Tire and Wheel sizing

[Marty Baluski]

I have a 2005 Patriot Thunder, had a driver front blow out.  Have to replace the wheel/rim.
I would like to use a different type tire, ie. a 315x80  22.5  possibly a L rating.
Do I need a different wheel/rim?  Presently I have  22.5x8.25   1005.
Any one know the answer or where I can go to get an answer.
Thank you.

[Tim Westman]

Marty, I have 315's (Michelin XZA2) on my coach and they are on 9 inch rims, not 8.25.  It is my understanding that you can mount them on the smaller rims but they lose a little capacity.

[Roy Warren Co-Admin]

Marty,
We have a friend who owns a Country Coach similar to our PTs.  He changed to the larger tire and wheel as he was told he could do without a problem, yet there was a problem.  When backing with full turn it, his wheel was rubbing on something and ground the wheel bead down so that he had to buy new wheels.  I would make sure if you change wheels and/or tires which are wider to check them prior to final purchase.
Roy Warren

[Gerald Farris]

Marty,
You can run 315/80/22.5 tires on 8.25 wheels, but as Tim said, your load capacity will be reduced with the narrower wheels. On 9 inch wheels 315s have a max load of 9,090 pounds at 130 PSI, but on 8.25 inch wheels the max load is 8,000 pounds at 120 PSI. Below is a line from the Michelin RV tire guide.

) For use with 8.25 x 22.5 wheels, see Page 20. When mounting the 315/80R22.5 LRL on an 8.25" wheel, do not load or inflate to the maximum load or inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall. The maximum load per tire for the 315/80R22.5 LRL, single mount on an 8.25" wheel, is 8000 lbs at 120 PSI (3630 kg at 830 kPa).

Gerald