Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

GregOConnor · 11-06-2014, 13:02

David, do you believe the issues are with static weights or the times of loads that happen while traveling like 'porpoise'ing' or 'in turn' forces. It just seems that shifting appliances around is a exercise in making the recommended numbers match at rest when the fail issue is the same as all class 8 vehicles in motion continue to have.

davidbrady · (This post was last modified: 11-07-2014 01:57 by davidbrady.)

Hi Greg,

See, I don't know for sure what the failures were. I know there were several accidents and I think they were attributed to steer tire failure, but I don't know if that's the full story. I'm not sure if there were any precipitating mechanical failure. Maybe Ross can tell us but I have a feeling due to the ongoing lawsuits much of this information is sealed or under gag order. The other problem is that mostly all of the M450 issues are handled on Dan Sunderland's private email list, so we have limited to no visibility. I don't know if the failed coaches were all overweight at the time of the failure or if they had their Hadley suspension systems operational, or if they were running with grossly under inflated tires, etc, etc. So, it's next to impossible to comment without resorting to a lot of speculation. I do know that the weights, weight distribution, and wheelbase of the M450 is very similar to my H3 and my H3 does very little in the way of porpoising, but I also know that my H3 has more suspension travel and softer suspension.

***ernie ekberg*** · 11-07-2014, 09:23

interior is blah
reminds me of a color blind doctors waiting room

RBBuscher · (This post was last modified: 11-14-2014 15:01 by RBBuscher.)

I have a M-450. I have logged allot of miles on my Bus. I love it. I have done a few upgrades to the front. one being I added are the 365 tires and rims I run 110 PSI in the front and the ride is first class. I pull a 26' coach trailer from Featherlite. I would buy this coach again if I did not have the one I have. She is a tank and one of the safest coaches on the road. It took me a year to get all the little bug out that the PO did not fix. Now we do our pre-trip and hit the road. Some of you have seen my bus and know I take great care of her. My wife and I with our Dachshund trust the M-450 with our lives.

davidbrady · (This post was last modified: 11-17-2014 12:09 by davidbrady.)

Bob,

Why do you run 110 psi in your steer tires? The load tables at that psi put you at a capacity of 18960 lb which I believe is far more than what your front end weighs. Have you weighed your axles with the trailer in place? I run my H3 365 steer tires at 95 psi for a load capacity of 16860 lb. I know from experience that 365's can get pretty stiff at 110 psi.

RBBuscher · 11-17-2014, 19:06

I know I could run lower air pressure. I'm trying the 110 PSI this summer. Maybe next year I'll drop it to 100 PSi.

After running 125+ in the old tires, even at 110 it ride like a dream.

(11-17-2014 02:16)davidbrady Wrote: Bob,

Why do you run 110 psi in your steer tires? The load tables at that psi put you at a capacity of 18960 lb which I believe is far more than what your front end weighs. Have you weighed your axles with the trailer in place? I run my H3 365 steer tires at 95 psi for a load capacity of 16860 lb. I know from experience that 365's can get pretty stiff at 110 psi.

dentmac · 11-25-2014, 14:41

This thread seems to be hijacked - sorry I'll comment on the 450 hear then move to new Thread re TPMS

Most of the 450's run near or over 9000 lbs on a front wheel periodically so 105 psi cold is a reasonable safe figure.
Under 110 PSI and there is no static steering. (The ability to turn the wheel while stationary... not that you should do this as it is hard on components)

With a cold pressure of 105, it soon rises to 130 psi .
Pretty hard but not nearly as bad as with the 315 original tires that required 130 PSI. They went to 155 PSI. ( perhaps a cause of 2 of the failures?)

TPMS should be manditory
New Thread....

(11-17-2014 19:06)RBBuscher Wrote: I know I could run lower air pressure. I'm trying the 110 PSI this summer. Maybe next year I'll drop it to 100 PSi.

After running 125+ in the old tires, even at 110 it ride like a dream.

(11-17-2014 02:16)davidbrady Wrote: Bob,

Why do you run 110 psi in your steer tires? The load tables at that psi put you at a capacity of 18960 lb which I believe is far more than what your front end weighs. Have you weighed your axles with the trailer in place? I run my H3 365 steer tires at 95 psi for a load capacity of 16860 lb. I know from experience that 365's can get pretty stiff at 110 psi.