Community Forums

two2go · 04-17-2011, 05:31 PM

It's almost time to retire. I mean re-tire--I am retired.
I've got the original Michelin 235-80-22.5 tires, 7 years old, and other than moderate sidewall cracking, I've had no issues with these particular tires.
My replacement choices are Michelin again, or Bridgestone or Toyo. That's all I can find locally. The Michelins will run me $500 more than the Toyos and $200 more than the Bridgestones.
Now, cost is a factor, but not the only one. When I look at the tire specs for the size I need, the weights are quite different.
Michelin - 78.9 lb.
Toyo - 89.3 lb.
Bridgestone - 92.7 lb.
For 6 tires that is from 62.4 to 82.8 pounds total more than Michelins.
Has anyone else considered the weight difference in selecting new tires? Maybe 60-80 pounds isn't that big a deal, but still... And more unsprung weight adds to suspension wear and tear and maybe quality of ride.
I'm leaning to Michelin again just because of weight. I was going with Toyo until I did my research.

"007" · 04-17-2011, 06:09 PM

Now thats a interesting question you have two2go most people changing out from Michelin are alway considering price compared to tire weight.
The heavier tire may have some affect on the axles and suspension of chassis.
A ten pound difference may mean allot as you have said.
I have always bought the Michelin's because thats what the MFG put on and I have never had a blow out with them and have gone 8 years or more with them on three Newmars.

Triker56 · 04-17-2011, 06:14 PM

Michelin says their tires are good for 10 years.

Randy blase · 04-17-2011, 06:29 PM

I for one wouldn't go ten years five to seven maybe I just put Toyos on mine and I was a michelin tire fan I am happy so far.

**CLIFFTALL** · 04-17-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two2go

It's almost time to retire. I mean re-tire--I am retired.
I've got the original Michelin 235-80-22.5 tires, 7 years old, and other than moderate sidewall cracking, I've had no issues with these particular tires.
My replacement choices are Michelin again, or Bridgestone or Toyo. That's all I can find locally. The Michelins will run me $500 more than the Toyos and $200 more than the Bridgestones.
Now, cost is a factor, but not the only one. When I look at the tire specs for the size I need, the weights are quite different.
Michelin - 78.9 lb.
Toyo - 89.3 lb.
Bridgestone - 92.7 lb.
For 6 tires that is from 62.4 to 82.8 pounds total more than Michelins.
Has anyone else considered the weight difference in selecting new tires? Maybe 60-80 pounds isn't that big a deal, but still... And more unsprung weight adds to suspension wear and tear and maybe quality of ride.
I'm leaning to Michelin again just because of weight. I was going with Toyo until I did my research.

I think size is more important than weight. What sizes are the toyo and bridgestones?

Randy blase · 04-17-2011, 06:49 PM

I don't remember off the top of my head but they were Toyos replacement for the michelins

dons2346 · 04-17-2011, 10:36 PM

Could you explain how unsprung weight affects the suspension?

I really don't think you can tell the difference in in ride based on weight of the tires. Some will have a stiffer sidewall and I agree that you might be able to tell a ride difference but I can't see the weight of the tire being in the equation.

BTW, I had Toyo tires and they were excellent. I aged them out with almost 50,000 on them and they still had a lot of tread on them. At the time Country Coach and Toyo had a falling out and I couldn't find a dealer that would install Toyo on a CC. I went with the Goodyear G670 and what a mistake. Huge POC of a tire.

**JohnRR** · 04-17-2011, 11:02 PM

After just recently buying my RV one of the first things I did was to get aluminum wheels front and rear to reduce the unsprung weight, here shortly when I get the longer studs in hand I'll change them and install inner rear aluminum wheels as well.

I would not want to gain that weight back again by using heavier rubber. It's one of the only mods I've considered for now to improve the ride quality.

Wayne M · 04-18-2011, 07:59 AM

Wow! Your statement of $500 and $200 more than other tires get me thinking how lucky I was. I had a blow-out in WA and I replaced two Michelin 235 80R22.5 for $433 each. Then road service, balancing, etc. gave me a walk out bill of $1007.

I really thing you can find a better deal on Michelin. I queried the Web and found several in the $450 range. I hope you can find something near by. Shop some more.

firedoc · 04-18-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Wow! Your statement of $500 and $200 more than other tires get me thinking how lucky I was. I had a blow-out in WA and I replaced two Michelin 235 80R22.5 for $433 each. Then road service, balancing, etc. gave me a walk out bill of $1007.

I really thing you can find a better deal on Michelin. I queried the Web and found several in the $450 range. I hope you can find something near by. Shop some more.

I think the OP meant 500 to 200 dollars more per set of 6.

two2go · 04-18-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedoc

I think the OP meant 500 to 200 dollars more per set of 6.

Yes. $500 for 6. I was quoted $385 ea for Michelin. plus all the service add-ons which are equivalent for any brand.
Regarding unsprung weight, consider holding a 5 pound weight at arms length and moving it up and down as fast as you can. Now change that to a 10 pound weight and try it. Your springs and shocks are having to deal with that same change in force and momentum, so it is harder on them.
I was ready to order the Toyo's because they are a good tire and I know I will be replacing whatever I buy in another 7-8 years because of age and not mileage. But the weight difference really hit me and I am still uncertain.
BTW, the Toyo and Bridgestone tires are 245/75-22.5 size, slightly wider but similar diameter. The tread depths of these are 2 to 3 32nd in. deeper, so more tread rubber. Also stiffer sidewalls because they are truck duty as opposed to pure RV duty.

Alan_Hepburn · 04-18-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two2go

Regarding unsprung weight, consider holding a 5 pound weight at arms length and moving it up and down as fast as you can. Now change that to a 10 pound weight and try it. Your springs and shocks are having to deal with that same change in force and momentum, so it is harder on them.

But UNSPRUNG weight is that weight NOT held up by the springs (hence the name), what you're describing is the sprung weight...

**JohnRR** · 04-18-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Your springs and shocks are having to deal with that same change in force and momentum, so it is harder on them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

But UNSPRUNG weight is that weight NOT held up by the springs (hence the name), what you're describing is the sprung weight...

I believe he is referring to the suspension trying to keep the up and down momentum of the tire and wheel to a minimum as they roll down the road like after hitting something that would what to make them bounce up and down. The less weight of the tire and wheel means less kinetic energy the suspension air or springs have to control or deal with.

rfbelpaso · 04-20-2011, 04:13 PM

I've purchased Michelins, Good Years and Bridgestones For my Class A Holiday Rambler Vacationer. My last purchase was six Ohtsu tires from Japan. At one time they manufactured aircraft tires. I have had excellent service with these tires. They have a 14 ply rating at a more reasonable price than either Goodyear or Michelin. Finding the dealer may be a problem. I purchased mine at a Discount Tire Co. My son in law was an over the road commercial trunk driver and he said the Japanese large tires are hard to beat on service and price. Hope this helps. Happy Trails