Tires

[joebrunold]

I need to replace the tires on my 2006 Apex and would like the opinion of you experts on which way to go. Michelins are available at a reduced price thru FMCA; however, they are still very expensive. My local RV repair shop told me I do not need to spend the extra money for Michelins because I am a low mileage user. Probably less than 10,000 miles per year. They stated I should go with Cooper-Hercules which is an excellent tire that they have put on many motor homes. Out the door price installed would be $2902. For Michelins the out the door price will be probably around $4500. That is a huge difference. Have any of you had experience with Cooper-Hercules. I have not heard of them before. Also they told me that on the larger tires it was not necessary to balance them. I also need your experience on this as I have always thought tires should be balanced. Any inputs will be appreciated.

Plus I will be replacing the shocks and am considering the Koni's vs Road Master again because of price. Comments Please.

Joe Bunold
2006 40" Alpine Apex
2007 Honda CRV

[daveshan]

Joe,
The PO and I split the cost of a set of Cooper Roadmaster 185A tires when we bought the coach a couple of years ago. So far we've been very happy with the ride and I've been very happy with the handling. The out the door price then was ~$3400 in our size (295/75-22.5) so it sounds like you're getting a good price.

I priced Michelin, Goodyear and Cooper but just couldn't justify the $$$ for a tire that was going to be replaced on a time out basis rather than wear. I wouldn't be comfortable pushing the time factor even with a high dollar tire, just me, your thoughts may be different.

[Old Scout]

You will have to make up your own mind about price vs value--if you ammortize the $1500 price difference over the six-seven year life of the tire, you are talking about $200 per year [less that a tank of fuel.] You also need to make sure you are comparing "apples to apples" [eg. 16 ply LR H {recommended} vs 14 ply LR G; 295 80r {recommended} Vs 275 75 or 80r]. With your heavier Apex, I'd be careful about "smaller" tires. The Michelin 275 80r may be a good option for you or perhaps the less expensive 11rs on the back and the wider 295 80Rs on the front. Lots of opinions and even a few facts here when it comes to rating/selecting tires--good luck!!!!!

PS--think Bridgestone makes a good tire but prices with Michelin are similar when you go thru FMCA.

[Algoma]

Joe, did you get FMCA to give you a price on a specific tire? They quoted me less than $500 for the XZE2 295/75R22.5 LRG which is about $100 more than the mid -price BF Goodrich, Yokohama, Hankook etc. Admittedly you probably need LRH on the Apex as Old Scout pointed out so your cost may be higher but the difference is not that great if you intend to keep the coach for a while. At least go for a premium quality tire up front.

[joebrunold]

Thanks to all. I have found a big diffference in the 295 vs 275 and also in the 80 vs 75. Also cost for the Michelin's from the 70 to 80 series jumps from $495 to $638 per tire thru FMCA. My biggest concern is the load range that I have found for the Cooper/Hercules vs the Michelin appears to make the Cooper insufficent to handle the load of my Apex. I like Old Scouts realty that we are only talking about $200 per year difference. On a Coach with a sticker of over $400K what is $200 per year. Thanks again for all for your inputs.

Joe

[2 Stroker]

I just did the FMCA for my coach 295/80R22.5 cost $4000 plus $260 mounting, stems and front balanced.
If you do 10k a year then in 7 years you will need new tires time will not be a factor, miles will.
2 stroker

[frankdamp]

Joe:

Your "handle" doesn't indicate where you are, but if you're in the western states where Les Schwab does business, I'd recommend getting a price from them. I put six new Toyos (19.5 wheels) on my rig when we bought it, since it had the original 11-year old Goodyears on it.

With new stainless steel valves and an alignment, I was out the door for under $2400.

[Tom and Patty]

I just replaced our eight year old Bridgestone R 260's with 275/80R22.5 BFG ST 230. I chose these because I wanted to put on Michelins for the ride quality. I now have a very good ride without all the expense. The ride is great. Expansion cracks have all but disappeared.

The 27580 225 is Michelins replacement size for the 29575 225. 29580 would be too tall for me. It would probably rub the front wheel well when the steering wheel was turned and airs out of the bags.

Make sure you get a trade in on your old tires, even if they are eight years old they will be sold used if they are on good condition. I got $100 each for mine. Retired for $2111.23




.

[Tom and Patty]

Is the Apex OE size 11 225?

[Algoma]

Tom and Patty,
I would argue that although Michelin own BFG they are not the same tire. My Michelin dealer quoted me for the ST230 but when I told him how much the Michelin XZE2 tire would cost me through the FMCA Advantage program he said I would be crazy not to buy the Michelins. For the uninitiated 295/75R22.5 and 275/80R22.5 are the same size and are known in the industry as "lo-pro 22.5".

[Algoma]

2 Stroker,
How will you wear out tires in 70,000 miles? Even the tires on my car are warrantied for 100,000 miles. I have done 40,000 miles in my motorhome and still have 75% tread left.

[Tom and Patty]

Originally Posted by Algoma

Tom and Patty,
I would argue that although Michelin own BFG they are not the same tire. My Michelin dealer quoted me for the ST230 but when I told him how much the Michelin XZE2 tire would cost me through the FMCA Advantage program he said I would be crazy not to buy the Michelins. For the uninitiated 295/75R22.5 and 275/80R22.5 are the same size and are known in the industry as "lo-pro 22.5".

I made a decision this time not to buy a premium tire. I choose to not spend $900 more dollars.

Trust me, being in the tire business for 31 years, I know that the BFG is not the Michelin. If a BFG was a Michelin, it would be a Michelin price...huh? I am just giving people other options.

You want the best ride buy Michelin's, want the best casing buy Bridgestones......JMHO.

[vsheetz]

Yup, don't overlook reselling your old tires.
I have sold my last two sets of take-offs via Craigslist for about $500/set.

[Old Scout]

I dont have the tables in front of me but I think that while the 275 80r and the old 295 75r are the same diameter, the 295 75r is/was wider than the new 275 80r. Regardless, the Michelin 275 80r LR-H has some impressive load stats, but like my 11rs they are over an inch narrower. The difference is dramatic, especially on the front, if you are use to the GY 295 80rs....

PS--not exactly sure when the change over occured but some 05s came with Toyo 11rs but think most if not all 06 Apex's came with GY 295 80rs.