Wanted to follow up on our Toyo tire experience now that we have put some miles on. We were in N. Washington and I came to the realization that our Michelin XZA3+ tires were nearing 8 years of age, around 70K miles put on em since new. I had always appreciated the ride of the Michelins but had replaced two of them in 7+ years, one belt slip creating a knot (warranty), one blowout, on me. Decided to try the M177 LRH. I was in Washington, so priced tires in tax free Oregon, 2800.00 OTD. No credit for old tires. Checked with Les Schwab in Port Angeles, they offered me 95.00 ea credit for the Michelins, bringing the total to 2800.00 OTD all inclusive. One very experienced guy carefully mounted them, with misgivings I went with Equal for balance. Went with the 297/75/22.5.
First impression, I've made a mistake. Harsh ride, sawing at the wheel to try to keep her between the lines, and most concerning, she doesn't want to enter a corner at speed. Figured I'd replace the fronts with Michelins at least but first try to make these work.
First things first. Got the Toyo pressure charts out and realized the fronts were close to 20 PSI over required, dropped them to 94psi.
Now the ride was compliant but still have the curve entry problem. Then I remembered the extra toe in I had added to make the Michelins track. Realizing that the Toyos are a far more directional tire with large channels in tread compared to the Michelins with small grooves and sipes, I removed the 1/2 turn of trackbar toe I'd added.
Problem solved. A very slight wandering tendency now exists so I'll add back a small amount of tow in....but these things ride Nice! Very quiet and noticeably smoother over road imperfections than the Michelins. I'm surprised with this, frankly. Cornering....I'd probably say the Michelins have a very slight edge but it could also be these are just different riding tires. So, overall I'd say I'm happy with the tires, and happy with the savings which will pretty much pay for new Koni shocks. Thanks to everyone who went before and provided the reports that convinced me to try the Toyos!
We put on a set of M154s a couple of months ago upon Herman Power recommendation. Got the same size you got at about the same price. So far they seem fine, ride is somewhat smoother. My sons put some M177s on a couple of grain haulers last week. Anxious to try them and see how they feel.
My experience as been that my Toyo steer tires (M137 shallow tread depth 16 ply) were quieter than the old Michelin's. But the ride is about the same. Has a bit more directional stability. So I'm happy. Drive tires go on next week. Bought at Les Schwab just over the Oregon border (Milton-Freewater)
Load charts are a valuable resource. When I was trucking with FedEx. I always had a harsh ride. Called Michelin tech center. He asked what my twin screw drive axle max weights were. As FedEx runs really light. It was 18,000 Lbs max on twin drives (8 tires) Michelin recommended going from 100 PSI to 70. My Kenworth road like a car after that. Nice!
But the old timers balked that I would do such a thing. ALWAYS run 100-110 PSI was what they said. Or disaster would follow.
I had the same results going to the H rated tires . The load charts have me at the very bottom and at 70 ish pressures. There is a good chance that the G rated tires would be a better choice for the lighter GV Busses with sub 9000# load on the nose . IMHO. I am sure that the bigger tires have cost me at least .5 MPG between the lower pressures and heavier tires. The G tires tracked better at the 10 # higher pressures while the H tires steer poorly at anything over 85#. Both are the same Chinese tires , simply bigger H rated version of the same tires.
I am very happy with the tires with some toe and lower pressures . Bead ballanced.
and you will wonder why you took so long to add the Koni FSD's
Thanks for the report! Well done
Tim Fiedler
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Chuck, do you have a link to your Toyo inflation chart?
Here you go T-Man.
http://www.toyotires.com/media/2155/2017_commercial_loadandinflation_tables.pdf
If one looks at those charts for our tire sizes (295/75R22.5) there are two weight charts for the same tire size. I called Toyo customer service. They said that they do have a few of the 16 ply tires that are rated to 125 PSI. That would be denoted as the bottom most chart line of the two indentical tire size lines. They said that the vast majority of their 14 & 16 ply tires are rated at 120 PSI. So in the end. We need to verify which tire you have as shown on the max PSI rating on the side wall. Mine are 120 max PSI.
I weighed my coach today. Full fuel tank. but empty of any fresh, waste, black water. 10,100 front/ 18,000 rear.
Thanks for the info Bigdog. I looked at my tires today and see that I have the 125psi version. They are also stamped "made in Japan."
We have the M177 made in Japan version,g rated,with the 1 lb beads.
I have Toyo M-154's (245/75R22.5) on my coach and I'm happy with them. No issues whatsoever in 2-3 years.
Switched from Michelin and saved a ton.
My coach came with Toyo's. At first I was a bit hesitant due to some negative reviews I read online on them. Haven't driven any real miles on the coach yet, but the few I did they felt fine. Going on a road trip starting tomorrow and we will have a better idea, but without having both Michelin and Toyo's, really can't say. Glad you like them.
I have 177s on the front 8k on them no complaints 295 75 LR H
I'd be interested in how many miles/years you guys get out of Toyos. I tried them once, and the tread wore out very quick, even though everything was balanced and front end aligned.
You wore out a set of tires on a coach?
Our coach had Toyos all round went we got it, that was 43,000 mls ago. I put new Toyos on the front 20,000+ mls ago. I run at 90lbs on all corners and with a full tank of fresh water, it wallows along like a MB Grosser lol
IN MY PRIME, SONNY! When we had to move the Airstream on, she had 285,000 on her. When we bought it, it had 28,000 original. ^.^d
If it wallows, you probably need to bump up the pressures. Check alignment, shock condition first. We have Toyos on our ML320 MBZ. They are quiet, last a long time, handle very well with out being harsh even at close to max pressures. Will buy again.
The Coopers on our U300 have 40K plus and show no wear at all.
Pierce
Good for you.
Were you on the lam with seven story bus? :))
Nope, traveling in the Land Rover then ('74/ '75) with Goodyear tires that I ran bald with no blowouts!
When we lived in England we had a variety of vehicles amongst them a Cooper S with a blueprinted motor a Lotus Elan and a Morgan. With that lineup in mind everything that weighs more than 4,000 lbs wallows. Maybe 5,000 lbs. LOL
Mick