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jrugarber · 10-11-2022, 10:43 PM

Predicated on a post from "BigKahuna" on 10.1.2022 I took a closer look at my own P/S steer tire. I saw a similar issue with the decoupling edge of the tire, it had been noticed earlier this summer while parked but I initially felt that I would have made it to Florida where i would then replace the tires. The original tires are date coded early 2016. Based on this observation I contacted a tire repair facility in Boyne City Mi. - Boyne City Tire & Brake Inc. - Joe Williams (Owner) - 213.582.7003. Upon my arrival Mr. Williams advised me that the tire in question would be lucky to make it out of the state of Michigan, let alone, Florida without having an issue. He then proceeded to explain to me in great detail, tire construction and contributing factors that lead to catastrophic failures on the road. I have attached a few pictures of the tire in different forms as he cut away areas showing me that devulcanization had already begun, looking closely at Pics #4 & #5 belt material is visible. The knife in Pic #2 was used to show the depth of the separation between the tread piece and underlying structure.

Aware of the difficulty in finding 365's I was concerned to say the least, Mr. Williams was able to locate (2) 365's @ Pomp's Tire in Indianapolis In. at a cost of $1,097.79/tire (including tax). He then had these tires placed on hold for me to arrive the following day ~12:00. He was then able to find me a replacement 365 out of his old tire stock, while not in great shape, we agreed that it would get us to Indy safely... and it did!

As a side note to this story, while overnighting in Elkhart, and preparing to head to Indy the next morning, I developed an oil leak at the oil filter, I was able to contact Miles Truck Service 3301 Magnum Drive - Elkhart In 574.293.8787 - Rich, who was able to remove and reinstall the filter quickly and reasonably and we were back on the road, I had used them last year for a filter change also.
Arriving at Pomp's, it is first come first serve, tires were replaced and we were headed out of Indy by 1530, making it to Cinncy Ohio for the evening.

If you are ever in Northern Mi. (Traverse City, Bay Harbor, Petoskey) or surrounding area I would highly recommend Boyne City & Tire, Joe Williams, a stand up guy who I am very grateful to, and also Elkhart In., Miles Truck Service, they are both on my speed dial!!!

LWBAZ · 10-11-2022, 11:36 PM

Disturbing info John, but thanks for posting it.

I'm wondering if all Michelin 365 tires are subject to these issues, or the problems are associated with one or more production runs and/or a particular time frame?

If every Michelin 365 tire on the road is at risk for these problems and Michelin's current production is falling as short of demand as is being reported, this could turn out to be a BIG problem.

brobox · 10-12-2022, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWBAZ

Disturbing info John, but thanks for posting it.

I'm wondering if all Michelin 365 tires are subject to these issues, or the problems are associated with one or more production runs and/or a particular time frame?

If every Michelin 365 tire on the road is at risk for these problems and Michelin's current production is falling as short of demand as is being reported, this could turn out to be a BIG problem.

X2 has anyone turned in or checked on this issue with the NHTSA?

Thank you for posting an additional post. A closer inspection on the 365's is very advisable before every trip. Having the bead break on mine while having Rettrobands installed, all of my inspection will be on the rim inspection as the 365' also seem to fail if dismounted from the wheel for inspection.

Petek · 10-12-2022, 06:22 AM

I also replied to Big Kahuna post regarding issue I had with steer tire on my 17 Cornerstone. Same exact problem as John had, mine in 2020. Lucky I caught it in time and had it changed while in Michigan also Boyne tire. Somehow I lost pictures from the face view of the tire, but it looked just like his , chunks of outer tread missing and visible nylon. Something isn't right.

Gary.Jones · 10-12-2022, 10:11 AM

I'm no where close to a tire expert, but even I can tell that I would not drive on that tire pictured for even 1 mile at highway speed on a steer axle.

This situation is becoming very disturbing. As hinted by Larry (LWBAZ), we need to begin to understand if this is a problem with a particular manufacturing "run" of Michelin 365s, a particular vintage, or although it seems less and less likely, with owner use or abuse. The pictures in this thread sure are hard to see as any type of owner abuse and appear to clearly be factory defect.

Thanks for bringing this issue to everyone's attention. I will start examining my Michelin 365s more carefully on a much more consistent and periodic basis. I am not particularly concerned about a bead problem like reported by Brobox but a problem of delamination to the point of showing underlying belts is an issue of serious concern for any owner running those tires at highway speed. .

One has to wonder if the current "shortage" of 365s available has anything to do with this issue.

Gary

brobox · 10-12-2022, 11:53 AM

Gary, the time to be concerned about the bead breaking are for those that take their tires to dealer to have the tires broken down and inspected inside and out as recommended by many of the tire manufactures. From experience, doing that with a Michelin 365 cost me $2,400. $1,100 to replace the bad tire, $1,100 for the other tire that was a year from aging out, plus tax. That is now 2400 reason I will never purchase another Michelin tire.

Gary.Jones · 10-12-2022, 12:04 PM

Chuck

I will soon be finding myself in your position as I intend to get Rettrobands put on my 19 Cornerstone in the near future and although I have about 55,000 miles on my steer 365s, you know that NIRVC is reluctant to dismount and remount tires older than 4 years (they started by saying 3 years, but now I have read several posts of recent purchasers who say 4 years), regardless, although my Michelins look brand new, I will likely be purchasing two new 365s for the steers when the Rettrobands are installed. So I feel your pain. Not happy, but such is life....

However, my experience with Michelin tires has been wonderful in all previous uses on cars, trucks, and coaches, and so I am more inclined to think that at worst, there is some other problem at work here like bad molds, bad batch, bad operator, etc. etc. I will be happily buying more Michelins.... I believe in the Manufacturer, and the tires. Its just more money....

Gary

dbircky · 10-12-2022, 12:23 PM

French engineering isn’t regarded as the apex of excellence. But you do get to pay a premium for the name.

brobox · 10-12-2022, 12:36 PM

Gary,
Over the years, I have owned a lot of Michelins, but I can honestly say they have not out preformed other brands of tires I have owned. One of those being Continental. Those that want to stay true to Michelin, that's fine, but I plan to move on and not purchase tires that are showing to fall apart, in this case inside and out on their 365's. To my knowledge a claim was filed, but no word back....another strike against Michelin.
Not as bad as Goodyear, but I won't own those either.

RVFunlovers · 10-12-2022, 07:46 PM

Do other brands make the 365 our coaches need or is it just Michelin?

LWBAZ · 10-12-2022, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVFunlovers

Do other brands make the 365 our coaches need or is it just Michelin?

The unfortunate reality is that if you need a 365/70R22.5 tire, Michelin is your first, last and only option.

IASM · 10-12-2022, 08:54 PM

The 365s seem to always be tough to find causing me to ponder how a tire problem would be handled on the road. I am due for rear replacement and in checking the tire recommended for rv use by michelin 09807 has been on back order since last year. I did talk to them and they said they had 4000 on back order and thought they would have that filled in the next couple weeks so i could figure on getting the tires in less then 30days. Trying to get tires out of michelin is getting a little old.

Gary.Jones · 10-13-2022, 10:35 AM

Are you sure that you are running 365s on the rear axle/axles? Usually those are 315s on any Entegra so be sure and double check.

I see you are driving a Country Coach so maybe on your coach, you are running them.... but not on any Entegra coach (only on the steers).

Gary

palehorse89 · 10-13-2022, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

Are you sure that you are running 365s on the rear axle/axles? Usually those are 315s on any Entegra so be sure and double check.

I see you are driving a Country Coach so maybe on your coach, you are running them.... but not on any Entegra coach (only on the steers).

Gary

The 09807 tire he mentions is the 315 tire Gary..........