What should the tire load rating be for a 1982 Eagle 10

[Gold Talon]

I have tires that are over 10 years on the date code so I am looking to buy 8 new tires. The Cooper RM185 Roadmasters I am considering has a load range G. I have an old weight ticket from the previous owner showing 35K. Is that about right? I will weigh the bus soon but just need some idea of the weight if someone has input.
Thanks in advance for your help. Tom G. Battle Ground Wa.

[TomC]

Probably will work-weighing the bus is the bottom line answer. Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

They work fine a fine just adjust the air pressure if needed most of the owners run 110 psi in the front and bogies it saves tire wear on a Eagle then rotate the front and bogies every 30,000 mile Eagles do not like low tire pressure anyways  

FWIW it may be to late but Costco had the Firestone 11r/24.5-H on sale in Vegas yesterday for $460.00 ea + sales tax(Federal was included) with free mounting the date code shows they were about 6 months old that would not bother me

[Gold Talon]

Thanks for the help. I will look around a little more and shop price. The date code on the ones I was considering showed almost 3 years old. not so good!
Thanks again

[Doug1968]

Fellow's,

Today I made a call to Lew's Tire in Baker City to inquire about tires for my coach. I asked him to give me a quote for 11r24.5's and also 12r24.5's. He gave me the prices with the 12r being $300 more per tire.

He told me that he rarely sells a 12r and that he would be surprised to see these on a bus?

At lunch I drove over to a Firestone dealer by Jubitz and he also told me that the 12r tire was way over kill for my bus. He too said that he rarely sells a 12r and recommended the 11r Firestone 590's.

Is anyone running the 12r tires on their coach? It would be good to know if any of you are running the 12r tire that is 16 ply sidewall and has an H load rating?


Thanks,
Doug

[luvrbus]

I have always bought my 12rx22.5 from Lew in Baker City for years, they are expensive with today's tire prices but my Eagle came with 12r x 22.5 from the factory so I never changed you see more of the 315 x 22.5 on buses now instead of the 12R x 22.5  

Matt is still running the 12r x 22.5 on his Eagle my x I just never wanted to give up the extra 1 inch in width myself,  one never sees the 11r here on the tour buses here nothing but 315's , the school even changed from 12r to 315's on their MCI's

 did you get a new bus  

[RJ]

Today I made a call to Lew's Tire in Baker City to inquire about tires for my coach. I asked him to give me a quote for 11r24.5's and also 12r24.5's.

Doug -

For an MCI, don't you mean 12R22.5s?  That was the stock tire size on the 7s 8s, 9s, 96As, 102As, etc.  The factory data plate should be riveted on the wall above the driver's window, not only does it have the VIN, but it also lists the axle weight limits with the OEM tire sizes.  If there's a cabinet there from the conversion, it's probably hidden inside.

Only recently did they (MCI) move to the metric sizing, as the truck tire industry made the move, too.  The 315R22.5 is very similar size-wise to the 12Rs, actually slightly larger with more weight capacity.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Doug1968]

Clifford,

I have made an offer on a MCI 9 factory conversion by Pawnee Coach contingent on an inspection and test drive. I will be meeting the owner in a couple of weeks to go over the bus.

RJ,

This MCI 9 I believe has 12r24.5 tires? It surprised me to hear this also as I thought 22.5's were kind of the standard for the MCI's. My 102a3 has the 315/8022.5 tires and I know that they are pretty commonly used due to the higher load rating.

I'm not sure what I will do for tires on the 9 but it will be needing some as they are probably dated. I will weigh the coach and make a decision based on the weight. The 12r24.5's that I got pricing on are pretty expensive and not readily available?

Doug

[TomC]

My Portland, Or Trimet bus originally came with 12R-22.5. Since I was trucking at the time and my truck had 11R-24.5's, I switched the tires and wheels out. 11R-24.5 are the biggest in diameter tire you can get for high speed (75mph) use at 476rpm (revs per Mile). Even though they are not as popular as any of the standard 22.5 sizes, many trucks/buses are using that size still. Typically, heavy haul, loggers, etc are using 24.5 tires. 12R-22.5 are just a weird size since the metric equivalent-315/80R-22.5 has taken it's place. Most all European trucks and buses are now standard with the 315's. I like the 11R-24.5's since it gives a bit more ground clearance (transit buses are low enough to start) and the highest speed possible. Plus they are easily available at most commercial tire shops. Most all bus conversions are not heavy enough to use the 315's. The weight rating difference between 12R-22.5 and 11R-24.5 both in the 16ply rating is within a few hundred pounds of each other. I use 14ply tires on my truck. Good Luck, TomC

[belfert]

My recent experience with getting tires is that most tire shops (at least in the Minneapolis area) will only have a very small selection of 11R24.5 tires in stock.  They can usually get other 11R24.5 tires in a day or two.  Now, if I wanted 22.5 tires they have a much wider range in stock.

This is also a bit regional.  Some areas the truckers use a lot more 11R24.5 tires.  I was told if I was in the oil fields in North Dakota that 11R24.5 are popular there

[RJ]

This MCI 9 I believe has 12r24.5 tires? It surprised me to hear this also as I thought 22.5's were kind of the standard for the MCI's.

Doug -

If the coach has 12R24.5s, that's actually overkill.  12R22.5s were the stock MC-9 tire size.

11R24.5s would be a good replacement w/o having to buy new wheels.

All this is speculation until you actually see the coach and confirm what's currently installed.  Then you can make an intelligent decision.

FWIW & HTH. . .