1973 dodge RM400 INDIAN tires

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 I want replace the tires on my 1973 Winn. Indian.   ( still has original rims and tires )

Our local tire shop wants $400 each.   (because the rims are an old fashion size and only one brand was available)

Corvallis Oregon

looking for options

[Oz]

Tire size and do you have solid or split rims?

[LJ-TJ]

  $400.00 is insane. Don't even Think about it. $50.00 to $75.00 apiece. What size tire do you now have on it? Is it a dodge chassis?

[Oz]

Yeah, M400 according to his vehicle info.

[browng]

split rims     17 " (as I remember)   diameter was biggest issue.    Dealer stated that the heavy truck industry stopped using my diameter tires around 1990.   2nd issue was bolt pattern was also dropped around 1990.
M400 chassis 
there was an option;   machine shop in Portland Or. will remove the rim from the hub.   then weld a modern size rim to hub
that cost is around $200 each.   the new rim size allows huge choice in tires. 

Our local tire shop wants $400 each.   (because the rims are an old fashion size and only one brand was available)
getting tire shops tires was 6 - 10 week wait.  (probably sitting on a boat in LA harbor)

looking for options

[LJ-TJ]

If she's a 8 bolt dodge rim I'd drop down to a 16" and it will make very little differance in performance. Baced on I did that with my 1975. This might be a lead. https://www.ebay.com/itm/134010780299?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180816085401%26meid%3Dfb5a73f0c8fc4e06ae0e14f2ddd0221e%26pid%3D100970%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D144392750670%26itm%3D134010780299%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DDodge&_trksid=p2380057.c100970.m5481&_trkparms=pageci%3A18e3206b-9034-11ec-ac9d-9e047c830452%7Cparentrq%3A0978f7fc17f0ab85a89c9a7cffee3a40%7Ciid%3A1

[Arkansas travco]

M400 should be the 5 lug wheel. Search for a donor motorhome with the 19.5 solid rims.

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(M400 should be the 5 lug wheel. Search for a donor motorhome with the 19.5 solid rims.)

yes  5 lug wheel.    big problem was the diameter  of current rims    second issue was lug pattern is obsolete
Is the 19.5" rim modern?   Will shops have 19.5 tires (or can get)?

[Arkansas travco]

Yes. The 19.5 is a single piece rim for tubeless tires. 8r 19.5 tires are readily available.

[mytoolman]

Caution doing wheel work on our rv's is strenuous work!!! Make sure you are physically fit/healthy enough to do so.

Wheels for an RM400 have 5 lug holes. They use a 1 inch lug stud with a 1-1/2" nut to hold the wheel to the hub for the front wheels. The rear outside dual wheels are also held on by the same type 1-1/2"  hex nuts. The inside dual is held on by a Budd type nut. The HEX nuts are tightened to 450 foot lbs. The inner dual holding BUDD type nut is to be torqued to 475 ft lbs. The inner budd type nut needs to be 25 ft lbs tighter than the outer hex type so one of the budd type doesnt loosen when you are removing the hex nut to remove a wheel.

I suggest ONE INCH DRIVE SOCKETS(buy a 1-1/2" COMBINATION deep hex/budd IMPACT capable socket), One inch EXTENSIONS and BREAKER BARS/TORQUE WRENCHES also need to be used to work with these wheels. I generally use a one inch breaker bar with a 4 foot floor jack handle slide over it while the socket and its extension rest on/are supported by a jack stand to get the leverage I need to apply almost 500 ft lbs of torque. I then go back a second time and use a torque wrench to verify I have tightened the lug nuts sufficiently.
NOTE: The smaller diameter 3/4" drive tools FLEX too much with torque of almost 500 ft lbs to be comfortable using them to work with this type of wheel.
Since I have two vehicles and sell tools for my living, I will be buying the new Milwaukee CORDLESS 1" drive Impact Gun. I will tell you I bought the 3/4 drive Milwaukee cordless since it was the largest available at the time and it would/will NOT REMOVE the lug nuts on either of my rigs. I called Milwaukee and they assure me the just released model 2869-22HD  1 inch drive Impact WILL break free the wheel nuts on my rigs. Its big bucks. $1,300.....

The passenger side uses (typical) RIGHT HAND THREADED NUTS for both the Hex nut holding the outside wheels and also for the special Budd type nut that holds the inside dual wheels on.  The DRIVER SIDE will use the (fairly rare to see today for modern vehicles) LEFT HAND THREADED NUTS for any Hex or Budd type nuts. I bought and replaced all my Hex and Budd type nuts for both of my vehicles that use this same system. They are readily available online.

Each lug hole is spaced 8 inches apart from one another (5x8") There are wheels that were made that are 6 inches wide by 19.5 in diameter in that 5x8 lug pattern. They can be found used but are getting scarce for sure. 8R 19.5 Tires are readily available to fit these wheels.

American Wheel  Specialist(AWS) in Kennewick, Washington State (509) 737-6079 is a resource for brand new wheels. Shaun Murillo is the owner. Chris is his assistant. A few years ago they actually made some custom wheels for my tool truck in the same 5x8 bolt pattern but using a 22.5 rim for THAT truck. I know AWS can get new wheels with that 5x8 lug pattern with the 6"x19.5 size.

I dont know if clearance issues or other such concerns exist for using a 19.5 wheel on a Winnebago Indian or not if it was originally equipped with the 17 inch ones. I dont own that brand of RV. I am just knowledgeable about  5x8 lug pattern wheels because I have two vehicles with that 5x8 lug pattern.

My Superior Motor Coach was delivered new from Superior in 1973 with the 6x19.5 that has the 5x8 lug pattern. My 1955 Ford C600 tool truck came from Ford in 1954 with the infamous 20 inch Two piece "widow maker" Firestone R5 wheel that also has that same 5x8 bolt pattern. AWS used the center from my original wheels and welded them into new style 22.5 tubeless rim blanks to give me the capability to run new modern radial tires on Ethyl *THE* Tool Truck

[browng]

thank you all
good places to start