I have a 31' Coachmen Freelander. It has one slide on the driver's side. I purchased 6 LT225/75R16 Goodyear 947 RSS load range E tires three years ago and have been really happy with them.In October, I had a mobile weigh station weigh each tire individually and found out that my front driver side tire load is 2,850, while the tire is rated for 2,680, 170 pounds over the tire's rating.Passenger front tire has 2,200 pounds on the tire, so that's OK.After a through going over to see where the weight is coming from it has to be the slideout. I have almost nothing else in the left front of the rig that would add that much weight. I've been trying to find a load range G tire, but none will fit the 6" wheel I now have. I just want to replace the front tires since the others are still fairly new and are in the approved weight range for them.So I guess my questions are:Should I be concerned about being 170 pounds over?How do I get load range G tires on the front? New wheels?I'm looking at Michelin XPS RIB, Goodyear 947, Wrangler SilentArmor. I'm not concerned about price.

If you've been driving it for three years, with no problems, then I don't think I would worry about buying the Goodyears again. When you go to a scale, your rig is level. When you're driving on most roads in the right lane, the rig is tilted slightly to the right due to the crown in the road. This might be enough to bring that left tire back to it's rated capacity. Additionally, speed is very much a factor. If you drive 65-70, you might have a concern. If you drive 60 or under, that's a lot less heat generated. Finally, your door sticker probably calls for 65 or 70 lbs in the front tires. You should go to the max of 80 if you really have that much weight on the front tires. Your weights are a little suspect, since on my 32' Leprechaun with two street side slides, there is only 4,400 lbs on the front wheels.CT51

Toyo (and probably others) make a 235/85R16 LR E that's rated for 3042 lbs @80psi. It would make the front end sit 1" higher than the 225/75R16's and shouldn't be an issue for your rims. If your buying tires anyway then I would get tires with a higher rating no matter how well the old ones did. I would never purposely overload a tire. Just one idea.ScottEDIT: just checked and the Ribs come in the same size and rating as the Toyo's.

I don't know of anyone making a load range G tire for a 16" wheel. If they did, I'd have some on my dually. They do make trailer tires in G for 16" wheels but you don't want these on your MH.Being over the tire rating isn't a good idea although you obviously haven't had an problems because of it, yet. In the very unlikely event that a DOT cop ever pulled you over and checked the weight you would likely get a ticket. The odds of that happening are roughly zero.I currently have my first set of Michelin tires and am very happy with them. I would have gotten the XPS but couldn't afford to spend the money. That would be my choice if price didn't matter. You may also want to look at Bridgestone Duravis. I had very good results with those on an overload truck.

Thanks for the quick replies! The guy that weighed my rig really scared me after had showed the results. Then again, every rig like mine would have the same unequal weight issue because of the slide. I have almost nothing in the overhead cab…a few books and a small 12v flat panel TV.If it was a real safety issue, wouldn't there have been a safety bulletin issued, or they would have been sold with different tires (I bought new).Seems like Coachmen would have some legal issues if they sold coaches with insufficient tires for the weight.I'm not a speed demon. I like to set the cruise control at 60 and see the countryside. I'll make sure the pressure is up to 80 and keep an eye on what I put in that front left side.Any other opinions would be appreciated. I'm still open to replacing the wheels in the front if necessary.

Your weights are a little suspect, since on my 32' Leprechaun with two street side slides, there is only 4,400 lbs on the front wheels.You may have something there. I had my rig weighed at a CAT scale, front axle, rear axle, and gross weight. My front axle on the CAT scale weighed in at 4,220 pounds.The front axle weight from the mobile weight guy is 5,050.What are others that have a large class C using for tires?

Tire dilemma | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Diane_L
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
Thanks for the quick replies!
The guy that weighed my rig really scared me after had showed the results. Then again, every rig like mine would have the same unequal weight issue because of the slide. I have almost nothing in the overhead cab…a few books and a small 12v flat panel TV.

If it was a real safety issue, wouldn't there have been a safety bulletin issued, or they would have been sold with different tires (I bought new).
Seems like Coachmen would have some legal issues if they sold coaches with insufficient tires for the weight.

I'm not a speed demon. I like to set the cruise control at 60 and see the countryside.
I'll make sure the pressure is up to 80 and keep an eye on what I put in that front left side.

Any other opinions would be appreciated. I'm still open to replacing the wheels in the front if necessary.
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Jan 04, 2014
I don't know of anyone making a load range G tire for a 16" wheel. If they did, I'd have some on my dually. They do make trailer tires in G for 16" wheels but you don't want these on your MH.
Being over the tire rating isn't a good idea although you obviously haven't had an problems because of it, yet. In the very unlikely event that a DOT cop ever pulled you over and checked the weight you would likely get a ticket. The odds of that happening are roughly zero.
I currently have my first set of Michelin tires and am very happy with them. I would have gotten the XPS but couldn't afford to spend the money. That would be my choice if price didn't matter. You may also want to look at Bridgestone Duravis. I had very good results with those on an overload truck.
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 04, 2014
Toyo (and probably others) make a 235/85R16 LR E that's rated for 3042 lbs @80psi. It would make the front end sit 1" higher than the 225/75R16's and shouldn't be an issue for your rims.
If your buying tires anyway then I would get tires with a higher rating no matter how well the old ones did. I would never purposely overload a tire.
Just one idea.

Scott

EDIT: just checked and the Ribs come in the same size and rating as the Toyo's.
CT51
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
If you've been driving it for three years, with no problems, then I don't think I would worry about buying the Goodyears again. When you go to a scale, your rig is level. When you're driving on most roads in the right lane, the rig is tilted slightly to the right due to the crown in the road. This might be enough to bring that left tire back to it's rated capacity. Additionally, speed is very much a factor. If you drive 65-70, you might have a concern. If you drive 60 or under, that's a lot less heat generated. Finally, your door sticker probably calls for 65 or 70 lbs in the front tires. You should go to the max of 80 if you really have that much weight on the front tires. Your weights are a little suspect, since on my 32' Leprechaun with two street side slides, there is only 4,400 lbs on the front wheels.

CT51

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Tire dilemma

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