New Steer Tires

Topic: New Steer Tires (Read 1439 times) previous topic - next topic

New Steer Tires

March 30, 2016, 05:19:37 pm

Newbie (to FT but owned a Monaco Dynasty for 12 years)--just bought 99 U295. Way old Michelins on it. 275/80R/22.5. Put on 6 new Hankooks same size 16 ply. Problem: Steer tires when at about a 45 deg angle start binding up against the steel plate on which air bag is mounted. Installer says same size and what I asked for so I have a problem. Obviously I have a different opinion. But---does anyone have ideas about why the difference? I think the take offs were on the coach for 6-7 years and they gave no problem in trip from NAC to Kerrville where I am now. Help!

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #1 – March 30, 2016, 05:35:49 pm

Dspoor,

Welcome to the ForeForum.

Have you verified RIDE HEIGHT?

And, is it only at extreme cut angles? If so, you may need to set the steering stops (mechanical on steering knuckles) and then the Sheppard steering box cut out (easy external adjustment).

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #2 – March 30, 2016, 05:42:50 pm

The 275 80 R 22.5 sized has the same diameter as the 295 75R 22.5.

BUT, the 295 80R 22.5 is a larger diameter size. This size would possibly rub as you have described.

My Hankook 295 75R 22.5 have been fine for years.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #3 – March 30, 2016, 08:05:39 pm

In a gravel parking lot I'd have someone turn the steering wheel stop to stop while standing next to the wheel to observe how much rub you have. If the rub is small a grinder to the bottom base plate has been the answer for some folks.

I had tires installed at a small tire place in Atlanta, TX a few years back on the way to Nac. Didn't notice the rub till I got to FOT and cut it hard to back into a spot there. Called the tire place and told them about the rub. They immediately apologized profusely and said they would call me back. An hour later they called and said bring it back and they will change out for different tires. No charge. Drove back up and they did just that. No rub with the replacement tires. Was pretty impressed that such a small shop would do that. Sometimes you get lucky...

see ya
ken

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #4 – March 30, 2016, 09:48:49 pm

I installed 6 new Michelin 275/80-22.5 XZE's ..... we just replaced the airbags also. While the fenders were off I noticed we only had MAYBE a 1/4" clearance on the steers from the bottom plate of the rear front bag. This distance does not change with ride height, bottom bag is attached to frame that attaches the front I beam. plenty of clearance when wheels are straight.

Possibly the Hankooks are slightly larger in diameter? Deeper tread? just a thought.

I did notice that the bottom air bag plates do not appear to be exactly centered on the steel tube they are welded to. The bottom nuts on a couple were so close on one side that a socket would not go on, had to use a open end wrench, while the other nut had more than enough clearance. This could make the clearance less if the plate was too far forward of center.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #5 – March 30, 2016, 11:20:41 pm

I have read posts about this problem with tires other than Michelin. Some brands are a bit larger in diameter even though the label size is the same. Should be checked before leaving the dealer, but I have made similar mistakes, like today asked for 2" screws and later found I was given 1 1/2". The dealer should replace the tires or maybe shave off some thread. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDZP-f_CpRk If it is just rubbing a little, maybe not much to worry about as it only happens occasionally.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #6 – March 31, 2016, 11:52:40 am

jerry, I read as I think you, he did not change tire sizes, such as to a 295, but is seeing a brand of tire difference as making this new contact with the air bag plate. (I have a small rub with 275/80s)

If I understand that correctly, I wonder what one finds if searching tire brands? I guess I thought regardless of brand all tires of the same size designations were the same in all dimensions? If not, then to the continuing topic of replacing 275s with 295s, where even the 295/75/22.5 is questionable, maybe brand is the key?

I had 295s on another coach but 275s now. Would like to go to 295s but even the 275s will rub on this coach just a tad in hard turn.

interesting problem Dspoor has encountered, hope dealer helps him. Were they put on in Nac? If so where, have an idea help if one dealer there. Sending him pm on that.

mike

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #7 – May 07, 2016, 01:41:54 pm

David, I know this tire rubbing is a worrisome thing and after we met I have tried to find the real dimensions. That has been difficult for me with Hankook web site. Probably it exists to compare the 12R22 I think you got versus the Michelin 275/80/22.5 but I am not even sure I have the size right for you.

But I have this....my coach has front tire to air spring plate clearance of 1 and 6/16 inches on the back side of the tire and on the front of the wheel/tire it is 1 and 9/16 inch. Just data, not much more. That is the best, most it can be, i.e. the tires pointed straight ahead.

I did find however that the RPM for my Michelin is stated as 517 whereas IF I found your tire on the internet correctly, it is 486.

I am too lazy today to calculate what that might mean in overall diameter differences and thus clearance differences. Kinda wonder if even significant. I think the dealer should have checked the tire after install, IMHO

Hope you get on the road as you plan

mike

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #8 – May 08, 2016, 08:29:19 am

Hankook USA

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #9 – May 09, 2016, 02:13:23 pm

Michael: Thanks for continued interest and research but it is all academic now Next week I will trade in the two Hankooks with a credit of about 60% of what I paid for them and replace with Michelin 275//80 XZA3s. I do not think the tire dealer has any responsibility as they put on exactly what I asked for. If anyone should have checked before the tires went on the ground it was me. Lesson learned. My advice to anyone looking at a coach who expects/intends to put on new tires but avoid the Michelin premium is to be prepared to do this: Have the tire installer order in 2 of each of the available alternatives (I can think of 5) and 2 Michelins in the size wanted and use his shop bay and staff to keep changing out until finding the brand with least rubbing. Then order 4 more of that brand. Kinda like buying shoes at a shoe store ,and I'm sure the dealer will cooperate at no additional charge. Or just bite the bulletin and order the Michelins!

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #10 – May 09, 2016, 03:02:53 pm

I am tire shopping. The dealer said Michelin XZA 3+ have been discontinued. Some at be in the pipeline. Any one else heard this?

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #11 – May 09, 2016, 03:34:23 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – May 09, 2016, 03:02:53 pm

I am tire shopping. The dealer said Michelin XZA 3+ have been discontinued. Some at be in the pipeline. Any one else heard this?

My unexpert info is that these are produced in seasonal runs.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #12 – May 09, 2016, 04:24:05 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – May 09, 2016, 03:02:53 pm

I am tire shopping. The dealer said Michelin XZA 3+ have been discontinued. Some at be in the pipeline. Any one else heard this?

I just got a pair of these last week, being installed next week. They had a 2016 date code and the distributor had a bunch of them.

My tires still have a couple of years left per the date codes (2012) but I gouged a rear tire on the sidewall. I'm putting the pair of new tires on the front, and replacing the gouged tire with a former front tire. The other I'll keep as a spare.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #13 – May 09, 2016, 05:20:08 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – May 09, 2016, 03:02:53 pm

I am tire shopping. The dealer said Michelin XZA 3+ have been discontinued. Some at be in the pipeline. Any one else heard this?

Yup! According to Herman Power Rep in NAC, X Line (XLED) is replacing XZA3+.

It is time for new tires for our coach. I'm going to pay the premium price for Michelin brand. Alternate sizes and brands have worked for many folk, but as Dspoor noted, sometimes an alternate brand may _almost_ work.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #14 – May 09, 2016, 05:30:32 pm

OK, good to know the dealer is no BS. 6 Michelins, all in are about $1500 more then 6 Toyos. I am mostly concerned with handling, tracking, ride and durability. $1500 over 6 years is OK with me if they are a bit better on all counts. $1500 is nothing if there is a blowout. And how easy is it to get a Toyo in the middle of Wyoming?

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #15 – May 09, 2016, 06:32:08 pm

Resale best with Michelins

Titis great plenty of dealers across us No bad decisions

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #16 – May 09, 2016, 07:48:35 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – May 09, 2016, 05:30:32 pm

And how easy is it to get a Toyo in the middle of Wyoming?

I would think it would be easier to get a
295/75 Toyo being a more popular Truck tire.
No complaints with 6 yr. old M147 LRG Toyo's here.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #17 – May 09, 2016, 07:53:48 pm

As for a tire that almost worked, I have seen a Michelin that blew up through the floor and slapped the side of the passenger seat.

So spend your money on what works for you.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #18 – May 09, 2016, 10:48:08 pm

Rudy, why it blow?

Is there a scientific study and report you or other knows of that analyzes the various brands of tires and under what circumstances each fails?

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #19 – May 10, 2016, 12:50:27 am

Micheal,

Do not know why. But the owner is one of the most highly respected members here who is known for excellent maintenance and updates.

So it was not from lack of care or poor operating technique.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #20 – May 10, 2016, 06:50:42 am

Quote from: Doug W. – May 09, 2016, 07:48:35 pm

I would think it would be easier to get a
295/75 Toyo being a more popular Truck tire.

Based upon what I've heard and observed, I think the 295/75R22.5 size (from various manufacturers) is a more common tire size on semis than is the Michelin 275/80R22.5. However, I've also heard than more of the semis use Load Range G than use Load Range H and so I wonder how widely available the 275/75R22.5 tires are in Load Range H. Does anyone know?

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #21 – May 10, 2016, 10:26:08 am

I got that size lrh bridge stones from a local tire dealer/warehouse they were in stock at a larger warehouse so I waited one day but the truck only comes two days a week so that could mean 3 or 4 day wait

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #22 – May 10, 2016, 10:08:39 pm

I got a full set of new 295/75R/22.5 (H rated) for $1400 (mount/balanced). PO knows a guy who knows a guy. It's what was on the coach previously and since I'll be criss-crossing the West, wanted a common tire just in case.

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #23 – May 10, 2016, 10:12:00 pm

Chuck,

Tell us what brand and series tire you went with.

What is your opinion? Compared to what previous tire?

Re: New Steer Tires

Reply #24 – May 10, 2016, 10:14:21 pm

Opinion will have to wait. Tires changed from cracked-sided tires that have sat for a while. My first trip will be next month to San Diego and can report then.

Affiliate Notice