Michelin vs Sumitomo

[edaa53]

My coach tires are DOT 2002 and 2004 so they are done. I got a quote from SOS Tire in Savannah (40 miles from my coach) to retire (6) 275 70R 22.5

Michelin XZA2Energy: $4095 (w/ FMCA) LR"J"
Sumitomo ST727: $3238 LR"H"

Except for the different LR's (plys) which Sparten says "H" or better is fine and price - What experiences do you have with these two brands? Hard vs soft ride? Other? SOS sales rep said since tires will time out and not mileage out the Sumitomo is better "value". Thoughts? Thanks. Ed

[GaryKD]

Hi edaa53,
My only experience is with the Michelin tires. Same size as in your post. My tires have 92K on them and will be replaced next year (10 year age time out) The tires have plenty of tread and side walls are in perfect condition. They continue to run smooth as glass. A point of full disclosure, I have Centramatics dynamic balancing units on each wheel. Centramatics is at Centramatic

[KIX]

Originally Posted by edaa53

My coach tires are DOT 2002 and 2004 so they are done. I got a quote from SOS Tire in Savannah (40 miles from my coach) to retire (6) 275 70R 22.5

Michelin XZA2Energy: $4095 (w/ FMCA) LR"J"
Sumitomo ST727: $3238 LR"H"

Except for the different LR's (plys) which Sparten says "H" or better is fine and price - What experiences do you have with these two brands? Hard vs soft ride? Other? SOS sales rep said since tires will time out and not mileage out the Sumitomo is better "value". Thoughts? Thanks. Ed

Over the 10 year life of YOUR tires the $800(ish) difference is really minimal.....in fact only about $80 per year. My tires are very similar to yours. They are Michelin XZA 275 x 80 x 22,5 and when replaced the new ones will be Michelin also. Sumitomos may be a good tire but I have experience with and confidence in Michelin. Look at FMCA's Michelin program and maybe the price will be closer.

Oh, you, I assume, have air ride suspension. Unless you are super critical I doubt you will notice ride quality issues.

[jeryan59]

I agree with KIX, if you are keeping tires 7-10 years, you are talking $80-100 per year. In addition, I have to believe it will be easier to find a Michelin tire if you are away from home than a Sumitomos tire? I don't know that for a fact, but my guess. I would do the Michelins. I am not looking forward to replacing my 8 tires in the next year or so.

[pcurt23]

what do you ave now? Goodyear? If so you will not believe the difference with the Michelin

[SeattlePirat]

I would like Sumitomos but like the guys say, they aint easy to find. There are no dealers here in Wa State that I know of and I been shopping. Finally settled on Michelins because of the xxxxxx cost/10 years = squat rule.

[Jeep trekker]

Well, I will probably be in the minority here but I am not a fan of the Michelin RV tires. I have had them on two motor homes. On both, they weather cracked, even to the point of separating around the embossed letters on the side wall. It looked as if someone had taken a knife and cut around the letters about 1/8 of an inch deep. On the first motorhome, the tires were 8 years old and I replaced them with Sumitomos. On the second, the tires were of various ages with two of the Michelins only 4 years old. There were also two 8 year old Goodyear tires that looked in much better condition. All were replaced with Bridgestones.

[UsualSuspect]

I would shop around, there are other manufacturers out there. Hankooks are probably easy to find these days, a few other manufacturers have been using them. I am not a Michelin fan either, and there is no proof they are safer than any other tire out there, or better quality.

[Muddypaws]

Lots of my RV buddy's are buying Toyos. Haven't heard any complaints.

[stuhly]

I would never buy another Michelin. Last set I had cracked in three years. I put Hankooks on my Providence this time. Rides and drives real well. Michelins are overrated and over priced.

[TBS-POPS]

I run the same size tires. just put on Yokohama's for $3k. IMHO the goodyears, michelins and bridgstones are overpriced and not worth the $$ spent on a tire that will time out before it wears out. I have run toyos, yokes,sumis and others on my large trucks with great success and milage. Shop around and visit a commercial tire dealer in a truck stop, they can get the RV tires too which are the LR H tires. The LR J and higher are going to ride stiffer.

[Fred Cooper]

In August, 2009, I purchased 6 Sumitomo 727 tires in the 275/70R22.5 size, load range H from SOS Tire in Savannah. My coach had Bridgestone 275/70R22.5 load range G on the front and Michelin 255x80x22.5 xrv's on the rear. I purchased from SOS tire in Savannah for $2309 installed and balanced. (Wow they've gone up a bit in 5 years.)

With the higher load range, I can run lower tire pressure so the coach actually rides better with the Sumitomo tires.

Now have about 28,000 miles on them, and they still look like new. I would purchase again.

Fred

[edaa53]

Fred - think OIL... Quite a difference in price in 5 years. Thanks for the input.

[FormerBoater]

Same tire size, Hankook AH12's have been excellent.

The Michelins in our storage lot exhibit side wall cracking.

Sumitomo makes a fine product...have them on my daily driver and am very pleased.