2015 Dutch Star 3736 tire questions

[jdb20]

Ive got a 2015 Dutch Star 3736 with 13,000 miles on it. Ive had the axles weighed and proper tire pressure in the tires per the Michelin tech and website charts. We've had 8 RVs and Ive seen a lot of issues over the years but I'm stumped on this one.

We love the coach and it seems to be very high quality but we have a bounce/vibration that no one can remedy. Ive had the tires balanced 5 times in the last 6 months the last time it was took to the Freighliner service center in Gaffney. They helped the issue but it still has a bounce which is worse at 65MPH but you feel it at higher and lower speeds.

The tires are Michelin 305/70R/22.5XRV. I've had michelins on most of the previous RVs with no problems to mention and definitely no bounce. I have contacted Michelin and they may be willing to do a pro-rated warranty replacement but I don't know if they will really make a reasonable offer -but I will probably pursue that in next few days if no other options.

Does anyone have any advise or experience which could impart some wisdom - I'm all ears.

[Spirit2020]

We also have 2015 Dutch Star 3736 with same tires.
No problem with ride/tires like you are describing. Do you think you have a tire out of round. Will PM you too.

[BBelanger]

Is it possible it's the road you're testing it on? I get a bounce sometimes too, but only on certain roads. Just a thought.

[David D.]

JDB,
I have had the same problem, but what is so confusing is that on some roads it rides very smooth and as soon as I think it must be my imagination it starts vibrating again. I have had both front tires balanced and the tires were also checked for out of round. I don't think it is the road because I travel the same roads with our Ventana and never had this problem. I am having all wheels changed out this summer at Newmar and hoping one of them is the culprit . let me know if you ever find the problem.

[jdb20]

I appreciate the input...
I have tried it on very good roads and like others have traveled these roads in previous RVs with a very smooth ride so its not the roads. You can feel the vibration really good in the sofa right behind the drivers seat, it feels like a mild vibrator is built into the seat -you just can't turn it off :(

From what I know they've tested the tires on the hunter road force machines at least 2 times and find nothing "too out of round" - they always follow that with "no tire is perfectly round". Which I'm sure is true.

Newmar's tech(Rick) advised they had an issue on one 3736 like this and it ended up being a tire issue but they never found it until they did a runout with the tires on the RV, before they did that they went as far as to replace the driveshaft with no improvement. Im not sure who could do that around my area but may check into that.

David, Please do keep me informed on your findings. I will let you know when I find the issue, IF I find the issue - Thanks

[David D.]

JDB,
Will do. I guess we can make a note of this post I case we find a solution .

[jimbo2013]

tires need to be shaved to true round before you waste $$ on anything else

[MJFZ]

Do you seem to feel it in the steering wheel or in your seat ? If you rule out tires/wheels ( still the most likely issue, IMO), the next rotational mass I would consider is the driveshaft. First, make sure the ride height on the coach is correct and then the possibility the drive shaft has been installed "out of phase". Remember when these coaches get towed, the tow operator will likely remove the driveshaft (versus axles). Should the coach have been towed there is a possibility the driveshaft was not reinstalled correctly.

Mike

[BBelanger]

You could either try centramatics on the wheels or tire balancing beads inside them.

["007"]

I have read on a TSB THAT THE STEERING wheel support has a problem on fire wall chassis mount has a recall, not sure but think its on a Spartan chassis, not sure about the FL.
This link will get you to all TSB's and you should check year previous and after your year coach.

[jdb20]

ok after much pushing and letter writing I finally got Michelin to agree to a warranty adjustment on all 6 tires. They are willing to provide 45% on rear which were at 13/32 and 40% on front which are at 15/32. I will confirm my numbers since they look backwards but for now this is what I have. This is my big question... is it worth putting michelins back on it since I can probably buy Hancooks or Toyos for possibly less even with their discount? I will shop this later this week to better know prices and if the other brands offer my size, but if any one has any experience with another brand I'm all ears.

My main concerns are safety first, then ride, then roll(gas mileage). I feel all three brands offer safety so which one rides better? I've allways been a michelin man but this coach has 305/70R/22.5XRV on it now and I'd have to say on any kind of rough roads it rides pretty rough. I have noticed on my autos that Michelins seem to last forever but the ride seems to get stiffer in time, is that what happens on motorhomes?

My RV is a 2015 Newmar Dutch Star 3736 so for the size RV it does ride stiffer than its bigger 40-43 ft tag axle brothers. So if I could, I would love to get a better ride out of my tires...

[tom chelbana]

Some Dutch Star owners with the 305 Michelin have switched to 295-80-22.5 which is a taller tire and is more available then 305 and have said they like the ride better.

[wagonmaster2]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

You could either try centramatics on the wheels or tire balancing beads inside then m.

I have the exact same problem as the OP, and I tried balancing beads in the front tires but still have that off/on bounce. I feel it mostly in the driver's floor board while both feet are setting flat with the coach on cruise control. The bounce doesn't seem to be there on a perfectly smooth (if there really is one) new highway but the slightest ripple or rough spot in the roadway starts the bouncing again. None of our local tire companies will do a runout test on the Michelin tires or shaving them if needed.

[jdb20]

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

Some Dutch Star owners with the 305 Michelin have switched to 295-80-22.5 which is a taller tire and is more available then 305 and have said they like the ride better.

Hello Tom,
Hows the best way to contact or get some input from some of the dutch star owners who have made the trade to the 295-80-22.5?
Thank You