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Re: Tires

Reply #100
Remember that the DOTdate is only visible on the outer wall of the tire.

Well, it WILL be on only one sidewall.  Could be facing in or out depending on the installer.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Tires

Reply #101
Don't get me wrong about the Michelin tires.  They have good traction on wet and dry pavement and are quiet.  My problem happened in the storage lot where I keep the coach.  Level ground mostly dirt with some grass..  After a rain as I tried to leave the rear wheels were spinning, but I made it out.  Had to get a shovel and fill in the tracks, and I bought some large gravel (1.5 - 2") to go in the tracks under the coach where I park.  Haven't had a problem since then, but I haven't had to move the coach after a rain. 

Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Tires

Reply #102
Wolfe10 in reply #19 said:
"If cut angles put front tires close to suspension parts with the 275's stick with them or know you will have to adjust the Sheppard steering box (easy to do), as the 295 is slightly wider."

Ability to limit how far the steer tires move for steering by adjusting the Sheppard steering box depends on which box. I believe the U295s & U270s had manual adjustable stops, however, the U320 had "AUTO" cast into the case and they adjust automatically. So while limiting the steer tire movement to prevent rubbing with wider tires is possible with a manually adjusted steering box, it will not work with the "AUTO" adjustable steering box.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Tires

Reply #103
Bigdog- would you use General commercial tires on your coach also?  Why or why not?

I ask because I recently replaced the Michelins on my Subaru Outback ( they did not give me the mileage I expected from the tires).
I researched like crazy and had Discount Tire order me the General Altimax RT42 tires.  Have over 7000 miles on them now, just did the first rotation and very happy how they  are running.  Best part was that I got the set for $250 ( with some credit for not getting the mileage warranty on the Michelins).  That is a lot better than $600-$700 for a set of Michelins.

If the General commercial tires are as good, and less expensive, I would consider putting them on my coach when I replace tires in a couple of years.

Thanks for sharing your experience and opinions.        ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Tires

Reply #104

I ask because I recently replaced the Michelins on my Subaru Outback ( they did not give me the mileage I expected from the tires).
I researched like crazy and had Discount Tire order me the General Altimax RT42 tires.  Have over 7000 miles on them now, just did the first rotation and very happy how they  are running.  Best part was that I got the set for $250 ( with some credit for not getting the mileage warranty on the Michelins).  That is a lot better than $600-$700 for a set of Michelins.
I bought a set of Altimax tires for a comparable RAV4 and was very pleased with them. They handled really well, had excellent snow traction here in the Sierras. We were able to pass a couple of other AWD SUVs that were stuck in the middle of the road in a snowstorm. They did start to get a little noisy after about 30K but I have not had any that are not noisy after that many miles. I met another RAV4 owner who was also very pleased with their new set of Altimax tires.

I went with a taller set of Bridgestones last year to cut highway RPM. They are good but I liked the lower profile Altimax better for handling. The OEM Bridgestones did last 80K. Altimax almost that long. Noise gradually increased on both sets. Tried a set of other major brand but they were terrible. Softer ride but bad handling.

I usually use Tire Rack as they bring the tires to the house over the hill from Reno in less than a day. $80 for a local service station to mount, balance and dispose.

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

Re: Tires

Reply #105
I have got it down to 2 Michelin 275-80-22.5, X-Line Energy Z, or Toyo 295-75-22.5, model 177, which are almost $200.00 cheaper.
Any recommendations or comparisons??

John
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: Tires

Reply #106
The Michelin carries the same load at five pounds less pressure,

Directional sipes good till 50% of tread on the energys.

19/32 tread versus 18/32

Dual compound tire versus single.

Posters here have mentioned noticeable difference in ride quality at five pounds difference.

Michelin rates the new energy at 5% less rolling resistance than the Xza-3s I have.

The Xza-3+ we run require watching things more than the Xza-2's they replaced.  Coach slows down noticeably less in off throttle.

Keeps rolling. 

"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: Tires

Reply #107
I thoroughly enjoy my Toyos. I have 4 in the back and 2 Michelin Pilot XZA3 in front.

Toyos are smooth and LR H
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Tires

Reply #108
I was planning on the Lh  H also.  Would you put Toyo's on the steering.  That is what I am replacing at the moment
John
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: Tires

Reply #109
Put Toyo steerings on 3 yrs ago and not one complaint. How the heck anyone realistically can tell the difference between these and Mich' is beyond me, I just do not believe the Mich's are worth the extra and I did remove that make for the tires I have on now, front and rear. Loved the T's on my 7 series Bmw much better ride and handling that the M's before them.
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: Tires

Reply #110
Most are not sensitive to small driving differences in my experience.

My and it seems Foretravel interest in having the absolute, for sure, best driving and recognizable brand name on the tires gave the prospective buyers no reason to point at the tires and critize them.  Which then caused additional price negotiation.

The better the coach rode and drove the happier the new owner was and the factory and my store made more money.

Every unihome and unicoach made as far as i know had .michelins on them.

I suppose the only way to satisfy the issue would be to swap tires and take a long drive.

I relate the self steering sipes to the looser wheel bearing current requirement when servicing.

My preloaded non correct front bearings versus the legal .001 to .003 I currently have has resulted in a small dead spot in the identical steering system.

So the self correcting sipes might have been engineered to help the OTR truckers have their work load reduced.

Michelins original design from the 50's was a straight across steel tread belt carcass with no overlap in the design.

Original Michelin x's self steered wonderfully. 

The thicker sidewall design took some of the finesse out of the drive for me.

It's subtle but over long enough it's noticeable.  Especislly if you made your living selling these. Only the best tires and shocks.  And brakes.

If you had the best demo drive you probably ended up with the sale IMO
"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: Tires

Reply #111
Yes - they are long haul steer tires.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Tires

Reply #112
Just pricing tires
Michelin $4000 otd would not accept provost advantage program
Toyo m154  $3200  otd
16ply h range
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Tires

Reply #113
Jimmy, did you try the FMCA Michelin discount?  Our last purchase was about $600/tire otd with FMCA, but it was a couple of years ago for XZA+ LRH.

Re: Tires

Reply #114
It appears that the prevost program requires use of the prevost credit card .
Not sure how the fmca program works
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Tires

Reply #115
The toyo m154 is an all position tire , les Schwab manager said fitting steer tires m177 on rear could create strange wear pattern !!!
Didn't make sense to me !
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Tires

Reply #116
These programs are Michelin National Account programs. If not accepted at this dealer find one (like Les Schwab) that does accept national accounts
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Tires

Reply #117
Call FMCA, they set it up from their end (authorizations to the dealer), you use your credit card as I recall
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Tires

Reply #118
Yes, with FMCA, you use your regular credit card to pay for tires and FET. Then you pay the dealer for mount, balance and local/state tax.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Tires

Reply #119
Ok
I need to join fmca , that's if everyone agrees that Michelin tires are the best option!!!!!!
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Tires

Reply #120
Ok
I need to join fmca , that's if everyone agrees that Michelin tires are the best option!!!!!!


You can het into the Michelin Advantage program without joining FMCA.  Just join the Prevost group (it's free). 
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Tires

Reply #121
Come on and join FMCA, you will love it. The magazine is great and you can

get tips in there from Bret, as well.

Carter-

FMCA  47023

Re: Tires

Reply #122
Left at message at Foretravel, I never took my free year , so maybe
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Tires

Reply #123
I just put 2 Uniroyal RS20's 275/80R22.5 on my steer axle.  Tire shop pressurized them to 120 PSI.  Couldn't find a weight/air press chart for these tires online so left them at 120.  Took a short 300 mile trip last week.  Good handling and the ride was good too even at 120 psi.  OTD was $690 for the pair.  Getting 4 more on the other end.  Noticed no difference from the Mich's I replaced except extra $ still in my pocket. 
Mike and Mari
'98  36 270 WTFE
Build #5272
Club #17504

Re: Tires

Reply #124
Mike & Mari,
We have the same tires. $2200 out the door for all six. I got in contact with Uniroyal customer service concerning the tire pressures. They recommended getting corner weights and use the below chart. We are at 110 psi steer and 85 psi drive. The ride is superior to the Goodyears we removed.

Bob

Tire Selector | Michelin RV Tires
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD