Re: 04 Allure 8.25 rims with 12R22.5 - 315/80R22.5 or 275/80R22.5 -
Reply #25 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103232
I wanted to close the loop back on what we ended up doing.
I received a few PM's and emails from members of various boards (Much appreciated!), in regards to going to 315/80 22.5 on the steers. Many with heavier coaches then our Allure, have done so, and it has worked well for them. Some, with SOB coaches, were all ready exceeding the axle weight of their front ends, so moving up to a beefier tire was warranted or sure.
But, I also received input over my concern/comments about the harsher ride we've experienced over the last now 5 3/4 years with the Michelin XZE* tires, especially on the front end over expansion joints, and minor bumps and surface cracks. (Reminder that the "*" on the XZE is for even more meat and thicker, thus stiffer, sidewalls then normal XZE, which were all ready built to protect from curb scrubbing.) The major thrust of the input, is by going to the XZA2's with Load Range L vs Load Range H, along with he 8.25 mounted 'slightly squished' sidewalls - I would most likely again be experiencing as harsh a ride as with the XZE*'s.
I'm now in the Northwest, and started making a calls on tires. The short of it is that buying 6 more BF Goodrich ST230's via FMCA would have been the most economical way to go. However, I also received input recommending I look into getting one the newer Energy Efficient (Low Rolling Resistant) tires. After much research, I've ordered in 6 Bridgestone R268 Escopia's. Michelin has a neat comparison site, when you can find it (Search for Michelin and Rolling Resistant Comparison.), that when i use the standard XZE (the 12r tire available to me from Michelin) as the main tire to compare to, shows the Bridgestone R268's to be 6% more efficient then the XZE.
Another factor is my preference to run with Tier 1 tires. The BF Goodrich are a fine, but aging, Tier 2 tire. This helped me spend the extra money for the more expensive Bridgestones over the BF Goodrich tires. (Again, happy with my Michelin performance, did what I wanted them to do. And now with 3K on the ST230, have no negatives to report, and a positive on a softer front end ride then the Michelin XZE*'s. So sure not knocking these tires. But, the BF Goodrich are not in the same league as the Michelin and this specific Bridgestone - Michelin specifically targeted them to the Tier 2 level, and they compete very well in that grouping of tires.)
I'll move the BF Goodrich ST230's to the tag, and mount the Bridgestone R260 Escopia's to Steer and Drives, to maximize the lower rolling resistance.
And, once they installed in late October (Coming into Junction City, OR from Southern California warehouse, and we'll not be able to get them mounted until then.), I'll be able to see if I can detect any difference in front end ride over the ST230's. (Tire gent at Bob Dickman's I talked too, said he would be surprised if I noted any difference at all. Yes over the XZE* with the stiffer sidewalls, but he felt the ride would be very similar between the R268 and the ST230 - we'll see:)!)
And, I only repudiated my post, as it could help others when researching tires and specifically upsizing on 8.25 rims in the future. For a heavier based front end coach, my thinking would be to pony up the funds for a pair of 9" rims, at the same time as upsizing to larger size tires.
Best to all, be safe, have fun,
Smitty
04 Allure 40', Tag, Two Slide, High Cascade
Topic: 04 Allure 8.25 rims with 12R22.5 - 315/80R22.5 or 275/80R22.5 (Read 4028 times)
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