RV tire size 22.5 in vs 19.5 in, pros and cons?

brightsky · 01-09-2021, 12:05 AM

RV with option Tire size 22.5 in. Standard tire size: 19.5 in. What are the pros and cons for the bigger tire size?

Bigger tires: better ride? larger outside storage? RV taller?

Mike-NM · 01-10-2021, 11:01 AM

Not an expert on tires by any means but I looked at the same thing as 19.5 are somewhat of a rarity. If you go up ... you open a Pandora's box with not only the pricing but the wheel well size, angle of steering wheel well, suspension is designed for specific tire size, alter gear ratio, changes in bolt pattern, 22.5's are designed for utility and heavier loads which would cause the ride to be rough.

Vicr · 01-10-2021, 01:57 PM

It's way more than a tire size. It's a difference in chassis and axle size/weight. The 19.5 tires are on a 18K chassis and the 22.5 are on a 22K chassis. You can Google "Ford F-53 Motorhome Chassis" and get all the specs.
https://www.ford.com/commercial-truc...f53-motorhome/

brightsky · 01-10-2021, 03:36 PM

Thanks for replies.

Precept 29V: 19.5 tire, 20500 chassis.
Precept 31UL: 22.5 tire, 22000 chassis

GVWR- 20,500 lb. (29V), 22,000 lb. (31UL, 34B, 34G) 24,000 lb. (36A)
GCWR- 26,000 lb. (29V, 31UL, 34B, 34G), 30,000 lb. (36A)
G-rated highway tires- 245/70R19.5 (29V), 235/80R22.5 (31UL, 34B, 34G), 255/80R22.5 (36A)

Does this mean that 31UL has much more cargo carry capacity than 29V?

29V has 20500 lbs chassis, not standard?

EA37TS · 01-10-2021, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightsky

...
Does this mean that 31UL has much more cargo carry capacity than 29V?

29V has 20500 lbs chassis, not standard?

No. The heavier chassis means they can add more motorhome on the chassis and that doesn't necessarily mean more cargo capacity.

The 20500 lbs chassis is a standard Ford F53 chassis and used on smaller class A motorhomes.

Jayco will use the chassis their engineers feel is appropriate for the motorhome floor plan based on length and empty weight.

Foretm · 01-11-2021, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightsky

GVWR- 20,500 lb. (29V), 22,000 lb. (31UL, 34B, 34G) 24,000 lb. (36A)
GCWR- 26,000 lb. (29V, 31UL, 34B, 34G), 30,000 lb. (36A)
G-rated highway tires- 245/70R19.5 (29V), 235/80R22.5 (31UL, 34B, 34G), 255/80R22.5 (36A)

Does this mean that 31UL has much more cargo carry capacity than 29V?

No it simply means that when the RV by itself is fully loaded it should not weigh more than 24K lbs, but the empty weight could be higher. See CCC is a function of GVWR minus the empty weight. If you weigh 21K and your GVWR is 24K, then you can carry 3K in people, water, and stuff in the RV.

To me the biggest thing I see here is that the GVWR for the 31UL is 22K and the GCWR is 26K. That means that if the RV is at Gross weight, its towing capacity is 4K lbs. Whereas the 29V, the GVWR is 20.5K and the GCWR is 26K, giving it a towing capacity when fully loaded of 5.5K.

With that said the 22.5" tire is more popular, easier to find, etc... I have the 19.5" tire, but I carry a spare to help with the availability issues.

billcf7 · 01-12-2021, 10:08 AM

If you put on lots of miles the 22.5 tires will last longer, less revs per mile. This may not be the case always as most rver's change out their tires because of age before miles

brightsky · 01-12-2021, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcf7

If you put on lots of miles the 22.5 tires will last longer, less revs per mile. This may not be the case always as most rver's change out their tires because of age before miles

SO with 22.5 tire it will get better fuel mpg? one rotation more distance.

billcf7 · 01-12-2021, 11:26 AM

No. You will have different chassis and rear axle and ratio to compensate for the larger tire

Vicr · 01-12-2021, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcf7

No. You will have different chassis and rear axle and ratio to compensate for the larger tire

x2.

Twoshadycampers · 01-12-2021, 06:10 PM

Here's a good site to use to compare motorhomes specs, Since you're considering different models and years. Make a little spreadsheet to help keep the specs straight, cause it gets confusing.

https://www.rvguide.com/

We have a 2020 31UL We have a heavier chassis, larger tires 22.5", and longer wheelbase (228") than some older 31UL. Agree with things said earlier, larger tires=better ride, larger basement storage, and with a longer wheelbase=better handling.

Good luck with your search.

brightsky · 01-12-2021, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twoshadycampers

Here's a good site to use to compare motorhomes specs, Since you're considering different models and years. Make a little spreadsheet to help keep the specs straight, cause it gets confusing.

https://www.rvguide.com/

We have a 2020 31UL We have a heavier chassis, larger tires 22.5", and longer wheelbase (228") than some older 31UL. Agree with things said earlier, larger tires=better ride, larger basement storage, and with a longer wheelbase=better handling.

Good luck with your search.

Could not find wheelbase for 29V vs 31UL vs 34G for comparison on jayco site.

Twoshadycampers · 01-12-2021, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightsky

Could not find wheelbase for 29V vs 31UL vs 34G for comparison on jayco site.

Here's a link for 2021:

https://www.rvguide.com/specs/jayco/class-a.html

Here's a link for 2020:
https://www.rvguide.com/specs/jayco/class-a/2020.html

brightsky · 01-12-2021, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twoshadycampers

Here's a link for 2021:

https://www.rvguide.com/specs/jayco/class-a.html

Here's a link for 2020:
https://www.rvguide.com/specs/jayco/class-a/2020.html

Thanks,

29V: 190, length: 32.17 feet
31UL: 228, length: 33 feet
34G: 238, length: 36.5 feet

31UL/34G have longer wheelbase and bigger tires, and should drive better.

Twoshadycampers · 01-13-2021, 06:37 AM

Brightsky,

Glad you were able to find the information you were looking for to help in your decision making.

TGoldsbury · 01-13-2021, 01:28 PM

We have a 2018 31UL with the 228 wheelbase. I think the longer wheelbase helps significantly in the handling driving down the road. We weighed it fully loaded, 18,800 lbs (22,000GVWR) so we have 3200 lbs available for more stuff. SHOULD NOT HAVE TOLD DW THIS!!!!

brightsky · 01-13-2021, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGoldsbury

We have a 2018 31UL with the 228 wheelbase. I think the longer wheelbase helps significantly in the handling driving down the road. We weighed it fully loaded, 18,800 lbs (22,000GVWR) so we have 3200 lbs available for more stuff. SHOULD NOT HAVE TOLD DW THIS!!!!

31UL has so much CCC. what is its CCC? could you post yellow stick here? thanks.

What I learned on CCC:

29V: 4500 lbs
31UL/34G/34B: 4000 lbs

29V has the largest CCC.

Brians first rv · 01-20-2021, 07:01 PM

I am a 29v owner. It is kind of "midsize" at 20,500 gvw but does have 19.5's. Look at the warning label on the door for more gvw information. After water, fuel etc you will have about 1500 to 2000 lbs avail for your stuff. We don't carry anywhere near that.

brightsky · 02-03-2021, 07:31 PM

Some floorplans has 22000 lbs chassis with 19.5 tire. Can the tire uphold the weight? any concern?

**Midnightmoon** · 02-03-2021, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightsky

Some floorplans has 22000 lbs chassis with 19.5 tire. Can the tire uphold the weight? any concern?

One of the rollbacks at the garage is 25K GVWR on 265/19.5's. I've attached a pic of the data sticker for you. (Sorry it is sideways)

I'm not familiar with the particular size 19.5's that come on the motorhome chassis, but the 265's on the Sterling that I am referring to certainly can.

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