Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 23, 2025 ...

Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

January 06, 2013, 11:14:50 pm

Argh -
 
I will be purchasing 6 new tires soon and would like to compile data, based on your experience's, to determine if there is a trend regarding the above Subject, and what the trend might be. Being an engineering type I realize the OEM reccommendation should not be taken lightly.  I also know that partnerships exist in business for reasons.........

Having finished reading "Discussions" and "Tech Talk", the topic of tires came up often and have seen that many keep the OEM stock tires/manufacturer and many have changed to another size/manufacturer - it appears most have changed manufacturers and sizes due to cost.  Others have changed to stiffen their ride.  Many of you have ground the corner of your air bag plates to accommodate an alternate size.  I thought it would be interesting to chart the results based on your choices.

You might think that I should have better things to do with my time.....but being a Quality Geek the thought will not go away and is feeding my OCD.  If this information is already available, please be so kind to direct me to the results/thread and I will consider the case closed and bother you no more on this topic. 

Thank you for your indulgence,

Scott 

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #1 – January 07, 2013, 12:32:16 am

We have Cooper 295/75-22.5 on our '93 U300. They replaced the stock 275/80-22.5 but are almost exactly the same diameter, just a different profile. They are a fairly stiff sidewall tire so the trade off is a little firmer ride but no side to side sway as found in more flexible sidewalls. They do hit on the air bag plates but I don't worry about it. About 25,000 miles and no noticeable wear. All 6 inflated to 110 lbs cold regardless of load. No balance or noise problems.

Have a Michelin 275/80-22.5 on an Alcoa for a spare in the compartment.

American company and this set was made in the U.S.

Pierce

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #2 – January 07, 2013, 05:41:51 am

Changed mine out to 295 75 R22.5 LR H Othsu (guite a few of the bus guys run them), made in Japan, no problems so far. Just couldn't go over 4K for Michelin's, the Othsu's where $2700.00 OTD and $400.00 credit for the old tires.. There a lot of good tires out there. And for most of us they are going to need to be replaced due to age way before they wear out, JMHO.

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #3 – January 07, 2013, 08:15:08 am

Scott,

Many, including us, stay with Michelin.  FMCA has a Fleet Discount program with Michelin.  If not a member, you can PM me for information-- I am moderator of the FMCA Forum and Chairman of the FMCA Technical Advisory Committee.

Tire Connection - Michelin Advantage Program

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #4 – January 07, 2013, 09:01:49 am

This is another area of highly opinionated Bull Hockey comes in many flavors.  Me, I use the Michelin correct size and run 105 psi front and 100 psi on drive axle.
The book readers will tell you that is way too much pressure, however the gear heads use a higher pressure.
I go for what is a better setup for the tire and handling than mushy ride.
Know there is a larger price for the correct tires, but if you want the quality you need to pay for it.
FWIW
 Dave M

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #5 – January 07, 2013, 11:05:13 am

when I bought my 735 i Bmw many years ago it came with Michelins so I thought that they must be good, after driving for a few years I got rid of them and put on Toyo's, what a difference to ride, grip etc. night and day and many friends that rode in it said in the snow my car rode better and safer than theirs,
fast forward years, I had to replace the front tiyres on FT last May and after much searching and talking to truckers etc I visited Ed Schram tyres in Washington State for their take. Toyo was the recommended one again so that I did. How does one tell if it was right at this time I do not know but they are fine by me and came a bit cheaper than FMCA price on Michelin.
I do not go by the priciest must be the best ( unless you are talking Bentley versus Ford etc) just like I use Amsoil over Transynd in Allison (and everywere else) and am happy I did. This is called my preference as it has proved itself to me. Car manufacturers use a specific tyre on their new vehicles because they get a better price on volume not because they are the best out there( they also do have to meet certain criteria of course for the vehicle). After that it is up to the owner to decide what fits his wants.
John H

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #6 – January 07, 2013, 11:10:40 am

John,

What size Toyo did you install on the U295? Any issues with clearance?

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Reply #7 – January 07, 2013, 11:29:51 am

I second Dave M, and replace them every 10 years.

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #8 – January 07, 2013, 12:24:01 pm

On my 93' U300 purchased in March of 2012, there are 275/80-22.5 Michelin XZA-1 pilot tires with a mfg date of 4105 that the PO put on after he bought it in 2006.  There's still lots of tread left with no visible signs of sidewall cracking, etc. There's only  a few thousand miles on them and I don't see any visible signs of uneven treadwear.  The PO did have the coach parked on the grass at his place,  but with plywood boards under the tires.  It is now parked on concrete with nothing under the tires.  The ride/steering is very good and they seem to be balanced well.  I did increase the inflation from 85/90 psi to 110 cold as Pierce has noted and the ride/handling is noticeably better. 

 Hopefully , this will help mpg a little and I can get a lot more miles out of them before age forces replacements.

Jerry

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #9 – January 07, 2013, 01:30:30 pm

I love Michelin's on my car and jeep but have seen so many Michelin blowouts on this forum and from others. I am a bit leery of the thin sidewalls for the coach over other brands with thicker sidewalls. I was told by a tire expert that parking on concrete is the worst for tire longevity. I have a slab but park on covered plywood. The previous owner put Bridgestone R280's on our coach and they seem to be very nice tires.

Mark Z

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #10 – January 07, 2013, 02:52:39 pm

Mark, I run the Bridgestone 280's also, handle great and a great ride going on 2 years.

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Reply #11 – January 07, 2013, 02:55:39 pm

Jerry, do you see any visible signs of cracking on the sidewalls.

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Reply #12 – January 07, 2013, 08:15:07 pm

Jimmy,

No signs of cracking but I think I will start putting the plywood boards back under the tires after reading mark Z's post. 

Jerry

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #13 – January 07, 2013, 10:12:46 pm

JD, no issue with clearance (I seem to remember these being .1" larger than the Michelins) and  they are the 295/75 M147 model.
Ride great and happy I made the change. When I do the rears it will be Toyo too.
John

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Re: Tire sizes, Manufacturer, year of coach, model#, length & why

Reply #14 – January 10, 2013, 07:09:54 pm

295/75R22.5 OTHSU (sp?)  Just put them on about 4000 miles ago and happy with them.  1989 U280 40'

Why? bought them from reputable local tire store that recommended them and they were considerably cheaper than the bigger brands.  $2869 with tax, new valves, mounted, and disposal for the old tires.

I will tell you in 9 more years if they were ok.

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