Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Topic: Officially part of the Foretravel Family! - tire question (Read 1015 times) previous topic - next topic

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- Fuel polishing? (split from Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!)

Officially part of the Foretravel Family! - tire question

January 25, 2021, 10:29:32 pm

I've been lurking for a month or so in anticipation of taking ownership of out 2002 U270 34" coach, which finally happened yesterday. Yeah! The amount of information, systems, etc. on this onboard and elsewhere is overwhelming, but I'm just amazed at what a great community there is here and how helpful everyone is.

First on the agenda is a trip to MOT to take care of the punch list items identified from the inspection. Then new tires and a solar install. We're really excited and cant wait to get on the road and meet other owners.

The choice of tires is overwhelming. We are going to do Michelins and I think have narrowed it down to XZA3 or XZE, both with load range H. We tend to sty off the interstates and go for highways and regional roads. Also prefer the public lands over campgrounds. So, I'm thinking the XZE is going to be the better choice given its a high scrub tire more attuned to regional vs long haul. Am I on the right track with that? Are those of you who have the XZEs satisfied with them?

Thank all!

[edited topic title to add tire question - Michelle]

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #1 – January 25, 2021, 10:43:54 pm

Welcome to the group! We look forward to hearing all about your new ride, and seeing photos when you have time.

Asking for tire recommendations is a great conversation starter. You will get many varied answers. Everybody has a O-pinion.

Recent discussion thread: Motorhome Tires

FMCA has a tire discount program, if you happen to be a member. Some say it can be a good deal. You might look into it...

Good luck and stay healthy and safe.

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #2 – January 25, 2021, 10:53:26 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – January 25, 2021, 10:43:54 pm

Welcome to the group! We look forward to hearing all about your new ride, and seeing photos when you have time.

Asking for tire recommendations is a great conversation starter. You will get many varied answers. Everybody has a O-pinion.

Recent discussion thread: Motorhome Tires

FMCA has a tire discount program, if you happen to be a member. Some say it can be a good deal. You might look into it...

Good luck and stay healthy and safe.

Uneeeeeroyalllllrrrrsssssstweeeeentyyyy work fantastic....sorry but had to voice my opinion

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #3 – January 25, 2021, 11:08:01 pm

Joe welcome. Seems to me you have purchased a good coach, yes I'm biased though. There are many systems and with the help of so many seasoned owners this can be a great wealth of information. This forum was the final cause for my purchase. Good luck, good pictures always make for good understanding of issues. I daily learn new things about my coach and always read that others have blazed this path before with both good and painful lessons. It's no longer fun when it's no longer fun. These are safe fun coaches IMO.. Enjoy
Scott

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #4 – January 26, 2021, 02:21:23 am

I think your tires will age out loooooong before they wear out so don't use tread life as a major factor in choice.

Rich

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #5 – January 26, 2021, 09:07:06 am

Congratulations! And welcome. Lots to learn now...😂. I'll be at mot next Monday if that's when you are going. In your sig your build number is not 16060, that is the previous owners motorcade number that still belongs to them, you should remove it, you need to call Beverly Koonce and join the motorcade to get your our numbers and the benefits that come with it. If you call Foretravel there is a prompt there to direct you to the motorcade club.
Also for tires , I just replaced a tire and I used NTCS, they are a wholesale tire outfit with some good extra benefits that deal in Michelin and BFGoodrich, BFGoodrich is made by Michelin. They get tires to you wherever you are. Call Dave 321-607-2265 and talk to him about the program, tire info
Home - National Tire Concierge Services

Keith

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #6 – January 26, 2021, 09:18:18 am

Quote from: hdff – January 26, 2021, 09:07:06 am

In your sig your build number is not 16060, that is the previous owners motorcade number that still belong to them, you should remove it, you need to call Beverly Koonce and join the motorcade to get your own club numbers and the benefits that come with it.

If you call the factory for any reason, it is helpful to have your coach build number handy. Makes it easier for them to help you with any request. Your build number is the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th digits in the "model number" on the metal tag next to driver seat. See example below:

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #7 – January 26, 2021, 10:49:38 am

You all are fantastic. Thanks for the tips and suggestions. I'm sure I'm going to have a ton of questions. I'll call Bev now and make my membership official.

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #8 – January 26, 2021, 10:53:23 am

Quote from: hdff – January 26, 2021, 09:07:06 am

Congratulations! And welcome. Lots to learn now...😂. I'll be at mot next Monday if that's when you are going. In your sig your build number is not 16060, that is the previous owners motorcade number that still belongs to them, you should remove it, you need to call Beverly Koonce and join the motorcade to get your our numbers and the benefits that come with it. If you call Foretravel there is a prompt there to direct you to the motorcade club.
Also for tires , I just replaced a tire and I used NTCS, they are a wholesale tire outfit with some good extra benefits that deal in Michelin and BFGoodrich, BFGoodrich is made by Michelin. They get tires to you wherever you are. Call Dave 321-607-2265 and talk to him about the program, tire info
Home - National Tire Concierge Services

Keith

Keith. Thanks for this. We are scheduled to be at MOT February 8th. I'm guessing we can expect to be there a few days. Not sure how that all works, but I have the appointment and they have the list of items in need of attention, so I guess we'll find out.

I'll give Dave a call now. We are in Longview for at least a few weeks. Maybe we can do the tires somewhere around here.

Best,

Joe

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #9 – January 26, 2021, 11:03:45 am

Welcome to our community

Tires get changed out at 6-7 years. I do 6 years. I use load range H. Stiffer side walls and full capacity on the front axle. Either Michelin tire will work. We have XZEs. Buy tires that give you peace of mind.

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #10 – January 26, 2021, 11:04:10 am

If your at MOT anyway, check with Herman Power Tire there in Nac. They do a lot of motorhome tires....

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #11 – January 26, 2021, 11:52:57 am

Congrats and good luck drinking from the fire hose! I picked up my U320 about a month before you and have been going through much of the same learning curve. Couple take-aways I have thus far:

I'm very glad I had a brake inspection done while at MOT. My slide pins were toast.

I wish I'd had Keith Risch polish my fuel tank while in Nac. Scary thoughts haunt me at night now and it would have been cheap piece of mind.

[/list]
Welcome to the family and enjoy!

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #12 – January 26, 2021, 12:01:51 pm

Quote from: Elliott – January 26, 2021, 11:52:57 am

Congrats and good luck drinking from the fire hose! I picked up my U320 about a month before you and have been going through much of the same learning curve. Couple take-aways I have thus far:
I'm very glad I had a brake inspection done while at MOT. My slide pins were toast.
I wish I'd had Keith Risch polish my fuel tank while in Nac. Scary thoughts haunt me at night now and it would have been cheap piece of mind.
[/list]
Welcome to the family and enjoy!

LOL... Elliot, Yes, Firehose about sums it up. A little intimidating, but we felt the same way when we started out in the Class C. Just a big injection of steroids!

Keith did our inspection and we booked the time with him. I'll ask about fuel tank polishing. Thanks for the tip. I'm of the mind to spend a little extra now for the peace of mind, so any and all suggestions are welcome. Your U320 for Dummies post was so helpful. I have it bookmarked because of all the great suggestions. Maybe I need to start a U270 for dummies sister topic.

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #13 – January 26, 2021, 12:18:01 pm

I am in on U270 for Dummies! 1999 U270 40. Mark

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #14 – January 26, 2021, 03:06:53 pm

From one Joe to another, welcome! We are all here to help, some more than others with their expertise with this great rigs! We are on our second Foretravel and still learning each and everyday. On tires, this coach has Toyo's on it. If I had my way, it would have Michelins. Had those on our other coach and I do think they make a difference in the drive. Hope to see you down the road, as we are near Baytown, TX at Liberty RV park now for a few days and then just west of San Antonio for a few days at Medina Lake TT RV park.
Stay safe, have fun and do what makes you happy!

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #15 – January 26, 2021, 03:38:28 pm

Joe, we run the XZE Load Range H and are happy with them. I believe that any major brand is a good tire. Everyone has a preference. As others have stated, you most likely will age out before you wear them out.

Welcome and good luck with your coach. It will bring you much joy !

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #16 – January 26, 2021, 03:46:00 pm

Joe, one other thing. Get your coach weighed and run your tire pressure according to the Michelin chart. It can make a big difference in your ride. Over pressure can really give you a harsh ride.

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #17 – January 26, 2021, 07:04:22 pm

Quote from: MarkC – January 26, 2021, 03:46:00 pm

Joe, one other thing. Get your coach weighed and run your tire pressure according to the Michelin chart. It can make a big difference in your ride. Over pressure can really give you a harsh ride.

Thanks, Mark. Yes, we'll be making a date at Escapees in Livingston to get weighed. On the Class C we are coming from, we were always right on the edge for weight limit, so my tires were at max pressure all the time. Looking forward to some "wiggle room and hopefully can smooth out the ride.

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #18 – January 26, 2021, 07:49:18 pm

Line haul tires have a thinner and more flexible sidewall, give a better ride and may run a little cooler. Many RV manufacturers deliver with regional tires on the RV. They have a thicker and stiffer side wall and tolerate curbs better plus do a better job chucking rocks. H rated tires also deliver a firmer ride. We just max out all our tires and have since the beginning of time and are quite happy with the ride. Have never weighed the coach.

All brands don't ride the same either.

Pierce

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!

Reply #19 – January 26, 2021, 08:07:09 pm

jphebus1

We decided on the Michelin XZE load range H tires when we purchased the coach in 2015. Now 45,000 miles later we've had zero issues (and didn't expect any, for what they cost)

........... I also wanted the stiffer more robust sidewalls for the same reasons that you mentioned, small public campgrounds in state and National parks, potholes, stumps and curbs. I guess you could say they have more "curb appeal"

. We also weighed the coach loaded and set pressures according to the Michelin tire recommendation chart.
I have thought about switching to Toyo tires next time based on recommendations mentioned here on the forum, but..... I'll give serious consideration to staying with the XZE's.

SPLIT: Fuel polishing? (split from Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family!)

Reply #20 – January 26, 2021, 09:21:47 pm

One or more of the messages of this topic have been moved to Foretravel Tech Talk to group similar discussion together, vs. having a "catch-all" topic.

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=41625.0

Re: Officially part of the Foretravel Family! - tire question

Reply #21 – January 26, 2021, 09:25:08 pm

I edited the topic title to add the primary question which is tires. Fuel polishing discussion was moved to its own topic for clarity

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