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Topic: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle (Read 714 times) previous topic - next topic

tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

I  recently replaced my tires on my U320 40' Foretravel,[ no longer have the Nimbus with the tag] do I need to specifically make sure that.. for example the front tires have a max. tire weight rating that would equal or exceed the GVW rating for the front axle and not computed in a formula where  the 6 tires  for front and rear axle together would support the  entire coach GVWR.
I have a dealer in town that used a  formula where  six 14 ply G rated tires at 6,175 max load rating  each would support the weight of my entire 34,880 GVWR coach, not specifically paying attention to each axle's requirement.[ I do understand that there are two weight ratings, one for a single , and one for dual use.] My front axle has a GVWR of 13,880, or 6940 # per tire, which by itself would require a H rated tire that has a max load rating for single tire at 7160 #....Do I need to return to the tire dealer and request a higher load weight rating tire [H] on the two front tires.?  I had not realized that they installed a G rated tire, as it does not specify on the invoice. I replaced my Michelin tires with Toyo tires and had indicated that I wouldn't mind using the Toyo tire as long as they would be equivalent  to the load rating that my Michelins were.  Your thoughts please, if this makes any sense at all. By the way, I do like the way the Toyos handle....

Gary & Claire
Talent, Oregon
2008 40' Nimbus SE
ISM 500
#16103

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #1 –
You should have tires that match the load of your axle rating. I use Toyo load range H tires on the front, 7160 each.

Also change your signature to match the coach you have now.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #2 –
Tire loading can also increase on turns, side winds, lower tire inflation pressure, etc, so having extra capacity is desirable.

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #3 –
H load, M speed all the way around.

P
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #4 –
I would run H rated on front axle.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #5 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
I would run H rated on front axle.

Given it's a 40' U320, I'd run LRH all around.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Given it's a 40' U320, I'd run LRH all around.
We run H all around, and are due in the spring (7 years)

He already bought Gs. I would abslutely change the front tires - heaviest load.

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #7 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
We run H all around, and are due in the spring (7 years)

He already bought Gs. I would abslutely change the front tires - heaviest load.

Yes, but the agreement with the tire shop was to go with Toyos as long as they didn't have a lesser load range rating than the Michelins that came off, and the tire dealer used his own "formula" rather than the actual weights and Load/Range tables to select load range for the tires.  If LRH is what came off, the dealer should have installed LRH Toyos.  And yes, at minimum, the front axle needs to be LRH to meet axle rating.  Rear axle tires need to be evaluated using load range tables to see if LRG meets GAWR or not for the coach.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #8 –
Function over form for me. H rated tires are pennies more than G but will have a stiffer ride. Commercial tires are allowed to run to 10 years. I'll be selling off my 5 year old tires this summer for half price and buying new. IMO it's more work and I may put a new defective tire on but think im improving my chances of having good tires. So since I can monitor tire temperature Ive noticed down wind tires will run hotter also.

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #9 –
Weigh the bus and confirm that you have enough load capacity for the tires that are on it.

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
Weigh the bus and confirm that you have enough load capacity for the tires that are on it.
X2.  Try to find a nearby RV sales/service shop that has 4-corner weighing equipment, which is the best solution.  Weighing one end at a time on a truck stop scale is a distant second best choice.

If and when you're on the road, plan your route to stop at an Escapees RV Club weigh station for a first class treatment.

SmartWeigh ยท Escapees RV Club
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #11 –
And tire load rating is only at the pressure on the sidewall. Drop the pressure and you drop the weight they can carry.

Our H rated tires ride and track better than the tires they replaced. If you buy H load tires and don't need the capacity, you can drop the pressure for the amount of weight on them. The mfg should have the weight vs pressure.

Pierce.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #12 –
I weighed our U295 soon after getting it.  Not 4 corner, just front axle and rear only.  The front weighed 12,080#.  We have Aquahot, the 200 gal tank which wasn't full, and no "stuff" to speak of.  That's only 270# from the rated capacity of LRG.  Maybe it was an honest mistake, but the dealer needs to get you H rated tires for the front.
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
 

Re: tires weight rating for front and rear axle vs. GVWR of total vehicle

Reply #13 –
In addition to the load rating was the size also changed. The reduced load rating also indicates that the tires max inflation pressure may also be reduced. Never, should the tire load rating, Index, inflation pressure, be reduced under the placard ratings for each axle.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148