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Topic: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic) (Read 6390 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from What degree of cracki...

Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

I personally think that Michelin Tires are way overpriced and the program does not give a "deal" as many think. There are lots of tires out there made by other companies that will give you as good a ride etc as them and the one thing I have trouble with is that most change their tires way before they are needed. Talking too different tire dealers have all said the same thing, Michelin are well known to have sidewall cracking well before others, and they give a nice soft ride but are way overpriced.
The Toyo dealer  Les Schwab in Oroville just over the border here said they will give a full life warranty (prorated) against sidewall cracking on Toyo's but not on Michelin. I am putting the Firestone FS591s on the Duals and the Toyo Rep from head office back east recommended them as a direct replacement for the M147 which I cannot get here in Canada. In fact Toyo Canada cannot get any of the Tires I would like for maybe 6 months. Buying in US adds $105.00 for us canadians to every tire bought there.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #1
"I personally think that Michelin Tires are way overpriced" I think so too.
 I put 6 new Toyo's last July and they ride great!  We have Toyo's on all of our cars.
I would change RV front tires every six years and drive tires every eight years regardless of the low mileage.
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #2
When I bought my coach it had Toyo on the front.  Did drive well.  Powers Tire in Nacogdoches gave me twice as much for the 2 Toyo tires over the Michelins on the rear.  Not sure of the age of the Toyos but they had no cracks.  Just wanted all the same. Would feel fine about buying Toyo tires.  Powers highly recommends.  DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #3
I have Bridgestones on my 95 and am having no problems.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #4
A lot more excellent tires out there that are not mentioned here.  I don't watch any kind of TV  commercial (that's what remotes are for) or read magazine ads but a lot of folks must.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #5
A lot more excellent tires out there that are not mentioned here.  I don't watch any kind of TV  commercial (that's what remotes are for) or read magazine ads but a lot of folks must.

Pierce
What would be your top 5 for performance / durability / price
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #6
One thing I think helps the life and safety of any tire setup is the well discussed here use of dry air or dry nitrogen when filling or adjusting the tire pressure.

I have seen rusted inner carcasses on Rv tires that failed many times.

I think it was mentioned hers but just in case it has slipped from current thought I want to restate the importance of keeping any water out of the tire.

The Michelin tire mounting liquid requires dilution with water according to its data.

No way personally.  Truck tires wear out.  Rv tires age out.

So I bought a tub of this to supply whoever mounts my tires a non water based lube.

http://www.myerstiresupply.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=479&info=4-1-2-Lb-Myers-Lube-

Look at the data sheet.  No water.  No rust.

$30 is cheap insurance for a $4k set of tires
"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: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #7
I have BF Goodrich on the U280, very good service, good ride and lots cheaper than the big M.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #8
Do new Foretravels still come with Michelins?    I guess, if so, it because they get a better price for them than any competitor tires?  Or do they believe they are better?

And what about competitor motorhomes, what do they have?  Newmar web site says Michelin or Goodyear.  Newell says Michelin, as does Foretravel Phenix.  Not checked any others.

Gotta wonder why, maybe because they think that is what we expect, not because of any real quality differences.

mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #9
Do new Foretravels still come with Michelins?    I guess, if so, it because they get a better price for them than any competitor tires?  Or do they believe they are better?
The new 2015 ih45's listed for sale on Foretravel's website show Michelin tires. The new 2015 Realm's also show Michelin tires.
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #10
The main reason for the Foretravel's and the others offering Michelin as original equipment is not because they may be better, but because they have a much greater load capacity at a  lower inflation rate.  As an example I have Michelin 295-80-22.5  Energy tires on my coach.  At 110lbs inflation In the front tires they have 500lbs  greater load capacity than Toyo's.  Those of you with lighter coaches this probably doesn't mean anything but after 40,000 lbs of actual weight it makes a whole lot of ride difference.  On the duels of the drive wheels there is again about 500 lbs difference of load capacity at same rate of inflation with the Toyos.  So with the Michelin tires the manufactures can give a smoother softer ride than with other brands, and have a safe safety margin with the huge  weights they now carry. By the way that's almost 1000 lbs carry capacity on the drive wheels alone!

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #11
How do the Goodyear Rv specific tires compair to Michelin regards price and load rating
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #12
How do the Goodyear Rv specific tires compair to Michelin regards price and load rating

For load rating, charts on the manufacturers website (see links below and be sure you are comparing same size and LR):

http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf

Michelin RV Tires | View Michelin RV Tires load and inflation tables for...

For LRH 275/80R22.5 Goodyear require slightly higher inflation pressure to achieve same load capacity, maybe 5 psi.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #13
Quote
For LRH 275/80R22.5 Goodyear require slightly higher inflation pressure to achieve same load capacity, maybe 5 ps

5 to 10 psi more for equivalent load for Continental.

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #14
The over the road truckers are getting 220-300k miles out of the xza-3's before being below 5/32's tread depth and Michelin guarantees 700k casing life and three retreads.

They are on national back order it seems.

Obviously not our issue but I do intend to get a full ten years out of my next set with dry lube for installation and dry air/nitrogen in the tire.

Worth it to me. 

We normally have six aluminum rims so the inner duals do not run as hot as the steel inner wheel brands according to my TPMS temp/pressure gurus gauge.  Heat kills the tires quicker it seems.

Bill mentioned 15-20 more degrees temp buildup on steel inners and a corresponding pressure increase with the higher temps.

His setup attaches to the rim with the tires dismounted and sends the pressure and temp for each wheel.  One relates directly to the other he says...

$1500 system plus wiring plus tire removal.  One more thing to monitor while driving....
"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: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #15
I really like my Bridgestones. I think this is what I will be using in the near future. Ours are eight years old and look like new. I think most tire blowouts I have seen on the forum have been Michelins. I like them on my Mercedes but I don't think they are the best for RVers on a budget. I found this link someone posted here to be informative. It matches what the tire expert told me at a Lazy Days seminar.
Top 10 Best Commercial Truck Tire Brands. | This is just the beginning of...

Mark
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Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #16
I really like my Bridgestones. I think this is what I will be using in the near future.

275/80R22.5 comes up with "unable to find any matches" when I do a search for that size on http://www.bridgestonetrucktires.com/us_eng/truck_radials/index_2.asp

Which Bridgestone model are you running?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #17
My understanding is 275/80R22.5 is a Michelin size.  The Bridgestone 295/75R22.5's are very close in size, easier to get, and a bit less expensive from dealers in my area.
2019 Pleasure Way Lexor

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #18
275/80R 22.5 is a valid size.  Go to the BF Goodrich web site and use their selector.  Two tires will come up in that size.  I have the ST231's on the U280
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #19
Correction--- the tire I have is the BF Goodrich ST230.  They also have the ST244in that size.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #20
Which Bridgestone model are you running?

Michelle, I think they are R280's but I will look tomorrow and post the exact one's I have. I don't know if they still sell the same one. The Bridgestone site is down right now.

Mark
The selected media item is not currently available.
Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #21
25 years in the trucking and motorsports businesses, I would say that Michelin are the best tires. But it most cases are not worth what they cost given the quality of brands like Bridgestone.
Andy 1989 U300 40'

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #22
I appreciate deals can be found on both Michelin and Bridgestone , but what is the average price difference ?
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #23
Which Bridgestone model are you running?

Michelle,
  I looked at my tires for you today. They are R280 Low Profile Radials. Size is 295/75R 22.5. I don't see them on the web site. Their is a R283 in that size called the Escopia. I will have to ask the tire experts what is similar to mine today.
Mark
The selected media item is not currently available.
Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic)

Reply #24
Our '97 U295 has run the Toyo  M147 in size 295/75R22.5 in load range G for seven years.  There have been no issues with the tires.  The handling is fine under all conditions.  I've some very small weather checking which is presently inconsequential.  The tires have plenty of reserve weight capacity for our GVWR. These tires have exactly the same weight/pressure rating as the Michelin XZA3 in 280/75R22.5. This year I expect to start pricing replacements.  I got this set from a local Les Schwab dealer who beat any price around Sacramento.  I believe it was the best tire for the money at the time.  My experience with Les Schwab service is excellent. I ordered the tires at 3:45pm on a Thursday, and they arrived at 9:00am Friday morning shipped from their warehouse in Prineville, OR.  The six tires were $2151.06 out the door with rebuilt valve stems and all taxes.  I'll certainly check out the Goodyears too. 
Bob Thomas
Sacramento, CA
Present:  1997 U320 '40
Previous: 1997 U295 '36
Bluegrass fan, and festival emcee