| Author | Message | ||
| Captain Ron
Rating: N/A |
I've been aiming at new tires for a while and I'm ready to pull the trigger just want any oppinions. the tires are "Steel Mark AHS 16 ply" 11R22.5 steers. They are aproxematly the same hight as my 1100R20 that are currently on the bus. The 24.5 tires were 3 to 4 inches taller and $100 per tire more. I'm getting these for $223.60 each. as for balancing should I go with regular weighted or with the powder? "Equal Ballance" Will be useing as drive tires | ||
| Jerry Liebler Rating: N/A |
Ron, Isn't your bus a 4905? I doubt the 11R20's were stock. Most had 12R22.5s My 4107 does & it's 1968. How's your top speed? The taller tires will give you more top speed and better fuel economy on the flats. As to balancing I'd recommend the old fashioned weights. When I got my new steer tires (Michlien XZ2's) from Camping World they balanced with 'Equal' & I had the shakes at about 65 MPH. I complained and they paid the bill ($85) for cleaning out the Equal and spin balancing at Less Shwab in Portland Or. It worked, no more shakes, at least not below 85, & I've not gone faster. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
I keep reading about guys running standard 12x22.5 tires and wonder why I don't see more 315/80 R 22.5 being talked about.. Any particular reason? | ||
| Captain Ron
Rating: N/A |
The hieght of my rear tires are 41" tall. The ones I'm getting are a 1/2" taller. the 24.5 I priced were 45" tall. I'm not sure if I have room for the larger tires and I can't afford the difference in price. My bus runs top speed of 70mph and I get 8.33 mpg. And I'm happy with both. last year I did my tour in a 95 Jimmy pulling the same trailer and only got 10mpg. I don't have to sleep in hotels or the front seat so I figure it's cheaper in the bus if it doesn't break down | ||
| Brian (Bigbusguy)
Rating: N/A |
I would try to stay with a tire that can be found any where. 12X22.5 are harder to find. All most every truck stop or bigger tire dealed carrys 11X22.5 I dont know too much about 315/80 r 22.5 but if it is taller then what you have now and its not to hard to find I would go with that. The 4905 has lower gearing then the 4107 and a taller tire would help your top end and should get a little better MPG on the flats. Brian 4905 Klamath Falls Oregon | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Rating: N/A |
Captain Ron - 1100x20s were not stock on the 4905s. They came from the factory with 12R22.5s, so someone switched rims on the coach awhile back. GMC set up the heavier & longer 4905s w/ a 4.375:1 rear axle, compared to the 35' models which used a 4.125:1 ratio. Translated, the 4905s run about 100 rpm more at the same road speed (1800 @ 65 mph vs 1700). This is why others have suggested going to the 11R24.5 size, to help w/ top speed and fuel mileage. And yes, they will fit, front and rear. The magic number this all revolves around is 495 revs/mile. That's the size GM used when sorting out the powertrain during development work. So, buying a tire with MORE than 495 revs/mile will lower your top speed and increase your fuel consumption. Tire's with LESS than 495 will have the opposite effect. Rather than looking at tire diameters, then, look for the revs/mile spec and go from there. All the manufacturer's publish this data, you just have to dig for it a little. Never heard of "Steel Mark AHS 16-ply". Who makes the tire?? Since you're on the road a lot, wouldn't it make more sense to spend a little bit more to go with a common brand that can be found everywhere? Would certainly make any warranty claims much easier. . . Definitely spend the $$$ to have the tires balanced properly with lead weights - everyone on board will thank you for it, including the coach! I've heard nothing but horror stories about "Equal" and similar products. And for John the new guy, the reason you don't see more 315/80R22.5s out there is that currently most are transit tires, with a speed rating of 50 mph or less. However, the metric nomenclature is making inroads quickly, so it won't be long before all your truck sizes will be so. HTH, RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| Captain Ron
Rating: N/A |
steelmark is a goodyear casing with a off brand name is what the guy at the tire store said. I wish I could go for the bigger tire but just cant afford it. buy the time I pay mounting and balancing, buy rims, pay the taxes I will have $1500 in this project. I also need to replace the air compressor and have brakes checked before heading back to Fla. on feb 27. I plan on selling this bus soon and getting something in the 1980s era. MCI or Prevost so I don't need to put top quality into this one. just make it reliable and desirable. It still has 12R22.5 on the front and they are like new | ||
| Don/TX
Rating: N/A |
RJ, some 4905's came with 20 inch wheels, the factory build sheet for mine showed that it came from the factory that way. I changed to 24.5 lo profile tires because the standard of trucking at that time was 24.5, and those tires were actually smaller diameter than the big old 20 inch tires. A friend put 24.5 hi treds on his 4104, really made a sweetheart out of it. | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
RJ- The reason I asked.... My bus came with 315/80R22 on all wheels, but one tag axle. I noticed that all new MCIs use the same size. I just replaced two bald 315/80R22 with two take-offs the same size, but I'm looking for two more take-offs and having some difficulty locating any locally. You mentioned they're "transit tires" for 50mph or under? The 20 ply "L" "J" rating and the fact MCIs using them on new Charter buses has me a little confused... I'm still on the learning curve along with most others... Going out and changing a full set of tires without justification, isn't in anyone's best interest... But driving around on tires that will fail if 55mph is exceeded for too long, is not anyone's desire either... Since the tire's not marked to indicate and speed restriction, where exactly does one find the simple way to tell the difference between a "transit tire" and one to be used for highway speeds? Some input please? | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
315/80/22.5 is a metric measurement...they are not restricted to 55.....(silly people) | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
It's tough to find info.... But here's a start. http://www.trucktires.com/us_eng/technical/bulletins/tb-2002-02.asp | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
WOW....I have a friend that is running them on his dumptruck...he is going to be very upset....I stand corrected...thanks jtng | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Rating: N/A |
John the new guy - When the 315/80R22.5 metric sizing first started appearing on truck tires about five/six years ago, it seems the initial application was transit bus fleets. Since transit drivers tend to also use the curb as part of the brake system, these tires have much heavier sidewalls than a typical highway tire, and therefore generate more heat internally when operated at highway speeds. Hence the speed rating. Easiest way to tell if it's a transit tire is to look at the highest point on the sidewall, and see if there are "dimples" spaced evenly all around. These dimples are the wear indicators - when they're gone, it's time to replace the tire (or at least move it to the inside dual position. . .) Remember the "concrete vehicle speed retardation assit system" mentioned earlier? Now, in the five or so years since, more and more HD truck tires are being sized metrically, and, as everything else, things have evolved. It is not uncommon to find highway speed rated 315s nowdays, but you just can't walk into a tire shop and ask for a 315/80R22.5 steer tire. You've got to do a little homework to get the right tire for your application. Since most of the major manufacturers post this data on their websites, it's a lot easier to do the research. That, and befriending a really good, experienced, HD tire shop dealer (in my case, the father of one of the boys who played on my son's water polo team).  HTH, RJ | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
Well guys... Sorry for posting this after other informative posts, but it's the first chance I had to sit down...... After a call to Michelin and three dealers of truck/bus tires, I have been made aware that the 315/80R22 highway tires are for highway use and at whatever the legal highway speed is. I explained to each, that on the outer mounted duals, one tag (the other is a 12x22.5) and the fronts - all but one, says they're for Dot, Federal and Australian legal highway speed. But one tire that is exactly the same - brand, model, size and rating, has the notation under the "dot branding", that there is a 55 mph limitation. And to that, they said that it was the federal speed limit for a time and tires were branded to encourage that limit. They all said that the tires could be used at whatever the legal limit is now, without problem, provided they are highway design and properly inflated. http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/us/en/continental/transport/themes/tires/long_ha ul/hidden/hsl_eco_data_sheet_en.pdf http://www.transworldtyres.co.za/getfile.aspx?file=documents/truckbus.pdf I think the confusion regarding this size tire has a lot to do with the fact that this sized tire was originally designed to carry a much heavier load. It is apparently for that reason, that they may have suggested that a lower speed is required to provide the best life for the tire: http://www.wasteage.com/mag/waste_roll_tires/ "Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio, introduces the G286 Heavy Service Steer (HSS) tire model. The tire handles loads of up to 10,200 pounds per tire, or 20,400 pounds per axle, at 130 pounds per square inch (psi). According to the company, the rubber compounds and the 22/32 of an inch tread design help to resist tire chipping, chunking and rib tear. The G286 is available in 315/80R22.5 and is rated for load range L. Because of the heavy loads, the tire has a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour (mph)." When this same tire is not under that type of load and inflated accordingly, normal legal highway road speed is acceptable. But more importantly, it is not the tire size that's dictating the speed, it is what the tire was designed to do. On all the tires on the bus I own, and on the bus my new neighbor has just bought (an MC9), the tires are 315/80R22.5 and rated for legal highway speed. So..... I hope that clears things up? It has for me.. (I think) | ||
| Johnny Rating: N/A |
The only 55MPH transit tires I've seen were NOT 315/80R22.5--those are what I see on newer coaches. The transit tires I see are 305/85R22.5's. |