Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

Re: Load rating of new tires

Reply #25 – May 09, 2019, 10:17:36 am

Michelin 275/80R22.5 (H) tires require 10lbs less PSI to support the same weight as a comparable Continental tire.  10lbs less PSI up front is meaningful to me on roads like I-10 in Louisiana.

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Re: Load rating of new tires

Reply #26 – May 10, 2019, 10:05:54 am

It is always easy to find some information to support any thinking, right or wrong. I was just quoting right out of the Michelin pressure/load charts.  Tires have different designs, different stiffnesses, different sidewalls.  Load capacity is likely based on lots more parameters than just air pressure. It is way over simplified to just assume all tires at some psi will carry the same load. Use what the tire manufacturer's inflation charts say.

Of all the things in your coach tires are probably the most important for your safety.  Why cut corners?

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Re: Load rating of new tires

Reply #27 – May 10, 2019, 11:25:07 am

I had the new tires installed yesterday at Redburn (Tucson).  This is a small facility relative to others, but they handle mainly large truck tires and my job was nothing unusual.  One thing they mentioned is that the front tires (LRG) are "steer tires" and will wear a bit faster in the back (put them on the passenger side).  I doubt this will be a problem given how much tread was left on the old tires (from 2013).  As planned I put two LRH tires in front.  I went for a short drive after the install and the coach steers even better than before...  I can take my hands off the wheel and it tracks straight.  This is not a big change, but I think it is better than it was.  They used a Norbar to torque the lug nuts to 475 foot-pounds.  It took about 3 hours for the install but I was able to watch and ask questions.  Also, the store is near the Davis-Monthan Air Force base and it was fun watching the A10s come in to land.  Lots of them.

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Re: Load rating of new tires

Reply #28 – May 10, 2019, 12:08:42 pm

My fronts on our fully loaded 97 320 are at 97 psi.

Rears are 87. 

Both from the Michelin charts.

More than a few pounds low is noticeable to me as is more than a few pounds high.

The other tire brands long ago did not show as much difference in ride and handling as do the Michelin's.

I found long ago it was worth the time to get them exactly right.

That way any other changes are noticeable.  At least to me.

George's comment on not cutting corners i my case applies to the battery systems

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