I have a 1998 Fleetwood Discovery (35 ft. Diesel pusher) with air ride. I just replaced all the tires and afterwards, the ride is suddenly terrible. It feels like I have 4 very low tires in the rear and it sways when making a turn or steering correction. The front steering is very tight and if I make a short turn (not quite enough for a lane change)and then hold the steering wheel steady, there is about a 2 second delay and then the rear sways in the opposite direction enough to make a large direction change - enough to actually change lanes. I went back to the tire company and they even changed the back tires around to no avail. Their only recommendation was to pay for a $200 front end alignment. What bothers me most is that no one seems to have heard of such a thing happening. The tread on the tires I replaced were not worn, just old and cracked. Has anyone got a suggestion as to where to look for answers?Thanks

What are your axel weights and what is the recommended tier pressure? What load range tiers are you running? Did it drive ok before?Bill

WILDEBILL308 wrote:What are your axel weights and what is the recommended tier pressure? What load range tiers are you running? Did it drive ok before?BillYep, That's what I was going to ask too. Do make sure that your psi in the tires corresponds to the ACTUAL weight of the coach. And yes, I was also going to ask how well the coach handled BEFORE any tire changes. While it would be time consuming and, maybe a bit of a cost involved, it might be worth it to change all the new tires BACK to the originals, IF, the company still had them. This of course, is just a suggestion.Scott

WILDEBILL308 wrote:What are your axel weights and what is the recommended tier pressure? What load range tiers are you running? Did it drive ok before?BillI feel a little unprepared for providing the necessary info for this. Sorry. I need a few days to collect the relevant data. For tonight, all I have is the receipt which only shows the tire size -- OSP truck 245/75R 22.5 Toyo M154. They are steel belted radials, but I don't know the specs yet.I'll try to find a scales for actual weight and also get the GAWR. I know I'm loaded pretty heavy. The tire store told me the max pressure was around 120 lbs, but we set them all to 100 lbs. I asked if increasing the pressure would help and they didn't 'think' so.I thought the word "suddenly" would indicate a change from good to bad handling, but I didn't really make it very clear. Yes, I was always so pleased with way the rig handled before - like a dream actually.I don't know if the store kept any kind of record on the removed tires, but doubt it. Being a 1998, it was the old style of tire size and I'm sure they made an effort to match up the new tires. They said the size difference was less that a quarter inch in height and width.Bob Wexler wrote:You may need a four wheel alignment, and ride height adjustment, not just front wheels.If I need to follow through with the alignment, I'll definitely inquire about this.I sure appreciate all the support on this question so quickly. I'll get back ASAP with the other pertinent info.

Never had the front end aligned on my coach in 12 years, no issues. I think the correct air pressure in your tires once you know your correct axel weights will make the difference.

Some tires require a break in, usually 500-1000 miles. The heat cycles will help the nylon belted tire to stabilize. Also, the tire pressure you were running with the old tires may not be the same, make sure you have the same load rage, different tread will act differently as well. Tires is one thing you should not shop by price, there is a reason some tires cost more. Your old tire could be all steel construction and the new ones only have steel in the tread and nylon in the side walls, etc...

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24 Replies

Valkyriebush
Explorer II
Aug 08, 2015
Never had the front end aligned on my coach in 12 years, no issues. I think the correct air pressure in your tires once you know your correct axel weights will make the difference.
gshantz
Explorer
Aug 08, 2015
WILDEBILL308 wrote:
What are your axel weights and what is the recommended tier pressure? What load range tiers are you running? Did it drive ok before?
Bill

I feel a little unprepared for providing the necessary info for this. Sorry. I need a few days to collect the relevant data. For tonight, all I have is the receipt which only shows the tire size -- OSP truck 245/75R 22.5 Toyo M154. They are steel belted radials, but I don't know the specs yet.

I'll try to find a scales for actual weight and also get the GAWR. I know I'm loaded pretty heavy. The tire store told me the max pressure was around 120 lbs, but we set them all to 100 lbs. I asked if increasing the pressure would help and they didn't 'think' so.

I thought the word "suddenly" would indicate a change from good to bad handling, but I didn't really make it very clear. Yes, I was always so pleased with way the rig handled before - like a dream actually.

I don't know if the store kept any kind of record on the removed tires, but doubt it. Being a 1998, it was the old style of tire size and I'm sure they made an effort to match up the new tires. They said the size difference was less that a quarter inch in height and width.

Bob Wexler wrote:
You may need a four wheel alignment, and ride height adjustment, not just front wheels.

If I need to follow through with the alignment, I'll definitely inquire about this.

I sure appreciate all the support on this question so quickly. I'll get back ASAP with the other pertinent info.
FIRE_UP
Explorer
Aug 08, 2015
WILDEBILL308 wrote:
What are your axel weights and what is the recommended tier pressure? What load range tiers are you running? Did it drive ok before?
Bill

Yep,
That's what I was going to ask too. Do make sure that your psi in the tires corresponds to the ACTUAL weight of the coach. And yes, I was also going to ask how well the coach handled BEFORE any tire changes. While it would be time consuming and, maybe a bit of a cost involved, it might be worth it to change all the new tires BACK to the originals, IF, the company still had them.

This of course, is just a suggestion.
Scott
WILDEBILL308
Explorer II
Aug 08, 2015
What are your axel weights and what is the recommended tier pressure? What load range tiers are you running? Did it drive ok before?
Bill

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