Hello All,
I have read some threads on here about tires, but some of them are quite old, so I thought I would see what current thinking is?
Right now there a re B305/85R 22.5 Goodyear Metro Miler all the way around. I found those exact same tires for about $820.
But are something like Toyo M647 12R22.5 150/147 L H or even Toyo M647 11R22.5 146/143 L H
I am looking at putting new steer tires on for starters.
I know weight is an issue and right now we are at about 36,000 pounds. I don't specifically know the weight on the front as apposed to the rear.
Any input you have would be grateful.
Thank you
Seb
I've got Firestone FS561 all around on my bus and am quite happy with them. They are 12R22.5 and I suspect that the weight limit on them will comfortably handle your load.
Number one-weigh your bus by axle fully loaded. Then you'll know what size tires you really need. I switched from 12R-22.5 to 11R-24.5 and only have to run 90psi. Just keep with known tire manufacturers. NO CHINESE TIRES! Good Luck, TomC
just put 11R.22.5 on drivers and tag axle, already had them on steers will handle the weight of our MCI7 with no problem. Yes I have weighed the axles plus total weight
Alright, all good input.
As far as finished weight? Don't know, still in process of build.
Thanks
Seb
I have Toyo's 11R/22.5 run very smooth and carry 90lbs in each and yes were made in China. No problems. Most now day are made there or India, Indonesia and some still in the USA but not many.
Weighing all wheels is easy to get done, but I think you are converting? Remember when you fill your fuel and water tank and have full grey and black tanks it will probably be a good idea to weigh each wheel again. My water and waste tanks are centrally located but I put 200 gallons of fuel up front, mostly on those front tires. Every bus is different and yours will change when you finish changing it.
Best of luck Seb
Seb Here is a link to semi truck tire size and weight chart and load and inflation tables not pushing Kelly or Bridgestone tires but all tires pretty much run the same.
https://commercial.fountaintire.com/images/Kelly%20Commercial%20Truck%20Product%20Brochure.pdf
https://commercial.bridgestone.com/content/dam/commercial/bridgestone/pdfs/l-and-i-tables/Bridgestone-TBR-Load-And-Inflation-Tables.pdf
Seb -
Look on the Builder's Plaque (front stairwell?), as MCI lists the recommended tire sizes on that, along with the VIN of the coach.
Recognize that the air pressures recommended on the plaque are for a coach in commercial service, and may be over-inflated for your coach once your build is finished.
305/85R22.5 is the new metric equivalent of 12R22.5s.
Look around the rim of the outside dual. Somewhere, stamped on the inside of the wheel, you should find a stamping showing the wheel size and width (on my coach, it's stamped opposite the valve stem opening.) If it's stamped 8.25"x22.5, then 11R, 12R or 305/85 is as large as you can go on that rim. If it's stamped 9"x22.5 or 9.5"x22.5, then you can utilize a 315/80R22.5 tire.
I got a good deal on 12R22.5 Toyo M170s for a complete set of eight a couple of years ago. I would have only been able to purchase five Michelins (which everybody and their brother seems to either swear by or swear at!) for what I paid for the Toyos. Once I adjusted the tire pressures accordingly after weighing the coach, I'm very happy with the ride, noise level and handling.
FWIW & HTH. . . ;)
RJ
Quote from: Dave5Cs on April 07, 2022, 12:00:56 PM
I have Toyo's 11R/22.5 run very smooth and carry 90lbs in each and yes were made in China. No problems. Most now day are made there or India, Indonesia and some still in the USA but not many.
Thanks for that, I see them when looking.
Are those smaller in diameter than the 12r size? I wonder, because my speedometer isn't accurate, and if those are smaller it will be worse. Also mine is geared low, so smaller tires would compound that too.
Thanks
Seb
Quote from: Tedsoldbus on April 07, 2022, 03:58:31 PM
Weighing all wheels is easy to get done, but I think you are converting? Remember when you fill your fuel and water tank and have full grey and black tanks it will probably be a good idea to weigh each wheel again. My water and waste tanks are centrally located but I put 200 gallons of fuel up front, mostly on those front tires. Every bus is different and yours will change when you finish changing it.
Best of luck Seb
Yup, that makes sense
Thanks
Seb
Quote from: RJ on April 08, 2022, 12:59:54 AM
Seb -
Look on the Builder's Plaque (front stairwell?), as MCI lists the recommended tire sizes on that, along with the VIN of the coach.
Recognize that the air pressures recommended on the plaque are for a coach in commercial service, and may be over-inflated for your coach once your build is finished.
305/85R22.5 is the new metric equivalent of 12R22.5s.
Look around the rim of the outside dual. Somewhere, stamped on the inside of the wheel, you should find a stamping showing the wheel size and width (on my coach, it's stamped opposite the valve stem opening.) If it's stamped 8.25"x22.5, then 11R, 12R or 305/85 is as large as you can go on that rim. If it's stamped 9"x22.5 or 9.5"x22.5, then you can utilize a 315/80R22.5 tire.
I got a good deal on 12R22.5 Toyo M170s for a complete set of eight a couple of years ago. I would have only been able to purchase five Michelins (which everybody and their brother seems to either swear by or swear at!) for what I paid for the Toyos. Once I adjusted the tire pressures accordingly after weighing the coach, I'm very happy with the ride, noise level and handling.
FWIW & HTH. . . ;)
RJ
Thanks, RJ for all of that.
That's what I was thinking, just the metric equal, so thanks for confirming that.
I have the 8.25 rims.
I will check it those Toyos you mentioned.
Seb
Quote from: tr206 on April 07, 2022, 05:38:12 PM
Seb Here is a link to semi truck tire size and weight chart and load and inflation tables not pushing Kelly or Bridgestone tires but all tires pretty much run the same.
https://commercial.fountaintire.com/images/Kelly%20Commercial%20Truck%20Product%20Brochure.pdf
https://commercial.bridgestone.com/content/dam/commercial/bridgestone/pdfs/l-and-i-tables/Bridgestone-TBR-Load-And-Inflation-Tables.pdf
Thanks for the reference
Seb
12:00R x 22.5 is the max diameter fairly available for your current rims. The others will cost lower cruising and top speed. I don't know what tire companies were thinking, making the 305's smaller in diameter than the 12:00's they were to replace.
Quote from: chessie4905 on April 08, 2022, 04:29:48 AM
12:00R x 22.5 is the max diameter fairly available for your current rims. The others will cost lower cruising and top speed. I don't know what tire companies were thinking, making the 305's smaller in diameter than the 12:00's they were to replace.
Probably why 12R22.5 tires are still out there. They're not as common as some of the other sizes, but I didn't have trouble getting them. They're still used on some commercial vehicles and I don't see them disappearing soon.
295x80x22.5 is more tire than you will ever need ,you have 60 series with the world Allison 6 speed with 2 overdrives no way it will affect the performance the speedometer has DIP switches to adjust for accuracy,You are not buying tires for a older equipped 2 stroke engine and 4 speed transmission,my Rv has 315's on the steers because of weight and 295's on the tag a drives with a GVW of 58,000 lbs from the factory,I bought all new Toyo's made in Japan.FWIW Ironman is a dam good Tire made in China the tour operators and school buses use those here in 100+ heat in Az
lol the blue bird i pulled our series 60 out of had 4.56 rear and ecm said top speed of bus had been 95 :o
Quote from: 6805eagleguy on April 08, 2022, 07:23:09 AM
lol the blue bird i pulled our series 60 out of had 4.56 rear and ecm said top speed of bus had been 95 :o
LOL I have 4:30's and not even going there I shut it down at 1800 rpm
You will seldom if ever have the waste and the fresh water tanks full at the same time. It's usually going to be one or the other, or somewhere in between.
Jim
What are the thoughts on run of the mill tires for the rear and top tier for the front?
Quote from: chessie4905 on April 08, 2022, 04:29:48 AM
12:00R x 22.5 is the max diameter fairly available for your current rims. The others will cost lower cruising and top speed. I don't know what tire companies were thinking, making the 305's smaller in diameter than the 12:00's they were to replace.
Hmmm, now that info makes may lean strongly toward 22.5s
Thanks
Seb
Quote from: luvrbus on April 08, 2022, 07:03:26 AM
295x80x22.5 is more tire than you will ever need ,you have 60 series with the world Allison 6 speed with 2 overdrives no way it will affect the performance the speedometer has DIP switches to adjust for accuracy,You are not buying tires for a older equipped 2 stroke engine and 4 speed transmission,my Rv has 315's on the steers because of weight and 295's on the tag a drives with a GVW of 58,000 lbs from the factory,I bought all new Toyo's made in Japan.FWIW Ironman is a dam good Tire made in China the tour operators and school buses use those here in 100+ heat in Az
Great information.
Dipp switches, great, I feel a new thread coming on.
Thanks a million
Seb
Quote from: 6805eagleguy on April 08, 2022, 07:23:09 AM
lol the blue bird i pulled our series 60 out of had 4.56 rear and ecm said top speed of bus had been 95 :o
If that is true, that's crazy 😧
Seb
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on April 08, 2022, 09:36:52 AM
You will seldom if ever have the waste and the fresh water tanks full at the same time. It's usually going to be one or the other, or somewhere in between.
Jim
That's logical.
Seb
All tires are not created equal, you MUST review the spec sheet and confirm the revolutions per mile for each tire being considered, tire size alone is not an indicator of what they will do to top speed or your speedometer.
B500 has a tall .64 overdrive, so the 4.56 is a decent compromise between power and economy, in the buses of that vintage. And they will FLY, if given the reins...
Good condition tires all the way around... ever seen how a blown tire can tear up the guts of a coach? Any savings will be a total eclipse of the wallet...
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Quote from: buswarrior on April 08, 2022, 12:54:54 PM
All tires are not created equal, you MUST review the spec sheet and confirm the revolutions per mile for each tire being considered, tire size alone is not an indicator of what they will do to top speed or your speedometer.
B500 has a tall .64 overdrive, so the 4.56 is a decent compromise between power and economy, in the buses of that vintage. And they will FLY, if given the reins...
Good condition tires all the way around... ever seen how a blown tire can tear up the guts of a coach? Any savings will be a total eclipse of the wallet...
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Hello Bus Warrior,
As always you bring sobriety to any thread. With the knowledge you have, reading these sheets is probably second nature. I on the other hand am a newby, so I quickly get information overload.
I will do the best I can and run things by you guys for input.
Thanks a million.
Seb
Here's the carnage on a eagle from what I assume was a blowout.
Quote from: 6805eagleguy on April 08, 2022, 08:17:19 PM
Here's the carnage on a eagle from what I assume was a blowout.
Yeah, food for thought.
Seb
Quote from: freds on April 08, 2022, 09:41:30 AM
What are the thoughts on run of the mill tires for the rear and top tier for the front?
That is what I have been doing. I keep the best tires on the steer axle. Roadmaster by Cooper tires on the drive axle and BF Goodrich tires on the steer and tag. I move the steer tires to tag axle about every five years or so. It really depends on how fast the tag tires are wearing. I never really wear out tires, but rather they age out.
The BF Goodrich tires now on the tag axle are made in Brazil and the BF Goodrich tires on the steer axle are made in the USA. The steer tires are less than a year old and I was surprised they are made in the USA. I just bought a new set of Roadmaster tires for the drive axle. I ordered them in January and it took two months to get them. I think I missed out on some of the price increases. I really wanted more of the BF Goodrich tires, but not available and much higher cost. I decided I had good luck with my current Roadmaster tires made in China so I decided to go with them again.
Tire dealers that have contracts with school districts may possibly allow you to piggyback off one of their contracts if you want 12R22.5s. That's what I did when I bought six Yokohama 104ZR tires (made in Japan) two years ago for about $3000 out the door, and they ride better and tramline less than my previous Michelin XZEs (sorry, Tom!).
John
Jim is correct about in that you will almost never have full black and grey tanks. I only had it once. Coming from Alaska to the US in May. We could get water at places, but all dump stations were still frozen or would not let us dump as their tanks or the pipes to them would freeze (according to them). So almost to Washington state before we could dump - we had full tanks.
Like Jim said...
How often is that going to happen.