A note on tire brands

[Rapid Robert]

Originally Posted by two2go

I have to get new tires in the next two weeks, and I still haven't decided. I have three quotes based on the tires available in my area: Toyo, Bridgestone, and Michelin XRV. I have the OEM Michelin XRV 235/80-22.5 tires, 7 years old, moderate sidewall cracking that have otherwise performed fine. The Bridgestone and Michelins are comparable in price while the Toyo's would be $500 less for 6 tires.

As I reported in another thread, there is a significant weight and construction difference between the tires. The Bridgestones are about 13 pounds each heavier than the Michelins, and the Toyos are about 10.5 pounds heavier. Maybe I am obsessing over weight too much, but we are near GVW when loaded, and I really don't want the extra weight, especially unsprung. I don't think tire weight is so much different in the larger 22.5 sizes, but it is a factor for me. The other tires are a bit wider (245) and deeper tread than Michelins also, and have stiffer sidewalls. The Michelins are RV-specific. I believe I contributed to the cracking on my present Michelins because I used tire shine and did not cover the tires before I read about tire care. Solar UV is intense at 6000 ft. altitude.

I was all set to go with Toyo until I saw the specs. Decisions, decisions... Whatever I buy, I will ask the dealer for care recommendations and follow them to the letter.

That extra weight may be a good clue about the strength of the tire carcass!

[Chuck 1935]

After reading all of these post and the diverse opinions. I think we should discuss politics and religion next.

[MegaRoadie]

Had 6 "new looking" Michelins XRV's on Itasca W22 2005 (date coded in 04)chassis when I purchased it "used" in Feb 2011. 7400 Miles total use. Garage kept, out of the sun, zero evidence of sidewall cracking. On our very first sustained 60 mph trip longer than 45 minutes the sidewall blew out of the drivers side outside tire. Truck store tire tech stated that he could make a very good living doing nothing but swapping out Michelins over 6 years old, especially the XRV tires that are noted by any competant tire technician to habitually fail catastrophically due to sidewall splitting. That was a $700.00 lesson that I hated learning and I thank God everyday it wasnt a front tire that popped !

Be safe... and enjoy the open road !

[MegaRoadie]

To blame any one tire manufacturer or to blame them all ??? Common sense, proper weight and loading, and inflation maintenance all play a part in safety and all are equally important.

Throw in road hazards, gravel, varying road surfaces, storage conditions and material on which tires are parked, the "shiny stuff" sooooooo prevalent to "make her look good" and the mix is complicated wayyyyy beyond reason. Chemical Engineers can lose sleep over half of it, tire makers have zero control after they leave the factory. The RV maker in most cases uses whetever brand is "most cost effective".

All the above and more can make one get more than a lil "puckered" when that fellow RV'er blows by at 85 mph, smoke a blowing and hell bent to be the first to get there, wherever that is...

This may join the WallyWorld Parking thread as a long and tortured path...

Be safe...enjoy the open road.

[Ranger429]

I am running Michelin XZA2 tires on my coach with a date code of 0403. all 6 are the original tires with 21000 miles on them and there are not any defects/cracks anywhere. I almost replaced the front steers because of all the "hype" I have read here on this forum before I went on my trip to Florida last month. Now I'm glad I saved my money and didn't throw these out. I'll continue to run these tires till I feel it is necessary for a change.

[Johnontheroad]

As the OP, let me stress that all I wanted to do is explain my thought process in buying tires. I also said that you should form your on opinion, an many people obviously did. I didn't mean nor do I want to get into an argument over this.

My personal decision -- and you are free to form your own -- was that after talking to two respected people in the industry who deal with this every day, and who don't have an axe to grind, my decision was to go with Bridgestones. You can buy whatever you like, and use whatever logic to arrive at your decision.

== John

[Dutch Star Don]

John.....You're report was good and may help someone not willing to do the research. Everyone aired their tire issues and often you learn something new. My coach has an odd tire size (275/70 - 22.5) that Monaco changed to a larger size in 06. I wouldn't mine trying something else, but Michellin and Goodyear are about the only two that offer my size. I don't want to go larger.

I had one of my front Goodyears get a large knot (half a golf ball size) on a front tire about three years and 21000 miles into ownership of the coach. I replaced both front tires at the time and kept the good one as a spare. I haven't been that unhappy with the Goodyears perfomance otherwise.

The rears are now getting some odd wear on the outer edges of the inside duals (looks like a combo of under inflation and cupping) even though I keep them at 95 psi. I doubt they were balanced from the factory. They have more than half the tread at 41000 miles and 6 years, but I'm not waiting. I ordered new tires last week for the rears and I'm going to try Centramatic balancers. We're leaving for Yellowstone this summer and will be running through the desert in weather that will most likely be 110+ degrees.

My brother-in-law has an 04 coach with original Michellins that is going with us on the trip. I hope we don't get stuck with blown tires in the middle of nowhere.

[Johnontheroad]

Thanks, Don. One thing about balancing. The tire guy said he would balance the rears if I wanted, but he felt it was unnecessary. He said with that amount of weight on the back tires balancing wouldn't make any difference. So, my back tires were not balanced. And, on the road, there was no vibration.

Now this guy is the main tire specialist for a nationwide company providing tires for heavy vehicles. He has worked with truck tires for more than 25 years. However, I will check this out more with other tire providers to verify this.

== John

[gregk]

Don - If I understand correctly you stayted with Goodyears. Correct? Sounds like you were one of the few that did not experience the rivering or wavey wear pattern on the outside rib your streering axle. I did at 20,000 miles. Alignment and all front end setting are correct.

I am nearing my first change on this coach and would like to stay with Goodyears if it were not for the rivering. It may just be by chance but I would love to know what contributed to your success with Goodyears as I would like to stay with them.

I blew three XRV's in 2001 on another coach so as you can imagine I am not comfortable with Michlin's. Zippers. All three events cause damage to my motorhome. No appearant reason. I did though learn from my converstions with the Michlin rep the importance of storing on the jacks and taking the deflection out of the side wall of the tire.

[codgerbill]

I am considering buying new tires at the start of next season. The Michelin XRV's are 6 years old now and I do have some minor stress cracks on the sidewalls. According to the charts I have seen on this blog I really dont need to lose a lot of sleep over the stress cracks that I see. I was considering on purchasing new Michelin XRV's (235/80R/22.5). I was curious about the Bridgestone tires but have not been able to find what I would think is the equivalent size or a price. I prerused the tire rack website and when I typed in the size it came back that they dont have tires that size and I know that at least Michilin does have that size.

My question is concerinig the equivalent Bridgestone sizes. I have the Bridgestone tires on the Jeep and have been very satisfied with them (70,000 driving and aprox 20,000 being towed behind the coach when I replaced them).

[Pairajays]

Well, I just had to step in here. Over the years i have owned MHs with Michelin, Goodyear and Bridgestone tires. For the life of me, I could not tell a nickel's worth of difference in the ride quality. In the earlier years and maybe today, it seemed as though most MHs had Michelin as original equipment. IMO, Michelin gave MH manufacturers a price break, to use their tires, thinking that owners would replace them with Michelin. Along the same line, I have observed, over the years, that a lot of people have confirmation bias. That is, when you make a decision about something you have a natural tendency to see things that confirm your good judgement and ignore, or miss, things that suggest you screwed up.

Jim E

[two2go]

Originally Posted by codgerbill

My question is concerinig the equivalent Bridgestone sizes. I have the Bridgestone tires on the Jeep and have been very satisfied with them (70,000 driving and aprox 20,000 being towed behind the coach when I replaced them).

For other brands, the equivalent size is 245/75-22.5. But, see my post above regarding the greater weight per tire. Bridgestones about 13-14 pounds each more than Mich. XRV.

[camperme2]

[QUOTE=njs42;848901]Believe me I'm not cavalier about this---I'm just echoing the frustration---there are too many experts and too much info. Nine years is, I admit an old tire------and as soon as I do someone will counter my claim---as the "expert" did in Buellton.

Hello, everyone.
Here is a site that should interest all..
http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shop...ire+Aging#faq1
There are several problems with tires on RV's; 1) lack of use and 2) age. Tires should be replaced after 6 years regardless of wear but definitely by 10 years. Tires that are not run regularly are subject to chemical reaction and the rubber degrades thereby weakening the tire. Most times the damage is not visible. Several years ago I bought a 1 year old Forest River 5th wheel which had Continental tires. The tires were cracked and I had to change all 4 in less than 6 months. The retailer told me to never use Continental on an RV as they are very poor but If I ever bought a new rig with Continentals have the retailer replace them immediately. That is fact and not second hand rumour.
I was reminded a few weeks when reading a article that manufacturers take the lowest bid when buying tires by the thousands. Apparently Continental wins many of these bids.
My 2 cents for what it's worth.
Mark

[dperetti]

My 03 Revolution tires were replaced last year with Firestone F5507 radials and I have found they provide an excellant ride with straight tracking. Here is a brochure they provide on RV tire care which I found very helpful in maintaining rv tires.
http://www.trucktires.com/bridgeston...V_Brochure.pdf