A question about 455/55R 22.5 tires up date ( problem solved)

[luvrbus]

Guys I bought a H 41 that needs 2 front tires and they are Michelin xte455/55R 22.5 my question to you is does anyone know were to get a good buy on this size tire it doesn't have to be the Michelin brand the dealer wants money plus my first born for these tires.Also do you think it would change the driving characteristics of the bus by changing back to 12r 22.5 like on the driver and tag. thanks in advance. 

After days on the phone and help from my friend Sonnie Gray I finally got the tire issues over with.The 455/55r  22.5 were installed on the front by mistake when the repo guys installed the wheels and Prevost told me that was what was on the front.The bus has 365/70R-22.5 on the front and tag axle 455/55R-22.5 on the drivers this optional equipment on the 41 and 45 H series and FWIW TomC you and Prevost do not see eye to eye on the tires the Michelin XTE you say if for trailers is their spec tire for the driver and for the life of me I can not see Prevost installing a 65mph tire if that is indeed the facts on the front and tag tires for a 80+ mph bus anyway thanks for the info it helped me straightened it out.PS you guys do not want this set up very expensive

[jjrbus]

 I will never wear out a set of tires. My first set of steer tires were 22.5 michlen. I was able to sell them last year when they were 7 years old. I changed to an off brand 24.5 inch tire for much less $$$$$$$  As long as they are the proper weight and speed rating. Some people swear by the brand names. Its thier $$$$

[H3Jim]

Although I think the dealer did ok for me by price, it was still a lot of $.  I paid $500 each for my michelins.

I just replaced my tag tires and found a local chop that had some used take offs.  Paid $150 for him to come to my house and mount them, and $150 for both tires.

Southern cal area.

[luvrbus]

Guys, these are like those on the front of cement trucks wide not a standard tire maybe I didn't write the size down correctly

[jjrbus]

You got the size right, and yes like a cement truck tire.

[TomC]

The 455/55R22.5 is the equivalent to a 11R22.5 in diameter and was meant to replace a set of duals on tandem drive tractor-it is not a cement mixer tire.  Only, the XTE is for the trailer.  And definitely NOT for use on the steering.  Michelin designed that tire for use as a replacement for duals only and mainly for tandem use.  Get rid of those tires and don't use them-not even on the drivers unless you have a tandem axle bus like a Crown, Gillig or PD4501.   If you want to go with the most up to date tire, you want the 315/80R22.5 (the metric version of the 12R22.5).  It is either a 18 or 20 ply tire.  It is available in a 18,000lb version that's approved for 75mph or a 20,000lb version approved for 65mph.  I can't imagine what the PO was thinking putting on those 455/55R22.5 on the front, but solely for the looks of the fat tire.  You're lucky they didn't blow since they are not designed for steering axle.  Good Luck, TomC

[makemineatwostroke]

Mr C what the he** have you got into now see you Sunday

[Hartley]

Hi Guys,

Without sounding too much lost here. Didn't Prevost recently change the front end geometry on the later conversion chassis to take avantage of the wider tires and rims?

Mainly for load handling for the heavy conversions?

The highest capacity tires prior to that for steers were the 315-80R 22.5 GoodYear G670 with the 9.25 inch rims @ 9k/lbs.

But if the new coaches are exceeding 15,000 lbs wouldn't they benefit from the 455 series wide tires and rims. ( I know that dump trucks now use a steer rated wide offset tire. )

I had noticed that many of the Vantare's had the wide front rims and tires combo's..

Dave....

[TomC]

The tires that are rated for steer use are the 315/80R22.5 up to 18,000lb, 365/65R22.5 up to 19,500lb but at 65mph, 425/65 and 445/65R-22.5, up to 22,000lb but 65mph.  445/50R-22.5 and 455/55R-22.5 are both rated for drive axle or trailer use only.  They are just to square a tire for steering use.  Good Luck, TomC