Tire Question...12R22.5

[Neil & Pat]

Hi John, you have already received several answers to your inquiry; however,
I thought that I would add a few additional thoughts. I believe that what
you are thinking of doing would not only be ill advised but may be downright
dangerous. From my years as a tire engineer and with A’ Weigh We Go
weighing coaches including many Bluebirds (my own PT-36 included) I have
knowledge that most all late 90s Birds are very close to their maximum GVWR
or GAWR as delivered and many are over that critical (and legally
enforceable) limit when operated.

For that reason based on the lessor ability to carry a load the 11R tires
are in no way suitable for use on your 98 LX. The actual load capability
for the 12R and 11R are #6610/7390 & #6780/6005 (single/dual) respectively,
thus, you can see that there is a major reduction in the tires carrying
capacity, probably less that your coach requires. On the slim chance that
your specific coach might be unusually light where the 11R could carry the
weight it will require an increase in tire pressure to do so, something that
most RVers hate to do because of the ride quality reduction that accompanies
higher tire pressures. In addition there is a approximately a .75” radius
reduction (affecting your computers and dash readouts) along with a .80”
reduction in tread width with a corresponding reduction in tire footprint
area (which will increase wear, decrease steering power and decrease
stopping power); finally while your current rims will probably be OK to use
they are not optimal for the 11R (9:00 vs. 8:25) a fact which will also
compromise somewhat the total tire performance

Do not listen to those who are not unbiased experts in just what tires are
required for RV usage. Remember also that RV are the only vehicle on the
road that “operates at 100% of its capability 100% of the tire.” Tires are
no place to compromise; there are some very important people on board your
coach. Do the right thing and have your coach weighed properly,
wheel-by-wheel as is done by the RVSEF, only then will you be able to make
sound judgments re: tires, pressures, etc. If you have any other questions
or if I have misread your original question please do not hesitate to ask
additional questions.

Regards,

Neil LeKander
Author “The RVer’s Ultimate Survival Guide”
author@...

-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of John
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 6:44 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Tire Question...12R22.5

I have started looking for new tires for our coach as it has the
origional tires on it. While they are showing no cracking at all, I am
still concerned about their age and would like to start swapping them
out before I have to do it from the side of the road. The current
tires are 12R22.5 which seems to be a lot more uncommon than
11R22.5s(which I run on my dump truck). From talking to a couple tire
people they say the 11R22.5 are a little smaller(shorter). Has anyone
switched from the 12s to the 11s? Any recomendations on a particular
brand?

Thanks,
John Cassel
98 Wanderlodge LX



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