Tire Choices -Steer Tires

[JimDyer]

For a pair of front 11R22.5's, where do you recommend on the East Coast?

Are there issues in going to say, a Hancook, Bridgestone, or Sumitomo for the front, with Michelins on the back?

Thanks

Jim

[Dick Simonis]

I'll be watching this pretty closely as I plan on doing pretty much the same thing.  Right now I have 9 yo Toyos all around and am planning on replacing the fronts with Hankooks shortly.  Can't imagine the coach cares if the tires are differant on the front but......?

[Richard And Babs Ames]

I put on Michelin Steers and am very pleased with the ride and handeling. They ride better and seem to track better than the Goodyear G670's they replaced.

[Gerald Farris]

Jim,
There is no problem with running a different brand of tire on the front of your coach as compared to the rear. As for your choice in brands, the only on that I have experience with is Bridgestone. I have been running Bridgestone tires on my coach for four years with excellent results. The ride and handling is excellent with no uneven thread wear. One point of caution when comparing tires, make sure that you are comparing tires with the same load capacity, and that the load capacity is adequate for the weight of your coach. If you do not know what your coach weighs, weigh it and buy tires accordingly. Never assume that the weight placard on your coach is accurate.

Dick,
If your tires are nine years old, you need to replace all of the tires, not just the front tires only. The life expectancy of your tires is six years and some owners will stretch that to seven, but nine year old tires need to go to the landfill or a suitable substitute.

Gerald

[Butch Martin]

   I'll be watching this pretty closely as I plan on doing pretty much the same thing.  Right now I have 9 yo Toyos all around and am planning on replacing the fronts with Hankooks shortly.  Can't imagine the coach cares if the tires are differant on the front but......?


 

If you think tires are expensive, wait till you have to fix the blowout damage from those 9 year olds.....

[Dick Simonis]

Dick,
If your tires are nine years old, you need to replace all of the tires, not just the front tires only. The life expectancy of your tires is six years and some owners will stretch that to seven, but nine year old tires need to go to the landfill or a suitable substitute.

Gerald

Gerald,

I've been unable to find any source that states tire life expectancy is 6 years.  I've heard 5,6,7, and etc but the only manufacturer info I been able to find is the Michelin data sheet which says inspect yearly after 5 and replace at 10.  Goodyear and Toyo say the same thing except omits the 10 year comment.

I did have mine inspected right after buying it and the were results were "no problem" but should be replaced at 10 years.  That was a Schwab store.

I would love to see some definitive information on this topic.

Still, I'm being a bit proactive and repacing at least the front tires soon and the rears a bit later.

Dick

[JimDyer]

If you read the Michelin tech bulletin, it says that you need to inspect at least annually after 5 years, and if any issues are found replace them. Then, if any survive to 10 years, replace them good or not.

[Dick Simonis]

[quote author=]If you read the Michelin tech bulletin, it says that you need to inspect at least annually after 5 years, and if any issues are found replace them. Then, if any survive to 10 years, replace them good or not.[/quote]

Yep, that's what I was referring to.  Can't figure out where the 6 years come from....or 5 or 7???

[JimDyer]

Yep, that's what I was referring to.  Can't figure out where the 6 years come from....or 5 or 7???

Practical experience.

[Randy Perry]

I agree with Butch, the damage a blow-out can cause could be very pricey. I was lucky with my (2) rear blow-outs, minimal damage. BTW, I inspected my tires before that trip and those 5 year old Goodyears looked great!

[Joel Weiss]

I'm running Michelin XZE2+ all around and am thrilled with them.  They are "approved" for RV use, and have far more "cross swipes" which gives them great handling and performance.  They are also quiet and have a really nice ride.  

[Gerald Farris]

The six year guideline on tire replacement comes from the trucking industry were six year old tires are automatically replaced. The failure rate on tires rapidly increases after six years in RV usage. That is probably the reason that Michelin will only warranty a truck tire on a motorhome for five years.  
www.michelintruck.com/assets/pdf/MLN_Truck_Tire_Warranty.pdf


If the manufacturer is only willing to warranty a tire for five years, there is no way that I am going to drive on it for ten years. Because a tire failure can be anything from expensive to deadly. To me that makes new tires look cheap.    

Gerald

[Bill Sprague]

Gerald never needs any backup here.  The 6 year guideline comes from many sources.  I don't know if I can add much to this discussion.  But, it is Saturday morning and I have more coffee to drink.

I've gone to a couple tire seminars at big rallies.  A Goodyear rep presented that RV tires are a challenge.  We never wear them out.  They age from exposure to sunlight and ozone.  To slow the aging process, he said that extra quantities of certain compounds are put into tires designated for RV use.  In order to get the most out of those anti-aging compounds (whatever they are) the tires need to be worked frequently.  The motion and heat are needed for the compounds to be effective.   I guess it is kind of like grandma kneading the bread!

In other words, if you drive frequently your tires will last longer.  If you are a snowbird that makes two trips a year, your tires will not be safe as long.  If you buy a motorhome that has been in storage for awhile you might consider buying new tires before you drive it at all!  (As I recall, Marty had a couple blowouts on his drive home after buying his Thunder.)

The Goodyear presenter also said that a proper tire inspection requires removing it from the rim and looking at the inside.  He added that there are few tire handlers that have much experience, training or knowledge about what to look for.

I replaced my first set at 6 years.  I'll replace the second set at 6 years.  The motorhome will be 18 years old when I need the third set and I might be too old to drive it then!  

[JimDyer]

[quote author=]For a pair of front 11R22.5's, where do you recommend on the East Coast?

Are there issues in going to say, a Hancook, Bridgestone, or Sumitomo for the front, with Michelins on the back?

Thanks

Jim
[/quote]

The issues are:
1. Hankook don't make a 22.5 with my needed load capacity
2. Bridgestone require 9" rims versus 8.24" on mine according to Monaco support
3. Sumitomo also don't make  a 22.5 with my needed load capacity

Michelin's only suggestion is a XZE2+ which will carry my required load, fit my wheels, both front and duals, and comes under the Michelin Advantage (FMCA) and the National Accounts Program (Monaco Int RV Club)

[Joel Weiss]

The Michelin XZE2+ is a great tire IMHO