Michelin tire question

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Jpe....Here is a good photo of "rivering". The edge that looks the worse is the outside edge. The "rivering" also causes cupping, just in that one area of tread. Two sets of Goodyears wore exactly like this. Without making any changes to the front end, I installed the Hankooks and they wore perfectly for 30K before I sold the coach. The Goodyear G670 in the photo was run 5 psi higher than the weight chart recommended.

Thanks Don! That proves the old saying "a picture is worth a 1000 words"

[MSHappyCampers]

Talked to the Goodyear factory rep this morning. He says the cause of the "river wear" is failure to rotate the tires. I commented to him that I doubt many MH owners rotate their tires. Am I right?

[1ciderdog]

I think you are correct in most do not rotate RV tires. The rivering on my 670's is similar to the photo provided Dutch Star Don. The cupping on mine was I think a bit more severe. The front tires would make a thunking sound - those were rotated to the rear.

[Dutch Star Don]

Joe.....I had the G670's on the rear of my Monaco. I installed the Centramatic balancers and those rears wore perfectly for 40K miles. The G670's just don't do well on the front of SOME coaches. I think the problem is exacerbated by the Roadmaster chassis, yet some have great luck. Any tire will ride more softly when new, but the Goodyears seem to harden up faster.

I wrote to Goodyear and many others have tried to get their bad Goodyears adjusted, but Goodyear has more reasons why it's the owner's fault than Carter has pills. For that reason, I will speak with my wallet and NEVER buy another Goodyear product. My truck was in need of new tires, I could've bought the same Goodyear tire that it came with it from Chevrolet or spend a few dollars more and buy something else. I spent the few extra dollars.

I know you're having a hard time with this decision and you would hate to buy another brand and not be happy with them. So......go with the Goodyears if you didn't have the wear issue on your coach. If you're still not sure, make the Michellins your second choice.

Lastly, rotating your tires is both impractical and expensive, unless you have a tag axle and can rotate those front to rear. The suggestion you got from the Goodyear rep shows how inept and arrogant they can be when it comes to motor homes.

[rdvd]

Hey Dutchstar Don I live in the area of so cal where did you get your tires. (hankook). I'm I need of tires. What size did you put on the old dp.

[Dutch Star Don]

There is a place in Simi Valley that sells the Hankooks. I believe the Diplomat had 255/70 22.5. Mine was on 05, they went larger in 06.

[normandlegra]

Coming back to the proper subject "Michelin tires"...
today I went to a dealer asking them for a quote for 2 Michelin's 235/80/22,5
btw this is all in CAN $
At $470 a piece, plus $25 for installation & $25 for balancing for each of them, the total with our f... sales taxes comes to $1200. !
One surprising note from the representant, after telling him that the DOT on my Michelin tires was 1008, he mentionned that probably they could clame Michelin for warranty or they might save the replacement of my 2 tires by inverting them from left to right inside out to get the usefull for probably another 3-4 years if the "side wall cracks" were less then some /32 deepness...BTW the tires only have 30,000 milles
So far so good, hopefully it will cost me $100 + taxes instead of $1200.....

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by normandlegra

Coming back to the proper subject "Michelin tires"...
today I went to a dealer asking them for a quote for 2 Michelin's 235/80/22,5
btw this is all in CAN $
At $470 a piece, plus $25 for installation & $25 for balancing for each of them, the total with our f... sales taxes comes to $1200. !
One surprising note from the representant, after telling him that the DOT on my Michelin tires was 1008, he mentionned that probably they could clame Michelin for warranty or they might save the replacement of my 2 tires by inverting them from left to right inside out to get the usefull for probably another 3-4 years if the "side wall cracks" were less then some /32 deepness...BTW the tires only have 30,000 milles
So far so good, hopefully it will cost me $100 + taxes instead of $1200.....

Which series Michelin tires do you have?

[normandlegra]

They are XRV Michelin's

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by normandlegra

They are XRV Michelin's

I think I remember reading that the XRV series are the ones that have the problem with side wall blowouts!

[MSHappyCampers]

I'm now leaning heavily toward the Michelin XZA2. Someone has said that the Michelin XRV is the only series having the problems with the sidewalls cracking and blowing out. Does anyone know of any problems with the XZA2?

Thank you for your help on this project!

[normandlegra]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I think I remember reading that the XRV series are the ones that have the problem with side wall blowouts!

Both of my mh where on XRV and I've never had a blowout on any of them since 2001 !
According to the representant, the XZA have a rougher ride then the XRV's !
I'll stick with my XRV's and no way that I'll ever go for Goodyear's.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I'm now leaning heavily toward the Michelin XZA2. Someone has said that the Michelin XRV is the only series having the problems with the sidewalls cracking and blowing out. Does anyone know of any problems with the XZA2?

Thank you for your help on this project!

Hey Joe,

The XZA2 Energy is what I put on the steer axle of mine. Coming up on 7 years old this fall. No visible tread wear and the sidewalls are perfect.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[normandlegra]

According from the Michelin's dealer, the main reason for sidewalls cracking is the low millage being put on them; they stay put for a too long period and the tires dry out from their oil; another reason is the use of high pressure wash that some people use for cleaning their motorhome.