QuestionThanks for your answer to my previous question. I really appreciate your help. I am trying to resolve a difference of opinion with my employer who mixes "P" tires and "LT" tires on ford E 250 vans that have been modified by installing a Mobility works wheel chair lift and used to transport heavy medical equipment distances of up to 300 mi at interstate speeds. One E 250 van has "P" tires on the front and "LT" tires on the back. Another has "LT" tires on the front with one "LT" tire on the rear on one side and a "P" tire on the other side. I think this is clearly dangerous and unsafe. Two tires have exploded in one year as the sidewalls blew out on the interstate. Do you know if there are any safety organizations I can contact in Illinois to resolve this issue?
AnswerSteve,
Perhaps the easiest way is to start with the vehicles themselves.
First, look for the vehicle tire placard. It will usually be located on the drivers doorpost. That will list the original tire size and the proper inflation pressure for that size. The first step is to determine if the vehicle manufacturer specified LT type tires. If they did, then P metric tires should NOT be used on these vehicles.
Just a side note to help: P metric tires have to be derated 10% if used in a Light Truck application. Typically E-250's specify LT type tires - and at inflation pressures higher than the maximum listed on the tire's sidewall.
Sometimes the placard will also have key information about loading of the vehicle. If it lists the GAWR's - Gross Axle Weight Rating. This is the most the vehicle is designed to carry by axle. The tire size and inflation pressure specified for the vehicles will carry that load.
It is important that the modifications to the vehicle are considered in the overall weight added to the vehicle.
I think it would be prudent to obtain the information on the vehicle placard first and compare it to what is being used. May be that will be enough to convince your employer to change the tires - assuming the tires being used are incorrect.
Please post a followup with the placard information and I'll try to assist.
But to answer your question: Illinois ought to have a department of public safety, or a department on transportation, or some other similar organization organization that is charged with motor vehicles operated on Illinois highways. That organization may require inspection of these vehicles before the vehicle are allowed to carry passengers.
But the faster and likely more effective way would be to present the info you find on the placard to the folks who make decisions concerning what is to be applied to those vehicles.
If you need additional help in convincing them, you might have them contact me through my web site:
www.barrystiretech.com
