Tire Selection Advise Load Range H or J

[pmaytx]

I own a 2009 Fleetwood Providence 40x Freightliner DP with 12,000 front and 20,000 rear GAWR and Goodyear G670 275 / 70 / R22.5 LR H OEM tires on Accuride 8.25 Aluminum rims. These tires have served me well with no complaints and it is time to replace. I am considering several options, the Michelin XZA2 Energy with a J LR, Hankook AH-12 with an H LR and the Continental HSR2 SA with a J LR.

Through the FMCA program the Michelin tires are the most expensive and the Hankooks the least expensive by $800. I have read through most of the threads and based on comments from others it seems any of these options should provide good safe service.  The Michelin and Continental appear to be Smartway LRR tires and I could not determine/verify if the AH-12 are LRR tires. Given axle ratings, should I move to a J rated tire? Seems overkill. Other than added cost, what are the other pro/cons to adding 2 additional plys (16 vs. 18)?

I have been unable able to find a load / inflation chart for the AH12. Is this an issue or am I safe using the standard chart published by the Tire and Wheel Association? Given I am hopelessly deadlocked any input on these options would be appreciated. 

Sorry I cannot add any details on side to side axle to axle weights as i haven't performed recently and cannot find my tag from last time this was done. Do plan to get this done soon. 

Thank you

[dickandlois]

pmaytx,

Welcome to the FMCA Forum!

Think one needs to match the tires to the load range required. You can get into a tire that will ride hard if the ply rating is to high. The link provided offers information on Rim size, load range and pressure for both single and dual applications for Hankook tires.

http://www.hankooktire.com/us/files/technical-manual/02_Product_Information_9.pdf

Tireman might be the best member to fill in the gaps.

Rich.

[manholt]

If your happy with the tires you have, why change?  Replace with same and go!

[pmaytx]

Dickandlois, thank you for posting the link to the load and inflation table for Hankook tires. That was fast. After looking it over I could not find reference to the AH-12. I guess this may not be an issue given the table lists 5 models in my size, all apparently with the same data. I did try calling Hankook to see if a newer table existed but the person in the call center was not much help.

 

Manholt, you raise a good point regarding replacing GY with GY. I did consider this route, however the GY 670s cost more than the Michelins. It is difficult for me to justify the cost differential of the GY over Michelin, H and J load range differences aside.  

Thank you for your replay. 

[dickandlois]

6 hours ago, pmaytx said:

Dickandlois, thank you for posting the link to the load and inflation table for Hankook tires. That was fast. After looking it over I could not find reference to the AH-12. I guess this may not be an issue given the table lists 5 models in my size, all apparently with the same data. I did try calling Hankook to see if a newer table existed but the person in the call center was not much help.

Regarding the tires, not only does the size come into play, but one needs to know the RIM Width. the Rim information is listed for the Hankook tires and depending on the tire style the Rim width also changes. Think you can call Freightliner with your VIN Number and they can provide you with the Rim width and that could help deciding on tire make and Stile of tires to run.

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Rich.

[tireman9]

With the exception of a small number of Michelin tires all other tire companies follow the industry standards as published by Tire & Rim Association for US and ETRTO for european. The few Michelin seem to be in a +/- 5 psi range of others so not a big deal.

 

If you don't have the "4 corner" weights you can still use axle scale. Just assume a 47/53% load split and use the 53% number when consulting tables.

 

For those looking for info on their brand of tires I have a blog post with many links. I try to keep it up to date but stuff seems to change almost monthly.

[pmaytx]

Thanks for the info and link tireman9, great site. I am still wrestling with spending more for a J rated tire vs. staying with an H rated tire. Some manufacturers only offer this size tire in an J rating while others offer it in a H rating. What are your thoughts on staying with an H rated tire or moving to J rated rated tire?  I did call FL and they could only advise what was on the chassis when it went to coach manufacturer. Seemed like a prudent response due to liability risk. 

Thank you. 

[tireman9]

If you have a reasonable margin (5% to 10%) of load capacity over your heaviest measured load I see little reason to run higher inflation in the higher Load Range tires.

If you have less than 5% margin I have to wonder if you might also be exceeding the GAWR which is not a safe thing to do.

 

If the manufacturer you have selected only has LR-J in the size you want but you only need LR-H level inflation then only you can decide how to balance the cost & availability of the tires from the manufacturer you are considering.