Class C Tire Replacement

[enfd7]

I have a 2000 Fleetwood Jamboree 29V Class C on a Chevrolet 3500 chassis. The previous owner replaced the tires in 2006 with Hankook LT225/75R16E Load Range E (10 ply). The label up in the bunk shows LT225/75R16D Load Range D (8 ply). Hence the hard ride. It's time for tires and I cannot find an 8 ply D rated tire in the size that Fleetwood shipped the RV with. The original spare tire is a General Ameri*550 LT225/75R16D 110/107 which to my knowledge is no longer manufactured. Any ideas? My dishes are breaking on the Cross Bronx Expressway!!!

[j-d]

Tire shopping for car/SUV led me to think Sam's Club ---might--- have a private arrangement with BFG. If they do, I don't know how far (into how many BFG product lines) it goes, but as I recall I got different results looking tires up on the Sam's site than I found on the BFG site.
If your coach suggests 65-PSI, that is max for Load Range "D". That makes me think "E" might be the better plan. If you haven't, look at a Load/Pressure Chart and you'll also notice that the Dual (Rear Axle) tires need more air pressure to carry the same load as Single (like your Front Axle). That also is printed on the tire sidewalls.

[enfd7]

Thanks for the info. I am currently running 60psi front and 65psi rear as the door jam indicates. 65 psi in an E rated tire most likely will ride harder than a D rated tire with the same pressure. Which is why I would like to replace the tires with the same ones that came with the coach. I'm not too concerned with the brand name as I will reach the 5-7 year limit and still have 80% tread left. Anyone running the BF Goodrich Commercial TA? Sam's advertises the D range on their site but BF's site only shows the E range.

[RV_daytrader]

Do you have air bags on your class C ? ...if so, make sure you do not have too much pressure in them. When I bought my Yoda, the previous owner had 60 # in them. The ride was so hard I thought my fillings would fall out! Reducing the air bags to 35# made a huge difference!

[j-d]

Tires, to me, are a commodity. We don't get passionate about them unless something goes wrong. Our coach had Bridgestone Duravis tires when we bought it. They've been smooth, quiet, trouble free and show no signs of checking. They're a heavy duty light truck tire. Or if you prefer, a light truck version of a heavy duty tire. I'm trying to recall if anybody has had complaints about them and don't remember any. They're equivalent to the Michelin XPS Rib with the steel construction, and seem to be available at some of the warehouse clubs, at least I hear about Costco having them.
Ours are a "highway" or "rib" style. If you know you will actually need M&S/all season tires, that's one thing. Consider getting them. Otherwise, I believe the highway/rib type will help the RV track straight on the road.

[RambleOnNW]

I used Toyo Open Country H/Ts for a while and had a decent ride but decided to switch to Bridgestone M895s which have steel sidewalls and a firmer ride. Interesting though they are smoother over expansion joints in the pavement.

[TyroneandGladys]

j-d wrote:
If your original tires were Load Range D, then you should not run more than 65PSI in your current Load Range E tires. So many inflate to the sidewall max, or 80PSI in Load Range E.
Just weigh your coach and inflate to the pressure indicated in the Load/Pressure charts available on the web. Doesn't have to be for your BRAND, just for a TIRE with the same specs as yours.
It's VERY common to replace "D" tires with "E" as they are much more common. I doubt the load range is the source of your rough ride. I believe it's
1. the fact it's a Class C "Cube Van" RV
2. more air pressure than your axle weights call for

X2 My load range E tires are Max 80 psi but my rims are max 65 psi

[Cobra21]

I run our Chev class C by the specs in the door jamb. which is 55 psi.
They look right and feel right so I'm happy.

Brian

[crawford]

Remember one thing many are close to the over load from factory more so the ones that have 1 or 2 slides don't guess weigh it see for sure. If you change load range go for the E. Myself after weighing I went to load range G !,000 pounds per tire total 4,000 in rear going on 5 years and will have a 9 year tire at least not the 7 like most or sooner, now have 40,000 show next to no wear happy camping.

[bob_and_donna]

you should always inflate to the required pressure as listed on the manufacture tag not the psi on the tire side wall.

[tenbear]

Mine came with load range D tires and Chevy recommended they be at 60/65 for front/rear. I upgraded to load range E and increased the pressure by 5psi. Runs fine, has been good for 5 years.

[Oldme]

We bought a used 2000 Georgieboy Class C a year ago.
The previous owner (or factory) had changed the "D" rated tires to "E"
Depending on which literature for my MH; from the factory,
you see either D or upgraded later to E rated tires.

Mine are BFG.
So I e-mailed BFG about tire pressures.
They said without a 4 corner weight they would only recommend
that I run the max stated 80 psi. With a 4 corner weight they
would give specific recommendations.

The truck center that did a brake job set the rears at 77psi
and front at 72. Mine is a short 24ft and no I do not believe
anywhere near max weight. We load light. I still have to weigh it.

Several tire web sites have tire psi for weight listed.
Michelin is one that has it on their web site.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I used Toyo. I also replaced the wheels so I could use 235/85R16.

[j-d]

If your original tires were Load Range D, then you should not run more than 65PSI in your current Load Range E tires. So many inflate to the sidewall max, or 80PSI in Load Range E.
Just weigh your coach and inflate to the pressure indicated in the Load/Pressure charts available on the web. Doesn't have to be for your BRAND, just for a TIRE with the same specs as yours.
It's VERY common to replace "D" tires with "E" as they are much more common. I doubt the load range is the source of your rough ride. I believe it's
1. the fact it's a Class C "Cube Van" RV
2. more air pressure than your axle weights call for

[jk31668]

Most rv tire failures arecaused from under inflation. You should always check pressures and keep them within 80% of recommended pressure