RV Tire recommendation

Bobby Fazio · 03-31-2015, 03:43 PM

My 2003 Winnebago Minnie 24v Class C needs some new tires. I blew a sidewall out on the way back from Charlotte. Wondering if I need all new tires and what load rating, etc. Pulling the 22' enclosed trailer makes the rear of motorhome slouch a little even with the bars on and I hope I'm not too heavy for the tires. Any good ones out there with proper load/speed rating?

voltdr · 04-01-2015, 10:33 PM

Need more info...

What size are the tires?
What are the current tires load rating?
How old are the tires?
How much weight is on each axle?
Which tire blew out on the motorhome?

Dan

Bobby Fazio · 04-02-2015, 10:20 AM

LT225/75r16

The current tires are pretty old and this rv probably sat a lot before I bought it. The trailer probably weighs about 7,500 lbs with car and tools in it. Don't really know how much weight is on the axles.

FED 387 · 04-02-2015, 10:46 AM

Some things I've learned about RV's-- no matter how many miles are on the tires CONSIDER replacing them every 4 years or so--- reasons

most motor homes tires are seriously overloaded and under spec'd for the weight they are carrying

the sidewalls tend to reduce in strength because of under inflation, over loading, heat caused by the previous exposure to sunlight, and speed

tires MUST/SHOULD be covered and away from the sunlight when the vehicle is stored this helps prolong the life of the rubber from ozone depletion- you can buy covers like they use on dragsters or something as simple as a sheet of plywood up against the side of the tire will help too

Look into a load range E or G when replacing the tires-- maybe go up in tire size too from say a 225 to a 235 etc. check for tire clearance issues between the tire and body to see how much room is available

Towing anything extra with the RV puts an additional strain on the already seriously overloaded tires

Do some research and you should be able to have an good experience towing with your RV, Good luck FED 387

SC321X · 04-02-2015, 04:24 PM

I would recommend michelin tires if you join the FMCA Family motor coach association you can get michelin tires at a discount nation wide. As someone else recommended you might go 1 load range heavier to help with the load. going a size larger might change your gear ratio and throw off your speedometer. I switched to the michelin tires and can say that I am very happy with them. you can put this in your for what it's worth category, but that's my recommendation. they are very smooth.

Dave Dahlem S/C & S/G

sterling simmons jr · 04-02-2015, 04:38 PM

Bobby check the Firestone TransForce Lt225-75-16 that what's on my trailor very good life.

Mike Gray · 04-22-2015, 09:08 PM

Bobby, if you are using the factory trailer hitch on your mini, check it out thoroughly.
I had an 04 and while pulling a 20' trailer with quads and motorcycles the hitch broke.
The cross bar is welded to the side plates in shear and that's just what happened.
The factory welds were junk and the cross bar came lose from the side plates.
Note that this also included the receiver section with the chains and breakaway.
I was lucky not to cause a major accident on the freeway and Winnebago and Valley Hitch wouldn't cover the defect.
My 24 came from Winnebago with Michelin tires, very good but I think the motor home is only rated to tow 5,000.

Alan Roehrich · 04-24-2015, 07:41 PM

It is relatively expensive, but most 8 lug trucks and motor homes with 16" wheels can step up to 19.5" wheels and tires. It gets you a 4500# single wheel rating, and a 4350# per wheel dual wheel rating. You can then buy good quality G rated 14 ply commercial truck tires for around $300 each, and leave the 16" tire blues behind. Doing just that to my Chevy 3500 Silverado right now. If you plan to keep your vehicle, it is worth it. The tires last much longer, and control heavy vehicles much better, for very little more than a super premium 16" tire. No matter what, you cannot make a 16" tire do what a 19.5" tire can do with ease.

Depending on the chassis/powertrain, you can get steel 19.5" x 6.75" 8 lug wheels that bolt on for less than $150 each. You can get aluminum for as little as $250 each. you don't need any adapters, they bolt right on.

Bucky · 05-29-2015, 04:01 PM

All great suggestions. Remember if you go wider with the rear tires, you need to make sure you have space between them. If not they abrade each other going down the road and damage the side wall.
Hankook makes a decent and affordable RV tire that many have had good luck with.
And X2 on reinforcing the hitch. RV's usually come with a hitch that is rated for WAY less than what we pull.
If the rear is sagging, consider add on rear air bags. They helped on my class A.

3275Hgas · 06-07-2015, 01:20 PM

Hi guys. My 22ft enclosed needs new tires so I'm doing some research. It currently has 205/75/15s but I'm considering stepping up to the next taller size. Take a look at this pic (trailer loaded) and let me know what size you think I can go with.
Thanks for your help.

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3it8s5mf.jpg

03-31-2015, 03:43 PM	#1
Bobby Fazio VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Egg Harbor Township, NJ Posts: 1,470 Likes: 1,457 Liked 4,379 Times in 502 Posts	RV Tire recommendation My 2003 Winnebago Minnie 24v Class C needs some new tires. I blew a sidewall out on the way back from Charlotte. Wondering if I need all new tires and what load rating, etc. Pulling the 22' enclosed trailer makes the rear of motorhome slouch a little even with the bars on and I hope I'm not too heavy for the tires. Any good ones out there with proper load/speed rating? __________________ '65 Mustang SS/L & L/SA DriverInterviews.com \| App.DragInsights.com

04-01-2015, 10:33 PM	#2
voltdr Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 706 Likes: 77 Liked 100 Times in 51 Posts	Re: RV Tire recommendation Need more info... What size are the tires? What are the current tires load rating? How old are the tires? How much weight is on each axle? Which tire blew out on the motorhome? Dan

04-02-2015, 10:20 AM	#3
Bobby Fazio VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Egg Harbor Township, NJ Posts: 1,470 Likes: 1,457 Liked 4,379 Times in 502 Posts	Re: RV Tire recommendation LT225/75r16 The current tires are pretty old and this rv probably sat a lot before I bought it. The trailer probably weighs about 7,500 lbs with car and tools in it. Don't really know how much weight is on the axles. __________________ '65 Mustang SS/L & L/SA DriverInterviews.com \| App.DragInsights.com

04-02-2015, 10:46 AM	#4
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,423 Likes: 542 Liked 333 Times in 180 Posts	Re: RV Tire recommendation Some things I've learned about RV's-- no matter how many miles are on the tires CONSIDER replacing them every 4 years or so--- reasons most motor homes tires are seriously overloaded and under spec'd for the weight they are carrying the sidewalls tend to reduce in strength because of under inflation, over loading, heat caused by the previous exposure to sunlight, and speed tires MUST/SHOULD be covered and away from the sunlight when the vehicle is stored this helps prolong the life of the rubber from ozone depletion- you can buy covers like they use on dragsters or something as simple as a sheet of plywood up against the side of the tire will help too Look into a load range E or G when replacing the tires-- maybe go up in tire size too from say a 225 to a 235 etc. check for tire clearance issues between the tire and body to see how much room is available Towing anything extra with the RV puts an additional strain on the already seriously overloaded tires Do some research and you should be able to have an good experience towing with your RV, Good luck FED 387

04-02-2015, 04:24 PM	#5
SC321X Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 55 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: RV Tire recommendation I would recommend michelin tires if you join the FMCA Family motor coach association you can get michelin tires at a discount nation wide. As someone else recommended you might go 1 load range heavier to help with the load. going a size larger might change your gear ratio and throw off your speedometer. I switched to the michelin tires and can say that I am very happy with them. you can put this in your for what it's worth category, but that's my recommendation. they are very smooth. Dave Dahlem S/C & S/G

04-02-2015, 04:38 PM	#6
sterling simmons jr Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chesterfield,Va. Posts: 380 Likes: 259 Liked 138 Times in 28 Posts	Re: RV Tire recommendation Bobby check the Firestone TransForce Lt225-75-16 that what's on my trailor very good life. __________________ Sterling Simmons jr 1131 STK

04-22-2015, 09:08 PM	#7
Mike Gray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 624 Likes: 316 Liked 699 Times in 202 Posts	Re: RV Tire recommendation Bobby, if you are using the factory trailer hitch on your mini, check it out thoroughly. I had an 04 and while pulling a 20' trailer with quads and motorcycles the hitch broke. The cross bar is welded to the side plates in shear and that's just what happened. The factory welds were junk and the cross bar came lose from the side plates. Note that this also included the receiver section with the chains and breakaway. I was lucky not to cause a major accident on the freeway and Winnebago and Valley Hitch wouldn't cover the defect. My 24 came from Winnebago with Michelin tires, very good but I think the motor home is only rated to tow 5,000.

04-24-2015, 07:41 PM	#8
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,126 Likes: 1,583 Liked 1,893 Times in 423 Posts	Re: RV Tire recommendation It is relatively expensive, but most 8 lug trucks and motor homes with 16" wheels can step up to 19.5" wheels and tires. It gets you a 4500# single wheel rating, and a 4350# per wheel dual wheel rating. You can then buy good quality G rated 14 ply commercial truck tires for around $300 each, and leave the 16" tire blues behind. Doing just that to my Chevy 3500 Silverado right now. If you plan to keep your vehicle, it is worth it. The tires last much longer, and control heavy vehicles much better, for very little more than a super premium 16" tire. No matter what, you cannot make a 16" tire do what a 19.5" tire can do with ease. Depending on the chassis/powertrain, you can get steel 19.5" x 6.75" 8 lug wheels that bolt on for less than $150 each. You can get aluminum for as little as $250 each. you don't need any adapters, they bolt right on. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

05-29-2015, 04:01 PM	#9
Bucky Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 16 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: RV Tire recommendation All great suggestions. Remember if you go wider with the rear tires, you need to make sure you have space between them. If not they abrade each other going down the road and damage the side wall. Hankook makes a decent and affordable RV tire that many have had good luck with. And X2 on reinforcing the hitch. RV's usually come with a hitch that is rated for WAY less than what we pull. If the rear is sagging, consider add on rear air bags. They helped on my class A.

06-07-2015, 01:20 PM	#10
3275Hgas Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 2 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: RV Tire recommendation Hi guys. My 22ft enclosed needs new tires so I'm doing some research. It currently has 205/75/15s but I'm considering stepping up to the next taller size. Take a look at this pic (trailer loaded) and let me know what size you think I can go with. Thanks for your help. http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3it8s5mf.jpg