Michelin X One XRV Rear tires

[No Money]

Well I would like to know if anyone out there has used these big tires? I am about to put a set on my 05' Journey. I have seen them around for a while and went to the Michelin plant to watch them produced.
Just today got an ok from Winnebago to put them on, the reason I needed this information was to see if they would fit. They will.
Please reply if you have any information on the use of these new tires. The good thing is that now just about all truck centers cary them in stock and Michelin Corporate office said they can get you a new tire (Michelin X One XRV )faster than the OEM Michelin RV Tires.
Frank
05 Journey 34H
WIT 69947

[No Money]

Well I would like to know if anyone out there has used these big tires? I am about to put a set on my 05' Journey. I have seen them around for a while and went to the Michelin plant to watch them produced.
Just today got an ok from Winnebago to put them on, the reason I needed this information was to see if they would fit. They will.
Please reply if you have any information on the use of these new tires. The good thing is that now just about all truck centers cary them in stock and Michelin Corporate office said they can get you a new tire (Michelin X One XRV )faster than the OEM Michelin RV Tires.
Frank
05 Journey 34H
WIT 69947

[amanda_h]

After reading this, are we to assume that the 445/50R22.5 size will replace the OEM?

So these will go on the rear but the fronts should still use the normal XRVs?

Interesting.

[porscheracer]

I looked at that option, but declined purchasing, partly because of the additional cost of the wheels. Admittedly, only buying two tires would have offset most of the cost, at least the next time around.

1) I'm an old driver-of-everything, from semi's to racing sports cars. I'm just not comfortable with only having one tire between me and the ground when dealing with a 10,000# wheel load.

2) My Vectra was marginal (because of the OEM tires) on load capacity, anyway - and the new tires had only slightly more load capability than the 255/80x22.5 LRG's that came on it.

3) Going to odd sizes, front to rear sure does limit your options should you ever decide to rotate the tires.

I bit the bullet for $3200, and put on a set of the X2A2 Energy 275/70x22.5 LRH tires. They will carry substantially more at 95psi than the XRV's would at 110. Hopefully the 15# decrease in inflation pressure will offset the harsher ride of the lower profile and the stiffer sidewalls.

Obviously, my choices are not evrybody's cup of tea - but just throwing out some brain fodder.

[John_Canfield]

I looked those over at the GNR - wow what a huge tire .

My only issue would be if roadside service can change one. Call some tire services that do emergency calls and see what they have to say.

[MrTransistor]

I have noticed that all of the Flying J tanker trucks have been switched over to the single wider tire. I assume that it decreases fuel consumption enough to offset the cost of the switch.

I can see using this tire as the factory installed tire but for RV applications it doesn't seem cost effective to purchase as a replacement unless the OEM tires are worn out and need replacement. One wide tire verses two regular tires should be less but then you have to through in the cost of the rim.

Has anyone looked into the cost of the rim for this tire? If so, could you reply with the figures for the tire and rim?

[UFO Pilot]

Just a FYI

A local tire shop just told me they don't stock them due to the cost. They have to order it when they need one. They couldn't tell me the rim price.

[Route 66]

Go to THIS THREAD.

We have a member testing them now.

[porscheracer]

I was quoted about $800 for the tire and ~$500 for the rim.

[historyljc]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I have noticed that all of the Flying J tanker trucks have been switched over to the single wider tire. I assume that it decreases fuel consumption enough to offset the cost of the switch. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Dave Howell Tires, our dealer here in Pensacola, said tankers and others are switching over because of the weight savings that allow them to carry more cargo. For every set of duals replaced with the single there is a weight reduction of 150 - 200 lbs. Replace up to eight sets of duals on a tanker truck and that converts to 1200 to 1600 more pounds of fuel you can carry. Gas weighs 5.8 - 6.5 pounds per gallon depending upon the grade. Higher octane weighs more. The weight savings on the tires alone could mean up to $900 or more product delivered per trip. They also said they stock the tires and that they can change them on a road service call like any other tire. I hope they have two men per truck. They are HUGE tires.

I have a set on my coach. To date they have only 604 miles on them. They have been unbelievably smooth riding, and this includes absolutely dismal I-10 over to Slidell and I-65 thru Montgomery. Ran into some real nasty TS Fay related weather coming home from Montgomery. No problem from the tires. Noticed no degradation in traction, but big improvement in ride. Other members in the test group are also reporting very satisfying results with their tires. If they continue this good, I won't switch back.

[MrTransistor]

Hi Jim et al,

Don't get me wrong, I think the X One XRV is a great concept! They look good, should provide improved MPG, better handling (?), and if factory installed could allow for increased storage space in the coach as well as a slight price reduction. But as replacements for duels the economics seem questionable.

Some of the numbers don't seem to add up. The spec. sheet lists the X One XRV as having a maximum load per axle end of 10,200 Lbs. at 120 PSI. The duel XZEs can handle this load at 95 PSI (load range G) or 90 PSI (load range H). Where does the smoother ride come in? Of course the front tires on a truck with XZEs may be pumped up to 110 or 120 PSI if they need to carry a much higher load. Which is where the beefiest X One tire comes in with it's 11,700 Lbs. per tire.

This is not a big deal for an RV that has an axle that is load limited to 20,000 Lbs. And since the Federal weight limit is 20,000 Lbs. per axle with 80,000 Lbs. as the normal weight limit and up to 100,000 Lbs. with a permit, the X One will almost always need a higher tire pressure and be operated closer to it's limit than a set of duels on the rear. As a front tire in special applications, it makes more sense.

I'm sure that most of the tank trucks were designed before the single tire concept was introduced and as such, they would have been designed with a maximum capacity to stay under the load limits set by the various states. Where would they put this extra product?

The difference in weight of the tire/tires alone is 58 Lbs. According to the Accuride web site, the difference between two 22.5x8.25 rims and one 22.5x14 rim is 23 Lbs. Remember that the one big rim has to be built much stronger to support all the weight. That's a pretty big price tag to save a total of 162 Lbs. (2 X 58 + 2 X 23) or 23 gallons of diesel ˜per axle' on a tank truck. It's probably a bit higher because of the size of tires they use but that's still a tiny amount compared to the gross vehicle weight of a tank truck. And less than 2% of the 8,000 gallons the tanker can haul. This could be easily saved with a few minor aerodynamic cleanups for a lot less than the cost of tires and rims.

Another issue is the tread depth. The XZE has 22/32"� of tread depth plus they are re-groovable. The X One XRV has only 16/32"� of tread and I can't find information on re-grooving. With 75,000 miles, our coach tires still have around 50% tread life left.

Now I'm interested in what Flying J's reasoning was on replacing all those tires and if it worked out as expected. I'll be quite curious to see what numbers you and the others come up with.

[historyljc]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm sure that most of the tank trucks were designed before the single tire concept was introduced and as such, they would have been designed with a maximum capacity to stay under the load limits set by the various states. Where would they put this extra product? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mark,

The tankers are filled by weight, not by volume. Different liquids have different weights for the same volume. I talked to the driver of a Flying J tanker that was filling the tanks at a local Albertson's and asked him how many gallons the tank would hold. His response was it depended on which fuel he was carrying that high test was heavier than regular.

My figures for the weight savings came basically from the local truck tire deal who said that the tires allowed the delivery tankers to carry about $1000 more fuel on each trip. It wouldn't take many trips by many trucks before that could add up to some money.

I have no idea the milage I'll get out of the tires. My 275/80s look new at 17,000 miles. I imagine the tire time life on all of them will expire before the tread wears out. I personally would not consider running re-grooved tires.

On my coach the tires are riding smoother than the duals even though they have 20 lbs more air pressure. Next time I'm at the tire dealers I'll have them pumped to the 120 max for comparison purposes. I wouldn't expect 5 more pounds in the rear to significantly effect the ride. As you pointed out, the tires will carry the maximum load for which the axle is rated and allowed by state law. I'm running a thousand pounds under that and I can't cram another steak in freezer.

At this point in time, am I favorably impressed with the singles as compared to the duals? Yes. Will it be that way 10,000 miles from now. I certainly hope so, but finding that answer is the purpose of my participating in the test coach program funded by Freightliner and Michelin. Actually, my only concern is how well they perform on my motorhome, not commercial applications. That's an issue for the Big Guys to deal with.

[No Money]

I just got off of the phone with the people in Gafney @ Freightliner and they confirmed that they 445/50R22.5 Wii Fit on my coach.
Frank
05 Journey
WIT 69947
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by amanda_h:
After reading this, are we to assume that the 445/50R22.5 size will replace the OEM?

So these will go on the rear but the fronts should still use the normal XRVs?

Interesting. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[wagonmaster2]

Porscheracer - Keep us posted on how the 275/70's are working out for you. Next question, was there any special reason you bought new tires? Miles, condition, just wanted different tires? I have a 2004 with the 255/80's with 32,000 miles and figure I have another couple years before replacement is required and have been looking at the 70's but can't take anything that would cause a harsher ride on the FL chassis.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G