Well, put them to 80 psi and a BIG difference from the old ones at 80.
They are FIRM, like "run over a dime and tell heads or tails" firm. The others at 80 were pillows, relatively speaking.
That is what I had anticipated.
The extra-load tires apparently resemble run-flat tires on the C5 Corvettes I owned. In that case, the sidewalls are made so thick to prevent collapsing with zero-psi in them, but it came at a sacrifice to the quality of the ride.
The extra load tires on a motorhome are not nearly as extreme as run-flat tires on a C5, but the more durable sidewalls naturally increase ride harshness. I feel they are ideal for models 2552 and longer. But not so much for models 2551 and shorter. Yet there is a trade-off with each choice, more durable (less prone to a blow-out) versus a softer ride. As you know, I tried real hard to get the ride as soft as possible without a sacrifice to over-all handling, and doing so without throwing piles of money into the wind.
Thanks Volk for your honest evaluation.
I wont keep them at 80 now for the 'video trips' when we are lightly loaded. 65 like the door says. Though I should do one run still at 80 and see what the mileage does.
At 65 PSI the new tires were just as comfortable, and more importantly, handled as well as the old ones at 80. The old ones at 65 were 'squiggly wiggly piggies' and I did not like the wander, so I kept them at 80. Now I can keep them at 65 for the lightly loaded runs, and have the same, maybe more comfort.
When we are festival bound, and loaded to the top, 80PSI will be there helping control and ride.
I feel like I was running the old tires at the 'top' of their range all the time, nice to have some room to work the tire pressures with the load. Time will tell! I need a tire sponsor so I can fit a set of the 112/115R uni-tread tires and do a proper comparison. Michelin has NOT responded to my request.
Worked out well that I did not try to slip those 235/65 or 235/85's in there either. At 65 PSI, lightly loaded, the bottom gap between the two tires in back is less than 7/8" ( .875") adding 10MM in tire width is .397" less... and I did not measure the exact distance, its just a little smaller. The jack handle was handy while I was under there observing, so it became a gauge tool. Maybe the gap was ~.1 less, so another 10MM in tire size could have left me with under 1/2 an inch between. And thats lightly loaded.. I would be nervous about sidewall scrubbing with heavy loads.
Adding a spacer between wasnt an option, the wheel covers have little enough thread to hold them on as it is.
Oh My...that tread...
GrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrROWR!
As an aside, I had three of the high pressure gauges, (2 in toolboxes, 1 in camper door pocket), and I have the habit of using all of them as I do inflation while at home. The reason is to see if any give different readings. Trust, but verify as the Big Man said. WELL... one failed. It was an oldie, and it read ~55 psi while the other two read 65. ~72 at 80. In the garbage it went, and I felt better looking 'foolish' carrying 3 tire gauges all around.
And *NO* bites on FB marketplace for 5 really good tires for $100. Not even offers.
I want them out from behind the tractor, so might just give them away.
