Tire Pressure

[mdecastra]

I bought used, from dealer, a 2014 Fleetwood Southwind 32VS. Just weighed it as follows: Full Gas Tank, 2/3 Full Fresh Water, 1/3 ea on Grey and Black, Fully packed incl DW. Front axle weight is 6,880 lbs...Read axle weight is 19,480 lbs. Tires=Michelin R235/80 XRV @ Max single 4675 dual 4410.

1) Are my tires rated to handle my unit?
2) What PSI should I run, per axle?

It appears my front is under weight and rear is over weight. Can I run rear ties lower PSI that rear.

I also have a TPMS 507RV/SG which I can program different tires for different pressure and temp.

[Ray_IN]

Take time to read chapter 4 (pdf) of this Rubber Manufacturers Association/RMA tire care and use guide. Page 55 specifically states to never run less than the mfgrs. tire placard air pressure. http://www.mcgeecompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/complete-manual.pdf

All major tire mfgrs. are members of the RMA, and subscribe to this advice, as evidenced on their respective websites.

[mdecastra]

Thanks for everyone's help!

I really enjoy this RV.NET website!!!!

[zach477]

mdecastra wrote:
As for the actual tires, I think these are the DOT codes:

DOT B6BJ BVJX 1713 on front tire.

Cannot find DOT on rear outside tires.

On the one outside rear tire is a code that looks like:

WJA28H
08-55079-01

Look at the last four digits of the date code: 1713. That means the 17th week of 2013.

The back tires have date codes too. I have those tires and they only print them on one side of the tire, which makes no sense to me. You should be able to see at least a little bit of the other side of the outer tire by peeking your head in there. A flash light or camera phone might come in handy. You should also be able to see a tiny bit of the inner tire as well. If you can't see the date code, try pulling forward a bit to bring the date code in to your line of sight. Take your head out first. 😉

Odds are its the same date as the front tires, but you never know...

[bigbaddad]

You have Michelin 235/80...plenty good for your unit. Run front and back at 90 PSI. Fill fresh water full for better ride. Don't drop pressure hunting for softer ride. If you can shift cargo weight forward probably a good idea.
Overall weight is in good shape...will probably grow with time.

[Ivylog]

So, are your tires 235 or 255? Another typo?:h

[RayChez]

Those are pretty big tires for such a short coach. Usually coaches in that length have the 19.5. If you do have the 22.5 tires you claim, you could run around 90lbs on the rear tires instead of the rock hard 110 lbs. And probably about the same on the front tires.

[mdecastra]

As for the actual tires, I think these are the DOT codes:

DOT B6BJ BVJX 1713 on front tire.

Cannot find DOT on rear outside tires.

On the one outside rear tire is a code that looks like:

WJA28H
08-55079-01

[mdecastra]

correcting my typo makes we feel better and looks like I can drop my PSI down to 80 from 110 (based on a 255/80R22.5 G XRV® XZE® table on website). Next question:

3) will my 507RV/SG TPMS work for this? My current factory default settings are High Pressure 175PSI and Low Pressure 100PSI. Can these be reset?

[mdecastra]

Here are what the CAT papers say:

Steer axle 6880 lb
Drive axle 12600 lb
Gross 19480 lb

Sorry for typo...

[mdecastra]

Here is what the door tags say:

Front GAWR= 8000 lbs
235/80R22.5 134/131M tires
22.5x7.5 rims
at 620 kPu 90 PSI cold

Rear GAWR= 15000 lbs
235/80R22.5 134/131M tires
22.5x7.5 rims
at 620 kPu 90 PSI cold

Another tag has the following:
GVWR 22000 lbs
Factory weight 18064 lbs
OCCC 3936 lbs
Full Fresh H2O 666 lbs
Full Water Heat 83 lbs
Full Propane 84 lbs
GCWR 26000 lbs
max tongue 500 lbs

[zigzagrv]

Hank MI wrote:
I too believe that rear axle weight is actually the total weight. Don't see how you could cram enough stuff in a 32' motorhome to hit 19,480 lbs on the rear axle alone plus another 6,880 on the front axle.

I believe you're right. My 33' is around 19000 lbs total when fully loaded for a 2-3 month trip.

[Hank_MI]

I too believe that rear axle weight is actually the total weight. Don't see how you could cram enough stuff in a 32' motorhome to hit 19,480 lbs on the rear axle alone plus another 6,880 on the front axle.

[Executive45]

Confused yet..??? Dennis

Congratulations on getting your coach weighed. Several things you need to know and consider. Assuming your weights are correct, you need to know each AXLE rating. They will be posted on a sticker near the driver's seat. Compare those to your weight ticket. Next is your PSI. You will air your tires ACROSS each axle. That means you'll carry the SAME PSI in ALL FOUR rears and the SAME in both steer tires. Take your rear AXLE weight and divide by four. Front axle, divide by two. You don't want to carry different PSI in each tire. I increase my PSI by 5 pounds to adjust for any additional weight I may put on the coach while traveling. I also don't sweat it if my PSI varies a pound or two in each wheel, but I keep em close.

Verify your weight ticket is correct, find you axle ratings and repost here. Then we can give you some accurate info....thanks..Dennis

[roam1]

Go back and re-weigh
It's free to re weigh within 24 hrs at my CAT scale

I would bet your rear weight is incorrect