Tires

Topic: Tires (Read 9729 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Tires

Reply #50 – March 10, 2017, 02:35:21 pm

Quote from: FourTravelers – March 09, 2017, 09:20:40 pm

This thread reminds me of the age old debate............
Which is better Ford or Chevy?
We all have our preferences, along with our good and bad experiences.
Do what makes you happy, because if you don't and you have a bad experience, you will just beat yourself up over it.
Personally ...... I like rounds ones......

I was like that when I owned a small trucking company. I always bought Michelin's (at a premium) because of their reputation. What I found was that they lasted no longer nor gave me any quantifiable benefit that justified their high cost. No matter the tire brand I used, I was always smoking through steer tires every 60-70K because of the fact that Fed-Ex NEVER aligned their single axle "pup" trailers. Which meant that it put forces on the chassis that HAD to be countered through physics with the steering. I started using general tires and never had construction issues with them and I saved money. If I remember correctly, Generals are associated with Continental. As is Bridgestone & Firestone. I usually got 300,000 to 400,000 miles from the 8 drive axle tires.

Re: Tires

Reply #51 – March 10, 2017, 03:06:17 pm

Maybe in other parts of the country, as well, but in Oregon and Washington, they leave the scales open. You then know the load rating needed, as well as the psi required. A lot of outlets cannot balance the large tires correctly, nor do they know what a torque wrench is. Our Michelin 255.XRV/80R/22.5s were rated for our scale weights. They replaced the valve stems with aluminum,new dual seal caps, and wheel studs where needed. We had the front end aligned, as well. We run these in the low eighties, on all six.
It tracks and rides so well, compared to previous coaches we had!

Tires

Reply #52 – March 19, 2017, 01:29:34 pm

Lets walk this dog one more time. Well looks like it may be time to change out my tires as they are mfg. date of 2011. They are Michelin and seem to be in very good shape with no unusual wear or weathering. I would like a few opinions on whether to change steer tires, drive tires or all tires from your experiences.

John

Re: Tires

Reply #53 – March 19, 2017, 01:38:39 pm

You might want to do a search on the Forum. You will likely find all your answers there plus a whole bunch of opinions.

Re: Tires

Reply #54 – March 19, 2017, 01:45:45 pm

What exact model? The latest tires ride better, turn better, go straight better and are quieter, and get noticeably better mileage

No cracking and if only used dry air or dry nitrogen so no internal rusting the choice is yours.

More value to six year old barely used tires I would think. No cracking so they would pass yard inspection for a trucking co

Re: Tires

Reply #55 – March 19, 2017, 01:45:59 pm

Back to basics: was the coach weighed at install & psi adjusted? Has the psi been monitored over the years? Front end aligned? Use of U.V. and rubber protector? These all count. Maybe some do, I used to, but no longer rotate tires. Michelin has a handy chart for checking sidewall age.

Re: Tires

Reply #56 – March 19, 2017, 01:55:37 pm

We change all tires at same time, at about 6 or 7 years DOT age, always with Michelin. Used to go for XZA3+, but now they have been replaced with a new model. We also always go for LoadRange H as we feel we cannot have too much capacity and the price difference between LR-G and LR-H is reasonable. We carry 100 psi all around with no big concern if tires get down to low 90 psi due to time, altitude or temperature. We eventually pump them back up to 100 psi. To simplify, we use regular air, not nitrogen, usually filling with our own compressor. Angled inner dual stem out at tire change time. Dynamic spin balance front & sometimes rear too, never powder, granules or golf balls for balancing. One dealer offered us $150 for each tire if less than 5 years DOT age.

Re: Tires

Reply #57 – March 19, 2017, 02:24:07 pm

I've run Michelins for years. I like the tires, dealerships and their attention to detail. A thought just came up, someone know if there is any difference between "spin balance" and "force balance". Ours were "force balanced" by the PO at the big firm in Phoenix, sure rides well!

Re: Tires

Reply #58 – March 19, 2017, 02:29:17 pm

A little info on "Force Balancing
"Road Force Balancing | MotorWeek

John

Re: Tires

Reply #59 – March 19, 2017, 02:58:16 pm

Looks like I am going to replace steering tires for now as DW will never let it rest if I don't or anything happens.....Cheap closure on this issue for now. She said' "I am not going on a 3 week trip on the old ones".

What Michelin tires are we buying these days.

John

Re: Tires

Reply #60 – March 19, 2017, 03:18:23 pm

Quote from: John and Stacey link=msg=265362 date=1489949896 She said' "I am not going on a 3 week trip on the old ones". What Michelin tires are we buying these days. [/quote

We run the "XRV" tires. By the way, the DW is always right!

Re: Tires

Reply #61 – March 19, 2017, 03:31:31 pm

In our experience, cost seems to run about $600 /tire out the door, with FMCA discount or without if getting a 'good' price.

Re: Tires

Reply #62 – March 19, 2017, 04:57:57 pm

We have the new Michelin x line energy z tires. They whine more than the Toyos we replaced. Other than that, no complaints.

Re: Tires

Reply #63 – March 19, 2017, 07:36:58 pm

Mike, I thought our new Michelin's whined a bit more as well. I am either used to it or after 5K+ miles they eased into life on a coach. I like the ride and handling, better in cross winds than what we had.

Re: Tires

Reply #64 – March 19, 2017, 07:48:23 pm

The tiny wandering and the noise went away after a few days of driving on my Xza-3+'s.

Not sure if the Toyos are generally quieter but in looking they did not appear the have the directional sipes on the edges that seem to help the self steering. They may make a small amount of extra noise but that's unknown

Perfect.

Re: Tires

Reply #65 – March 19, 2017, 09:48:39 pm

Don't want to mislead anyone. The whine is not significant, only shows up at some speeds and some surfaces. Would buy the same tires again.

Re: Tires

Reply #66 – March 19, 2017, 11:48:17 pm

You are right Mike and the road surface itself is the main noise driver.

Re: Tires

Reply #67 – March 20, 2017, 12:36:36 am

Toyo's are my preference and ours are all balanced, front and rear. yes, the stick on weights needed on the rears do not look the best but I have not had one person mention them (or even notice maybe)
JohnH

Re: Tires

Reply #68 – March 20, 2017, 08:11:29 am

Has anyone increased the size of the tires they are using to 285 or 295??

John

Re: Tires

Reply #69 – March 20, 2017, 08:40:02 am

The centrimatics self balancers allows you to skip the weight balancing.

Re: Tires

Reply #70 – March 20, 2017, 09:00:37 am

Quote from: John and Stacey – March 20, 2017, 08:11:29 am

Has anyone increased the size of the tires they are using to 285 or 295??

John

Just put goodyear 399 295/75/22.5 on my 270, no problems.

Re: Tires

Reply #71 – March 20, 2017, 09:08:51 am

275/80R22.5 and 295/75R22.5 are very, very close in size, and both come in both G and H load range (you want H). They can be substitutes easily on most applications. 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.

Never heard of a 285.

Re: Tires

Reply #72 – March 20, 2017, 09:09:17 am

We put Continental 295/75/22.5 on ours this past November. Had new air bags and shocks at same time. PO had these as well. Love them. Oh, Load range H. Loved the price ($2,600 out the door for six) and competitive choice of dealers locally.

Re: Tires

Reply #73 – March 20, 2017, 09:11:44 am

And Continentals are now on a fleet program with FMCA: Continental Tire Program

Re: Tires

Reply #74 – March 20, 2017, 09:16:02 am

I continue to replace my Michelins at 10 year DOT age-always properly cared for, but I only get $60 per tire as take-offs.

Affiliate Notice