Results for "tire selection"

Called three different tire shops this month about my 2020 Newmar Ventana's Michelin 275/70R22.5 tires and all want them replaced just for being 6 years old despite perfect tread. I'm meticulous about tire maintenance - I check air pressure religiously before and after every trip, whether it's a short weekend getaway or an extended cross-country journey like the 5000-mile trip I just completed.

Despite my careful maintenance routine, I experienced a blowout on the right rear inside tire during the final leg of that recent long trip. When the roadside service technician came out to help, he recommended replacing all six tires specifically because of their age, even though the remaining tires still have plenty of tread depth and appear to be in excellent condition visually.

This has me confused because I've heard conflicting advice from other RV owners - some say well-maintained motorhome tires can safely last up to 10 years, while others insist on much shorter replacement intervals. I'm trying to understand what the actual safety guidelines are for RV tire replacement based on age versus tread wear. Should I really replace tires that still look good just because of when they were manufactured? What's the real story on how tire age affects safety, and how do I properly check the manufacturing date to make this decision? …more

Planning to replace the tires on my 2019 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH, and ever since I started getting quotes, everyone keeps suggesting Toyo as a cheaper alternative to Michelin.

I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed by all the tire choices and wondering if I'd be making a mistake switching brands. Will Toyo tires give me the same ride quality as the Michelins? I've heard you can save quite a bit of money, but I don't want to compromise safety or comfort since we're still learning how to handle this big rig.

Would really appreciate some guidance from those who've made this switch - are you happy with the decision or do you regret not sticking with Michelin? …more

Halfway through my first long trip, this bone-rattling vibration and unsettling sway started plaguing my newer Class A motorhome with the Ford F53 Godzilla V8 chassis. Coming from a 26' travel trailer and a history with brands like LazyDaze, I'm trying to understand the current RV landscape. I saw a Baystar 2023 model where the owner spent around $35,000 on suspension upgrades after just 12,000 miles.

Sounds awesome on paper, but I keep hearing people say you still need to dump a ton of money into suspension upgrades to make these things handle decently on the highway. Did Ford actually improve the suspension setup when they introduced the Godzilla engine, or are we dealing with the same basic chassis design that's been around forever? I'm talking about 30+ foot Class A rigs here - seems crazy that a $200k motorhome would need immediate aftermarket work to drive safely.

Anyone know if the Godzilla F53 combo actually fixed the handling problems or if it's just more power on the same wobbly platform? …more

Since I'm planning to swap out my RV tires this Saturday — need to confirm these Sailun TerraMax HLT-C 225/75R16C E/10PLY tires are compatible with my Class C motorhome. I've been looking at the Sailun TerraMax HLT-C 225/75R16C E/10PLY tires since they seem like a good value, but I'm not sure if they're appropriate for a motorhome versus a trailer.

I know load ratings are important, but I'm honestly not entirely sure how to figure out if these tires would work safely on my rig. Should I be looking at my door placard or getting the actual weight measured? Any guidance would be really helpful since I don't want to make a costly mistake with something as important as tires. …more

Looked everywhere and my F-53 chassis is still showing 2.1 inches of body roll with quad shocks installed, but forums claim it should be under 1 inch. As a former high school auto mechanics instructor with 35 years of experience, I've carefully considered the shock design challenges in RV suspension.

I installed additional shocks after discovering that shock suppliers list a single shock design for F-53 chassis ranging from 16,000 to 26,000 lbs. I used Koni shocks ($170 each) and supplemented with Monroe shocks ($75 each) for additional dampening.

Installation required 10" bottom bolts and modified top mounting. I used hardened washers to prevent shock cover contact. Total bolt modification cost was approximately $18.

Completed a 30-mile test drive with no apparent harshness or negative handling characteristics. The suspension feels more controlled during normal driving conditions, but this limited test may not reveal the full performance picture.

What's the recommended approach for thoroughly evaluating quad shock performance on the F-53 platform? Specifically looking for guidance on testing duration, road conditions to assess, and key performance indicators to monitor during the break-in period. …more

This is the third time this season my '07 E450 motorhome's cruise control drops from overdrive straight to 3rd gear on hills and I'm done with this transmission madness. I just want it to stay put in Drive and stop being so jumpy.

I know newer trucks have those manual shift modes where you can lock a gear, but this old 5-speed auto doesn't have that luxury. Anyone know if there are aftermarket transmission controllers or mods that can hold it in Drive gear without all the hunting around? Would love to have more control over when it shifts. …more

I spent a fortune replacing front wheel bearings on my 2018-2019 Ford F53 motorhome because they keep failing way faster than normal, and apparently other RV owners are getting hammered too. A friend's 2018 F53 chassis just had a complete bearing failure at only 22,000 miles - the wheel was literally at an angle and destroyed the tire too.

This has me worried sick about my own rig. Are there documented issues with premature wheel bearing failures on 2018-2019 F53 chassis? I'm seeing reports of failures happening way too early, and I'm terrified of having a catastrophic failure while driving. What's causing these failures and should I be doing something preventative before I end up stranded on the highway? …more

Pulled into three dealerships expecting to find a decent used Class A diesel motorhome within budget, but they're all quoting me $20K+ over what I can afford. When during the year do dealers typically have the best deals and inventory turnover?

Also curious about when to avoid shopping due to high demand and higher prices. Any insights on seasonal buying patterns would be helpful. …more

Before I do anything else with my 2001 E350 RV, this rusty spare rim is eating through my confidence way faster than it should. The rim currently holds air pressure with an old 2005 tire mounted, indicating the bead seat may still be functional. However, I'm concerned about the safety implications of using a rim with visible rust damage on a 13,000-pound RV.

Specifically, I need to determine: Is surface rust on the outer rim area a structural concern or merely cosmetic? What's the proper inspection protocol when having a new tire mounted? The rim appears to seal properly at the bead, but I want to ensure this spare is roadworthy before installation. …more

During my last tire replacement, I went with Firestone again because that's what I knew. Checked the tread depth religiously, maintained proper pressure with my gauge, rotated them according to schedule — but I'm starting to wonder if there are better options out there. Keep seeing Hankook tires mentioned in forums and they seem to be gaining popularity with RV owners. My Firestones have served me well enough, but before my next replacement cycle I want to explore all the options. Looking for honest feedback from anyone who has actually run Hankook tires on their motorhome and can share how they compare in terms of longevity, ride quality, and overall performance. …more