Tire replacement

[Lincolnboy2]

Originally Posted by mrpardee

I put the michelins on as well it was a hard decision as my original michelins had only 6800 miles on them without any sidewall cracks at all, but were 9 years old! I figured if the factory uses them I should too. I also used the FMCA discount saving about $400. Just got back from a 1000 mile trip thru the desert and felt more at ease with the new shoes!

[ru499]

I find it puzzling that Michelin is the only tires you hear of that have ozone protection in their rv tires, yet the only brand of tire that you consistently hear of cracking and checking of the sidewalls are Michelin. There are lots of great brands of tires out there other than Michelin.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Midniteoyl

Prepare to spend a ton of time and money taking care of the Michelins to get 5 yrs out of them..

We got over 8 years with ours with no special care.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Midniteoyl

Ya.. New tires will do that

The 22.5's take 35,000 miles to break in and give the best fuel mileage and handling. So new tires are not at their best yet.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by ruffian

New term to me. "Steer Tires". Do they in fact build special tires for the steering axle?

How are "Steering Tires" identified?

Keith

You haven't looked at the manufacturers catalogs much. They list tires by use as well as position for truck size tires.

[dmroaming]

I'm trying to get my head around the Michelin FMCA discount program and hope you "pros" can help me understand it. Once you've found your dealer who participates in a national Michelin program and given your credit card info to Michelin's national organization then Michelin ships the tires directly to that dealer? You end up paying Michelin national directly, not the dealer? If that is true, what's in it for the dealer besides mounting and balancing? Does the dealer get some benefit from the tire price at all, either from a mark-up or "rebate" from Michelin? I'm trying to figure out why a dealer would participate in the national program. I hope this makes sense. Thanks.

Denny

[mrpardee]

They get a cut from Michelin. It worked great for me!

[SteveSkinner]

It's easy

You'll get an invoice from the dealer initially with 0 dollars then an invoice/ receipt from michelin addressed to FMCA
The dealer gets the fitting and balancing and a rebate against their michelin account for the sale
From your point of view it's a simple few step process.

[jmarmor]

Worked out just fine for me when I replaced my 4 rear tires. The program saved me around $440 but the tires are still over priced.

[MSHappyCampers]

I went to the Michelin website and found that the XRV tire is not listed in the 29580R22.5 size. What would be the best tire in this size for my coach in the Michelin?

[SteveSkinner]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I went to the Michelin website and found that the XRV tire is not listed in the 29580R22.5 size. What would be the best tire in this size for my coach in the Michelin?

I put on XZE2's all round with 315/80 on the steer
The reason was the Signature requires 120 psi on the steer with 295 but I can get away with 100 psi with 395's - should be a softer ride.
I don't think I'll have to worry about tire rotation in the next 5 yrs so that was fine with me.
Michelin are claiming the XZA 2' have a longer life than original XZA
They may be using the same technology as the XRV - you would have to ring somebody in France I suspect to get a straight answer.

[SteveSkinner]

Originally Posted by Barlow46

Steve, I may have missed it but what floor plan is on the coach you are buying. I was going to put the 315's on the steer on my 05 dynasty diamond iv (four slides) 42' tag. There was not enough clearance between the air bag plates and the tires when making a turn. I had less than 1/2" and did not want to risk it. I went with the 295's Michelins and have been very happy with both the ride and the condition so far. (2 years). I do keep them covered when not in use. Good luck on that trip.

To answer this
The 315/80 went happily on the steer with clearance at all airbag heights and turning radius.
So I got lucky there
However the tire fitter forgot to completely remove a bottle jack from under the front of the coach and whilst lowering the airbags the front fibreglass fairing of the genny was crushed by the jack
It looked superficial however I have since got a quote over $4000 for the repair.
I have sent them a letter of demand but so far no reply

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by SteveSkinner

you would have to ring somebody in France I suspect to get a straight answer.

Why? Michelin has been in the US since 1907 and employs thousands of people in the US as well as having plants in six states: Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina and South Carolina.
In addition, there are three plants in Nova Scotia, Canada and one plant in Queretaro, Mexico. That's just their North American operations.

Employment by country
United States 17,313
Canada 3,550
Mexico 710

My OEM Michelins were made in Spain.

[SteveSkinner]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Why? Michelin has been in the US since 1907 and employs thousands of people in the US as well as having plants in six states: Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina and South Carolina.
In addition, there are three plants in Nova Scotia, Canada and one plant in Queretaro, Mexico. That's just their North American operations.

Employment by country
United States 17,313
Canada 3,550
Mexico 710

My OEM Michelins were made in Spain.

I stand corrected. I didn't realize michelin manufactured in USA.
Our manufacturing ( Australia) is just about dead. Only hi tech stuff', ford and Gmh - I think ford are closing as we speak. Our wages at over $20 per hr and high dollar make it impossible to compete with our neighbors.