H rated vs G rated tires

Topic: H rated vs G rated tires (Read 3254 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #50 – March 22, 2015, 01:32:52 am

Don, the Michelins are $479 for G and $495 for H verses $394 for the HSL2 continentals. That's not including tax,stems and balancing( which I don't need ) because of the centermatics. Am waiting for a call from them when the next shipment comes in.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #51 – March 22, 2015, 01:35:11 am

Forgot to add this is from TCI in Lakeside. They have an in house discount program for the Conties.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #52 – March 22, 2015, 02:57:58 am

Thanks for the info Richard, the TCI in Lakeside is where I got the Michelins on the front with the FMCA discount. It was a pretty good experience, compared to some other types of service that I have had

I would go back there again, and like will when we need drive tires, though I will probably look to get another couple of years out of the Toyos on the back before I change them out as they were new in 2011.
Don

Quote from: rbark – March 22, 2015, 01:35:11 am

Forgot to add this is from TCI in Lakeside. They have an in house discount program for the Conties.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #53 – March 22, 2015, 09:04:58 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – March 21, 2015, 04:06:24 pm

On a motorhome, you will ABSOLUTELY want steer tires on all wheels.
Off road traction/aggressive snow traction is not something you are looking for (I don't think).

I'm really hoping someone with experience with steer vs drive tires and vehicle tracking differences between the two will comment as requested. Michelin recommends steer tires at steer position, traction tires in traction position. They also allow steer tires to be used in drive position. I want to know which tracks straighter, don't need to be told what I ABSOLUTELY want.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #54 – March 22, 2015, 01:12:22 pm

Don, glad to hear that about the service. Would of gotten the Michelins but are on back order and no telling when they'll come in.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #55 – March 22, 2015, 01:22:32 pm

Quote from: Chuck Pearson – March 22, 2015, 09:04:58 am

I'm really hoping someone with experience with steer vs drive tires and vehicle tracking differences between the two will comment as requested. Michelin recommends steer tires at steer position, traction tires in traction position. They also allow steer tires to be used in drive position. I want to know which tracks straighter, don't need to be told what I ABSOLUTELY want.

My reading of the michelin charts published shows that the second letter in this case a "z" denotes the axle or use. The "z" is all position I suppose allowing rotation within wear limits.

The Oem tires were all position.

There would seem to be a real reason why Brent would state "absolutely" to run the all position tires on the coach.

He's probably busy at the FMCA rally today across town from us being the moderator for the technical "ask the experts" group there.

I have never seen dis similar axle location tires mounted on any Rv in 30 years in the biz but you could be the tester?

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #56 – March 22, 2015, 01:41:53 pm

No, I'm hoping to avoid being the tester. If you've not seen it in 30 years then I'll accept the fact that there is no advantage to tracking in using traction tires. I'm sure Brett has a good reason for his recommendation also. My apologies for the curt response, I like knowing the reasoning behind decisions.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #57 – March 22, 2015, 03:16:25 pm

Don't think too many RV's see logging roads...would be my WAG.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #58 – March 23, 2015, 04:12:04 pm

Load range "H" verses "G" - Why the debate?

Michelin publishes safe load ratings at various psi in tables for each tire they sell.
Michelin engineers and manufactures tires with a safety margin.
Early Foretravel U320 motorhomes (without slides) have GAWR where the maximum weight on a tire will be 6000 pounds on a front tire.
Michelin 275 80R22.5 "G" has a maximum single tire weight rating of 6175 pounds (was more in the past).
Michelin RV Tire load/psi tables indicate running 105psi front and 95psi rear on my 1996 U320.
Michelin Truck Tire load/psi tables indicate running 100psi front and 90psi rear on my 1996 U320.
I believe that Michelin has added 5psi to RV tables because many motorhome owners run low pressure. This low pressure results from never checking the pressure in their tires. Running low pressure has resulted in more failed tires on RV's than on Trucks.

Michelin "H" rated tires have a thicker, stiffer sidewall and ride harder than "G" rated tires at the same pressure. Other manufacturers tires ride different than Michelins.

Unless you drive over curbs with your rear tires, or drive on rough, uneven roads (i.e. logging roads) there is little benefit to "H" tires if "G" tires are recommended for your coach and your coach is load balanced (i.e. same load on each front tire, and same load on each rear dual).

Most truckers run "G" tires because road traffic laws limit the weight that a 275 80R22.5 tire can carry.
Most truckers do not run "H" tires, so "H" tires are not as available as "G" tires.
I run "G" tires because I trade them in every three years and truckers do not want "H" tires (this is what the dealer told me).

The load carried on driver side verses the passenger side and maintaining correct pressure in your tires are far more important then "H" verses "G" tires. Weigh every corner of your coach and move things around to obtain even side to side loading. I had my coach weighed at a Good Sam Rally, by Pete's. They weighed it twice because they thought they had made a mistake. The load difference in rear duals: 200 pounds, in front 100 pounds. They told me that most coaches they weight are 1000 to 3000 pounds heavier on one side. To achieve this even loading, I moved two 8D coach batteries from behind driver seat to behind passenger rear dual. I also put the heavy things on the passenger side in the basement and in the kitchen.

I have spin on pressure gauges on every tire and check the pressures at every stop.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #59 – March 23, 2015, 04:35:55 pm

The thicker sidewalls on the "H's" ride that much difference?

My xza-1 g's are at 108 on the front. If I ran H's I would be at 100 psi.

I would have thought the lower pressure might offset the stiffer tire.

What do you think?

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #60 – March 23, 2015, 04:50:55 pm

Which ones do you recommend, Wyatt?

best, paul

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #61 – March 23, 2015, 05:28:39 pm

On my coach LRG tires have insufficient capacity at max psi for the GAWR on the front axle. Even though I am not at that weight in the front it seems reasonable to use LRH at a lower psi + a cushion for the actual wt.

LRG has 6175 at max psi x 2 = 12,350 lbs capacity for the front axle. On mine the GAWR in front is 13,880 lbs.

At the same psi LRH rides stiffer than the LRG. What about when you adjust pressure for the wt between the two? LRH is going to be lower psi. Shouldn't that adjust the ride?

Thanks for the feedback on this issue. I am buying tires in the next 6-9 months so it is timely. Seems to me to meet the GAWR I need LRH in front and could get by with LRG in the rear. It just doesn't make sense to me to put on a tire that cannot carry the rated axle capacity.

Roger

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #62 – March 24, 2015, 01:45:12 pm

Michelin tire pressure/load charts a few years ago indicated that the "H" tire required the same pressure as the "G" tire for a given weight. Now Michelin charts indicate a lower pressure for the "H" tire than the "G" tire for a given weight.
I am not sure that the ride difference between a Michelin "H" tire and a Michelin "G" tire would be noticeable.
I do know that the ride difference between tires from different manufacturers is very noticeable.

Our coaches when fully loaded have the same load on the tires. I believe 108 is too high in your front tires. I run 100psi and check the temperatures often with an infrared temperature gauge when fully loaded. However, if running the wrong pressure, too high is better than too low.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #63 – March 24, 2015, 02:05:30 pm

That previous comment about 108psi being to high was for Caflashbob. To confirm if 108psi is too high, measure the tread depth at various point across the tire tread after 5,000 or 10,000 miles. If the tread depth in the center of the tread is less than the tread depth near the edges of the tread, 108psi is too high. The last set of tires I traded in (15,000 miles) had very even tread depth across the tread with 100psi front and 90psi rear.

Those of you with slides will have much higher loading on your tires than my old coach and you must run tires which the manufacturer indicates can carry that increased weight.

I run "G" tires front and rear because I carry a mounted spare tire in the front basement cargo bay.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #64 – March 24, 2015, 03:43:40 pm

Just got off the phone with a TCI tire center outlet near L.A. to get a price on the Continental HSL2 LRH. The guy said he thought Continental may have discontinued the HSL2. I told him we were FMCA members.
He had HSR2 LHR 275/80RX22.5 in stock and quoted $4067 out the door which included new valve stems, mounting, balancing all six tires (not sure balancing the rears is necessary) and disposal fee for the old tires. Not positive but I think he said $558/ea. He said the HSR2 was probably more forgiving than the HSL2 and would probably handle better on non-interstate roads, possibly because it has stiffer sidewalls.
The current FMCA Michelin Advantage program price for the XZA3+, MSPN# 39174 is $538.26 + 34.59 FET.
The local outfit that currently has a stock of XZA3+ is charging $428 or $482 for labor which I believe covers everything but the cost of the tires and fet. I say believe, because I can't find where I wrote the quote. Anyways, I roughly figured it will cost between $3900-4000 for all six out the door. The only draw back is that the date codes are approx. 3 months older than those for the Continentals. Of course we could always buy some XZEs. Jeeeeezzzze

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #65 – March 24, 2015, 03:54:27 pm

I know what you mean. Decisions, decisions!!

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #66 – March 24, 2015, 05:09:56 pm

I am in the market for new tires.

I will be going with H series tires.

My question is, since I run only in BC on winding two lane highways, should I buy a regional tire like the ZXE's or stick with the XZA3 that are on my coach now. I have no plans to make long trips south (not for a decade or so), so am I right in thinking the stiffer side wall of the ZXE will be a better choice for going around in circles and up and down the mountains of British Columbia.

PS. my 7 year old tires look brand new........but.

Steve

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #67 – March 24, 2015, 06:20:04 pm

Versus the 12,350 at 110 psi the calculated pressure is 108. Will verify tread depth as I have the gauge.

Went and measured. Backs are 12/32nds with variations of 1/32nd.

Fronts vary all over but the edges are worn more than the middles by 2-3 32nds.

One inside is down to six/32nds. 05 dated. Time for all six.

Then watch the tread depth and ir temp....

Was at 95 or so on the fronts when I got it. Unknown loading so who knows.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #68 – April 11, 2016, 05:03:10 pm

It is time for tire buying decision. I am FMCA member so I can buy tires through Michlein Fleet program.
I have 1996 FT 270, GAWR Front 12k, GAWR Rear 19k. OE tire size 275/80RX22.5

Current tires are 295/75R22.5 (Low Profile) Bridgestone R250. Mfg date of those tires range from 1504 to 2604 (2004).

I am looking into BF Goodrich ST244 in 275/80R22.5 (LRG) and the invoice price is $412 (per FMCA Fleet discount), is that good choice?

I have not weighted my coach loaded yet, but I think I might be pushing close to max (we are full timers so lot of stuff to bring).
Checking that tire specs and it is enough tire to meet my max GAWRs.

Thanks

Jamie
1996 FT 270 "Miss Blue J"

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #69 – April 11, 2016, 05:32:20 pm

jclak93

I've got those BFGs on my FT and had them on as the previous tires. Load range G easily well exceeds my axle load ratings so unless your FT is overloaded, they should be fine.

On the other hand, I've read that the ST244 is a rebadged version of an older Michelin design and it seems to have the same problem that I've seen on other Michelin tires which is early sidewall cracking/weather checking. I've noticed this on my pickup truck tires and RV tires so it seems to be due to Michelin's rubber formula. When I replaced my RV tires the last time, they showed plenty of weather checking/cracking but the tire guy didn't seem to think it was anything to worry about. I changed them out anyway. While talking to the guy changing out the tires, he indicated that there were much better tires on the market if I stepped up to 295/75R22.5. Just a heads up.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #70 – April 11, 2016, 06:11:56 pm

We have the BF Goodrich LRG tires on our coach from the PO. I don't have anything else to compare them to but they handle and ride well. For our coach LRG does not have the capacity for a fully loaded front axle. It is OK in the rear but not a lot of extra. New tires soon, LRH.

Before you buy be sure you get an accurate 4 corner weigh so that you know for sure. Assume someday that your axles could be fully loaded. Somehow stuff accumulates.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #71 – April 11, 2016, 07:19:29 pm

LRH in 275/80R22.5 or 295/75R22.5? Brett checked my coach recently and he did not see my old tires touching the air bags area.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #72 – April 11, 2016, 09:15:15 pm

Only buy Load Range H.

We have big coaches, weight shifts from side wind & highway turns and carrying capacity is lower when psi is below fill setting from higher altitude, cold days, and over time, not to mention carrying all our stuff. Small price to pay for tire safety.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #73 – April 11, 2016, 09:32:06 pm

I run Load Range G on my u270. I'm not even close to the tire capacity. I run 100psi all around too. Maybe a slight bit higher, but I like the extra margin.

Re: H rated vs G rated tires

Reply #74 – April 12, 2016, 01:46:22 am

Toyo tires works for me on all our vehicles.

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