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bob's avatar
bob
Explorer
Oct 19, 2014

Replacing tires with wider tires.

Have 1993 Itasca. Going to replace tires. Has 8r-19.5 tires on. Saw someplace I can replace with 225/70r/19.5. Will the tire give me better handling? Can I just put larger tire on front? Any one who made this change give me some comments if it is worth the change.

17 Replies

  • A 1993 will have overdrive...the slight RPM increase might help.

    A 225/70 is a direct replacement for an 8R19.5 tire, but an inch or so shorter. A 245/70 is the same diameter and should work in front, but may require new wheels in back. (Duals may rub.)
  • I did it on mine. Would not do it again because I gained RPM on the engine thus going from 8.75mpg down to 8.0mpg because of the higher engine RPM. They ride great but I don't like the trade off. Plus the engine compartment is louder. I did not notice any better handling.
  • I have a 1995 winnebago and went with 245/70 r19.5 up front and stayed with 8r19.5 in the rear. They are the same height. Handling and ride is a lot better.Running 95psi up front and 90 psi in rear.
  • In case and I say in case you do not make the change I am getting pretty good service from Samson tires which I got from Chicago Tire via EBAY.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-tires-8r19-5-GL283A-All-Position-12-PR-truck-RV-tire-8x19-5-8-19-5-8195-/131226396578?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Tires&hash=item1e8db3e7a2&vxp=mtr Make an offer at $1000.00 for all six delivered. The ones I got have all been fairly recent manufacture date.
    @
    @
    The actual change has been discussed to death already and you can pick through the threads at
    http://forums.motorhomemagazine.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/search/parms/sw%7B8r%7D|km%7Bexact%7D|kl%7Bm%7D|fm%7B%7D|pd%7B365%7D|ma%7B%7D/sr/1.cfm

    Whichever you go with find a place that actually balances the tire not throw in those darn packets
  • Get RV rated tires not truck tires. The size of a wider tire will not help the steering or handling. That is done through having front end suspension and control components that are not worn out. A loose control arm will still be a problem not matter what width the tires are. Then most wider tires are lower as the 80 v the 70 v the 60 v the 40 v the 30 just get you lower the ground. Plus the wheel is also designed for the tire, and will not work with some wide tire sizes. Make sure the sway bar bushings are replaced with neoprene as rubber ones don't last long and are softer. Shocks and spring and air bags if you have them all need to be of high quality for best ride. The wheel bearings also need to be checked for flat spots and the damage they may have done to the spindle is the scored it. Then the steering box may be shot too. If it's the wider look you want, don't go there, as your vehicle was designed for a specific tire size and rating for the suspension and road clearance and level of the front to back stance. Of course the rear suspension may also be incorrect due to sagging spring and sway bar bushings and shocks being worn out.
  • Hi,

    I upgraded to wider and taller tires. If you have duals it requires new rims so the offset is correct. It improved mileage and handling and got me into a "safe zone" for tire carrying capacity. I would do it again.

    Make sure there is fender clearance.