Anyone go to Load Range F tires on the E450?

[Bob Nodine]

Our coach came from the factory with Hankook Dynapro HT LT225/75R16 115/112S tires which according to what I can find are Load Range E tires and at 80 PSI have a maximum load of 2680 lbs for single and 2470 lbs for dual use. For the rear of our E450 that seems marginal at best. The specs say the coach has a GVWR of 14,500 which makes me think the front axle is rated at 4500 lbs and the rear axle is rated at 10,000 lbs. If you multiply 2470 by 4 that = 9880 lbs and gives absolutely no margin on the rear.

The Hankook Dynapro HT LT225/75R16 119/116 is a Load Range F tire and is rated for 2755 lbs at 80 PSI used as duals. That equals 11,020 lbs and it seems to me that should have been the tire used on the rear of our coach.

Anyone else run into this on an E450? Anyone upgrade their tires to a Load Range F? If so what did you use?

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Bob Nodine

Our coach came from the factory with Hankook Dynapro HT LT225/75R16 115/112S tires which according to what I can find are Load Range E tires and at 80 PSI have a maximum load of 2680 lbs for single and 2470 lbs for dual use. For the rear of our E450 that seems marginal at best. The specs say the coach has a GVWR of 14,500 which makes me think the front axle is rated at 4500 lbs and the rear axle is rated at 10,000 lbs. If you multiply 2470 by 4 that = 9880 lbs and gives absolutely no margin on the rear.

The Hankook Dynapro HT LT225/75R16 119/116 is a Load Range F tire and is rated for 2755 lbs at 80 PSI used as duals. That equals 11,020 lbs and it seems to me that should have been the tire used on the rear of our coach.

Anyone else run into this on an E450? Anyone upgrade their tires to a Load Range F? If so what did you use?

I tried finding the axle weight ratings and it wasn't readily findable but if you look on the driver's door jab there will be a sticker which gives the front and rear axle weight ratings. I don't know about the E series, but the F550 the math doesn't work that way. On it if I add front and rear AWR I exceed the GVWR by a bunch as in 2000#. I weighed my Omni and I'm under GVRW and each AWR. For your question it will be finding a LRF or LRG that's in the same size. Considerations will be overall height/circumference and profile. Going fatter will reduce your spacing between the duallies and possible tire to tire contact which is bad.

[taylorbob1]

Many threads on the suggested tire for E350 & 450.

The answer is….wait for it:
- commercial tire - 3200#

If you do your research you will find many brand & tread options in the commercial tire category for 225/75R/16C

There are other more expensive options ($200-300/tire), but these seem the most affordable in the under $200 category.

General Grabber:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07...01KRKYDD&psc=1

Nexen Rodian:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07...KIKX0DER&psc=1

Firestone Transforce CV:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08...KIKX0DER&psc=1

[Judge]

What Taylorbob said....

Commercial rated tires are meant to carry heavy loads full time. Unlike LT tires, which are meant to occassionally carry a heavy load. A motorhome is a full-time heavy load.

You are correct, these are the tires the RV manufacturers should put on a Class C 25' or greater in length. Unfortunately they purchase a cutaway chassis that could be a box truck, ambulace, shuttle bus or an RV. Ford puts a standard suspension and tires on on it and leave it up to the buyer to configure it for the application.

While they are at it they should also install heavy duty front and rear sway bars with the commercial rated tires.

[DavidEM]

FWIW our 2021 Axis 24.1 with the E350 chassis has the same tires as the OP's coach. Since my GVWR is 2,000 lbs less that seems to give me about 2,000 lbs leeway between the maximum tire loads and the GVWR. Makes me feel a bit more comfortable, although the tire pressure recommendations are lower: 75 psi front, 65 psi back.

David

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

FWIW our 2021 Axis 24.1 with the E350 chassis has the same tires as the OP's coach. Since my GVWR is 2,000 lbs less that seems to give me about 2,000 lbs leeway between the maximum tire loads and the GVWR. Makes me feel a bit more comfortable, although the tire pressure recommendations are lower: 75 psi front, 65 psi back.

David

65 psig sounds very low if you are loaded up much at all. Have you weighed and verified that is enough air pressure?

[Wandering Woods]

My E450 stripped chassis says 5,000 front and 9,600 lbs rear axle. Same tires. My rear axle weight was 7,940 on a 2018 Axis 25.3 full water and gas, empty black and gray, ready for camping.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Bob Nodine

Our coach came from the factory with Hankook Dynapro HT LT225/75R16 115/112S tires which according to what I can find are Load Range E tires and at 80 PSI have a maximum load of 2680 lbs for single and 2470 lbs for dual use. For the rear of our E450 that seems marginal at best. The specs say the coach has a GVWR of 14,500 which makes me think the front axle is rated at 4500 lbs and the rear axle is rated at 10,000 lbs. If you multiply 2470 by 4 that = 9880 lbs and gives absolutely no margin on the rear.



The Hankook Dynapro HT LT225/75R16 119/116 is a Load Range F tire and is rated for 2755 lbs at 80 PSI used as duals. That equals 11,020 lbs and it seems to me that should have been the tire used on the rear of our coach.



Anyone else run into this on an E450? Anyone upgrade their tires to a Load Range F? If so what did you use?

So what is the rating at more than 80psi? I’m guessing you looked up the rating at 80psi because that is the pressure on your yellow sticker. If so that makes perfect sense. The sticker is intended to tell you the recommended pressure at GVWR - which is precisely what you discovered. If your actual weight is less than the GVWR you can lower your pressures a bit and, if you decide to be overloaded adjusting the pressures above Thor’s recommended level would be advisable. I expect the maximum allowable pressure (on the sidewall) is around 110psi.

[Muggs]

We have a 2016 24.1. Front 5000 rating, 9600 in rear. It came with Michelin MS2 tires with same E rating. They did fine until we replaced with commercial Nexen tires. They have much higher per tire rating. 85 psi max on Nexxans, Michelins were 80 max.

We are closest on front axle and have extra capacity on rear. I weighed with and without race car trailer.

Nexxens are now 6 months old, no issues. Per tire chart I run 2 psi more front and rear compared to michelins.

After 6 years and 37k miles, the michelins started to show very minor cracks at edge of tread. They are now on buddies enclosed trailer.

[djr]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

So what is the rating at more than 80psi? I’m guessing you looked up the rating at 80psi because that is the pressure on your yellow sticker. If so that makes perfect sense. The sticker is intended to tell you the recommended pressure at GVWR - which is precisely what you discovered. If your actual weight is less than the GVWR you can lower your pressures a bit and, if you decide to be overloaded adjusting the pressures above Thor’s recommended level would be advisable. I expect the maximum allowable pressure (on the sidewall) is around 110psi.

Max pressure is 80 PSI for the Hankook.

[Bob Nodine]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

Many threads on the suggested tire for E350 & 450.

The answer is….wait for it:
- commercial tire - 3200#

If you do your research you will find many brand & tread options in the commercial tire category for 225/75R/16C

There are other more expensive options ($200-300/tire), but these seem the most affordable in the under $200 category.

General Grabber:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07...01KRKYDD&psc=1

Nexen Rodian:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07...KIKX0DER&psc=1

Firestone Transforce CV:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08...KIKX0DER&psc=1

This is very helpful. Thanks.

[Bob Nodine]

Originally Posted by Judge

What Taylorbob said....

Commercial rated tires are meant to carry heavy loads full time. Unlike LT tires, which are meant to occassionally carry a heavy load. A motorhome is a full-time heavy load.

You are correct, these are the tires the RV manufacturers should put on a Class C 25' or greater in length. Unfortunately they purchase a cutaway chassis that could be a box truck, ambulace, shuttle bus or an RV. Ford puts a standard suspension and tires on on it and leave it up to the buyer to configure it for the application.

While they are at it they should also install heavy duty front and rear sway bars with the commercial rated tires.

Kind of what I guessed. Thor has stopped building the Quantum JM31 and we may have stumbled on one of the reasons. I found the sticker on the door jam and the front axle is 5000 and the rear 9600. By using the LT225/75R16 115/112S filled to 80 PSI (maximum pressure) the dual load rating is 2469 lbs or 9876 for the axle. I expect the coach is near the maximum when it comes off the factory floor and you add some water and the washer/dryer and you are over the limit without adding any cargo.

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

So what is the rating at more than 80psi? I’m guessing you looked up the rating at 80psi because that is the pressure on your yellow sticker. If so that makes perfect sense. The sticker is intended to tell you the recommended pressure at GVWR - which is precisely what you discovered. If your actual weight is less than the GVWR you can lower your pressures a bit and, if you decide to be overloaded adjusting the pressures above Thor’s recommended level would be advisable. I expect the maximum allowable pressure (on the sidewall) is around 110psi.

I doubt his 16” tires can hold 110 psi like your 19.5’s. 80 is probably the max psi.

[CactusJuice]

There is no reason you can't put F tires on other than it may ride a little stiffer. When I had my C, I got a set of Nexen Rodian commercial tires when my sorry Michelins (two separations, sidewall cracking) hit the date limit. They were great tires, wore well, quiet, and carried significantly more weight than E rated LTs - and were reasonably priced.