Motorhome tires

[yaakbilly]

This is our first IRV2 Forum post.

We have a 2012 Monaco Vesta 35 PBD front diesel motorhome and love it.
We want to purchase tires for it and thought the selection would be simple but research is pretty confusing.

The current tires are Continental 255/70 R 22.5 and appear to be in good shape but we purchased the coach last sept and think they are original tires The motorhome now has approximately 23,000 miles. The coach was garaged but we want to start replacing the tires. We have a local dealer who recommended Hercules tires and Ironman tires but searches revealed some negative reviews and a possibility that they are Chinese tires. Another dealer recommended Firestone tires.

Any suggestions on tire research?

[Arch Hoagland]

I'd recommend Michelin or Toyo.

[guardrail53]

As you found out, as I also, the tires will age out way before they are wore out! My 22 YO Windsor has the same size tires as yours! I just replaced my 7 YO Samson tires with the same! They still looked new, lots of tread, no cracking! They are a Chinese made truck tire, 16 ply, and are half the cost!
I just can't justify the high cost of the of some of the premium tires, when you are taking them off after 7 years, still looking new?
I did my research and read the reviews of a lot of the cheaper tires, and the Samson's that were put on my coach by the PO, did the job, and held up very well, and got very good reviews! So I decided to go with them again! If they preform as well as the last set, I will be very happy! It had come down to Roadmaster Tires (made in the U.S.) or the Samson! The Samson's were 200 dollars cheaper! I got a great deal on them from Ebay, of all places, and they were still from Simple Tire, the seller. Simple Tire is probably the biggest internet tire seller. I have had very good service from them in the past, so happy to use them again!
Everyone's preference in tires is different, this was mine! Rail!

[yaakbilly]

Arch and Guardrail53,

Thank you both for responding. We see you both own Monaco motorhomes and probably know a lot more than we do about the coaches.

This coach is really a beautiful vehicle and we want to enjoy and maintain it for a long time. It is our 4th motorhome but our first diesel and performs so well we can't figure out why we were reluctant to buy a diesel. It is actually easier to drive than the 3 smaller Gas 30 foot motorhomes we have had since 2013.

We would like to purchase tires made in the USA but are having issues identifying the brands. We don't have any issues with other countries but presently are really trying to support the USA manufacturing sector when possible.

Also thank you for the mention of the Monaco Owners Club in your profile, we will join it as soon as possible. Our motorhome was only manufactured for 2 years and we know we will need an extended Monaco community to help finding accessories and parts.

[guardrail53]

The Continental's you are replacing are made in the U.S. I think? Look on the sidewall? They have a tire plant in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. But as most tire Co.'s in the U.S. they also have plants in China! So you never know for sure!
The last Continental's I bought were for my semi trailer, and they were indeed made at the Mt. Vernon plant! They were very good tires!
Continental is also on the FMCA tire discount plan, if you are a member!
Cooper, Roadmaster, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin, Firestone, all have plants in the U.S., and they all have plants in China too!
Rail!

[yaakbilly]

Originally Posted by guardrail53

The Continental's you are replacing are made in the U.S. I think? Look on the sidewall? They have a tire plant in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. But as most tire Co.'s in the U.S. they also have plants in China! So you never know for sure!
The last Continental's I bought were for my semi trailer, and they were indeed made at the Mt. Vernon plant! They were very good tires!
Continental is also on the FMCA tire discount plan, if you are a member!
Cooper, Roadmaster, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin, Firestone, all have plants in the U.S., and they all have plants in China too!
Rail!

Guardrail53,

Thank you for the additional tire information, we will check out the FMCA discount as we are going to join them as well. This post has been a great help because it supplied us with other forums we can join in the future.

We hope to find other Monaco Vesta owners because it was a limited production vehicle and has a MaxForce 7 diesel engine. We have never had a diesel before and this one appears to be a little different but it is performing very well.

We live on the Texas coast and although there is an excellent repair shop here, they are overwhelmed with business. We also spend time in Austin, Texas and have some options there if we make appointments in advance of our trips.

The Monaco Owners Forum will probably be a great blessing as we travel. We have put 5,000 miles on the coach since September and plan an extended trip to the west coast this summer. Our reason for purchasing multiple coaches was to find one that was comfortable for me to drive. I drove all of them but they were hard on my back and shoulders and wore me out. Although this is the biggest motorhome we have ever owned, it is the best handling coach for me. I love it!

Thank you again.

Yaakbilly's lady

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Check out Michelin or Hankook through FMCA! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[momdoc]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new coach.

You are joining a good group of folks here with good info to share. I agree on Michelin or Hancock. and do check out FMCA discounts. I think however i may have read that you have to be a member for a year or sign up for a 2 year membership to get the discount but i could be wrong, so do check that out

Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

[TXTiger]

I just replaced my 6 yr old Mitchelin tires with a set of Yokohama tires. Saved about $1,200. Can’t tell the difference in the ride.

[TonyDi]

I replaced my Michelin's with Yokohama's 2 years ago and so far they have been outstanding. Have you considered replacing with Continental's? If so there is a discount program available from FMCA.
Toyo, Yohohama, Hankook, Bridgestone could be added to your considerations. They are all good tires.

[Gary RVRoamer]

255/70 R 22.5 is a fairly common size, so you should have plenty of choices, including the Continentals you already own. Michelin makes that size, as does Sumitomo and Toyo and Firestone, all excellent brands. No, Sumitomo and Toyo are not Chinese tire companies - they are Japanese-based international companies that are well known to the US trucking industry.

I personally don't care if the tire factory is in China as long as it is made to the standards of a major tire brand. If Michelin is operating a factory in China, you can bet they are making sure it's good enough to carry their name and can stand behind it.

[IslandLove]

Originally Posted by yaakbilly

This is our first IRV2 Forum post.

We have a 2012 Monaco Vesta 35 PBD front diesel motorhome and love it.
We want to purchase tires for it and thought the selection would be simple but research is pretty confusing.

The current tires are Continental 255/70 R 22.5 and appear to be in good shape but we purchased the coach last sept and think they are original tires The motorhome now has approximately 23,000 miles. The coach was garaged but we want to start replacing the tires. We have a local dealer who recommended Hercules tires and Ironman tires but searches revealed some negative reviews and a possibility that they are Chinese tires. Another dealer recommended Firestone tires.

Any suggestions on tire research?

I have Ironman tires. I only have about 500 Miles on them so not a full report but so far so good. They have 500# of extra load bearing weight on them as well. Some people hate them some love them. Personally, I can't complain, the price was right and the 500 miles I have out on them has been good.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

255/70 R 22.5 is a fairly common size, so you should have plenty of choices, including the Continentals you already own. Michelin makes that size, as does Sumitomo and Toyo and Firestone, all excellent brands. No, Sumitomo and Toyo are not Chinese tire companies - they are Japanese-based international companies that are well known to the US trucking industry.

I personally don't care if the tire factory is in China as long as it is made to the standards of a major tire brand. If Michelin is operating a factory in China, you can bet they are making sure it's good enough to carry their name and can stand behind it.

All 8 of my Michelin tires are US made. 4-365/70 and 4-315/80.
My last rig took 275/70's and all of them were made in Spain.
No trouble with any of them.

[bhammond1980]

Bought our coach last fall with original tires still on the rear. Replaced them with Michelin XZE 275/80 R 22.5, same as originals.