Can I change my Dina bus over to 22.5 tires?

[belfert]

My Dina bus has 11R24.5 tires now  Can I switch it over to 22.5 tires?  Will I need to get wider tires that will be hard to find and expensive to buy?  Four of my tires will be 10 years old in 2022 and should be replaced due to age.  I realize I would have to replace all of my wheels.

Getting 11R24.5 tires has always been an issue, but now they are totally unavailable from any major tire manufacturer.  Even in normal times a lot of tire shops will have no 24.5 tires in stock, but they will have 20 different models of 22.5 tires in stock.  One tire dealer claims BF Goodrich truck tires are totally out of production right now and won't be made again for six months or more.

[Utahclaimjumper]

 There is no reason you can't change all the wheels and tires if you wish,, just take out a second mortgage on the house and away you go..>>>Dan  ( Are your present tires a "low pro" type??)

[belfert]

The tires are a standard 11R24.5 tire.  Yes, it wouldn't be cheap to change over, but at least I would have an easier time buying tires down the road.

[buswarrior]

Is the problem the old "11" designation, instead of a metric equivalent?

When talking to the tire dealers, just tell them you have 24.5 rms and see what they come up with?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[luvrbus]

Belfert measure your drums 22.5 may not clear the drums is why you have 24.5's,Eagle had to go with 24.5's on the later Eagles to clear the new brakes drums they went with 

[belfert]

It seems like getting 24.5 tires in any width is an issue most of the time.  285/75R24.5 is another common size that is about 11.25" wide.  The weight rating is less on the metric tires.  I would have to find the sheet with my weights by wheel to see if that would matter.

I just remembered that the data plate for the bus lists a metric size that is 22.5 I believe.

[richard5933]

Where are you trying to buy these? I'm seeing them available via online vendors with in-stock status.

[luvrbus]

If you want a tire hard to find now try finding a 315/80/22.5.Michelin through FMCA told me 3 months at least and with a price increase  ,they sell for $928.00 now glad I have just 2 on the front axle

Belfert reading the data plate on your bus is the best advice given even if it was from you 24.5 tires won't be around much longer that was a US North American tire size only 

[tr206]

Try these places in the cities for 11r 24.5.

https://www.bauerbuilt.com/locations/blaine/

https://commercial.pompstire.com/Shop-For-Tires/Commercial-Tires

https://northlandequipment.net in clear lake,wi

[belfert]

Yes, I already called the first two places on that list.  I can get 11R24.5 tires, but not the BF Goodrich tires I really want.  I found four Roadmaster RM185 tires for $475 each out the door, but I have to drive 70 miles each way to get them installed.  I already have Roadmaster RM185 that have been fine so this may be my best option.

The reason to switch to 22.5 tires would be to make it easier to get tires, especially if I have issues on the road and my spare tire isn't enough.

[richard5933]

There are still a good number of trucks out there riding on the 24.5 tires, so my hunch is that once the supply chain returns to something more normal this won't be an issue. Till then, just be sure your spare is aired up and in good shape.

[buswarrior]

The 24.5 seem to be developing a regional flavour?

The heavy haulers still like "the tall rubber", so Michigan/Ohio/Ontario, it is easy to find them.

Ask the local Peterbilt/Kenworth dealerships where they are sourcing their 24.5 rubber?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[belfert]

Even a decade ago it wasn't nearly as easy to get 11R24.5 tires as 22.5 tires.  Most tire shops have a wide selection of 22.5 tires in stock, but often they have to order in 24.5 tires even before COVID.

I'm thinking about getting the Roadmaster RM185 11R24.5 tires now because prices are likely to go up.  It would be nice to switch to 22.5 tires, but the cost would be a lot.

My steer tires are only six months old.  I having been buying really good tires for the steers and moving the used steers to the tags.

[luvrbus]

I was told the Goodrich/Michelin plant in OK is going to be shut for another 6 months ,Lot of the people running the 365's on Prevost charter buses are struggling to find that tire.Here the haulers are on 22.5's because they can carry more weight with the 315's and 345's tires.Lot of trucks here run on the 295/80/22.5 and all the school buses,me personally I have never liked the narrow 11r 24.5 tire.If you can find the Ironman tire that is good Chinese made tire very popular here in the desert heat,I have 8 new Toyos made in Japan so I should be ok,315's on the front and 295's on the drive and tag axle
   

[dtcerrato]

We've never purchased a full set of tires for the bus. New purchases to the steers then movement to the back duals. Makes it easier on the wallet. There's always a spare behind the bumper.