Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Tire load range (Why E vs D)
| Tire load range [message #269148] |
Wed, 07 January 2015 17:43  |
dblcola
Messages: 9
Registered: August 2010
Location: Cairo,Ga.
Karma: 0
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Getting ready to purchase tires for our new (to us) 76 Palm Beach. I read in the maintenance manual that the MH came from the factory with 8.75-16.5 load range D tires and that's what they suggested staying with. Our tires/rims were changed to 16" and load range E. I've noticed in most tire posts you all are using Load range E not D. Why the upgrade? Our MH has had a number of changes made and we have more questions than answers. Thanks
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire load range [message #269160 is a reply to message #269156] |
Wed, 07 January 2015 18:19  |
Otterwan
Messages: 946
Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...
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Your average 1-ton dually pickup is rated at 10,000 lbs total loaded weight and comes with load range E tires. Your coach weighs on the high side of 11,000 lbs. As they say, do the math.
1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire load range [message #269166 is a reply to message #269160] |
Wed, 07 January 2015 20:18 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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The difference in price between the two is usually around $5.00 each. Your coach is probably right near the limit of Load Range D tires. LRE tires will give you some additional capacity.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Tire load range [message #269170 is a reply to message #269148] |
Wed, 07 January 2015 20:55 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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That's great news that you have already been upgraded to 16 inch wheels. That wile save you some bucks. 225/75/16 load range E is the way to go. It gives you a little safety margin for the weight of your coach. You still should ultimately weigh your coach and adjust tire pressures according to actual weight. Many people start with 65 psi up front and 60 psi in the rear and then dial it in based on actual weight.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire load range [message #269185 is a reply to message #269184] |
Thu, 08 January 2015 00:02 |
Rob
Messages: 651
Registered: November 2013
Location: Victoria, BC
Karma: 3
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In my experience - load range E's quite often have a much firmer sidewall and I use them when situations may benefit from that.
Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
On 2015-01-07, at 9:57 PM, Robert Mueller wrote:
> G'day,
>
> I believe there is a mis-conception that Load Range E tires provide a margin of safety over load range D tires, however, if one
> clicks on the link below:
>
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/tires.html
>
> and scrolls down to:
>
> LOAD / INFLATION
> LOAD / INFLATION TABLE - ALL TIRES
>
> One will note that if the weight on your tires is 2335 or less load range D tires are fine and load range E tires don't support any
> more weight than load range D at 65 psi or less. Load range E can be inflated to a higher pressure and support more weight.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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Rob -
Victoria, BC -
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire load range [message #269190 is a reply to message #269184] |
Thu, 08 January 2015 06:04 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Great post. We been there done that
Erf
On Wednesday, January 7, 2015, Robert Mueller
wrote:
> G'day,
>
> I believe there is a mis-conception that Load Range E tires provide a
> margin of safety over load range D tires, however, if one
> clicks on the link below:
>
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/tires.html
>
> and scrolls down to:
>
> LOAD / INFLATION
> LOAD / INFLATION TABLE - ALL TIRES
>
> One will note that if the weight on your tires is 2335 or less load range
> D tires are fine and load range E tires don't support any
> more weight than load range D at 65 psi or less. Load range E can be
> inflated to a higher pressure and support more weight.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
>
>
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> GMCnet mailing list
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--
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] Tire load range [message #269211 is a reply to message #269184] |
Thu, 08 January 2015 09:35 |
Emery Stora
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 4
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Rob, there is another difference between load range D and load range E tires besides LOAD/INFLATION.
Load range E tires have a stiffer (and usually shorter) sidewalk. This would allow less sway. Less flexing would also mean less heat buildup in the sidewalks. Excessive heat can lead to blowouts.
The arrangement of the GMC rear suspension leads to sway so anything that could reduce it would seem to be beneficial.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
> On Jan 7, 2015, at 10:57 PM, Robert Mueller wrote:
>
> G'day,
>
> I believe there is a mis-conception that Load Range E tires provide a margin of safety over load range D tires, however, if one
> clicks on the link below:
>
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/tires.html
>
> and scrolls down to:
>
> LOAD / INFLATION
> LOAD / INFLATION TABLE - ALL TIRES
>
> One will note that if the weight on your tires is 2335 or less load range D tires are fine and load range E tires don't support any
> more weight than load range D at 65 psi or less. Load range E can be inflated to a higher pressure and support more weight.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire load range [message #269237 is a reply to message #269223] |
Thu, 08 January 2015 15:00 |
dblcola
Messages: 9
Registered: August 2010
Location: Cairo,Ga.
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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I'm sure we will put load range E on as not enough difference in price. Thanks for all the good information. This is a great place to learn.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: Tire load range [message #269242 is a reply to message #269148] |
Thu, 08 January 2015 17:12 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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When you are at 65 PSI and accidentally slam a pothole ( not if but when you do) you want the E as the internal pressure momentarily spikes. Secondly when you are far from home and need a tire you will have an easier time matching what you have in an E range. Thirdly, you do not mention all steel consruction (as XPS RIB) or steel belted polyester fabric carcass tire called ragwalls. Most here far prefer the ragwalls in LRE. All this is afftionatly called Tire Wars and can be searched in depth on this forum.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire load range [message #269244 is a reply to message #269211] |
Thu, 08 January 2015 17:57 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Emery,
I agree that the LRE tire sidewall would have to be stiffer (read stronger) than the LRD to take the additional 15 psi max pressure
and support the additional weight. Logic dictates that they would flex less; however, I'm confused regarding the height.
Are you saying that the side wall on a 225/75-16R Load Range E is shorter than a 225/75-16R Load Range D?
I just posted this to the Photo Site: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6716-tires.html
As you can see the Tread depth and Overall diameter of both tires is the same.
There is a weight difference which could mean the side wall in the LRE is thicker (read stronger) than the LRD, however, the tread
width of the LRD is 0.10 inches narrower and that could be where the weight difference is.
Note that the KL-78's LRD and LRE tires are the same price so I agree that it makes more sense to buy LRE. Even if the LRE's are
more expensive you're better off with them than the LRD.
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Emery Stora
Rob, there is another difference between load range D and load range E tires besides LOAD/INFLATION.
Load range E tires have a stiffer (and usually shorter) sidewalk. This would allow less sway. Less flexing would also mean less
heat buildup in the sidewalks. Excessive heat can lead to blowouts.
The arrangement of the GMC rear suspension leads to sway so anything that could reduce it would seem to be beneficial.
Emery
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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
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire load range [message #269249 is a reply to message #269244] |
Thu, 08 January 2015 18:56 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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USAussie wrote on Thu, 08 January 2015 16:57Emery,
I agree that the LRE tire sidewall would have to be stiffer (read stronger) than the LRD to take the additional 15 psi max pressure
and support the additional weight. Logic dictates that they would flex less; however, I'm confused regarding the height.
Are you saying that the side wall on a 225/75-16R Load Range E is shorter than a 225/75-16R Load Range D?
I just posted this to the Photo Site: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6716-tires.html
As you can see the Tread depth and Overall diameter of both tires is the same.
There is a weight difference which could mean the side wall in the LRE is thicker (read stronger) than the LRD, however, the tread
width of the LRD is 0.10 inches narrower and that could be where the weight difference is.
Note that the KL-78's LRD and LRE tires are the same price so I agree that it makes more sense to buy LRE. Even if the LRE's are
more expensive you're better off with them than the LRD.
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Emery Stora
Rob, there is another difference between load range D and load range E tires besides LOAD/INFLATION.
Load range E tires have a stiffer (and usually shorter) sidewalk. This would allow less sway. Less flexing would also mean less
heat buildup in the sidewalks. Excessive heat can lead to blowouts.
The arrangement of the GMC rear suspension leads to sway so anything that could reduce it would seem to be beneficial.
Emery
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I thought that the GMC community has agreed that rut running has been significantly reduced by ragwalls due to a more flexible sidewall. Are we now saying we want a stiffer sidewall? The internal friction of a D rated tire is less than an E rated and I bet most people who have E rated tires are only running D rated pressure so you really are gaining nothing.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire load range [message #269355 is a reply to message #269349] |
Fri, 09 January 2015 23:29 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Bill,
We go thru the tire discussion about every 6 to 8 months, mostly for newbies.
I am not going to tell you what brand, size or type of tire to run as that is your personal choice, but in the last 15 years I have run all the tire combinations that are for our coaches. Listed in order in which I ran them and they were all a 225 size tire.
1. All steel tires (Goodyear G159) on the factory radial steel rims. Worst ride in the GMC, steered all over the place and rut ran bad.
2. New Alcoa wheels with Firestone RTS tires with poly side walls. 2 different coaches, very good ride, 2 fingers on the wheel going down the road. Ran this combo for 7 years before changing out tires.
3. Combo 3 is all steel on the rear with poly sidewall tires on the front. I had a set of low milage Goodyear G159 all steels which on put on the rear and used Michelin LTX on the front and it drove and handle well with this combo.
The first three setups were run on our 77 26’ Eleganza II. The combo is what I run on the Buskirk Stretch coach.
4. I had a set of the Goodyear G149 all steel tires that I bought for the Avion, but needed new tires for the stretch. I put the 4 of those on rear and put the Michelin LTX poly steel sidewall tires on the front. Have not had any issues and it goes down the road straight. Ride height also plays a very important part of how you go down the road too!
My personal choice of tires is Michelin or Goodyear. Others have run BF Goodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, General, Kumho, Yokohama tires on their coaches with equal success. They vary in cost and most run the 225 tire and some run 235 and 245 tire. The tire size can effect your final drive ratio a lot. I run a 225 size tire with a 3.21 final drive and 3.50 chain drive to give me a 3.66 final drive ratio.
So in the end you have to live with what you run!
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
> On Jan 9, 2015, at 10:43 PM, Bill wrote:
>
> So I must be crazy? So is it ride you are concerned with? Big truck rears have the stiffest sidewalls, just relating it to long wheel base trucks and
> trailer experience with both stiff sidewalls and soft. Soft you could see in the rear view mirror back end or trailer doing a lateral 4" hunt in
> certain situations. Tail wagging the dog so to speak. Rears on a big truck cheap compared to the steers.
> IMO while sidewall flex can improve ride I think that's the suspensions job, my big non engineered bag system should soften things out compared to a 4
> bag. Regardless of ride I would rather the back end not bob about on the sidewallls. Don't know how that affects highway groove hunting.
> Valid discussion I think? Sorry for not searching all relevant discussions in the past.
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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