H rated vs G rated tires

Topic: H rated vs G rated tires (Read 3254 times) previous topic - next topic

H rated vs G rated tires

March 15, 2015, 04:39:16 pm

Would like to get feedback from those of you that opted for H rated tires instead of the OEM G rated. What differences could you tell in ride quality, handling characteristics, mileage, etc. and whether or not you've been pleased enough to purchase H rated again. The 1997 40' U320 we are in the process of purchasing needs new tires. GVWR 32,000#. I'm trying to determine if H rated tires would be overkill though the difference in price between the two doesn't seem to be that much.
Thanks, Gary

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #1 – March 15, 2015, 04:48:48 pm

I would put the H rated tires on. On our 98 u295 when I weighed the front axle with it fully loaded, would have had the tires overloaded if g. On our 03 it had g on it when we got it. I had it weighed and found the front tires were overloaded, so replaced with h on the front and the next year replaced the others with h.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #2 – March 15, 2015, 04:50:03 pm

H rated for sure on a U320 40'.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #3 – March 15, 2015, 05:12:41 pm

+1 on what Brett said.

It does of course depend on what your individual wheel weights are, but from recollection of past posts where folks stated their wheel weights, with a LRH you will have margin for weight carrying. With a LRG even at max inflation you could easily be approaching the weight limit, particularly on the front, for a 40' U320.

If you haven't already done so, do find an opportunity to get your coach wheel weights, loaded as typical for a trip. This will assist in determining proper inflation pressures.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #4 – March 15, 2015, 08:13:12 pm

I agree with Brett and Michelle. Load Range H. Stronger side walls, tougher tire.

I have BF Goodrich 275/80R22.5 ST244™ LRG now that will be 6 years old in November. They are getting replaced this fall if we are going anywhere in the winter or in the spring before we go anywhere.

My 2001 U320 36' has this for GAWR
Front axle 13,880 lbs max
Rear axle 21,000 lbs max

Actual weights fully loaded in 3/2013
Front axle 11,940 lbs.
Rear axle 19,880 lbs.

From BFG Loads per Axle
Single Dual
psi lbs
100 11560 21040 <- Rear at max load
105 11960 21760
110 12350 22700 <- Front at max pressure insufficient for max load.

I run 100 rears and 110 front. OK for actual wt but just barely.

Do the LRH. Don't take short cuts.

Roger

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #5 – March 15, 2015, 09:04:14 pm

I have LR H Michilens 5 years old in a few days. No problems with them. No complaints.

(deleted unneeded, excessively-long quote of an entire post - Michelle)

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #6 – March 15, 2015, 09:28:19 pm

We have always used LR-H. Can't have too much safety when it comes to tires.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #7 – March 15, 2015, 10:04:55 pm

I calculated my current xca-1's g rated pressure and capacity. 12350 pounds with a 12,000 actual fully wet load.

Requires 108 pounds out of 110.

Same load on h xca-3's is 100 psi out of a 120 psi max as they are rated at 14,320.

Not sure what the actual axle rating is at this point but lower pressure and more reserve seems a better setup easily.

Plus 19/32nds tread depth versus new xca-1's that were 18/32nds.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #8 – March 15, 2015, 10:06:44 pm

Have a good time going thru all that is necessary in buying a new (to you) coach. Tires a certainly a concern. We have owned our 270 for nearly 15 years and replaced the tires it came with (G range) with load range H at the first swap out. FT said not to do this, citing several issues of front tire rubbing and so on. Never happened.

The increase in capacity of using H allows for a margin of safety so huge that the price difference is no consideration. In normal operation, I can have a dead tire on the rear and not stress the tire beside it, if such misfortune happened. Do the numbers; you will be impressed.

The larger load range allows me options such as less pressure in the tires for a "softer" ride on some of the rough roads we choose to go. (I have been to Chaco twice. I also have fitted the air dump valve with a "T" and an output to connect air hoses to increase tire pressure when and where I want.)

I have also learned to use the "bean bags" to balance the tires. No one in this rural area where I live can balance these large rims. And I have invested in a torque wrench (and cheater bar) to ensure that wheel lugs have proper torque.

I am not an engineer, but it seems obvious to me that a larger footprint, more rubber in contact with the road, would aid traction and stopping.

andy1

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #9 – March 15, 2015, 10:12:10 pm

Quote from: Lewis Anderson – March 15, 2015, 10:06:44 pm

We have owned our 270 for nearly 15 years and replaced the tires it came with (G range) with load range H at the first swap out. FT said not to do this, citing several issues of front tire rubbing and so on. Never happened.

I am not an engineer, but it seems obvious to me that a larger footprint, more rubber in contact with the road, would aid traction and stopping.

Per Michelin's site, there is no dimensional difference between LRG and LRH for 275/80R22.5 XZA3 tires Tire Selector | Michelin RV Tires

Perhaps you are thinking of the change some folks have made from that size to a tire that is a 295/75R22.5? That was one where some folks had to modify the airbag mounts to avoid rubbing on the steer tires. Of course the question of the stops on the steering box comes into discussion WRT rubbing as well.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #10 – March 15, 2015, 10:41:01 pm

Does anyone have a difference in ride or handling perception to add to this discussion? Nothing will keep me from getting H's just interested in your experiences. Thanks. Roger

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #11 – March 15, 2015, 10:52:27 pm

Quote from: Home2fromHastings – March 15, 2015, 10:41:01 pm

Does anyone have a difference in ride or handling perception to add to this discussion? Nothing will keep me from getting H's just interested in your experiences. Thanks. Roger

Roger I am wondering if some of the mpg differences posted here might be from the tire technology resulting in lower rolling resistance.

The xza-3 evertreads tout the energy efficiency and are carb approved.

Bet that's a big factor in better mileage. Duh...

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #12 – March 15, 2015, 11:11:50 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 15, 2015, 10:52:27 pm

Roger I am wondering if some of the mpg differences posted here might be from the tire technology resulting in lower rolling resistance.

I believe Roger is asking if anyone has noticed differences in ride and handling between LRG and LRH.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #13 – March 15, 2015, 11:34:58 pm

I have not noticed any difference in ride or handling, just more peace of mind.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #14 – March 16, 2015, 01:24:14 am

Good info, H it is.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #15 – March 16, 2015, 05:55:14 am

I had G's on my old 36 foot and I put H's on. No change in ride or handling at same inflation.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #16 – March 16, 2015, 09:32:18 am

When Forrest got new shoes after 10 years of wearing XZA2's G, they were replaced with ZXA3+ G's. As it is 5,600# CCC is plenty. More is not always better.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #17 – March 16, 2015, 10:02:05 am

Quote from: Peter & Beth – March 16, 2015, 09:32:18 am

When Forrest got new shoes after 10 years of wearing XZA2's G, they were replaced with ZXA3+ G's. As it is 5,600# CCC is plenty. More is not always better.

What are your individual wheel weights? Given it's a 34' U270, they are likely much lower than a 40' U320 like the OP has, so you aren't approaching the upper rated inflation limit with LRG on your particular coach.

CCC is irrelevant in this; tire load range is much more about safety, not how much extra stuff you can pack. You inflate to adequate pressure for your wheel weights plus a small margin. The concern with using LRG is that in many instances, particularly on the front axle, the actual wheel weights as loaded for typical travel dictate an inflation pressure that is very near, at, or possibly even higher than the maximum allowed per the manufacturer.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #18 – March 16, 2015, 12:04:31 pm

Looks like we may not be able to get six Michelin XZA3+ LRH tires at this time. LRGs are available and are rated at 5675 lbs/tire @ 110psi for duals. GVWR is 20000. Would the total max. load range using the LRGs be 22700 lbs and should that amount give an adequate margin of safety? lf so, would it be acceptable to use LRH for the front and LRG for the back? The only other option for having H rated Michelins would be the XZE model. Not sure if Michelin still make the XZA2. I'd like your opinions on what you would choose given this situation.
Thanks, Gary

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #19 – March 16, 2015, 12:10:23 pm

Are the tires not in stock?

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #20 – March 16, 2015, 12:29:49 pm

The first three locations we called had a total of 5 LRHs. Fortunately I just found a store that has at least 6 LRHs. Would still like an answer to my previous questions because we probably won't finalize the purchase of the coach for approx. a week assuming all goes well. Several of the stores I contacted said that model Michelin in LRH have been on back order for some time with no ETA.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #21 – March 16, 2015, 12:42:13 pm

if that is the case, I would check the date codes on the tires at the store where you found six - may be already over a year old

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #22 – March 16, 2015, 12:51:34 pm

I had a problem finding (Michelin) H's when I replaced our tires a couple of years ago, and just went back with the G's, which were plenty fine for our coach anyway. Something about the 275s and load range H is apparently not so common. Could find 295-Hs with no problem, but didn't want those.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #23 – March 16, 2015, 02:12:42 pm

Quote from: Michelle – March 16, 2015, 10:02:05 am

CCC is irrelevant in this; tire load range is much more about safety, not how much extra stuff you can pack. You inflate to adequate pressure for your wheel weights plus a small margin. The concern with using LRG is that in many instances, particularly on the front axle, the actual wheel weights as loaded for typical travel dictate an inflation pressure that is very near, at, or possibly even higher than the maximum allowed per the manufacturer.

Not being disagreeable or recommending load range G. Forrest has this CCC based on FOT's and Michelin's recommendations for axle ratings.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #24 – March 16, 2015, 04:55:34 pm

We have Michelin XZE tires on our coach. They are a Regional High Scrub tire but they are included in the Michelin RV Brochure. We did not select these tires. They were installed as part of our purchase agreement when we bought the coach from FOT. They have been on for almost two years and we have not had any problems with them. They are size 275/80R22.5 Load Range H.
Larry

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