RE: Re[4]: [ihc] RE: lug patterns

[bearbvd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Greg Hermann)]

At 8:29 AM 10/29/04, Tom Harais wrote:
>Greg:
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: bearbvd@domain.elided [mailto:bearbvd@domain.elided]
>
>> Yep. That's a pretty common motorhome pattern/wheel size combo.
>
>
>So, I guess that means there are alternative wheels to the 19.5" Budd
>(Accuride) with this 6 on 8.75" lug pattern?  Something with an offset that
>can be used singly on the front as well as for duals on the rear?

Pricey, but Alcoa will sell you all the 19.5 or 22.5 wheels you want in the
6 on 8.75 " lug pattern, brandy new.

IIRC, the 19.5's have 6" wide rimsand the 22.5's rims are 6.75" wide. These
(in the 19.5 size) have sufficient out-spacing to run 8R19.5's or, at
least, 225-.70 R 19.5's, and perhaps 245-.70 R 19.5's. Not enough spacing
OR rim width for 265-.70 R-19.5's, though.

Michelin is about my last choice for a MH tire. Goodyears ride MUCH nicer
and are also tougher and less prone to weather and UV checking. Continental
is another alternative, as is Nokia, although the latter still need to be
'gray' market, AFAIK.

Goodyear makes the 225--245--265 sizes in a winter tread (G-124), and, of
COURSE, Nokia makes awesome winter treads. The 225's and 245's are fairly
common across all of the major mfgrs, the 265's are harder to find
(Goodyear, Nokia, and I THINK Conti do them though).

If you go up to 22.5's, the standard choice is 9 R 22.5, and the low
profile choices are 235, 255, and 275 -.70 R 22.5. Again, the 275's require
wider (8 or 8.5")  rims, and are harder to find. Again, Goodyear, Nokia,
and mebbe Conti are the ones that come through, and the first two for sure
with winter treads.

However--you have just NAILED the reason why my MH is getting itself built
with 10 on 11.375" lug pattern (LUG CENTERED, thank you) hubs---22.5 x 8.5
wheels are readily available, NEW, in either Alcoa forged Al, OR
steel--with adequate out-spacing to handle the 275 tires.

The rated load capacity, size for size, of the 10 on 11.375 (standard 'big
truck' pattern, I don't know WTF Mac means by 'industrial' pattern)  is
SIGNIFICANTLY higher than it is for 6 on 8.75 wheels. Not to mention that
the 275-.70 R 22.5 tires are ubiquitously a 'G' load range rating, and thus
good for about 8K lbs per tire, maybe 7.5K lbs. per tire if dualled !!!

You also need to pay attention to the inflation pressure a wheel is rated
for vis a vis the pressure needed to achieve your selected tire's load
rating, and stick to the lower of the two.

With truck/MH tires, the rated pressure is ALWAYS stated assuming a COLD
tire and air, with the understanding that the pressure will rise as the
tire warms up in use, and with the DIRECTIVE that the tire pressure should
NOT be lowered as the tire warms up. Additionally--you MAY go 10% over the
rated cold inflation pressure of both tires and wheels (when cold inflating
them) --with no ill effects , no need to worry about the additional
increase in pressure as things warm up. By doing so, you will pick up an
approximately 10% increase in load capacity--or run the tires a bit cooler
with the same load, if you can stand the ride.

The improvement in RIDE with Goodyear 19.5's over Michelins, is STRIKING
--- and the Goodyears not only have a fuzz more load capacity, but do NOT
have the tendency to chuck ( that's CHUCK, as in THROW, NOT 'chunk') treads
that the Michelins seem to have..

Greg
>
>Although those Budd wheels in 19.5" with that lug pattern may have been
>common in their day, it seems they haven't been used in some time.  People
>are saying it's tough to find replacement wheels of that size except for old
>steel wheels at bone yards.  AND, the 19.5" tires, at least in the required
>(due to dual spacing) size of 8R 19.5 are limited in what's available and
>somewhat expensive at $150 - $200 each.  There are more modern variants of
>19.5" tires (Michelin XRV for instance) in 70 series, but they won't work
>with these older wheels because they don't have sufficient
>between-tire-clearance on the rear duals. Of course, they are pretty pricey
>too, especially for a limited use vehicle where they will age long before
>you can wear them out.
>
>I've often wondered if there was something else in wheels (and compatable
>tires) available with the 6 on 8.75 lug pattern that was currently common
>and perhaps a little cheaper.  I'm thinking 16" or even 22.5"?  I mention
>the 22.5" because the other factor involved in these applications, is that
>the tires need to be load range F.  D and E which are commonly available in
>light truck sizes, just won't cut it for the weight being carried.
>
>
>Tom H., '76 Travler