more pressure a tire would have to be built in a stronger way ... i.e. with a higher ply rating or with more actual plys.
Extending my reasoning further, I stated that with Load Range G tires I would therefore wind up getting a tougher tire for use in off-highway camping due to more plies or a higher ply rated being present for Load Range G tires over Load Range E tires.
The expert insisted that "toughness" in a tire was not rated to "Load Rating", so I was off in my reasoning that I'd be getting a superior tire for rough roads if I merely increased the Load Range of the tires that I used on our Class C RV.
Of course I later discovered that Load Range G tires in the common Class C motorhome 225/75/16R size were impossible to find, as the industry has now migrated to larger rims being necessary in order to at the same time get a higher ply rating than 10 ... which is what my Load Range E tires are rated at. I was not convinced during that earlier discussion with a tire expert, so I guess I still maintain my logical position that Load Range G 12 ply rated 225/75/16R tires at 70-80 lbs. pressure would take rough roads better and longer than Load Range E 10 ply rated 225/75/16R tires at 70-80 lbs. pressure would ... if one could find Load Range G tires of that size. I think that they used to be available in that size years ago, but am not sure.
I like my tires to have a larger rubber chamber profile between the road and the rim edge for a better ride, and staying with 16 inch rims provides that. However, thicker sidewall rubber (from a higher ply rating) would counter some of the cushioning effects gained from staying with a 16 inch rim.
