My '88 Dodge Ram 2500 Motor Home needs new tires, but I'm not sure what ones to go for.

Does anybody have any recommendations ?

The Ram will be used for one or two long journeys every year (holidays), so I would like a tire that can be used for very long almost non-stop journeys without wearing out quickly or loosing traction.

 

What does your door placard say as to tire sizes, rim sizes, and GVRW?

If you have 16 inch rims you can get load range D and E tires which can safely carry more weight than 15 inch rims and the predominately C load rated tires, though there are at least 2 tires in the 15 inch rim size which offer D load ratings.

C/D/E rated tires are all light truck tires which are built a little beefier with stiffer sidewalls.

Passenger XL(xtra load) tires ride a little cushier.

Hard to beat Michelins for longevity

 

What is the largest tire I can put on the back of my 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 Van without having it lifted?

 

One of the considerations you might want to give when putting tires on a Van used as an RV is the number of plys in the sidewall. Take that into consideration when buying tires for it.

You can also get on the web and google camping world and see what if they have a listing your van and tire size. That will give you a place to start to see what is suggested.

Jason

 

While some tires might list the number of plys, most websites will not provide this info. They prefer to use load ratings.

If you get passenger tires P/235/70/16 XL, make sure they have the (XL) extra load tag.

If you get LT( light truck) tires. Load range will be c/d/e.

http://www.tirerack.com/about/techcenter.jsp


I think LT 31x10.5x15 would fit the rear only, but you do not say whether you have 15 or 16 inch rims.

I have 30x9.5x15 on each corner with no lift and no rubbing

 

I have 16" rims now. Can I use 17's without having it lifted?

 

Generally the more you spend the better :-) also being up in Canada I assume you will want all weather rating as well.

So as other posters have said you first need to know your size xxx/xx/xx then what weight it will carry, best bet is to go with LT (light truck) they will provide you with better durability and handling. The next thing is Treadwear this will tell you how much you will lose in wear/grip duration of the tire.

The tread pattern is also important as you are using it for Highway driving make sure you can have at least 3 straight treads which are narrow (they can wobble which in fact helps a lot and manufacturers are stating to go this way), this will keep noise down and help with straight line driving, and of course you want some angle tread on the side of the tire to help with cornering and water displacement.

don't go for the treads that look like off road tires.

I drive for a transportation company and have being on Nokian, and my Own Vehicle has BF Goodrich which also perform well. Other companies will also have offerings so visit their sites they have good info on their products.

Narrow down your range of tires then google them there are alot of review sites (there are also a lot of silly people on these sites ie summer tires won't work in the snow) see how long they will last, a tire in its first 10,000 is going to be different in the next.

 

I too am looking to replace worn tires. I have '01 2500/318 van with 16" LT 225-75-16 tires on now. I bought the van recently from painting contractor with 152K miles. I did not realize I was buying such a HD rig, and had no idea that LT tires were going to be so much more expensive. I used to own a '94 B250, with P rated tires, and had it for 14 years before totalling it. I will be using the newer '01 for RV/camping and usually longer freeway trips. I have priced tires from $600 Dunlops to Michelins at $1000. I have read reviews and they are all over the road on specific tires... some say one brand wears out, another says the same tire lasts a long time. I get the impression that some people put P tires on LT equipped trucks and complain about the tire ware.

I don't live in the snow belt so winter traction is secondary. I would like a safe rain tire though, with some traction for getting up a wet boat ramp after launching my 16 foot aluminum boat. Quiet tires would be nice.

Any specific recommendations would be appreciated from anyone that has been there/done that.

Thanks in advance

 

I have had the best luck with Michelin LTX A/T 's also M/S's are another option .
A couple of posters on the Expediting Forums are getting over 100,000 mi. on them and won't use anything else .
http://www.expeditersonline.com/foru...lin-tires.html