Skip to main content
Topic: Michelin vs. Toyo vs. Continental, etc. (split from tire cracking topic) (Read 7326 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from What degree of cracki...

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

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.

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 ?

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

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. 

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

Reply #25
Bob, those Toyos are the ones I wanted but cannot get here in Canada. I agree totally with your comment on L Schwab and 4 of the 147 are now $2200 US (quote for me) but $2684 cndn. This is for H 16 ply but it is only a few Dollars extra than the G.
I have the 147 on the front and they are 2 yrs old.
JohnH

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

Reply #26
Bob, Have you had any problems with clearance in the wheel wells and or height of tires. I have a 1999 U295 that is running Michelin 275 / 80R 22.5's and am not sure about changing to the 295 / 75R 22.5's. I have read a lot on the forum about tire size changing but do not know who to talk to that has changed there size of tire with out problems. I would like to go to the Toyo.
Thanks

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

Reply #27
Bob, Have you had any problems with clearance in the wheel wells and or height of tires. I have a 1999 U295 that is running Michelin 275 / 80R 22.5's and am not sure about changing to the 295 / 75R 22.5's. I have read a lot on the forum about tire size changing but do not know who to talk to that has changed there size of tire with out problems. I would like to go to the Toyo.


Do not know about the toyo's, but I put 295/75r 22.5's goodyears on my 99 without any problems. Difference in height is
very small, and does not affect clearance with airbag mounts.

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

Reply #28
Don, As I recall, the M147 Toyo 295/75R22.5 is 0.1 inches taller in Inflated Overall Diameter (40.2) than the Michelin 280/80R22.5 (40.1).  Here are the specs on the Toyo: M147 Commercial Truck & Trailer Tire | Steer Position | Toyo Tires
There is not much room between the tire tread and the air bag mount.  Nothing touches or rubs in travel mode.  But this brings to mind a possible issue.  When parked for a week with the 12v off, not in "Level" mode, the coach comes down to rest on the tires.  Is that normal?  Is there a stop somewhere to prevent the coach coming down on the tires?  Or, does that 0.1 inches in diameter actually matter? 

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

Reply #29
The coach is designed to sit on the tires when not aired up.

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

Reply #30
Don et al, I have been running the Toyo 295s on the front of our U295 without any rubbing so do not see it as an issue.
JohnH

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

Reply #31
The coach is designed to sit on the tires when not aired up.
In my 1995 U-300 there is no structure over the tires to support the weight of the rig and I suspect  yours is the same. The construction consists of a thin piece of fiberglass and  rigid foam. The weight of the rig will crush the foam and allow the fiberglass panel to open at the edge. Poor design in my book. I never let the rig sit on the tires. I will be looking for a slightly smaller diameter tire next time around.

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

Reply #32
In my 1995 U-300 there is no structure over the tires to support the weight of the rig and I suspect  yours is the same. The construction consists of a thin piece of fiberglass and  rigid foam. The weight of the rig will crush the foam and allow the fiberglass panel to open at the edge. Poor design in my book. I never let the rig sit on the tires. I will be looking for a slightly smaller diameter tire next time around.


Before I went that route, I'd be looking at how to mount polyurethane bump stops on the frame member to keep the frame from members from getting that close together. 

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

Reply #33
Thanks to all. I will do a little more measuring and comparing tire sizes.

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

Reply #34
102" vs 96" makes a difference on the rear when the bags lose air. The 96" coach may rub the edges of the fenders as the bags deflate. All coaches will allow the tire to make contact with the top of the fender well with a deflated bag whether a 275/80-22.5 or a 295/75. Front tires may rub at certain coach angles and turns on the air bag plates on both 295/75 or 275/80 but no harm will be done unless there has been damage from an accident.

Yes, the factory should have installed stops to prevent the tires touching with bags deflated. Also, makes a significant rub problem if the coach is towed without bags inflated. A big rear air bag leak may allow the rear tire to touch the top of the wheel well as the remaining bag may not be strong enough to keep coach up even with the bad bag air hose capped. Easy to make stops if you have time and resources.

The diameter difference between brands of the same size will be greater than any diameter difference between 295/75 and 275/80. This means a 0.1" difference is of no consequence.

Pierce

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

Reply #35
This also means that if the parking brake springs were caged for towing but the air pressure was not restored to normal, the top of the fender well could be damaged and a fire could be started from the tire interference.

Going to a smaller diameter tire would not solve the contact problem but would change speedo and odo readings, effect performance and may not have the load carrying capacity needed.

Pierce

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

Reply #36
Well finally got the FS 591s installed on duals along with balance and stems. Thought I would try to sell the old casings but the tire guy showed me that side wall around the Michelin Man was almost thru (the cut out figure) so timing was perfect for new shoes. Sprayed the slide pins while I could get at the top caliper with wheel off and they are fine. Pads are about 3/4" thick. The date code on insides show mid 2003 and outside ones 2006 so I got the PO monies worth out of them. Feel better now for our big trip in Sept till maybe march.
JohnH