I forgot one very important thing on my post about GMC handling and lower
tire pressures for our light 23'. After 25,000 miles on the Goodyear E rated
tires running at the lower that rated tire pressures, the tread is half worn
equally across the tread face. To me this indicates that the tires are
neither under or overinflated for the load they are carrying. It also
indicates that these truck tires will give somewhere near 50,000 miles
before needing to be replaced. For me, a very acceptable value considering
greatly improved handing and comfort at the reduced pressure.
I do not plan to recap the tires, which is normal for these truck tires. I
have dodged to many recapped truck treads in the middle of the freeway to
jeopardize my travel plans. I have had one tread come off an SOB RV.
Luckily, it was near a large city, but it still took more than a day before
we were on our way with a used tire as a spare. Then, I can look at the
damage that was done to the side of the SOB when the rear tread left go and
see $$$$ to replace the GMC side panels and redo the paint job. Not worth
the risk! I met one GMC owner on the road who used recaps on the front
tires and he said he never had a problem.
To answer the other question of why use the all steel belted sidewalls of
the E rated tires verses the original equipment D rated tires. It is to
withstand the twisting side loads on the rear tire sidewalls when the coach
is tightly turned. All you have to do is turn tight and get out and look at
the twisting loads that the tires are subjected to and imagine the pulling
on the sidewall cords. All that twisting in addition to carrying the weight.
I have never heard of a GMC front tire blow out, only rear tires. They may
have occurred, but the problem of the D rated tires recall, as I understand
it, was the rear tires and the twisting causing problems for the D rated
tires fiber sidewall cords. I'll stick with the E rated tires for the small
premium of cost.
Additional note. I have just had the front wheel bearings and seals replaced
after our first 25,000 miles. The original bearings met new bearing
requirements indicating no measurable wear. The synthetic grease was still
like new looking and not gritty. The seals had held but were worn. After all
the front wheel bearing hoopla, I was concerned, which proved to be of no
concern with the synthetic grease and as long as the seals do their job. At
$400, this adds $0.016/mile to the GMC operating cost/mile. Compared to what
Diesel filters cost, this is really cheap.
tire pressures for our light 23'. After 25,000 miles on the Goodyear E rated
tires running at the lower that rated tire pressures, the tread is half worn
equally across the tread face. To me this indicates that the tires are
neither under or overinflated for the load they are carrying. It also
indicates that these truck tires will give somewhere near 50,000 miles
before needing to be replaced. For me, a very acceptable value considering
greatly improved handing and comfort at the reduced pressure.
I do not plan to recap the tires, which is normal for these truck tires. I
have dodged to many recapped truck treads in the middle of the freeway to
jeopardize my travel plans. I have had one tread come off an SOB RV.
Luckily, it was near a large city, but it still took more than a day before
we were on our way with a used tire as a spare. Then, I can look at the
damage that was done to the side of the SOB when the rear tread left go and
see $$$$ to replace the GMC side panels and redo the paint job. Not worth
the risk! I met one GMC owner on the road who used recaps on the front
tires and he said he never had a problem.
To answer the other question of why use the all steel belted sidewalls of
the E rated tires verses the original equipment D rated tires. It is to
withstand the twisting side loads on the rear tire sidewalls when the coach
is tightly turned. All you have to do is turn tight and get out and look at
the twisting loads that the tires are subjected to and imagine the pulling
on the sidewall cords. All that twisting in addition to carrying the weight.
I have never heard of a GMC front tire blow out, only rear tires. They may
have occurred, but the problem of the D rated tires recall, as I understand
it, was the rear tires and the twisting causing problems for the D rated
tires fiber sidewall cords. I'll stick with the E rated tires for the small
premium of cost.
Additional note. I have just had the front wheel bearings and seals replaced
after our first 25,000 miles. The original bearings met new bearing
requirements indicating no measurable wear. The synthetic grease was still
like new looking and not gritty. The seals had held but were worn. After all
the front wheel bearing hoopla, I was concerned, which proved to be of no
concern with the synthetic grease and as long as the seals do their job. At
$400, this adds $0.016/mile to the GMC operating cost/mile. Compared to what
Diesel filters cost, this is really cheap.
