Tires for 4106

[DennisDenison]

Everyone, I am buying a 4106 that will need all new tires before the drive home.  It currently has 11R22.5's on it.  Power is a 6V92TA with V730.  What would be the recommend size tires to purchase and maybe what brand?  Thanks for all answers.

[richard5933]

Welcome to the forum - sounds like you're about to start a new adventure.

Your question is going to get quite a wide variety of answers, but if you stick to the top-tier companies you will be okay. There are some who have used second-tier tires, but to me that's not a good idea unless your budget is really tight. Top tier companies would include Firestone, Michelin, Bridgestone, Yokohama, Toyo, Hankook, etc.

I've had good luck with Firestone and Goodyear myself. I'm sure others will have different suggestions.

[buswarrior]

295/75R 22.5 is similar to 11R22.5

Unless the conversion is grossly heavy, huge tanks, granite counter tops, wierd choice of internal construction techniques...

The coach ran on 12R22.5 in seated service, a tire rated that heavy, not usually required for bus conversion duty.

Setting tire pressures properly for the real weight on the axles, not some imagined or read-off-a-document number, is an important step often unknown to newbies.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[TomC]

As with all tire questions, the first thing is to weigh the bus by axles. Since you'll be putting more "stuff" into the bus, figure another 1,000lbs on each axle. My guess is that the 11R-22.5 will be just fine and they are easy to find at most truck stops. I would not suggest going with the low profile versions (295/75R-22.5) since you'd loose both speed and about an inch of ground clearance. Good Luck, TomC

[Dave5Cs]

Toyo's 11R x 22.5 H rated 16 ply

[lostagain]

Chinese no name off brand, 1/3rd the price of the big names, just as good. 90% of tires in the world are made in China in 2 factories.

JC

[chessie4905]

You are sacrificing some cruising speed and max speed with those smaller tires, since your axle ratio is limited to 4.11.The V730 in 3rd gear is equivalent to 3:60 ratio, due to the slight overdrive of the angle gears. 1 to .875.Top speed now is approx 74@ 2350? That is what it is on my 4905 currently with 4:27 rear with V730 and 315x80-R22.5 tires. Overall yours and mine probably have similar speeds, with my slightly higher numerical ratio, but with larger tires. You could consider 24.5 rims with 11:00 tires to get a little higher top governered  max speed and a little lower rpms at cruising speed. V92's don't like as high a running speed as the 71 models, but maybe that is not a concern for you.

[sledhead]

I have had zero problems with the knock off tires on the 2 couches I have had . I use them on all but the steers aeolus asr65   
295 80 r 22.5

http://www.aeolustires.com/MRT/hn257.html

and on the steers I use continental conti eco plus hs3 in the same size

https://www.continental-truck.com/truck/products/tires/goods/cephs3

big savings when you need 6 tires in the rear and 2 steers

due to my axle loads all are at 105 lbs for a little softer ride

dave

[DennisDenison]

Thanks everyone for your input. I decided to go with Toyo's. Another question I have I regarding balancing the tires. Has anyone used beads for that?

[chessie4905]

There has been a great deal of discussion on this topic over the years. Balancing beads, antifreeze, balance masters, wheel weights. Many fans on each system. With beads, it is recommended to use valve stem inserts with a filter to keep bead debris from plugging valve stem check valve. Some have had moisture issues causing clumping of the bead material. Balance rings work well. Usually ones with some type of oil or liquid to silence balls rolling around at slow speed. Antifreeze has been used by some with good results. Good old fashioned wheel weights have been used for years with satisfactory results. Since the ride quality of our coaches isn't  anywhere as smooth as a car, many use no balancing except to deal with a particular vibration issue. You can do a search for best way to balance tires on commercial and heavy duty vehicles. Prepare for extensive reading.

[luvrbus]

The Toyo's probably will not need to be balanced, good tires do not need to be balanced if the wheels and drums are in good shape

[lostagain]

Some tire shops don't have balancing equipment for big tires. So they use beads. But, like Clifford says, good tires don't need balancing. I would mount them. Chances are it will be a smooth ride. If not, you can easily add beads.

JC

[dtcerrato]

We use Centramatic balancers on the rear duals. Haven't found a fit for the steers yet...