Motorhomes with 19.5 vs 22.5 tires

[wtmtnhiker]

Hi all,
I'm looking for a gasser motorhome. Talking to someone who works on them said that a coach with 19.5 tires will not handle very well and only look at coaches with 22.5 tires. I had not heard that before. He said the 19.5 coaches are a smaller chassis and will be harder to handle in wind etc. Opinions from those with experience would be greatly appreciated. I am looking at 2 different ones both on workhorse chassis and both with 245/70R/19.5 tires. Thanks

[Cider]

weight is the factor here. Coaches with the smaller tires have less total weight capacity than the 22.5" tires. Normally, the 22.5" tires are on the heavier chassis's.

[4x4van]

Blanket statements, like the one from the OP's "someone", are rarely accurate or valid.

[Grit_dog]

…

[Dale_Traveling]

Personally I wouldn't worry about it. The coach will spend a lot more time with the tire stationary then rolling even if you full time in the rig. Shop floor plan first and then look at the chassis and what size the tires might be.

[JoeH]

I've had coaches with 16,19.5 and 22.5. All drove well for what they are. Now, each was on a different chassis and the smaller ones (16 & 19.5) were gassers, the 22.5's diesel pusher. The chassis and the tires mounted are engineered for the application . I would not base a purchase in tire size... too many other variables come into lplay.

[Grit_dog]

Thank you for the last 2 posts that actually are on the right track.
Funny thing is, from most of the rest of the posts, one could maybe conclude that putting 22.5s on a Toyota Corolla would make it handle better! Lol.

[way2roll]

Is it really the tires that makes it handle better? Larger tires are a result of a larger chassis and heavier MH. It's not an upgrade option, it's spec'd based on the chassis and the demand for a tire that can handle a higher payload. I would guess it's the heavier weight and larger chassis that makes it handle better.

[rgatijnet1]

Driving two different coaches with different size tires is not a good representation of how that coach handles. At that time the coach is probably empty and who knows what the tire pressure is, according to the current weight. The handling is based on proper loading, proper tire inflation, proper wheel alignment, road conditions, wind, and driver experience.Any of these things can greatly affect the handling if they are out of specs or if the driver has unrealistic expectations.

[RodLyle]

We have had 3 Class A’s with the smaller tires. Our 4th and current Class A has the larger 22.5 tires, it gives a better ride . We travel quite a bet.

[Onyrlef]

I suspect a lot of post hoc reason. The only way to conclusively determine a difference in ride and handling in a 19.5" and 22.5" tire would be in an all other things being equal side by side comparison. Otherwise the difference could be just as reasonably attributed to the upgraded shower head.

[Gjac]

There are more important factors that tire size that determine how the MH will ride. Weight distribution being one, ideally each tire should carry the same load. Front end alignment being another. Worn shocks front end parts like ball joints tie rods etc will affect the ride even more. All things being equal, which they never are in real life you would not notice a difference in ride quality based on just tire size. You will notice a big difference with too much weight in the rear and a light front end or a front end out of alignment.

[MrWizard]

My 1995 34ft Safari DP, had 22.5 tires at $400 per tire,
My current RV 1997 gasser Bounder Ford F53 Chassis 16" tires, $150 per tire, the the Safari ride and Bounder ride are different , not so much in the " seat of the pants feel" but in body lean braking dip, wind stability, Its Not bad, just different i have no complaints with this Ford chassis, but the tires do wear out sooner,
None are going to ride and handle like a car, the best handle like a bus, the worst like a worn out truck,
Bigger tires means the vehicle has more weight per tire on the road a heavier Chassis and a stiffer suspension, less roll & lean than the same RV house, on a smaller tire lighter chassis

[phillyg]

My old 1996, 36' gasser with a tag axle had 16" tires and handled fine. Perhaps I didn't know what I was missing.

[Horsedoc]

I like the 22.5. Handling vs 19.5? Haven't driven a coach with the smaller tires but trucks with the larger tires ride better.
Certainly more available if you need 22.5 on a long trip someplace.
Run what you like.