Tires and rims May 28, 2024, 05:15:10 pm I recently acquired a 1983 Lazy Daze 18 footer. It still has 16.5 rims but not sure if they are the originals. They are chrome rims. At some point someone put Firestone 8.75 x 16.5 radials on the front and outside dually. The inside dually appears to be a bias ply tire. Firestone still sells this size tire but only in radials and have ordered some for me. But I have been reading that radials should never be put on an older motorhome because the rims will eventually fail, but the tire shop has said they have never heard of that problem. I also had concerns about two radials on the dually possibly touching and causing a blowout. I was told that as long as all tires are kept properly inflated there should not be a problem. I only plan on using this rig for camping trips of 100 miles or less. Thoughts and opinions please? I am a 72 year old life-long RVer and single lady.
Re: Tires and rims Reply #1 – May 28, 2024, 06:18:29 pm I Welcome to the ForumI don't remember what size tire our 1983 LD used, the proper size should be in the owner's manual.As long as all the tires are radials, the correct size and the same load range, they should be fine. Bias-ply and radials should not mixed.As long as the rims are straight and rust-free, they should be fine, I have never heard of the rims, that have not been abused, falling due to age.Larry
Re: Tires and rims Reply #2 – May 28, 2024, 06:29:20 pm The Chevy chassis came with 16.5" rims in '83. The 8.75-R16.5 are the correct radial match, the originals were bias-ply. This size is hard to find anymore - you can get 16" rims to fit this model, which I would recommend, as the dually mismatch is not a safe choice.Steve
Re: Tires and rims Reply #3 – May 29, 2024, 02:46:54 am Hi NVRV83; The problems with the rims was that some don't have rolled edges. Older bias ply tires had very stiff sidewalls, so the bead area didn't care about the edge of the wheels. Radial tires have a more compliant sidewall, and under low pressure or impacts can come in contact with sharp edges on the rim, causing a problem. My 1979 Dodge had 16.5" tires but the rims were rolled and could fit radials. Never had a problem with that. (Getting people to torque the lugnuts up to 450 foot pounds was harder to do. ( I carried a sheet to prove it) (Dodge only.) The offset on the wheels should be enough to prevent properly inflated duals from touching at the point where the sidewalls expand the most, touching the ground. Finding new 16.5" tires could be difficult. These might be your tire size: Firestone Transforce HT LT8.75/R-16.5 tire RonB
Re: Tires and rims Reply #4 – May 29, 2024, 12:55:44 pm Hi, we also had a 1984 itaska with 16.5 rims, I had to replace 2 tires in 2020 and at that time Amazon was the best source. The price included shipping. We had our local Les Schwab balance and install them. Karen~Liam 98 ~ MB NinA
Re: Tires and rims Reply #5 – May 29, 2024, 01:26:00 pm On our old motorhome I also had to deal with 16.5's, Cooper tires are available in our area so I put them on. In the mean time I researched new 16" rims and Dodge is a little harder than Chevrolet. If I hadn't sold the motorhome I was fully prepared to change to 16" wheels. Tire availability and cost were my main reasons. If you are planning on keeping your coach, consider the upgrade to 16" wheels and tires.Jon
Re: Tires and rims Reply #6 – May 29, 2024, 08:14:38 pm On our 85, We put the Firestone Transforce HTs back in 2010. They are a little taller so the Speedometer was a little off but they served us well for quite a few years. I don't remember the size but this is what Firestone lists now for an 85 Chevy 8.75/R16.5 E. Our original Spare was 8.00-16.5 as seen in this picture.Ramon
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Topic: Tires and rims (Read 266 times)
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