Wide front tires & wheels

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Wide front tires & wheels

Home > Discussion Forum > Mechanic's Corner (general)

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All Messages in Thread	Author	Date
Wide front tires & wheels	Jan Jacobson	8-31-01
Does anyone have any experience with the Ellis SafeWheel system? I am considering the use of these larger front wheels on a Dodge M-600 chassis on a Travco 320 (19,000 GVW). Does anyone know whether the large front tires will create extra loads on the power steering and other steering components?
Re: Wide front tires & wheels	FAST FRED	9-2-01
In AK there were folks that used this method of smoothing the ride , and most seemed happy. But your now stuck with needing TWO spair tyres. Another method is to install "overload" air bags on all 4 corners {they bolt onto the frame and springs} and then only fill the air bags to 20 pounds or so . This trick lifts the body a bit and allows the chasis to bump and bounce , with lots less hard shocks to the passengers. FAST FRED
Re: Wide front tires & wheels	Jan jacobson	9-3-01
In AK there were folks that used this method of smoothing the ride , and most seemed happy. But your now stuck with needing TWO spair tyres. Another method is to install "overload" air bags on all 4 corners {they bolt onto the frame and springs} and then only fill the air bags to 20 pounds or so . This trick lifts the body a bit and allows the chasis to bump and bounce , with lots less hard shocks to the passengers. FAST FRED Thanks for the reply, Fred. The Travie has Jet Aire Ride (air bags on all wheels) so ride is less of a consideration than sinking in on grassy parking areas, etc. I am concerned about the large wheels causing more load, and perhaps premature failure, of the steering system. Did you hear of any problems with steering wear from the larger tires? Thanks.
Re: Wide front tires & wheels	Ray McClain	9-6-01
In AK there were folks that used this method of smoothing the ride , and most seemed happy. But your now stuck with needing TWO spair tyres. Another method is to install "overload" air bags on all 4 corners {they bolt onto the frame and springs} and then only fill the air bags to 20 pounds or so . This trick lifts the body a bit and allows the chasis to bump and bounce , with lots less hard shocks to the passengers. FAST FRED Thanks for the reply, Fred. The Travie has Jet Aire Ride (air bags on all wheels) so ride is less of a consideration than sinking in on grassy parking areas, etc. I am concerned about the large wheels causing more load, and perhaps premature failure, of the steering system. Did you hear of any problems with steering wear from the larger tires? Thanks. I HAVE HAD THE ELLIS WHEELS ON A 1977 APOLLO, DODGE M500 FOR TWO YEARS NOW. LIVE IN TEXAS, HAVE GONE TO COLORADO AND ALL OVER TEXAS WITH THE WIDE TIRES ON THE FRONT END AND HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. HANDLES MUCH BETTER THAN THE KNIFE EDGE TIRES THAT WERE ON IT. AND I DON'T CARRY A SPARE TIRE AT ALL. MEMBER OF AN AUTO CLUB AND IF I HAVE A FLAT I'LL GET ON THE CELL PHONE AND WAIT FOR A TIRE SERVICE TO GET TO ME MUCH LIKE THE BIG SEMI'S DO.
Re: Wide front tires & wheels	Jan Jacobson	9-6-01
In AK there were folks that used this method of smoothing the ride , and most seemed happy. But your now stuck with needing TWO spair tyres. Another method is to install "overload" air bags on all 4 corners {they bolt onto the frame and springs} and then only fill the air bags to 20 pounds or so . This trick lifts the body a bit and allows the chasis to bump and bounce , with lots less hard shocks to the passengers. FAST FRED Thanks for the reply, Fred. The Travie has Jet Aire Ride (air bags on all wheels) so ride is less of a consideration than sinking in on grassy parking areas, etc. I am concerned about the large wheels causing more load, and perhaps premature failure, of the steering system. Did you hear of any problems with steering wear from the larger tires? Thanks. I HAVE HAD THE ELLIS WHEELS ON A 1977 APOLLO, DODGE M500 FOR TWO YEARS NOW. LIVE IN TEXAS, HAVE GONE TO COLORADO AND ALL OVER TEXAS WITH THE WIDE TIRES ON THE FRONT END AND HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. HANDLES MUCH BETTER THAN THE KNIFE EDGE TIRES THAT WERE ON IT. AND I DON'T CARRY A SPARE TIRE AT ALL. MEMBER OF AN AUTO CLUB AND IF I HAVE A FLAT I'LL GET ON THE CELL PHONE AND WAIT FOR A TIRE SERVICE TO GET TO ME MUCH LIKE THE BIG SEMI'S DO. Ray, Thanks for the info. I am glad to hear that the handling improved. Am I correct to assume that the wider tires helped keep the RV pointing down the road better? Did you have any trouble with wheel well or fender clearance? What size wheel/tire did you use? Any particular tire recommendations? Thanks again, Jan
Re: Wide front tires & wheels	FAST FRED	9-8-01
Dodges are not overloaded like the other chasis usually are. If poor steering is the problem , go find the best wheel alignment place in your area , bring your Dodge book , and get it fixed. Dodges go where pointed without help. FAST FRED