Need Help with Tire Replacement

[Doc Mark]

Just noticed sidewall cracks on my 7 year old Michelin's so it looks like it is time for new tires. There is plenty of tread left, but the cracking concerns me.

I have had quotes ranging from 'are-you-sitting-down' to heart-stopping' and while I knew it would be expensive, I don't want to shell out anymore than I have to.

So, my questions:

1) Do I stay with Michelin? And if not Michelin then who & why do you recommend them?
2) Do I replace all 8 tires or just the 6 that the sunlight can get to (assuming the 2 inner duals look OK when the outers are removed)?
3) Anyplace recommended to purchase/install them (I am in N. Florida but will be running up the eastern US to Maine in the spring?

I REALLY need help - my poor old heart can't take a lot of this!

Mark

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

What size tire do you have? I had to replace 1 tire due to sidewall separation...305/70R/22.5 quotes ranged from $680-$735 each. I have grown children and might trade one for 7 more tires.LOL

[LVJ58]

Personally with 7 year old tires I would replace them all regardless of what the condition of the others appear. With 8 tires it'll be a lot of $$$$, but tires are your weakest link between your coach and the pavement, I wouldn't push my luck, but that's your choice.

Best of luck with your decision and safe traels

[DutchStar38]

MARK, just had all mine done due to age not wear. Not worth the risk of a blowout on a curve or interstate. Besides the slapping rubber tends to eat the RV a lot too. I am planning a trip up the East coast starting in May and I am trying to convince my DW to go up to Maine. I have always wanted to go there. Any recommendations as where to go/stay?

[AFChap]

I replaced my 22.5 LRH Michelin XZA2's with Continental HSLs ...the first two when I had a tire structural problem and could not get a replacement XZA2, and the other four about two years later because the Continentals were working great and were apx $100 less per tire. In both cases, I used a Best One tire location ...the first one in Ohio and the second one in Alabama.

[siggyd]

Hi Doc Mark,
I would replace all 8 tires,the inner two tires take a little more load then the outer one,s and run hotter then the outer one's and most likely will have more cracks..
Look into brands like Hankook (Korea) and Toyo.
Siggy D.

[laj]

i have to replace mine as well this spring. I am removing toyos
and going with Michelins. I don`t like toyos casings, michelins in my opinion ride better, handle better, and have one of the best casings in the industry. I have 1200x22.5. I just got a price of 675 each, fet in. Its expensive, but so is replacing the side of your coach. I am replacing all 8, i do my gambling in vegas

[Doc Mark]

Thanks to all of your for the quick responses.

I have the 315 80R 22.5 tires, Michelin XZA-2. Probably will go with the XZA-1 just because of the cost differential.

Just got a quote today $1200.00 cheaper than the first. I'll keep looking.

Mark

[HeapBigEngin]

Would like to add a thought or two that might help.

Been an Rver for a long time, and bought our first M/H last April....a 2003 Fleetwood Revolution 40' DP with original Michelin tires (35,000 miles). Did some on-line research of various brands and visited several tire dealerships to discuss and price new tires before making my decision. I ended up purchasing 6 Michelins, size 275/80R/22.5....XZA-3 (4 rear, load range G), 2 front (load range H). I worked with a tire dealer here that sells mostly to medium and heavy duty truck owners and operators....local and national fleet accounts, city fire and DPW trucks, etc. They also sell and install M/H tires and smaller truck tires....not many car tires. These guys know "big" tires. Since our motorhome is really mounted on a truck chassis (Freightliner), I figured these guys would know what works. They did....and I couldn't be happier with the results. Although these guys offered to get almost any brand I wanted, I decided on the Michelins after receiving a very good price....and noticing that almost all of the heavy trucks on the lot were getting either Michelins or Goodyears installed.

Note....the dealer allowed me $39 per old tire toward my purchase price (they recap the Michelins and sell them to the truckers as spares and trailer tires). Not bad, huh? I kept the best old tire (unmounted) for my spare. Since they are equipped to align heavy trucks and use 1st rate truck alignment equipment, I got that too at a very reasonable price. And the guy who did the work actually knew what he was doing and explained it all to me. Wow, now that's different. All 6 tires had been manufactured within 4 weeks of my purchase (GM showed me the date codes on the tires.)

The GM suggested the XZA-3 Long Haul tire (it is a Michelin RV tire) because of its durability and wear/fuel effeciency characterisics. These tires come with a 7-year, 700,000 mile (that's right....700,000 mile), 3-time retread limited manufacturer's casing warranty. He also stated that when I get new tires on the M/H, he would gladly allow me quite a bit more for the used XZA-3's than what he allowed me for my original tires. Not sure I want to think about that right now, actually!!

Bottom line in MHO...there is a LOT more to buying tires than just finding the lowest price. And don't take my experience as what is perfect for you. I suggest you continue your research on-line and in person. And look for a dealer around you that really knows BIG tires and has the right equipment to properly balance and align the things after they are installed. Also, ask the dealer if he allows anything for your old tires. Most will say "no"....and they will then sell your old tires anyhow for recap purposes and pocket the money. And don't forget to inspect the date codes on the tires (4 digit code....first 2 digits are the week, last 2 digits are the year of manufacture). And don't forget new valve stems and caps. Hope this helps.....

By the way, the coach rides like a dream. No pull, no wiggle, no squirm, no vibration. Good luck...and please let us know how it's going. And sorry for such a long post!!!

[Chickadee]

heapbigengin:

Your advice about finding and using an outfit that KNOWS "big" tires is good advice, thanks. However, I've got a question. Are such outfits familiar with handling rims equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and will they, or can you trust em to dismount the old tires and remount the new being careful with your TPMS and perhaps servicing the sensors??? (I'm referring to the TPMS type mounted INSIDE the tire, NOT the stem mounted kind). Haven't had to do ours yet, but I understand that the sending sensor of the TPMS mounted inside EACH tire may require replacment of a battery or some such thing. Do you have any information or insight regarding this??

Thanks again.

Steve

[Perry White]

315/80R/22.5 Mich at Costco $708 each. I notice that you have a '07 MAPD in your signature. How did you get 7 year old tires?

[HeapBigEngin]

Chickadee (Steve)....I cannot help you at all re TPMS. I do not have the system, so nothing relating to this was discussed at the tire dealership. My only thought is to ask the guys that you're talking to at a "big" tire place. I would be kinda' surprised if some of the over-the-road trucks do not have such systems in place....I just don't know. That is an excellent question on your part. By the way, I love your "handle". Mae West and W.C Fields movies are always on my list of favorites. Very koooool!!

[Steve N Sal]

Just replaced six yesterday on our rig. Ours are not the size you have but still expensive to say the least. I stayed with Michelin's, the XRV's and the best price I could get was thru Belle Tire. We have a truck center here close to home so it was convenient. Check around as you'll probably find a big difference in price from different tire outlets. I know there are a lot of posts on these forums about different brand tires and tried to get away from Michelin if possible only because of price but to my surprise from all that I did get pricing from Michelin was the least expensive. At least in our area. Go figure.

[smoothrider]

Recently replaced all six tires on my 99 38ft dutchstar with 275/70R 22.5 XZE 2+.
This was recommended over the XZA that I had requested. Any comments on the
XZE over the XZA The XZE seem to ride a little more rough. DON