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Topic: Tires (Read 11356 times) previous topic - next topic

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. 

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.

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

Re: Tires

Reply #104 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –

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

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

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. 

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

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

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

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

Re: Tires

Reply #111 –
Yes - they are long haul steer tires.

Re: Tires

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

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

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 !

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

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

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.

Re: Tires

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