Hi there,
I think we can get a pretty good deal by going with FMCA - here are the prices that we have as of today - we are replacing all 6 2012 tires - trying to prepare for retirement early 2019. Based on everything that we have read - Michelin is the way to go. I think it should be the X Coach HLZ Just not sure on the tread that is listed below - any suggestions? Also we live near Flagstaff AZ any recommendations for where we should go to have this done? Phoenix is less than 2 hours away.
Tire Description Tread MSPN Base Price savings
MICHELIN 295/80R22.5 XZA2 ENER 152M(LRH XZA2NRG 76807 $765.92 $664.42 $101.50
MICHELIN 295/80R22.5 X COACH XZ 152MLRJ XCOACH XZ 28798 $835.92 $715.87 $120.05
MICHELIN 295/80R22.5 X COACH HL Z LRH XCOACHHLZ 31078 $856.08 $726.32 $129.76
MICHELIN 295/80R22.5 XMW 3D XZE 152/148 XMW3DXZE 07719 $898.92 $761.64 $137.28
Kath
It would be worth a drive to Phoenix and have Redburn Tire do the job, they did ours. They force-balanced, installed new aluminum valve stems, wheel studs and dual seal caps. Our coach had been weighed already, so they could figure the proper psi. They might weigh there, ask for "Dan", he was a big help. www.RedburnTireCo.com
I'm attaching a photo of a Michelin "X Line Energy Z" tire we had a problem with. This was one year and 3000 miles after purchasing a full set. We ended up with a partial reimbursement from Michelin. The dealership we brought it to and a Michelin rep. determined that it was a defective tire. Their head office disputed it and would not pay for extensive damages to the coach. I forwarded the case to Progressive who were took over the case. We won't be buying Michelin again, mostly due to poor customer service - they wanted us to take the tire with us (after we bought the replacement) on our trip and mail it to them in NC on our return home.
IMO..Michelins (brand) are over rated.....just replaced ours with Uniroyal RS20's..... 2/3 the cost....
Again...
IMO
Hans
Agree with you, actually got 275/80r22.5 RS20's in Nac for $345 each installed last year. Less than half the cost of the overated Michelins. Very happy so far.
Kath,
We got 6 Michelin tires for our 2001 U320 in 2016 with the FMCA program. I am pretty sure they were the (new that year) XZA Energy tires, load range H. We are on a two tires every two years program. Steer tires will never be older than 2 years. Oldest tires are gone at 6 years. Handling, ride, stability were all significantly improved compared to the BFG tires that were on the coach when we bought it.
Michelins may be over rated, they may cost more. The difference between the cheapest tires we could find and Michelins was about $200 each. So, is it worth it to you to have peace of mind for about $200 a year? (6 tires in 6 years) Less than half a tank of fuel? Less than 2ยข a mile for us. It was for me. If you need a new tire in the middle of nowhere which brand do you think is going to be easiest to get?
Anyone can have a problem with a new tire no matter what brand you buy or a dealer or a customer service rep. Most do not.
Lots of opinions about tires. Most tires will do OK if they are replaced every six years or so. This is simply your choice and your peace of mind.
Personal opinion: I would also consider the FMCA Continental program: CONTINENTAL 295/80R22.5 load range H
HSR2 SA 05121110000 $703.15 $547.27 save $155.88 per tire w FMCA discount
In December I got my 6 Uniroyal for $436.71 each, mounted, balanced at Herman's in NAC.
While I am certainly not rich the other side to these comments is maybe how important having the best driving experience to you?
Every unihome and unicoach ever made had the Michelin's standard new. Mr Fore told me the coaches suspension was built around and set up for them.
Whether or not the other brands ride and drive the same is possible.
The printed lower load capacity at pressure of most other brands would probably mean for me having to run higher tire pressures than the "h" rated 7160 at 120 psi Michelin's.
Most other tires I have looked up are at around 500 pounds less load capacity at 120 psi.
On our coach the actual pressures are 97/87 respectively and the 10 psi pressure reduction from the "g" rated earlier tires and the later generation design have really helped our ride quality and handling on our broken up overused so cal highways.
Previously I actually would change routes and speeds and placement within the lanes to avoid rough spots in the road.
With the ZXA-3+'s I no longer need that. Plus the coaches rolling resistance is noticeably improved.
The newer "X"s claim another 5% reduction in rolling resistance.
Smoother roads and many other variables may influence your decision.
For me after using diesel pushers since 1984 the ,for sure, best chance of the best drive is a personal pleasure i and Foretravel found worth the additional funding.
I suppose the only way to evaluate the money versus the drive and ride would be to swap multiple tire brands on the same coach back to back.
If we wasted money so be it. After driving hundreds of pushers looking for things I am probably pickier than most.
If a coach I was selling new or used drove better it was more profitable and and easier to sell. Plus more enjoyable to use.
I have used Michelin tires on both my Foretravel and on the fleet of coach buses we ran for the past twenty years. That amounts to 35 coach buses and 1 Foretravel without issues. Your life depends on the tire you ride on so spending a little more is worth it.
if I'm not mistaken Michelin makes the Uniroyal tires.. I got 6 Uniroyal's from Herman in nac in sept for about $2300 out the door if I remember correctly
Well I will tell you, the six/seven year replacement rule is a FACT! My coach has been sitting since November 5th 2017, so I thought I should take a look at the tires. I replaced my two front tires in March of 2011 with Michelin's that were manufactured 12 of 2010, upon close inspection I can see small checking in the side walls, "Dry Rot". Now these tires do not have more than 10,000 miles on them but I will be replacing them this spring before I travel. The Rears were replaced in 2015 and have less than 5,000 miles on them and they look fine, they are Toyo's. I like Michelin's as Steer tires because of the load range and ride. ^.^d
No question it seems that commercial line haul tires are made to be driven continuously. Seems the Michelin's rubber formula as well as others are designed to release an agent during use to lessen side wall cracking.
Our seven year old xza-2's did exhibit a fair amount of sidewall cracking from our low use not releasing enough of the built in agent to lessen this.
My large volume tire shop was going to resell our traded in -2's on local use truck trailers. He thought that they would still pass yard inspection and be useable.
As our use of truck tires is a tiny fraction of the industries volume their motivation to address our low release of the crack lessening agent may or may not be very high. Only time will tell whether using our xza-3+'s will result in cracking.
Or did Michelin change their design to help?
The Michelin original "x" steel carcass thinner sidewall tire design does seem to have a distinct road feel to them. When I was in the rv biz I drove countless coaches to test them and I now remember not looking on purpose to see what tires were on the individual coach before the drive. The Michelin's were noticeable back long ago. No idea if this applies currently as much
All I ever use to keep the tires and wheels looking top notch: no covers, just attention and rest breaks.
Important topic to be sure. However it always amuses me to see how passionate members of automotive forums and now this coach forum become over motor oil and tires!!
I don't have a dog in this hunt... just an observation.
Getting to be things to add to the "never talk about in mixed company": Religion, politics, the "best" truck, oil & tires... O:)
X2 on what he said about oil and tires.
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. This has been very helpful and is greatly appreciated.
Kath
We should be lucky that those type of "discussions" are online, rather than in my local Irish bar around closing time!
I would move that "Pacifico" to the left....and start from there... 8)
Add me to the list. We went to Cold creek over the weekend (not sure if it was the rocks or the rot)
I went out to look at the Aquahot and noticed this little CRACK in the tire.. Thinking maybe a tire plug? >:D
What to do, what to do.. Probably need to find a mobile guy as I am not sure how far I will make it and if I am going to be stuck I would rather it be in front of the house
That is a pretty ugly tire! If you have a tire place within 10 miles and you can keep it under 30 MPH to get there- you would probably be fine - after all - it got you home....
Mobile calls can get spendy - but you are right - getting work done where you sit is a safe option.
Not knowing your abilities I can only say if it were me I would switch with one of my back tires and go to a tire store
Who makes those "roadrunner" tires?
I wouldn't go more than 10mph. In fact, I wouldn't move-call a mobile service.
If a front, would get mobile guy to swap with tag, if you have a tag, that will give you time to find a good deal. Dump all your tanks before you go, that way if it does blow on the tag, you will not be too far over rear axle weight.