| Tire ? [message #303135] |
Tue, 05 July 2016 19:46  |
SpookyEng
Messages: 208
Registered: June 2016
Location: Navarre, FL
Karma: -5
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I need some feedback from the community. I am shopping for a GMC (yes this community had a big influence on my choice). I am seriously considering a coach that has the 16.5 aluminum Weld wheels. It has low mileage (still waiting to confirm date code) Michelin XPS tires. My 200+ posts and multitude of FAQ and knowledge base research says that the Firestone Transforce is the only suitable 16.5 tire available. Is the Michelin obsolete? Thanks!
JD Lisenby- USAF Ret
1978 Royale-455
MacDash, Manny Tranny, FI-tech, 3.70 etc etc
Navarre, FL
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| Re: Tire ? [message #303138 is a reply to message #303137] |
Tue, 05 July 2016 22:25  |
SpookyEng
Messages: 208
Registered: June 2016
Location: Navarre, FL
Karma: -5
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Senior Member |
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These are 9.50R, I guess fitted because the direct replacement size was unavailable. Another question added to my list.
JD Lisenby- USAF Ret
1978 Royale-455
MacDash, Manny Tranny, FI-tech, 3.70 etc etc
Navarre, FL
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire ? [message #303144 is a reply to message #303137] |
Wed, 06 July 2016 04:10 |
Glover, Brian K.
Messages: 87
Registered: October 2015
Location: Griffin Georgia
Karma: 0
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I bought my Firestones off Amazon for $ 140 each.
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of A.
Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 10:40 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Tire ?
SpookyEng wrote on Tue, 05 July 2016 19:46
> I need some feedback from the community. I am shopping for a GMC (yes this community had a big influence on my choice). I am seriously
> considering a coach that has the 16.5 aluminum Weld wheels. It has low mileage (still waiting to confirm date code) Michelin XPS tires. My 200+
> posts and multitude of FAQ and knowledge base research says that the Firestone Transforce is the only suitable 16.5 tire available. Is the Michelin
> obsolete? Thanks!
A quick internet search seems to indicate that Michelin hasn't made 8.75R16.5 tires since 2004. Tire manufacturers generally say to replace tires 10
years or older. Some folks here are adamant about a 5 year replacement schedule. The thought is that tires are cheaper than fiberglass body repair
from a tire flying apart at highway speed.
FWIW, anything before the 1978 model year would only overload Load Range D tires if there is more weight on the wheel than the Operating Manual says
should be on it. Lots of folks overload theirs, so there is more safety margin in Load Range E tires. It is possible to overload a LRD tire on the
front of a 1978 without being out of range of the GVWR.
Firestone TransForce is the only Load Range E tire still in production in the 8.75R16.5 size.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Highest price does not guarantee highest quality."
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Brian G.
Griffin Ga.
1978 Eleganza II
TZE168V101637
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire ? [message #303147 is a reply to message #303144] |
Wed, 06 July 2016 06:57 |
SpookyEng
Messages: 208
Registered: June 2016
Location: Navarre, FL
Karma: -5
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Senior Member |
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Thanks for the feedback. The CFO really likes this coach. Assuming the in person inspection doesn't reveal any hidden defects I will be joining the ownership ranks shortly. Then I will be planning a trip to the Coop so JimB can give her a once over. The CO has meticulous records and the coach appears in immaculate condition. I hope my 800 mi inspection trip ends with a purchase!
JD Lisenby- USAF Ret
1978 Royale-455
MacDash, Manny Tranny, FI-tech, 3.70 etc etc
Navarre, FL
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tire ? [message #303161 is a reply to message #303147] |
Wed, 06 July 2016 10:50 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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As Jim K says you need to drop down to a 8.75R16.5LT 115/111R E Firestone Transforce HT tire. That will get you're gearing back to at least to 3.07 final drive ratio. Theyou're 9.50-16.5 E tire drops your final ratio to a 2.98. Gearing is all important with our coaches. Granted your on the Gulf coast, but if you're going to travel the country in the future I would suggest at least going to a 3.55 gear or if you're going to be towing and go out west I would suggest the 3.70 gear. MPE included running a 3.07 in our first coach a 77 EL II 403 then jumping up to the 3.55 which really woke up the coach. I presently have a 3.21 final drive with a 3.50 Manny chain drive that give an 3.67 ratio in our stretch coach. The 3.67 works well, but I also have a 3.42 unit that Cinnabar sells in the shop and if I put that in I would have a 3.9 ratio that would be really nice out west in the mountains. You have to make a decision on where you want to go and there are GMC’ers out there that will tell you that they run a 3.07 or even a 2.73 with over size tire that say they are good, but ratio trumps stock any time.
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/606
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
> On Jul 6, 2016, at 7:57 AM, wrote:
>
> Thanks for the feedback. The CFO really likes this coach. Assuming the in person inspection doesn't reveal any hidden defects I will be joining the
> ownership ranks shortly. Then I will be planning a trip to the Coop so JimB can give her a once over. The CO has meticulous records and the coach
> appears in immaculate condition. I hope my 800 mi inspection trip ends with a purchase!
> --
> JD Lisenby- still looking for the perfect coach
> USAF 26 yrs
>
> Loving life on the Gulf Coast
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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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| Re: Tire ? [message #303167 is a reply to message #303135] |
Wed, 06 July 2016 14:07 |
SpookyEng
Messages: 208
Registered: June 2016
Location: Navarre, FL
Karma: -5
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Senior Member |
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Thanks for the info! This coach already has 3.70 gears and the switch pitch converter so I hope the tires don't impact performance too much. I do plan on replacing them with the standard size ASAP, assuming the purchase goes through. I have had issues with supposed good tires before, so I am a firm believer in excellent tire maintenance and changing them before they become an issue. It is a false economy to try to eek the last bit of life out of an RV tire IMHO.
JD Lisenby- USAF Ret
1978 Royale-455
MacDash, Manny Tranny, FI-tech, 3.70 etc etc
Navarre, FL
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