Getting ready to buy new tires. Existing ones are 295 75series mounted on 7.5" rims. I have seen the recommended tires are 255 80 to replace the original 9R tires. Options or opinions welcomed. Ride qaulity would likely improve with the lighter 255 tires.
Too much "squirm" with 295's I would think on 7.5's
I can feel the "squirm" a bit in hard turns. Then our xza-3's "set"'s itself into the turn radius and no more steering corrections are needed until you pass the apex of the corner, if then.
The tread being way wider than the rim makes things handle funnier IMO.
The 10r's made the coach track well. The improved tire technology could add substantial benefits to what I drove new.
Interested in your feedback. Have I been wrong yet?
Quick edit to 255 80 series
Does anyone make a 275 /75 ?
FWIW, I replaced my 9R22.5 fronts with 265/75 Toyo's. Same revolutions/mile and about 1" wider. My rims are 7.5".
If you are satisfied with the steering/handling (maybe you don't really know yet), I would stick with the 295's for 2 main reasons.
1) They are a common size that would most likely be in stock at any shop that carries OTR truck tires.
2) Higher load capacity at the same PSI.
Appears that 255 80 series may be a michelin specific size
Correct. The closest to this size by other manufacturers is the 265/75R22.5.
Per Beamalarm yours came with 10R-22.5's as my '87 40' ORED came with 10R's,like Caflashbob stated. I looked at increasing the size but I only have about 0.5" clearance to my body on the rears. Also remember your rims are probably like mine and are rated 7.5", 6040 lbs at 105 psi max. You might push rim spacing with wider 11.5" vs. 9.0" and you won't be able to run "H" series at their max pressure limits. When I need repair there is much more choices in the 40" diameter 10R or 285/80 sizes. Not all 285/80's are approved for 7.5" rims, but I would feel OK to use them for emergency repair usage. Use Simpletire.com to see what's available in the size you want. 10R's were about $40 bucks cheaper per tire than 285/80's.
I went with Conti's HSR2 which are designed for Regional/ Goods, Coach/ On/Off road service. See my previous post:
Time for new tires (and other stuff)... (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=31643.msg280145#msg280145)
Anyway, good luck, headed out on my second trip with my Coach to Medina High Point resort for the weekend to see how she does...