Tire installation with mis-matched tread depths

[RJ]

Darryl -

Don't forget that transit drivers traditionally use the curb as part of the coach's braking system, so inspect the sidewalls carefully.

Look for the little dime-sized dimples spaced evenly around the tire at the widest point of the sidewall.  All the dimples should be equal, if not the tire's suspect.  (Not all tires have these, but most used in transit service do.)

TomC's right - weigh your rig in "ready-to-roll" configuration with full fuel & water, then adjust tire pressures according to Michelin's specs for the weight being carried.

Smart shopping!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[LuckyChow]

Thanks RJ.  I always do the weigh in.  I'm just aggravated that they closed the scales near me.  It was a Pilot station and the state DOT decided they wanted to redo the freeway exits there.  The Pilot was too close.

[TomC]

This discussion about tires will go ad infinitum. I drove truck for 21 years and 1.3 million miles. I now have been specing and selling Freightliners for 14 years. I have a bit of experience with large vehicle tires. Please don't be offended when I say-don't be cheap with tires!
Your bus tires are the only contact with the road. They support a tremendous amount of weight. They determine
whether you will stop in time or not. They determine whether you stay on the road or not with how much traction. Also, the ride of the bus can change with different tires. There is a good reason Michelin makes over 50 different models of big rig truck and bus tires.
Please for the safety of you and others around, buy new tires that are designed for the bus and for the weight that your bus is now.
If you can't afford tires for your bus, then maybe a bus conversion isn't for you. Bus conversions are very expensive to maintain and run. A gas motorhome maybe more in line affordability wise. Good Luck, TomC

[TedCalvert]

RJ--
I liked the way you put it about the curbs being part of the braking system for transit drivers.  I drove new J4500's around DC last spring with school kids on class trips, and I was strongly cautioned, by more-experienced drivers, to NOT touch the curbs as they are GRANITE and will seriously cut sidewalls.  I only got a little blem on one.