[Neweller]

The following information is what Newell ran as the standards from the 70's forward until they went to the 365's as of current mounted on 22.5 rims up front:

Newell Coach has had years of experience at the factory observing the performance of a variety of tire brands and sizes on Newells. The bottom line: don't put reliance solely on the rated capacity when selecting new tires.

From the mid-70s through 1985, Newell installed 11R22.5 Michelin steel belted radial tires with excellent results. With the upgrade to the 8V92 engine in 1985, they began fitting 11R24.5 radials, load range H, most of which were Goodyears (owing to the influence of Newell Coach customer Roger Penske and his experience with Goodyears on the race track as well as with Hertz Penske truck rental). Once again, the results were excellent. Newell later switched to Bridgestones to get more even tread wear, but both brands performed very well.

In the early 1990s, the factory realized they were seeing some fully loaded front axle weights that were bumping up around the rated capacity of the tires, especially with fully timers who carried an entire house worth of gear. However, with the exception of some failures that appeared linked to under-inflation and very high speed cruising, these tires gave good service and were very reliable. The actual capacity appeared to be significantly higher than the rated capacity assigned by the tire manufacturer. Ditto for the wheels.

In 1997 Newell introduced their first slide-outs and front axle weight took an upward bump. The factory took another look at the tire situation and saw that they could increase the rated front axle capacity if they changed to 315 load range L "low profile" tires, initially on the steer axle only. Newell then made the change, upgrading the coach "rated capacity." But in spite of the increased capacity on paper, we immediately began experiencing a pattern of steer axle tire failure. Problems were experienced with both Bridgestone and Goodyear tires in the 315 size. So, they went through several successive tire models with Goodyear, each promised to solve the problem, but without relief until finally changing new production to Michelin with good results. In fact, Newell was so concerned about the failures being seen with Bridgestone and Goodyear that Newell Coach did a NHTSA reported recall and replaced all the Bridgestone and Goodyear 315s (regardless of mileage) with new Michelins.

Since changing to the 315 Michelins, front tire failures declined and a few have seen what appears to be related to the following factors, often in combination:

1) Underinflation. The 315 should be inflated to a minimum of 130 psi, and but 140 psi is recommended for summer high speed crusing.

2) Speed. The Michelin 315 tire model installed should be rated at 75 mph (some models are rated at 55 mph maximum!), and the speed restriction should be observed.

3) Road hazard damage. One tire failure seen by the factory was caused by a cut on the tread that allowed moisture to rust the steel belt over a few months until the tread separated at highway speed.

4) Age. Tires deteriorate from a variety of age related causes, including UV rays and undetected road hazard damage. It is now recommend that steer axle tires be replaced at three years. Cheap insurance.

Based on Newell Coach factory experience, coaches running 11R24.5 load range H front tires need not be "upgraded" to 305 tires to simply get more rated capacity. However, for both coaches running 11R24.5 tires and later model coaches running 315 low profile tires, it's recommend that the front tires be replaced every three years regardless of miles, be kept properly inflated, and excessive speeds be avoided. The tires should be inspected reguarly for damage. For the 315 tires, it is recommended switching to Michelins with a speed rating of 75 mph.

Now what is interesting is the factory has gone back to the 22.5's which was common place up to 1985, but of course running 365's. Then when they went to the 24.5's it sounds as if the brakes also changed making it a problem for certain coaches to run 22.5's. If an older coach runs 22.5's, what we now need to find out is, how large of a tire size can an owner go and retain tire clearance. If it was only a matter of enlarging the wheel well openings that would not be all that major.