OK, I get it with the Michilins that are available through FMAC, but are there any other tire manufacturers that compare, and are a bit less expensive for these coaches. 275/80 R22.5 for let's say a U320.
Mike
I did last year look into Toyo tires and they are cheaper. I had them for years on my 7 series BMW and really liked the feel and road grip much more than the Michelin's it came with as new. I do not remember what the cost was. I also do not see them on any coaches (or semi's) so do not know how many are sold.
John h
Yetch;
I replaced my old Michilins with Toyo M147 Steer Tires 295 / 75R / 22.5. They ride well and have good reviews. Hope this helps.
I run Continental on mine. Then there is Goodyear, Toyo, Cooper, Firestone, Dunlap, and more. They may not have a 275-80R 22.5 but most will have a 295-75R 22.5 which I think is about the same size
Be careful with 295's, there have been folks here that found that they will rub the air bag plates as they are just enough larger that they will not fit.
Gary B
The Bridgestone 295's are only .1 inch wider. You'll need to check any others.
The vast majority of Foretravels run on Michelin. Many have reported good pricing through the FMCA Fleet Discount Program:
Tire Connection - Michelin Advantage Program (http://www.fmca.com/join-family-motor-coach-association/member-benefits/fmca-connections/3455-tire-connection.html)
I'll second this. I need new tires on my U-240 and I just got a mild case of sticker shock. I've heard many good things about Herman's in Nacogdoches so I called yesterday to get a price on 6 new Michelin 255/80/22.5 XRV's to replace the existing aged 9R-22.5 Michelins. The price out the door, but not balanced, was $3,617 or about $600 apiece. Frank told me I might get better pricing through FMCA, but he'd still install them. I checked FMCA pricing, and see that the same tire is $477. I'm sure the OTD price will be higher, but not as high as without the FMCA discount.
While were on tires, and I hope I can do this without hijacking the thread, talking with Frank at Herman's raised two questions for the forum.
1. Frank said the price for balancing is $25 per tire, but that most people balance only the steer tires.
2. I asked him about date codes on the tires, for I seem to remember Brett saying that we shouldn't accept tires with a date code older than 3 months. Frank said that they couldn't guarantee manufacturer date codes, but said that most of the time they are less than a year old.
What do you think about not balancing tires? I plan on balancing them unless you agree that it's a waste of time and money. Also, how about date codes? Can I really specify maximum date codes, or is it the luck of the draw?
Based on the good reports I've about Michelin XRV's and Herman's Tires, I plan to order very soon.
Glen
Glen, The $25.00 balance per tire is the road force balance, For me, I like it. And do all 6 or 8 what ever, If you do not do all, why do the fronts only, that only takes part of the shaking out of it. It only costs a little more to do it right, also I would assume Herman Tire glues the weights on the aluminum rim, not beating them on using a clip, a nice way to do it since they have the equipment.
FWIW
Dave M
I balance all of mine, same as I balance all of them on my jeep.
Contact a Ford Dealer for a tire quote they handle most tire manufacturers offer an excellent price and possibly a $100 Rebate on a 4 tire purchase. I like the Continental HSR 2 Eco LR H quote 275/80R/22.5 was around $483 per by my local Ford dealer not including Fed Excise Tax then included the rebate.
Tony
Dear David, What is(road force) balancing?
Thank You Karl
Carl,
The Road Force is part of the balance procedure, first they put the wheel assembly on the spindle, remove all weights, then start by checking for out of round, and for running stright,(no wiggle), then spin up to speed, the computer computes the amount of weight and where it belongs. While this is goling on, the large roller applys a tremendous force (Road Force) on the tread while tire is rotating, looking for hard / soft spots and adjusting the weight and position of the weights.
Think this covers it, I ust know it makes for a vry nice smooth riding coach.
So I feel it is worth an extra $5.00 or $10.00 for a proper balanced tire. The days of cheap & guessing for balancing seems to be going away.
Herman Tire has this equipment I am told.
FWIW
Dave M
JUST did this today:
I have the Toyo Tire 11R22.5, Load rating H, 16 ply tires on my U320. They run very nice. Installed in March 2010 ( by George) for $2,500 total somewhere USA... I'd get them again if the Michelin's were that more expensive. My 2ยข.
I really like my Bridgstone tires. Dont know how much they run but will most likely go with them in the future.
Mark
Dear David,
Thank You for the explanation on road force balancing. Do you have a opinion on Dyna bead Balancing?
Cheers Karl
well after me posting Friday that I would consider Toyo's I have been looking on their web site and comparing them to the Michelin and have come up with an important difference (I think)
The Toyo M154 in both the 11R22.5 and 29575R have a load rating that is 600lbs lighter than the Michelin for both single and dual situations (load range H). The Toyo tires are between .1 and .400" bigger in diameter and .200" wider. These bigger sizes should not pose a problem for most coaches. I do not have any prices to compare against the Michelins but the load range capacity may make the Toyos a bad choice after all as most of us drive close to max capacity I think.
Steve-B, what does it say on the sidewalls of tire as far as weight??
John H
Karl, I never heard of that name on balancing, wonder if it is the powder weight that is added, like adding tennis balls, golf balls, centramatics of some other miracle gimic. Yes will get lots of unhappy comments on that one. I can only say do what makes you HAPPY, what is right or wrong does not matter as long as you are pleased.
Cheers
Dave M