Benefits of 22" inch wheels on a gasser?

[cairnwalker]

After 15 years with a MH, crossed over to a fiver. Really like it some ways, but don't like pulling it, so we're ready to go back to a gasser and all the conveniences of a MH.

Our previous 2000 Damon Intruder had a Ford V10 and 16.5 wheels (I think) pulling a Jeep Wrangler or HHR with satisfactory performance and MPG. In researching newer vehicles, I see that some of the higher-end lines have 22" wheels on a Ford F53 chassis.

Besides the increased weight capacity, what are the advantages of the larger wheels, and are they sufficient to offset the obvious difference in cost of replacement tires?

Thanks in advance for any experience or other insight you may care to share.

[down_home]

Stick 22.5s on your half ton and see if it will carry more.
It is all part of the design. You start with dimensions, then weight and other factors.,
19.5 on a twenty eight o fifty thousand lb motor home, would not last too long, in my opinion.
You're not going to see that on a lot or anywhere. As far as a conversion from 9.5 to 22.5 I would have to see the creature. Probably take a lot of adjustments such as gearing, and bigger axles. It would be one stout puppy though.
22.5s on a ten thousand pound or so, RV ought to last a loooong time. Might not ride smooth at all, not enough weight for sidewall design and the huge thread depth. Th extra unsprung weight would be something akin to driving a chevy luv, with huge tires. Take a lot more braking too.

[FIRE_UP]

So,
Based on many of your responses, does this mean that Ford or GM, both of which have equipped some of their chassis's with 22.5" tires and wheels, did and do, absolutely nothing else to the chassis to increase carrying capacity, stability, handling, besides trying to "ease" the ride? I have seen many gas rigs with 22.5" tires and wheels and, when looking at potential next coaches for us, those with the larger tires and wheels had listed in the brochures, "Heavy duty chassis".
So, are the brakes the same on a rig with 19.5" wheels and tires as the ones that are used on a gas rig with 22.5" tires and wheels?
Scott

[J-Rooster]

down home wrote:
Reasons for 22.5 in rims and tires is weight capacity, and tire longevity, and ride quality.
Don't plan on changing one yourself unless you are Charles Atlas. yes I've sen a few but they weren't happy they had to do it for a good while.

x-2

[LVJ58]

Our 2000 coach came with 19.5 tires that work just fine.

[down_home]

Reasons for 22.5 in rims and tires is weight capacity, and tire longevity, and ride quality.
Don't plan on changing one yourself unless you are Charles Atlas. yes I've sen a few but they weren't happy they had to do it for a good while.

[Heisenberg]

My '13 Winnebago handles better than I ever dreamed. My '96 Dolphin with 18" tires handled like a whale. pitch and roll ... sway ... pitch and roll .......

[Gjac]

In theory I agree with the previous posters. In practice can anyone tell the difference in ride between 22.5 and 19.5 tires? Somehow I think weight distribution, suspension, tire pressure, front end camber etc. would make more of a difference in ride quality than the tires.

[John___Angela]

Lots of good points. Interesting point though. You use to be able to buy a workhorse chassis with 19.5 wheels or 22 inch wheels. It was the same chassis and they had the same GVWR. However, the chassis with the 22 inch wheels had lower carrying capacity because the 22 inch tires and wheels weighed more than the 19.5's. Interesting.

[timmac]

If you like having a spare and changing the flat yourself than go with 19.5 tires, most motorhomes with 19.5 will have a spare in the compartments but no 22.5 spares will be found in motorhomes.

[wa8yxm]

Better ride, Fewer Revolutions per mile, I suspect this affects MPG (improves) Greater ground clearance (I rather like that I can crawl around under all of my RV save the axles themseves without jacks of any kind.. And I can reach all of it, even over/under the axles, Just can't get my 300+ Pounds under them)

You won't wear out 22.5" tires.. they will age out first.

[crasster]

My Toyota has a better ride than the bounder. Yota has 14" tires. LOL. 🙂 I would say the main advantage is the life of the tire should be longer for tread wearout. Whether or not you'll hit that in 7 years (my max on tire age) is another story.

[roam1]

larger basement, no floor transition between living room and cockpit, some have pass thru badement

[hanko]

It looks a hell of alot better too. 16.5's on a motor home
looks like go cart tires

[Ivylog]

Newer gas MHs have gotten too heavy for 16.5 tires without going to max pressure... poor ride. Yes a 22.5 is going to cost more but the better braking... more rubber on the road and the softer ride... less air pressure are worth the extra cost. Some use 19.5 tires when height, space, or gearing is an issue as they have a smaller diameter and only slightly less load carrying capacity.