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Topic: Is it my imagination? Much better handling with new steer tires? (Read 483 times) previous topic - next topic

Is it my imagination? Much better handling with new steer tires?

I had two Michelins tires installed on the front today and it seems like it handled noticeably better. The XZA's that I replaced were 3 years old.

I had a gouge on a rear outer tire. I bought 2 new ones for the front and moved one of the old fronts moved to the back to replace the bad tire. I kept the other as a spare.

Tire pressure was the same. I run 100 in the front and 90 on the rear.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Is it my imagination? Much better handling with new steer tires?

Reply #1 –
I've had XZA-1+ on the coach for six years. I've been told that the XZA-3+ is a better steer tire. Did you switch tire models?

I plan to replace tires next month. My dealer told me that XZA-3+ is now obsolete and the replacement is called X Line. I'm waiting for the dealer to get X Line LRH.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Is it my imagination? Much better handling with new steer tires?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
I've had XZA-1+ on the coach for six years. I've been told that the XZA-3+ is a better steer tire. Did you switch tire models?

I plan to replace tires next month. My dealer told me that XZA-3+ is now obsolete and the replacement is called X Line. I'm waiting for the dealer to get X Line LRH.

I did. Old tires were pilot XZA's. New tires are XZA 3's. Date code was 12/15. I paid 554.00  per tire. If they are obsolete I probably  have a,good excuse to go ahead and replace the 4 rear tires so I have all the same. 😀
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Is it my imagination? Much better handling with new steer tires?

Reply #3 –
I am extremely critical about the handling and ride stuff as this was how the prospective customers judged my coaches.

And paid for them proportionally as far as profits for my store.

I noticed the same noticeable difference. 

With the heavier unicoach I am running "h"'s at 100/90
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Is it my imagination? Much better handling with new steer tires?

Reply #4 –
I do not think it is your imagination. On the way South, I purchased new "steer tires" as the Michelin XRV were 11 years old, with a few very small sidewall cracks. No Michelins in stock and was assured the Goodrich were just as good. After 800 miles I put the steer tires on the tag and the 5 year old Michelins on the front. The difference was night and day. The Goodrich were all over the road and the Michelins tracked effortlessly. This was on my SOB 19 1/2 tires.
2000  42 U320 DGFE full body paint/modified front lower cap, Build# 5742
2004 C-RV Toad
Tom and Mary, Trouble & Mr. Pants
 

Re: Is it my imagination? Much better handling with new steer tires?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: crosscountry –
I do not think it is your imagination. On the way South, I purchased new "steer tires" as the Michelin XRV were 11 years old, with a few very small sidewall cracks. No Michelins in stock and was assured the Goodrich were just as good. After 800 miles I put the steer tires on the tag and the 5 year old Michelins on the front. The difference was night and day. The Goodrich were all over the road and the Michelins tracked effortlessly. This was on my SOB 19 1/2 tires.

If memory serves me from long ago in Michelin "x"'s original ads  they talked about the parallel steel cord belts in their design.

The other tires then and maybe now had /have criss cross belts in their carcass. 

Seems the touted difference was the tire was designed to go straight versus wander.

Looked inside many blown up/worn out motorhome tires long ago just to see if the carcass matched the handling noticed.

My non expert inspection seemed to match then. 

The other thing noticeable was the other tires had a overlapped inner carcass assembly.

Michelin's had no overlap in the construction.  No "dimple" in the side wall.

The overlap had a "bump" in the ride as the tires wore down

No idea how this info is currently but just my old info.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4