Steer tires vs. drive tire sizes

[Russell E Johnson]

Question for all mh owners, do you have the same size tire in all positions or do you have smaller tires on the steering axle to make it easier to turn?  My question is the result of my dad using smaller tires on the front of his 2 & 3 ton trucks, of course this was before power steering.  Thank your your input.

[Lakota Wolf]

Back in the old school days when the trucks and cars didnt have power steering, yes, putting smaller tires on the front was the thing to do. Also as time went on, us **Kids would put the big tires on the back and small ones on the front for that *Muscle mean look,, Called the stink bug. With motorhomes I strongly suggest using the same tires ALL the way around, and using the size of tires the manufacture indicated.

Altering the size difference can affect the handling of the RV. Plus you dont have to carry 2 spares.

Remember,,, the RV's weight is NOT only on the drive tires but spread out across front and rear..

Hope this helps a little.

[Russell E Johnson]

I have kept the 8r19.5 on the front, but went with a bigger tire (245/70r19.5) on the rear which helped the handling immensely, that is the impetus for my question.  Should I replace the front ones also?

[Lakota Wolf]

Thats not an extreme reduction in tires, If you feel comfortable with the handling. The only draw back is when you do a tire rotation. Or if you have a flat. Accomidating a spare seperatly for the front is a question to ponder. If I was in your situation, I would keep the same size all the way around. Thats just me, I prefer simple and easy.

[Russell E Johnson]

Putting the same all around is what I was thinking, I carry a 245/70r19.5 as a spare but wanted the opinions of others before I fork out another $500 for 2 more tires, the front one are only 2 years old.

[Lakota Wolf]

I would have to say, is bring timming mark up to TDC (top dead center) on the crank, Pull number one spark plug and see if number one cylinder is up,, (using a small screw driver aides in this). Pull distributor cap and see if its on number one cylinder wire, OR 180 on other side of cap.

Doing this will give you a starting point to see if it has jumped timming on the timming chain.

This only a start for a relative stand point, You Tube has several video's on setting the time on an internal combustion gas engine.  

*note, This is just a quick check starting point. I hope this helps a little for you. But several of the members have come across this problem before and can be of more assistance as you dwell further into your dilema, 

[Russell E Johnson]

do you have a dodge chassis?

[Jimco_W001]

My 1970 Winnebago F17 does not have power steering.I like how it drives and I always use the same size tires on the chassis wheels.Plus the same size spare tire and wheel.

[Russell E Johnson]

Thanks Jimco, That is good to know.