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[GMCnet] Newbie tire size question [message #146662] Sat, 15 October 2011 23:42 Go to next message
CardinalNSB is currently offline  CardinalNSB   United States
Messages: 13
Registered: September 2011
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Hello, I just bought a 23' Birchaven, my first motorhome. It has 16"
Alcoas. I need new front tires. The current 225 width seems small, my Caprice
came with 235, my Tahoe has 275 width. My question is:

(assuming a suitable wheel and overall suitable gear ratio)

What are the experiences and thoughts of using a larger diameter wheel,
with either a shorter sidewall to keep stock height, or a higher overall
height? What about using wider tires? How about a taller/wider wheel in front,
and stock in back? Why do I ask?

My perception is a wider tire would give a more solid "feel" to the
steering.

If this has been discussed before or the subject of another article, I
would appreciate a reference.

Thank you, Skip Simpson, near Daytona Beach


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Re: [GMCnet] Newbie tire size question [message #146663 is a reply to message #146662] Sun, 16 October 2011 00:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
G'day,

Welcome aboard!

Spotted your '23 on JimB's website, nice looking coach.

http://www.gmccoop.com/Skip-delivery-2.jpg

Here's a start:

http://gmcmotorhome.info/tires.html

I did a search for the word "Tire" in the Subject only on the GMC Net Forum and got 112 hits here's a link to that search:

Tinyurl Link:

http://tinyurl.com/3n7dhbd

Full link:

http://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?SQ=f6cd33cd62200b301a43720028bc26d1&t=search&srch=Tire&btn_submit=Search&field=subjec
t&forum_limiter=1&search_logic=AND&sort_order=DESC&author=

Digesting this info should keep you busy for awhile! ;-)

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: CardinalNSB@aol.com

Hello, I just bought a 23' Birchaven, my first motorhome. It has 16" Alcoas. I need new front tires. The current 225 width seems
small, my Caprice came with 235, my Tahoe has 275 width. My question is:

(assuming a suitable wheel and overall suitable gear ratio)

What are the experiences and thoughts of using a larger diameter wheel, with either a shorter sidewall to keep stock height, or a
higher overall height? What about using wider tires? How about a taller/wider wheel in front, and stock in back? Why do I ask?

My perception is a wider tire would give a more solid "feel" to the steering.

If this has been discussed before or the subject of another article, I would appreciate a reference.

Thank you, Skip Simpson, near Daytona Beach



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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Newbie tire size question [message #146664 is a reply to message #146662] Sun, 16 October 2011 02:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
The problem here is you are dealing with Light Truck tires not car tires so your options are limited. The truck tire is designed to carry much more weight than a car tire. We usually recommend LT 2.25x75x16 LRE. The LRE means Load Range E. You can just get by with LRD tires but the cost different is usually less that $5 per tire.

The above tire side matches the diameter of the tires which originally came on the coach. Going to any other size tire will change your final drive ratio and your speedometer calibration.

If you do decide to go to another size wheel and tire, make sure that both the wheels and tires meet the load carrying capability of at least the above LRD tire.

A few people that have changed their final drive ratio have gone to 2.45x75x16 LRE tires.

Do NOT buy STEEL sidewall tires. You will hate the steering and ride. Also inflate the tires on your coach based on the weight of each axle of your coach. If you run them at max pressure of 80 PSI you will not like the handling.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] Newbie tire size question [message #146665 is a reply to message #146662] Sun, 16 October 2011 03:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mr ERFisher is currently offline  Mr ERFisher   United States
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
Senior Member
big subject, here are some things to read

http://gmcmotorhome.info/tires.html

gene


On Sat, Oct 15, 2011 at 9:42 PM, <CardinalNSB@aol.com> wrote:

> Hello, I just bought a 23' Birchaven, my first motorhome. It has 16"
> Alcoas. I need new front tires. The current 225 width seems small, my
> Caprice
> came with 235, my Tahoe has 275 width. My question is:
>
> (assuming a suitable wheel and overall suitable gear ratio)
>
> What are the experiences and thoughts of using a larger diameter wheel,
> with either a shorter sidewall to keep stock height, or a higher overall
> height? What about using wider tires? How about a taller/wider wheel in
> front,
> and stock in back? Why do I ask?
>
> My perception is a wider tire would give a more solid "feel" to the
> steering.
>
> If this has been discussed before or the subject of another article, I
> would appreciate a reference.
>
> Thank you, Skip Simpson, near Daytona Beach
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
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Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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Re: [GMCnet] Newbie tire size question [message #146667 is a reply to message #146662] Sun, 16 October 2011 08:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
WD0AFQ is currently offline  WD0AFQ   United States
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
Senior Member
I like big fat tires. 245-75-16 Load Range E. 16 inch Alcoas, with 370 final drive.
Dan


3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
Re: [GMCnet] Newbie tire size question [message #146678 is a reply to message #146662] Sun, 16 October 2011 09:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
Senior Member

I drive in dirt from time to time so I wanted a tire with more flotation and traction. Here's what I did:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5521

Captions under the photos explain everything. I have also upgraded to a 3.70 limited slip final drive, from Applied GMC.

AS of yet, I haven't had to deal with a flat tire and the potential to have different offset/size wheels on the front. I don't know what kind of can of worms that might open up, but I'm sure it would be nothing I couldn't handle. I also now have Eagle alloy wheels on the rear with 225/75R-16 LRE tires as well as one for a spare. I carry an extra set of lug nuts in case I have to put the Eagle on the front, as the Dodge wheels use different lug nuts.

Before the front tire change, I got stuck at my camp site at the Imperial Sand Dunes. The first year I had the 255/70 tires on the front (last year) I did NOT get stuck. That was before the 3.70 LS differential. The difference may have been in the conditions of the soil, but I believe it was the tires.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: [GMCnet] Newbie tire size question [message #146710 is a reply to message #146667] Sun, 16 October 2011 17:19 Go to previous message
ggroth is currently offline  ggroth   United States
Messages: 282
Registered: February 2004
Location: Carson City NV
Karma: 0
Senior Member

I run the same as Dan. Goodrich TA's from Costco filled w/Nitrogen and 60# all around. Gives a nice ride, even with rutted roads.









geo groth '73 260 Sequoia Carson City Nevada 89703
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