Community Forums

bborc · 03-29-2019, 04:55 PM

Well at the 6 year mark with michilen tires and they are starting to crack. Kept them covered and setting on wood, jacks down for winter. No more michilens for me. They are a good tire ride wise and smooth but there prices are just to high for me. My tire dealer does large truck tires and alot of motor homes. He highly recomends sumitomo tires. he also recomends hankook tires but thinks the sumitomo tire is a better deal. Any one running the sumitomo tires?

distaff · 03-29-2019, 06:52 PM

I had goodyears craze at 5 years, and my Michelins just started showing some crazing at 7. Hard to compare two experiences because there are a lot of unmeasurable variables.

skitches · 03-29-2019, 08:50 PM

Yes, I just replaced all my tires with Sumitomo with no issues and they ride and perform as good as the michelins. A lot less cost also.

Outbound · 03-29-2019, 09:07 PM

Les Swab told me to keep an eye on Michilen tires, they crack between treads. Good tire but very expensive compared to Firestone or Toyo's.

Monaco Wolfy · 03-29-2019, 10:44 PM

I've been happy with Toyo and their price.

**TonyDi** · 03-29-2019, 10:51 PM

My original Michelins lasted 5 years, then they started cracking.

Chris M. · 03-30-2019, 08:08 AM

I just checked my 7yr old Toyo's. No cracks in the side walls or tread. They look great. We traveled from upstate NY to New Orleans, LA and back in February with no issues.

porchracer · 03-30-2019, 08:22 AM

visual cracking of tires are just part or the equation, The natural oils from the rubber still slowly leaves the tires and that's one of the important reasons that it's recommended to replace the tires at about the six yr mark. Just because you keep them covered and off the ground the natural breakdown of the rubber continues. The other thing that effects tires are electricle charges such as air compressors and high current around and near the tires. R.V.s never wear tires out it's just a maintenance item of owning an r.v.

Gigtime · 03-30-2019, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bborc

Well at the 6 year mark with michilen tires and they are starting to crack. Kept them covered and setting on wood, jacks down for winter. No more michilens for me.

I checked out a 2002 Safari Trek in San Antonio this week. The Michelins were cracked. The salesman told him their Michelin rep actually told him that he shouldn't worry about cracks unless there was metal showing. Wow.

I'm fine with Michelins on a car but not on a coach.

TriMoot · 03-30-2019, 10:52 PM

I don't have your size rig or tires, but many have recommended Hercules tires, which are the ones I have, and they are 5 years old in June and they look brand new. Of course I only have 16K or so miles on them, but they sit all through the winter here and of course I cover them, but am very happy with them, the ride, the price, the help from Hercules, definitely recommend taking a look at them.

TXTiger · 03-30-2019, 10:55 PM

Just replaced my Mitchelin tires with Yokahama. Leaving Phoenix on Monday and will let you know how they ride.

keef95 · 03-31-2019, 09:03 AM

Bridgestone R268

vito.a · 03-31-2019, 09:22 PM

I agree Michelin (and other leading brands) are priced too high.

Michelin manufactures a special tire for RVs that was supposed to be more crack resistant, the XRV model. Ironically they are the worst tire for sidewall cracking. I would recommend avoiding them.

I've had very good luck with the Michelin XZA2 Energy and Energy Z tires not cracking. I've also used Toyo, BF Goodrich, and Continental tires all with good results.

Our previous coach came with Goodyear tires that blew up routinely before we replaced them. I would avoid Goodyear's.

FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) has expanded their tire discount program to include Michelin, Hankook, and Continental. For most of us it's worth the price of joining. You can check the tire prices online without joining.
https://www.fmca.com/rv-tires-discounts