Class C Tire Load Ratings

[brucegwhite]

I just learned the hard way that tires need to be replaced based on age, not mileage. My 9 year old Class C tires only have 30k miles, but the right rear (outside tire) just went out. Not a blowout...just a failure. I've never had to replace RV tires and would like some advice.

The current tires (original equipment) are identical front and rear:

Uniroyal Laredo HD/H
LT 225/75R16 M&S
110/107 S (I don't know what this code means)
Load Rating D
Max Load 2335 (Single) / 2150 (Dual) at 65 PSI

Due to age, I plan to replace all 7 tires (2 front, 4 rear, spare). As you can see based on our mileage, we don't tend to drive very far, very often...but we do drive in all kinds of weather (rain, cold, wind, desert heat) and all kinds of terrain (from interstates to country highways to curvy mountain roads).

My GVWR is:

Front: 4300
Rear: 8600

Based on these specs, it seems like the current tires "just make it" in terms of load rating; particularly at the rear. Wouldn't it be better to have a tire that can handle a higher load rating? If so, does this mean I should move to Load Rating E?

If I switch from D tires to E tires, do I need to be concerned about any differences in handling? (FYI - In terms of handling, the current tires have been great.)

Also - some people have told me that I should have "steer" tires on the front and "drive" tires on the rear, rather than "all position" tires throughout. These terms are new to me so I don't know how to evaluate this information. is there any benefit to having two different tire types on a Class C? One practical question: if I get different tires front and rear, won't I then have to carry 2 spare tires?

In terms of brand: should I stick with the Uniroyals? I'd love to hear about other brands that people may prefer and why.

Also: I've had good luck here in Oregon getting car & Jeep tires at Les Schwab & Discount Tire. Is there any reason not to use either of these places with an RV?

Thanks for any advice you can provide!

[brucegwhite]

Thank you all very much! This info is extremely helpful.

[crasster]

You will need (for safety) at least load E.

[Sfla2]

SORRY just saw where u have a chevy not sure abt those specs. Go to" E :" frt 65 max based on 4600 frt 80 based on rear 9450 max which would be 4750 per side. this should all be on door sticker, also some place in rig, cabinet, closet ect

[j-d]

Hmm... Service Truck... Road Service... Two testimonies for the Toyo's... Starting to look like Advantage Schwab...

We ran Toyo on our light vehicles (cars, minivan) for years. All good except we had was one set out of round. These were from Tire Kingdom, and their chain runs different names nationally. TK balked a little but ended up replacing the full set and all was well after.

[ghsebldr]

Don't forget to get new stems, metal if possible. I had a new tire go flat while on a trip because I never thought to replace the old stems while putting new tires on my Class C that was new to me.

[harley-dave]

We've been using BF Goodrich (Michelin) M/S load range E tires for several years now, running them at 78 lbs. (front) and 80 lbs. on the rear. Our gross weights are a little higher than yours, definitely get the Borg valve stems on the rear tires.

Dave

[snowdance]

Go with Les Schwab. They do road service if needed. They will rotate, repair, balance them for free as long as you own them. I run the Toyo Open Country 225/75R16 10 ply rating tires. Only problem I've had is the years go by so fast. We have been using Les Schwab for 45 years.

[j-d]

Looking at Ramble's reply, we used Discount Tire (America's Tire out West) and were very pleased with their price and service. I don't think I've heard complaints about Discount/America's, and I'm pretty sure same about Schwab. BTW, sounds like Ramble might have R250's.

I don't keep a tally sheet, but the above seems to be true. Also true that many places don't want to work on something that won't fit In the Door, Onto the Lift, Under the Roof, etc. First set I had installed on another RV, took it to Pep Boys. Back when they had Futura Scrambler 8.75R16.5D... One man did it outside, took 02 hours, but they didn't balk at the job, not one minute.

Big trucks, tractor/trailers, run Steer, Drive, and Trailer tires. I have heard claims that Rib tires (like Duravis R250 and Michelin XPS) track a little better than All Season, Mud/Snow, Off Road... The old Scramblers were All Season and the new R250's are very Rib. I can't say I've seen Bad/Good from those two, one vs. the other.

Most of us do NOT rotate their RV tires. Some rotate front with spare and that's what I happen to do. If you wanted All Season on the Rear for a little better traction, and Rib on the front, I'd say go ahead. Make the Spare a Rib, rotate those three, and get the Spare off the rear (for a new All Season) if you have a rear tire failure.

I'm sure I'll replace all seven on AGE and not Wear. Probably not on Failure either. Only RV tire failure I've had was a tire of unverified age that had had stood around a lot not being driven. The Scramblers were low-priced tires and zero problems for 08 years. Same for the R250's. Not much reason to rotate RV tires since most of us'll age them out before we wear them out. I just rotate Spare to get some use out of it before it ages out.

[RambleOnNW]

Les Schwab has the Toyo Open Country H/T LT225/75R16 which is a good riding M+S tire. I ran those for a while before switching to a Bridgestone all-steel casing commercial tire.

Les Schwab has no problems working with RVs, in fact I had them put on the Borg solid metal dually stems and all the bays were full so they installed them in a back corner of their parking lot using a service truck.

[j-d]

YES, Go to Load Range E! Actually, very hard not to. That size is almost always sold in E, just be sure they're LT (Light Truck) designation. There are "P" series (Passenger) tires in that 225/75R16 size.

Anyhow, get E, and weigh your loaded coach. Set tire pressures according to weight. Put good VALVES (nothing rubber!!!) on there. The least expensive kits are sold at Camping World and will do the job just fine. Custom made, of solid brass. That's for the rear. For front and spare, all you need is ordinary 2" METAL valves.

Goodyear, Uniroyal, few users, limited reviews. A Michelin tire needs no introduction anywhere in the world. The LTX series (again must be "LT") is popular original equipment. Many of us have gotten Firestone Transforce and those comments are good. Michelin XPS and Bridgestone Duravis R250 are premium "rib" treaded tires and most consider both to be excellent. I use R250.

Hope this helps.