rwoodysurplus
01-15-2007, 15:32
Certainly, we have had years of experience at the factory observing
the performance of a variety of tire brands and sizes on Newells. The
bottom line: don't put reliance solely on the rated capacity when
selecting new tires.
From the mid-70s through 1985, Newell installed 11R22.5 Michelin steel
belted radial tires with excellent results. With the upgrade to the
8V92 engine in 1985, we began fitting 11R24.5 radials, load range H,
most of which were Goodyears (owing to the influence of our customer
Roger Penske and his experience with Goodyears on the race track as
well as with Hertz Penske truck rental). Once again, the results were
excellent. We later switched to Bridgestones to get more even tread
wear, but both brands performed very well.
In the early 1990s, we realized we were seeing some fully loaded front
axle weights that were bumping up around the rated capacity of the
tires, expecially with fully timers who carried an entire house worth
of gear. However, with the exception of some failures that appeared
linked to underinflation and very high speed cruising, these tires
gave good service and were very reliable. The actual capacity appeared
to be significantly higher than the rated capacity assigned by the
tire manufacturer. Ditto for the wheels.
In 1997 we introduced our first slide-outs and front axle weight took
an upward bump. We took another look at the tire situation and saw
that we could increase the rated front axle capacity if we changed to
315 load range L "low profile" tires, initially on the steer axle
only. We made the change, upgrading our "rated capacity." But in spite
of the increased capacity on paper, we immediately began experiencing
a pattern of steer axle tire failure. We experienced problems with
both Bridgestone and Goodyear tires in the 315 size. We went through
several successive tire models with Goodyear, each promised to solve
the problem, but without relief until finally changing new production
to Michelin with good results. In fact, we were so concerned about the
failures we were seeing with Bridgestone and Goodyear that we did a
NHTSA reported recall and replaced all the Bridgestone and Goodyear
315s (regardless of mileage) with new Michelins.
Since changing to the 315 Michelins, front tire failures declined and
the few we have seen appear to be related to the following factors,
often in combination:
1) Underinflation. The 315 should be inflated to a minimum of 130 psi,
and we recommend 140 psi for summer high speed crusing.
2) Speed. The Michelin 315 tire model installed should be rated at 75
mph (some models are rated at 55 mph maximum!), and the speed
restriction should be observed.
3) Road hazard damage. We recently saw a tire failure caused by a cut
on the tread that allowed moisture to rust the steel belt over a few
months until the tread separated at highway speed.
4) Age. Tires deteriorate from a variety of age related causes,
including UV rays and undetected road hazard damage. We recommend that
steer axle tires be replaced at three years. Cheap insurance.
Based on our experience, coaches running 11R24.5 load range H front
tires need not be "upgraded" to 305 tires to simply get more rated
capacity. However, for both coaches running 11R24.5 tires and later
model coaches running 315 low profile tires, we recommend that the
front tires be replaced every three years regardless of miles, be kept
properly inflated, and excessive speeds be avoided. The tires should
be inspected reguarly for damage. For the 315 tires, we recommend
Michelins with a speed rating of 75 mph.
posted by karlb form newell
hauling wood fc rb 81
in jolon calif for another 10 days at ft hunter liggett!!!!with out my
bus!!!!!!
the performance of a variety of tire brands and sizes on Newells. The
bottom line: don't put reliance solely on the rated capacity when
selecting new tires.
From the mid-70s through 1985, Newell installed 11R22.5 Michelin steel
belted radial tires with excellent results. With the upgrade to the
8V92 engine in 1985, we began fitting 11R24.5 radials, load range H,
most of which were Goodyears (owing to the influence of our customer
Roger Penske and his experience with Goodyears on the race track as
well as with Hertz Penske truck rental). Once again, the results were
excellent. We later switched to Bridgestones to get more even tread
wear, but both brands performed very well.
In the early 1990s, we realized we were seeing some fully loaded front
axle weights that were bumping up around the rated capacity of the
tires, expecially with fully timers who carried an entire house worth
of gear. However, with the exception of some failures that appeared
linked to underinflation and very high speed cruising, these tires
gave good service and were very reliable. The actual capacity appeared
to be significantly higher than the rated capacity assigned by the
tire manufacturer. Ditto for the wheels.
In 1997 we introduced our first slide-outs and front axle weight took
an upward bump. We took another look at the tire situation and saw
that we could increase the rated front axle capacity if we changed to
315 load range L "low profile" tires, initially on the steer axle
only. We made the change, upgrading our "rated capacity." But in spite
of the increased capacity on paper, we immediately began experiencing
a pattern of steer axle tire failure. We experienced problems with
both Bridgestone and Goodyear tires in the 315 size. We went through
several successive tire models with Goodyear, each promised to solve
the problem, but without relief until finally changing new production
to Michelin with good results. In fact, we were so concerned about the
failures we were seeing with Bridgestone and Goodyear that we did a
NHTSA reported recall and replaced all the Bridgestone and Goodyear
315s (regardless of mileage) with new Michelins.
Since changing to the 315 Michelins, front tire failures declined and
the few we have seen appear to be related to the following factors,
often in combination:
1) Underinflation. The 315 should be inflated to a minimum of 130 psi,
and we recommend 140 psi for summer high speed crusing.
2) Speed. The Michelin 315 tire model installed should be rated at 75
mph (some models are rated at 55 mph maximum!), and the speed
restriction should be observed.
3) Road hazard damage. We recently saw a tire failure caused by a cut
on the tread that allowed moisture to rust the steel belt over a few
months until the tread separated at highway speed.
4) Age. Tires deteriorate from a variety of age related causes,
including UV rays and undetected road hazard damage. We recommend that
steer axle tires be replaced at three years. Cheap insurance.
Based on our experience, coaches running 11R24.5 load range H front
tires need not be "upgraded" to 305 tires to simply get more rated
capacity. However, for both coaches running 11R24.5 tires and later
model coaches running 315 low profile tires, we recommend that the
front tires be replaced every three years regardless of miles, be kept
properly inflated, and excessive speeds be avoided. The tires should
be inspected reguarly for damage. For the 315 tires, we recommend
Michelins with a speed rating of 75 mph.
posted by karlb form newell
hauling wood fc rb 81
in jolon calif for another 10 days at ft hunter liggett!!!!with out my
bus!!!!!!