[jcus]

At the recommendation of the forum, went from 11r /24.5 to 305 /24.5 r as I was overweight on the front axle.
Think the 11r's are rated at 14300 lbs, but the 305"s are over 16000. It gave me a good safety margin without having to buy 22.5 inch wheels. But my coach was non-slide but pretty heavy.

[Fulltiming]

Jim, I am glad you were able to find the 305/75R24.5's. Unfortunately, after using 305/75's for the past 10 years, I have recently found they are on national back order with no idea when they might be available. So if you need tires now, you may find that 11R24.5 is the available choice.

Back in the mid 2000's, I was told that the Bridgestone and Goodyear 11R24.5 H's gave excellent service but the 305/75's, as you pointed out, have significant load advantage. When I bought my coach, it had over 119,000 miles on it and the original 11R24.5 H's were still on the coach (yep, 14 years old although I wasn't willing to drive on them).

The first tire issue came in Newell coaches built beginning 7/1/1995 when Newell found that the Goodyear 315's were not holding up. Then with the addition of slides, front axle weights took a bump. Newell changed to 315/80R22.5 Load Range L tires on the steer axle only and began experiencing steer axle tire failure with both Goodyears and Bridgestones. Newell issued a recall and replaced the 315's with Michelin 315's and recommended owners should 1) run Michelins, 2) run 130 psi winter and 140 psi for summer high speed cruising with replacement every 3 years and 3) avoid speeds over 75 mph. This applied to coaches built from 7/1/1995 - 9/30/1999. Beginning with #1230, Newell upgraded standard equipment front and tag tires from Michelin 315/80R22.5 to Michelin 365/70R22.5. Newell recommended that the 315's on the slide coaches should not exceed a max cruising speed of 65 mph and 75 mph for the 365's.

Incidentally, I understand that the first coach that can accommodate the 365's was coach #443, a 1997.

Short version, if your coach came with 24.5" wheels, there should not be a need to change to 22.5" wheels and tires. Run 305/75R24.5 if you can find them, 11R24.5 if you can't. If you have a Newell with slides and 315/80's run quality tires, keep the inflation up and speeds down to 65 mph, particularly in the summer or change to 365/70R22.5's.

[jcus]

Jim, I am glad you were able to find the 305/75R24.5's. Unfortunately, after using 305/75's for the past 10 years, I have recently found they are on national back order with no idea when they might be available. So if you need tires now, you may find that 11R24.5 is the available choice.

Back in the mid 2000's, I was told that the Bridgestone and Goodyear 11R24.5 H's gave excellent service but the 305/75's, as you pointed out, have significant load advantage. When I bought my coach, it had over 119,000 miles on it and the original 11R24.5 H's were still on the coach (yep, 14 years old although I wasn't willing to drive on them).

The first tire issue came in Newell coaches built beginning 7/1/1995 when Newell found that the Goodyear 315's were not holding up. Then with the addition of slides, front axle weights took a bump. Newell changed to 315/80R22.5 Load Range L tires on the steer axle only and began experiencing steer axle tire failure with both Goodyears and Bridgestones. Newell issued a recall and replaced the 315's with Michelin 315's and recommended owners should 1) run Michelins, 2) run 130 psi winter and 140 psi for summer high speed cruising with replacement every 3 years and 3) avoid speeds over 75 mph. This applied to coaches built from 7/1/1995 - 9/30/1999. Beginning with #1230, Newell upgraded standard equipment front and tag tires from Michelin 315/80R22.5 to Michelin 365/70R22.5. Newell recommended that the 315's on the slide coaches should not exceed a max cruising speed of 65 mph and 75 mph for the 365's.

Incidentally, I understand that the first coach that can accommodate the 365's was coach #443, a 1997.

Short version, if your coach came with 24.5" wheels, there should not be a need to change to 22.5" wheels and tires. Run 305/75R24.5 if you can find them, 11R24.5 if you can't. If you have a Newell with slides and 315/80's run quality tires, keep the inflation up and speeds down to 65 mph, particularly in the summer or change to 365/70R22.5's.


Michael, Think you are right on the 305's. I had to wait a month for mine over a year ago. Just did a search and did not find any for sale.
By the way, you can add 385 to your database, got a check from MOT yesterday, so it has a new owner.
I will be looking for my second Newell at the end of the summer.
Thanks again to the forum for making Newell ownership a lot easier.

[Fulltiming]

Thanks for the update Jim.