A note on tire brands

[Johnontheroad]

I just went through a tire purchase decision, I learned a lot, and am passing on what I learned. Not intending to start a war, just what I learned in a pretty long search. Make up your own mind.

My '09 Camelot came with an out of alignment rear. Unfortunately, didn't know this until I noticed excessive wear on one of the duals. And, at 14,000 miles, the steers (G670) already were starting to river. I took the coach to a chassis specialist, who corrected the alignment. He does not sell tires, but does install them and verify alignment. BTW, he also is an RVer with a late model Dynasty. My intention was to buy XZA2.

He said that all tires have strong and weak points. Goodyear has the rivering problem, and Michelin has early sidewall cracking. Based on his experience, he recommended the Bridgestone R250 as he had excellent experience with them on his coach as well as many others. They are larger in dia (about 1/2" more tread) than GY, but are a direct replacement, don't have rivering problems, and have a stronger sidewall. They are available anywhere there is a truck tire dealer.

I waited until I got to Eugene and went to GCR tires. They are nationwide, owned by the same company as Speedco. They do only trucks and RVs, private owners as well as fleet (including work for Monaco). He has access to all brands. I asked for a recommendation, he suggested Bridgestone because he has no problems after they installed. Better customer satisfaction. So, I had him put on 6 Bridgestones (all except the tags).

Out the door costs were about $50 each less than the Monaco Michelin program. They run quiet on the highway, with no "squirm". The coach tracks straighter than the old GY. Biggest difference I noted was when taking a corner a little fast, they steer much better and just feel like you're more in control. Me, I'm happy with the Bridgestones but make your own decision.

BTW, my '09 Camelot original tires had a '07 manufacturing date. Go figure.

== John

[Madrona]

Clear, concise, excellent information on your experience. I will take it to heart. Thanks for the post!

[Mike Canter]

I have Michelin on my MH and have had them on my previous MH and have them on my BMW and have never had a problem with sidewall cracking. How can you say there is a problem with Michelin and sidewall cracking? I have several friends that have Michelins on their MHs and do not have any sidewall cracking. Be real careful on some of the stories that get passed around. Some of it is just not true and is what somebody heard from somebody else who thought they heard something. Do you really think that a major tire company such as Michelin, or Goodyear or Firestone or Bridgestone would have a problem like that. Michelin actually adds stuff to the tire compound to help prevent cracking as do other tire companies. Take a close look at all the Prevosts and MCI buses as to what tires they are running. I bet you that is is 90%+ Michelin.

[Richardrky]

My Michelins have sidewall cracks and I am replacing them because of the cracks.

[Mike Canter]

So what are the DOT dates on them. Do you keep them covered?

[rex]

Mike I think when he said "cracks" he may have been referring to the Zipper split of the sidewall Michelin had a few years ago with the XRV tires. As a result they do not make them anymore, but never owned up to the problem. Lots of folks had them blowout. While I have not heard of that happening with Michelin lately,I just do not trust them because they always denied the blowout was their fault. Do some searching on messages about 3 - 4 years ago and you will find many discussing this problem with Michelin.

[Mike Canter]

Thanks Rex but I still have trouble believing Michelin tires crack if they are treated correctly any different to any other top brand. On this forum I have seen people post that they are driving on 12 year old tires and there is nothing wrong with doing that or driving with the maximum inflation pressure written on the sidewalls (better than driving with too low of pressure) or buying tires with less Load Range because they are cheaper, or people not knowing what tire load and inflation tables are. Then these people loose a tire and blame it on the tire. There are some very well informed people on this forum and I see them educate a lot of new people that come on the forum and ask questions but let me tell you there are a lot and I mean a lot of RVers out there driving around that know absolutely nothing about their tires and it should scare other people on the road. One can walk around a campground and just talk to a few RVers and you will find out real fast how bad it is on tire care. I truely believe there should be a special drivers license required for MHs and trailers and it does not have to be at the CDL level but should require that RVers know the minimum required to drive safely and maintain their Rv at a safe level. I am very skeptical on a lot of problems that some people rant and rave about because they heard it second or third hand then act as the Town crier and put it in black and white on a forum as the gospel. Speaking of ranting and raving, wow, just listen to me. Sorry.

[njoylife]

hey Mike you are right about tire care , but you hear and read about tires and they do recomend replacing tires that are 6 years old . Personally my 04 Commander has original Michelins and they are cracked , but I have only had it for a year with no knowleage of how the unit was kept . I am pleased with its handling and will replace them with Michelins .

[njs42]

Mike I feel your pain. However I re-read JohnCamelot and he was just quoting what someone told him and had sufficient qualifiers about the information; I'll give him a clean bill of health. You too.

One thing I have too much of is information on tires and heaven knows I haven't the foggiest idea what is correct. I have the original tires on my rig---Michelin----it was built in 02, 03 model and I haven't a clue when the tires were made. Do not even know where to look--not that I cannot find out easy enough--at this point irrelevent. I'm not married to them but I think they are a good tire and they have served me well. A nail through the tread of one caused it to deflate while I was on my jacks. Quietly no fuss and very respectful tire I feel. So I have nothing against them But I have worried about them about as much as anything all during my RV experience which is one coach, this one, nine years.

I am a fanatic about covering them, washing them, pressuring them etc. I have crawled all over them looking for cracks, or signs of drying, or seperation ad infinitim, and can find nothing. They preform well, I do not suffer any behavioral problems and when driving my RV tracks like a train.

All I have to do to stop worrying is replace them-----which I discussed with my wife to a luke warm response. It is very expensive even though our rule is what RV needs it gets, the cost is thought provoking. I just have this feeling I will pull in and ask for new tires and some wag will ask why? I will not have a good answer.

Conventional wisdom is on the side of replacement for sure----plenty of "expert" testimony to back that up from (???)---but then I pull into Flying Flags in Buellton California a few weeks ago and land smack in the middle of a Workhorse owners club.

So a fellow seeing my rig comes over and sits on a log with me offering a membership application and we have a good chat. Which inevitably leads to tires fresh on my mind. He volunteers this without me suggesting one way or the other-------- they just had the tire guru from (????) to their meeting for a seminar and he says (this guy knows everything you need to know a renowned authority)-----------if you do not have cracks your tires are fine, when you find one that you can slip a dime in sideways then replace all your tires. Covering does not extend tire life it's ozone what kills em. If you park on asphault thats good petroleum you know, cement bad. Ad nauseum (not the visitor the expert).

Gee just what I wanted to hear----I'm off the hook. or am I.

Unless we hit the big time this year I will wait until next I think to replace them---but I might have a blow out then am I stupid----if I do not then am I lucky, or am I smart---who knows; not me for sure.

Only my tires know for sure, I think.

I feel your pain, boy do I.

[fletch460]

Not to hi-jack, I see some cover tires and some dont. My main concern is tire black or some type of lubricant. I hear from some say dont, some say its okay as most are petroleum products anyway. Any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance. Oh, the tire place I bought them says not to-another says okay. I wash with soap and water. seems that would wash off Lubes-

[cb5300]

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

Thanks Rex but I still have trouble believing Michelin tires crack if they are treated correctly any different to any other top brand. On this forum I have seen people post that they are driving on 12 year old tires and there is nothing wrong with doing that or driving with the maximum inflation pressure written on the sidewalls (better than driving with too low of pressure) or buying tires with less Load Range because they are cheaper, or people not knowing what tire load and inflation tables are. Then these people loose a tire and blame it on the tire. There are some very well informed people on this forum and I see them educate a lot of new people that come on the forum and ask questions but let me tell you there are a lot and I mean a lot of RVers out there driving around that know absolutely nothing about their tires and it should scare other people on the road. One can walk around a campground and just talk to a few RVers and you will find out real fast how bad it is on tire care. I truely believe there should be a special drivers license required for MHs and trailers and it does not have to be at the CDL level but should require that RVers know the minimum required to drive safely and maintain their Rv at a safe level. I am very skeptical on a lot of problems that some people rant and rave about because they heard it second or third hand then act as the Town crier and put it in black and white on a forum as the gospel. Speaking of ranting and raving, wow, just listen to me. Sorry.

Well Mike, you can believe it...The tires on my 2008 Sig is starting to show side wall cracking and Michelin tried to tell me that it's not covered under warranty. This problem was found in Dec of 2010, and I have been going around and around with Michelin since. At that time the DOT date code showed tires were 39 months old, had 29000 miles on them and 12/32 tread depth. Tires came with 16/32 tread....The TCI store in Roanoke, VA had the District Manager come out and look at the tires. He decided that he would credit me $300 per tire against the cost of new tires (tire cost was $640). I pointed out that the tires had 75% tread life and while I didn't expect him to just give me new tires, I did expect him to pro-rate the tires based on remaining tread.....Bottem line, Michelin doesn't want to do anything about the tires.

I'm currently looking at the Bridgestone tires and even with the MI Michelin deal the Bridgestones come in a little cheaper.

Oh Mike, by the way, I have a tire monitering system, tires are checked ever trip and kept at the pressures recommended in the book sent to me by Michelin,... I have the MCD tire covers...I also don't use any tire dressing...(Michelin rep tried to catch me on that one).

One last note, I have a friend of owns a trucking company in VA Beach. He has stopped using Michelin altogether. He claims that Michelin is just to "proud" of their tires, and their customer service sucks...I now agree with him.

[cb5300]

Originally Posted by njs42

Mike I feel your pain. However I re-read JohnCamelot and he was just quoting what someone told him and had sufficient qualifiers about the information; I'll give him a clean bill of health. You too.

One thing I have too much of is information on tires and heaven knows I haven't the foggiest idea what is correct. I have the original tires on my rig---Michelin----it was built in 02, 03 model and I haven't a clue when the tires were made. Do not even know where to look--not that I cannot find out easy enough--at this point irrelevent. I'm not married to them but I think they are a good tire and they have served me well. A nail through the tread of one caused it to deflate while I was on my jacks. Quietly no fuss and very respectful tire I feel. So I have nothing against them But I have worried about them about as much as anything all during my RV experience which is one coach, this one, nine years.

I am a fanatic about covering them, washing them, pressuring them etc. I have crawled all over them looking for cracks, or signs of drying, or seperation ad infinitim, and can find nothing. They preform well, I do not suffer any behavioral problems and when driving my RV tracks like a train.

All I have to do to stop worrying is replace them-----which I discussed with my wife to a luke warm response. It is very expensive even though our rule is what RV needs it gets, the cost is thought provoking. I just have this feeling I will pull in and ask for new tires and some wag will ask why? I will not have a good answer.

Conventional wisdom is on the side of replacement for sure----plenty of "expert" testimony to back that up from (???)---but then I pull into Flying Flags in Buellton California a few weeks ago and land smack in the middle of a Workhorse owners club.

So a fellow seeing my rig comes over and sits on a log with me offering a membership application and we have a good chat. Which inevitably leads to tires fresh on my mind. He volunteers this without me suggesting one way or the other-------- they just had the tire guru from (????) to their meeting for a seminar and he says (this guy knows everything you need to know a renowned authority)-----------if you do not have cracks your tires are fine, when you find one that you can slip a dime in sideways then replace all your tires. Covering does not extend tire life it's ozone what kills em. If you park on asphault thats good petroleum you know, cement bad. Ad nauseum (not the visitor the expert).

Gee just what I wanted to hear----I'm off the hook. or am I.

Unless we hit the big time this year I will wait until next I think to replace them---but I might have a blow out then am I stupid----if I do not then am I lucky, or am I smart---who knows; not me for sure.

Only my tires know for sure, I think.

I feel your pain, boy do I.

If you ever have a "zipper" (especially on the front) you'll wish that you had replaced your tires...I guarantee you that your back side will "pucker up" big time.....

[Sammie]

Mike, Evidently Michelin knows they have a tire cracking problem or why would they post this chart showing degrees of acceptable tire cracking.

Michelin Sidewall Cracking Chart - iRV2.com RV Photo Gallery

Sammie

[njs42]

Originally Posted by cb5300

If you ever have a "zipper" (especially on the front) you'll wish that you had replaced your tires...I guarantee you that your back side will "pucker up" big time.....

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.

I suppose if I had a zipper and my tire was three years old then I should have changed it----in my personal experience the only people I have seen with tire trouble were people who really abused or neglected their tires----no one I RV with and it is a lot of people some with older rigs than mine has had a problem with tires-------But maybe you are the real expert because of your personal experience. I mean that kindly and I hope no one was hurt when you had a zipper.

Who knows at your encouragement maybe I will change them before I move another foot. It is easy to frighten people about tires manufacturers and dealers count on it----but it is a serious issue which I take seriously.

But if a new tire has a blow out then what--- it happens----was I right or wrong to change if it does. Did I pick the right tire? What ever you respond someone else will have another idea---that's my point.

I'll get new tires and I hope I do it at the right time. Wish me luck.

Now I think I will go pucker up and kiss my wife on the eve of mothers day.

Have a good day I wish you well, I wish you all well.