I've been digging through many posts concerning tires and some questions come to mind. Please bear in mind that I have exactly zero motorhome experience though I have owned heavy equipment trucks, and my intent is to be an informed buyer thus my dependence on this forum for elucidation. Zero intent to rile anyone up in other words.
RV tires are made of specific compounds that resist cracking due to age/uv exposure etc. Even though Michelin says life should be ten years, most owners report life to be five years. At this time there is still plenty of tread but sidewalls are suspect.
So, if the realistic service life of protected tires is five years, what is the life of an "unprotected" heavy truck tire? These things are generally good for two recappings and not all trucks rack up huge yearly mileage. I'm scratching my head and trying to remember the last time I saw 5 year old tires with cracked sidewalls. I'm thinking about the 2000 BMW I just bought with 22K miles and original tires. Pirellis, and the tread was worn for sure but sidewall cracking was minimal.
Not saying, but could it be that along with the protective compound comes a more flexible sidewall in the RV tire than the truck tire, thus making it more prone to cracking?
Truck tires are reputed to give a harsher ride, I wonder how much of an issue this is on an 8 airbag Foretravel. Is this a passenger comfort issue only or is damage being done to the rig? Do highway ribbed tires like the XZ series provide superior handling, tracking, braking than a standard ribbed truck tire?
Once again, thanks for your help and look forward to your responses.
Chuck
I've had the same Michelins now since May 2003 (Size: Michelin XZA-2 Pilot Low-Profile; 275/80R 22.5 LRG). That's 7 years and 33,000 miles. The coach is stored under roof so the tires don't get any sun exposure during storage (I'm assuming no direct sun means no UV rays, but I may be wrong).
These tires have no cracking along the sidewalls. I plan on using them this year for another 3,000 miles or so, then consider changing them out at the end of the 2011 season (November).
Will spraying the outside tire sidewalls with 303 Protectorant help reduce UV damage to our tires and give longer sidewall life?
Chuck,
I have been running for 3 years/30K miles on Michelin Pilot XZA-1+, marketed by Michelin as a truck tire with a G load rating, and installed new in November 2007.
You are likely to get more responses to your question. To help you compare apples with apples, here are the conditions under which we operate. Coach is an 02 U270, 36' with single slide. GVWR is 33,000. We travel light - often with some empty space in cabinets, light load in basement, empty sewer tanks - and never pull anything bigger/heavier than a Honda CRV. Maximum recommended cold psi for this coach 108 single, 89 dual. I run at 90 front, 85 rear.
Under these conditions, these tires are performing very well. No cracks or checking, huge amount of tread, good tracking on the road, no sway or steering wheel play, smooth gentle ride. They never have been sprayed with protectant, and they still look brand new. I do not know how they would perform under other conditions, and, not ever having experienced RV rated tires on this paricular coach, I cannot compare them 1:1.
How long will they last? Too early to tell. But I can tell you that these tires were recommended as "far more than adequate" by both MOT and Herman (?) Tire in Nacogdoches - and both opined that the RV rated Michelins available in November 2007 were "overkill" for this coach. Bonus: they cost less, too.
That's one of the difficulties of tire selection, just in Michelins there are probably 20 different series tires that would serve to varying degrees. The info given, though, is purely dimensional. No way that I can see to tell what the advantages of the XZA3 are over the XDA2 other than the tire salesman telling me that "yes, one is a fabulous steer tire, one is a drive tire." BTW, the quote on this combo, out the door, is $3636.00 in Tucson.
It's frustrating, I tell ya. I truly want to know the science behind the market fluff. The idea of walking into a volume tire distributorship and getting a 30 second evaluation of needs by a salesperson just doesn't float my boat.
The best info comes from people like Peter and Beth and Bob Mulder. Real time stuff and I thank you for your comments.
Chuck
I paid $3447.37 at Hermann Power Tire in Nac 3/23/10 for 6 XZA3's load range H.
They're OK but the recent discussions about Michelins would have me go Toyo's next time.
best, paul
We run XZA-1+, load range G, on a 1997 U295 36'. The were installed by, and at the recommendation of, Herman Power Tire Company in Nacogdoches. We inflate them at a bit more than the recommended pressure based on axle weights according to a chart we downloaded from Michelin. We have not weighed side-to-side, so prefer to run slightly more conservative (higher) pressures in case we have a heavy side.
We have put about 12K miles on the tires and they have been satisfactory. As I recall, they were around $3500+- installed. As they say, "Your results may vary."
I had over 10 years on my Michelins before trading them in for Toyo's. Even with the age I received a $600 credit for them.
I have run michlein tires either XZA 2 or now 3's for all my coaches. They are changed after six years with tread left but better safe than sorry. The reason is that the sit longer than trucks do and the emulant is not moved around like it does when they heat up from running. I have put 98k miles on one set and they looked good. I notice with a tag now I get wear on the tires back there.
Is this common? How do you go about getting a credit rather than paying a disposal fee?
Chuck
These used tires are often sold to truckers for their trailer tires, or drive tires. They use them up pretty fast. If the cases aren't too old (Usually 5-7 years) the local Bandag retread shop will buy to use for retreads.
You get a credit by finding a dealer that will give you one. Not all do. We know from experience.