New XZE Tires - "drifting" "sloppy" feel

[J&SW]

Just got some new Michelin XZEs (245/70R19.5 - H rating) for our 04 32' Sunrise. We had Michelin XRVs before. The new XZEs seem to "drift" more, and the steering seems a bit sloppier than I remember. I am running them with a bit higher pressure (100) versus 90-95 for the old XRVs. The XZEs can go up to 120. Any suggestions to tighten it up some? New shocks? Steering damper?

[mfire1339]

Too much air. Weigh the rig and then go back to the 90 lbs it will probably want, Maybe less. I had the same problem a couple years ago. Do like the XZE's.

Mike

[Midniteoyl]

Any reason why you added more air?

[mikron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J&SW Just got some new Michelin XZEs (245/70R19.5 - H rating) for our 04 32' Sunrise. We had Michelin XRVs before. The new XZEs seem to "drift" more, and the steering seems a bit sloppier than I remember. I am running them with a bit higher pressure (100) versus 90-95 for the old XRVs. The XZEs can go up to 120. Any suggestions to tighten it up some? New shocks? Steering damper?

Sounds like to much air. We have a 22,000 Ford chassis and 235/80 22.5 tires. We took the coach to a CAT scale and at 20,680 lbs Michelins chart calls for 80 lbs. Why would you replace the XRV's with XRE's.

[tims52ford]

I think you should check the rating on your rims before you bring your tire pressures up to 120psi.
as mikron said weight your rig to determine where you should go from there.

[bellsharbor]

I agree, too much air. I bet if you weigh the coach, you should be running around 80 lbs. Keep us posted.

[mfire1339]

XZE's do have 1/16" more thread depth, so maybe that is why they feel a little different. But air pressure is the key. If you had XRV.s your rims are rated to at "least 110lbs.

Mike

[J&SW]

Thanks all for the replies.

I replaced the XRVs because they were over 7 years old and had started to show some cracking. The tire shop finally (see below) suggested the XZEs, and I did some research here and many were suggesting the same.

I weighed the rig fully loaded at just over 19k. It is a W20 chassis. I'll try the lower pressures and see what happens.

BTW, I actually tried Sumitomo ST718s first, and could NOT get rid of an balance problem that caused far too much shaking in the steering wheel. The shop tried several times to get them balanced but to no avail.

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

I weighed the rig fully loaded at just over 19k.

Whats the front to rear weights?

Quote:

BTW, I actually tried Sumitomo ST718s first, and could NOT get rid of an balance problem that caused far too much shaking in the steering wheel. The shop tried several times to get them balanced but to no avail.

Did the shop refund the money for them?

[bruceh]

I went from XRVs to XZEs and experienced the same thing. You are comparing a new tire to a worn tire that started with less tread. I think that the problem is mostly tread squirm. As my XZEs wear, things imrove.

I have tried various tire pressures with no difference. I am now using the recommended tire pressure for my weight.

[J&SW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midniteoyl Whats the front to rear weights? Did the shop refund the money for them?

Have the front/back load info, but not accessible right now. The tire shop did take the Sumitomos back and credited the price toward the Michelins, which were about $100 per tire more.

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

The tire shop did take the Sumitomos back and credited the price toward the Michelins, which were about $100 per tire more.

Cool Good shop

[Roadking52]

I replaced XRVs with XZEs due to age. I think the extra tread depth can cause a bit more squirm, but the best thing I did to tighten steering was adjusting the steering box lash. I am running 95# of air, and it drives great.

[RTegarini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J&SW Just got some new Michelin XZEs (245/70R19.5 - H rating) for our 04 32' Sunrise. We had Michelin XRVs before. The new XZEs seem to "drift" more, and the steering seems a bit sloppier than I remember. I am running them with a bit higher pressure (100) versus 90-95 for the old XRVs.

I'm curious what the label regarding the OEM tire pressure recommendations are for your motorhome. My Itasca is 95 lbs. for the front / 90 lbs. for the dual rear. I put on Michelin LT245/70 R19.5 XZE's, which I think are 14-ply / load range G, so I increased the air pressures to 100 lbs. for the front / 95 lbs. for the rear, but not sure why, as I'm under for both the front and rear axles, though I only recently had the motorhome weighed, so maybe I thought I was at or near capacity.

I too feel that the steering feels sloppier and am making more steering corrections. I checked out the Michelin load and air pressure chart for RV usage, so it looks like I can go back to the original pressures and see if that helps. I don't think I'm gaining any benefit to running the slightly higher pressures anyway, so I'll give it a try.

I do have one question: the OEM front tire pressure for the front is 95 lbs, but looking at the Michelin ZVE tire chart, the maximum front axle weight for my specific motorhome comes in at 85 lbs. Can I actually run 85 or 90 lbs, or am I never supposed to go below the manufactures' recommendation, even though this is a different tire model and load rating?

http://www.michelintruck.com/micheli....do?tread=XZE*

Click on 'download brochures' towards the bottom of the page.

-RT