How important is tire size to your selection?

[Mondooker]

Some motorhomes have 22.5 tires while others have 19.5. The style, meaning price point is the same. But as I said they have different size tires. How important is that in the big selection process?

[tropical36]

Mondooker wrote:
If I’m reading you right, the 22 is better and holds more weight. But the 19 has been around a long time and does fine if additional weight isn’t a factor?

This is true and for example, our old coach was well under weight for the 19.5" tires. It had a tag axle for an additional 4500 lbs. but only because it was 36ft long and on a GM P32 chassis. At the same time, pulling our Jeep put an extra ton of overload on it and only because of the GM 4L80E transmission. No problem however, except for long 6% grades in the heat of summer.

Now with our present coach and 22.5 tires, the rear is at max GVWR when loaded for travel, but because of the axle, not the tires. Still a ton to the good on the front. As for GCWR, we can pull 15K lbs and stay within specs. and just as long as it's not a trailer with hitch weight to contend with and even though the hitch rating is 1500lbs.

Many don't check any of this out before purchase and concentrate on the fireplace and big TV. Fact is and if I'm looking to buy a DP, I first look in the rear for a side radiator, while most head for the entry door for checking out said TV and fireplace. But then, that's for another topic.

[rk911]

Mondooker wrote:
It was between the Coachmen Mirada and Entegra Vision XL. The Vision XL is the 22.5.

the tire size would not even enter imto our thought process. far more important would be floor plan, front and rear axle empty and max weight limits, tow capacity, options, etc.

[Bumpyroad]

Mondooker wrote:
If I’m reading you right, the 22 is better and holds more weight. But the 19 has been around a long time and does fine if additional weight isn’t a factor?

I think you have to go back to the old chevy P-30/32 chassis to get to units that had too much weight on the front tires/end. I remember some of the write ups the units were overloaded if there was a passenger in the front passenger seat. don't remember if that was a tire or chassis issue however.

great engineering, put in a puny front end, put two chassis batteries about as far forward as possible, and stick some balloons in the springs to take the weight.
bumpy

[Mondooker]

If I’m reading you right, the 22 is better and holds more weight. But the 19 has been around a long time and does fine if additional weight isn’t a factor?

[Bumpyroad]

Bruce Brown wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
I would never consider the 19.5s, they won't handle the weight capacity for a true Class A.

Bll

The Ford F53 chassis was only built for one purpose - "true Class A motorhomes", and for YEARS the 19.5 was the only tire size offered. :h

As to the OPs question, bigger is always better.

yep, my three motorhomes were Class A and all on 19.5s. when I was interested in moving to 22s I priced the out and there was as large differential, don't know where the price points were the same.
bumpy

[tropical36]

Mondooker wrote:
Some motorhomes have 22.5 tires while others have 19.5. The style, meaning price point is the same. But as I said they have different size tires. How important is that in the big selection process?

I've never seen a motorhome that didn't have adequate wheels and tires for the chassis it was on. Thing to watch out for is CCC and GCWR, which many fail in miserably and for a number of reasons.
Axles capacity for one and most importantly for the latter, the transmission.
Having said all that, the larger wheels could very well account for more CCC and GVWR. Apples to Apples, I'd go with the 22.5's.

[Chum_lee]

Mondooker wrote:
Some motorhomes have 22.5 tires while others have 19.5. The style, meaning price point is the same. But as I said they have different size tires. How important is that in the big selection process?

As others have hinted at, it depends on how important the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) are to you, as well as the purchase price. In general, similar vehicles with larger wheels/tires will cost more money and have higher weight ratings. See the specifications for each chassis to confirm BEFORE YOU BUY. Google "GVWR" and "GCWR" for exact definitions. IMO, these ratings are some of the more important criteria in your prepurchase selection process.

Chum lee

[Bruce_Brown]

Trackrig wrote:
I would never consider the 19.5s, they won't handle the weight capacity for a true Class A.

Bll

The Ford F53 chassis was only built for one purpose - "true Class A motorhomes", and for YEARS the 19.5 was the only tire size offered. :h

As to the OPs question, bigger is always better.

[Trackrig]

I would never consider the 19.5s, they won't handle the weight capacity for a true Class A.

Bll

[Mondooker]

It was between the Coachmen Mirada and Entegra Vision XL. The Vision XL is the 22.5.

[way2roll]

Not sure I understand when you say the style and price point is the same. Typically entry level units on lighter chassis have the 19.5's. As you get a little bigger and a little higher up the food chain you'll see 22.5. Technically/functionally they provide greater capacity. As a bonus they seem to have better road manners than the 19.5's.

[FunTwoDrv]

The 22.5's are typically on the higher GVWR chassis... An increase CCC is not unusual and perhaps a bit better handling as well.

Gary