Reaching out for some information. My new unit built on a 2008 22,000# - 242" WB came with 19.5" rims shod with 245/70R tires. All of the Ford specification I can find show that this chassis combination has a base tire of 22.5" rim and 235/80R tires. Can anyone with the 22,000# - 242" chassis combination verify the rim/tire size provided on your coach.

Besides the obvious ride and fuel consumption, I'm worried about the loaded safety factor of the tires. Please response ASAP. I'm in conversation with the Dealer and the Vendor as I write. Thanks

Here's what I copied from from page 38 on Ford's "What's new for 2008"

Here's the website address:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckBBAS/non-html/2008/whatsnew2008.pdf

F-53 Chassis – Other Features and Benefits
FUNCTIONAL CHANGES - EXTERIOR
(continued)
Wheels
• 22.5" aluminum wheels are standard on 24,000
lb. and 26,000 lb. chassis.
• All aluminum wheels now utilize Alcoa
Durabright XBR finish – effective 2007MY. XBR
finish is 53% more reflective, image clarity is
improved by 74% and it cleans with soap and
water.
• Competitor uses polished aluminum with no surface
finish – requires ongoing maintenance.
• Lug nut torque remains the same as aluminum
wheels with 22,000 lb. chassis.
• Larger wheel envelopes provided on CAD CD.

Based on the information it appears the 22.5" wheels are not standard on the 22,000 chassis.

Hope this helps, Jim

i have a 08 22000# chassis and it has alcoa aluminum wheels

Teddy,

If you have 19.5" wheels, I would suspect your 2008 coach was built on either a 2006 or 2007 modelchassis. It is not uncommon in the RV industry to build on the past model year chassis.

Ford used 19.5" wheels from 1999 thru 2007. The 2008 model year chassis' went to 22.5" aluminum wheels.

Here's a link to the 2006 Ford Fleet manual.

2006 Ford Fleet

Mike in FL, you might want to check the data on the 2006 F53 stripped chassis at this site:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/TRUCKBBAS/non-html/2006/vs_pdf/fseriessd_06mhc.pdf

If you notice on pg 4, WHEELS: --Type & Size it states:

Seven, 10-Hole Disc, 19.5″ x 6″ Steel (19.5″ x 6.75″ Steel With 18,000 lb., 20,500 lb. GVWR,

Six, 8-Hole Disc, 22.5” x 7.5” With 22,000 lb. GVWR—Polished Aluminum Front and Outer Rear With Steel Inner Rear)(2)

Based on this data it would appear the 22.5" wheels came with the 22,000 GVWR chassis in 2006.

Teddy,

Sorry for the bad information, clearly Jim is correct.

So we still don't know why there are 19.5" steel wheels on an '08 22k chassis. What did the dealer say ?

There seems to be some discrepancy between the information on page 3 and page 4 of the 2006 Ford specification chart referenced by LVJ58.

On page 3 there is a footnote:
"(3) optional equipment weights are in pounds as follows (Front/Total: LT245/70x19.5F Tires/19.5" x 6.5" Steel Wheels (Available with 22,000 GVWR only)...

On page 4 under the "Wheels" it mentions that 22,000lb chassis come with aluminum wheels.

Also note that the 2006 spec sheet only lists a 228" wheelbase. The 2007 and 2008 spec sheets have the exact same language on pages 3 and 4. The only difference is that there is a 242" wheelbase available for 2007 and 2008.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/TRUCKBBAS/non-html/2007/vs_pdf/fseriessd_07mhc.pdf

It appears that even if your coach is built on a 2007 or 2008 22,000lb chassis it could have been ordered (by the manufacturer) with 19,5" wheels.

The 19.5 wheels are an option the manufacturer can choose when ordering the 22GVW chassis from Ford. They save considerable money doing this.
As an example you can look on the Coachmen website and see new Mirada's can be had on the 22GVW with the 19.5 wheels. Most folks prefer the 22.5 wheels and they are definitley now the common offering, but in the end the buyer does pay for them. The wheelbase can also be different than what the chassis mfr. provides, the coach builders have modified them in many cases for a long time. The 19.5 wheels should be safe....but it's up to you to the be sure the inflation and actual coach GVW are in the allowable safe range.

Talked to the dealer and the Ford Hotline. The hotline was pretty clear that the 19.5 were acceptable idf paired with the Goodyear G670s. The Goodyear website confirms that the 19.5 tires are adequate for the 22,000 lb chassis and load expected. Took the unit out for the 4th of July weekend. Ride and handling were excellent even in the down-pours we experienced. Thanks to all for your responses.

Glad to hear the 19'5's will work OK for you, we have them on our coach that weighs out around 21,500lbs no problems. One advantage with the 19'5's, they're a bit less expensive when time comes to replace them.

Happy & Safe travels, Jim