Tires

[Ron Langdon]

I will be replacing my Goodyear 295/80r22.5 tires in the next few months. After reading various posts on tires, I am wondering what the current thinking is on 295 vs 315 tires? the posts suggest most are going for the 315 because they are bigger and in some cases less expensive. The discussion around Goodyear vs Michelin seems academic to me since they are both quality manufacturers  and taste or customer loyalty seems to be a determining factor.

[Steve Huber]

Ron,
IMHO and experience with 2 sets of GYs; they seem to tend to cup much faster than Michelin. Haven't done an apples to apples comparison though as the GYs  were on my Contessa and the Michelins are on my Marquis. 1st set of GYs on the Contessa cupped so bad I had to replace them at 51K miles with lots of tread left. Had bad shocks so thought that was major contributor. Replaced shocks and tires and even with regular alignments and rotations, the new GYs started cupping w/in 20K. Marquis has 25K on Michelins and no sighs of cupping. If I were in market I'd look at Michelin, Toyo, and Hankook, in that order.
Steve

[Edward Buker]

Ron,

As a matter of safety I think Michelin or Bridgestones seem to have fewer blow out complaints on the web. There seems to be some design issues as Steve pointed out with Goodyears that may or may not contribute to their fails. Goodyear is a reputable manufacturer but the RV application seems to be a more demanding application then you would expect. It may have to do with how much time they tend to sit compared to a truck tire or in general that the manufacturers of RVs tend to cut cost and have the tires running at max weights and pressures most of the time with little room for error.

I worked with a Michelin Engineer on an RV tire issue and he shared with me that even at this stage of tire design and build they do not understand why inner duals on the rear fail twice as often as the outers. It is hard to design out a tire weakness when you do not understand the root cause. I would want to have the absolute safest tires possible on the front wheels of my RV. I am running Michelin XZA2 Energy Tires and have had no issues with them but that is just one example.

Others might want to let us know what brand and model of tires they have had a fail on or issues with.

Later Ed

[Bill Sprague]

We've had our Beaver for 10 years and it has 115,000 miles on it.  It came with 295 Goodyears.  I put 295 Michelins on at 7 years and somewhere near 70,000.  We've had no issues and can't tell any difference.  

After seminars and forums, I'm of the opinion that the worst thing we do to our motorhome tires is let them sit.  Driven regularly, I think they stay in better condition.  

[Dennis Crawford]

Ron,

I replaced the Goodyears on my 2005 Monterey with Michelin.  They ride a lot better and don't forget about the deal thru FMCA for special pricing on Michelin.  If you take the FMCA route you also get access to the Michelin Fleet Roadside assistance.

Dennis

[Keith Oliver]

I recently upgraded to a 2007 Monaco Dynasty 43 that is significantly heavier than my old Contessa.  Its tires were marked 5005 to 1006, so too old to have on a new-to-me coach, so I asked for Michelins.  I was told it would be 4 to 6 weeks to get Michs, so what other brand would I take.  3 others were on offer. I took Toyos, which, at 4500 including mounting and taxes, beat the FMCA or Monaco Michelin price by over $1500 (8 tires).  Once the coach arrived, the universal opinion gathered from all my ORI neighbours who came around was that Toyos are just as good as Michs, so save your money.  Those prices were arranged by the dealer, so YMMV.

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Should not be missed in this thread that TOYO no longer supports tires for RV application.
Michelin claims longer life on RV tires with close inspection after 5 or 6 years.  I have heard they are good out to 9 years.
Met a fella in Centralia whohad a 2011 Fleetwood and was locked in on Goodyear.  I noticed one of his tires had a chunk ut of the side wall so he took the coack in to have all the tires inspected.  The two front had belts showing so he had them replaced but changed to Michelin.  He claimed to notice the difference right away in steering and control.  He was about to drive the Alcan highway.

How much over all difference is there between 295's and 315's or R12's in size and what adjustments are possible to the odometer etc. to meet this change?

Keith

[Joel Ashley]

I always take with a grain of salt any statements of improvement whenever people change tires.  Each time I put new ones on any rig there is a noticeable positive result that's mostly due to my being used to the relatively lousy handling and ride of worn tires.  It happened when I went from Goodyears to Michelins, and again from Michelins to Goodyears, on the same rig.

The enduring proof of quality can only really be held in longevity of wear, ride, and handling, which takes awhile to determine.  The most important variable among manufacturers is probably their safety records;  in that venue we can and should apply the most serious consideration on other owners' experiences as well as our own.

Joel

[George H. Wall]

I agree with Joel, very insightful.

[Bill Dean]

There is another excellent choice vs GY/Michelin - Continentals. Definitely equal in quality, construction & aftermarket claims & service. You don't have to look down the chain at Toyo, Hankook, etc.

[Jeff Watt]

I'm hoping someone can help me with my tire codes - thought I knew what to look for eg. DOT 1032 on my truck. But not so on these Michelin XZA2 Energy

First pic is BBA 359 06-4086-01
second is E2 0087828;0003728-S e2
third is KHU03124E
fourth is 006

these are all the codes (numbers) on the tire other than size and pressure.

I have a gut feeling they are original, yet in very good condition with 30000 miles.

Jeff

[neil omalley]

Jeff: can you see the other side of these tires / I have a dually that can only be seen with a mirror because it was mounted with the stamping on the inside.

[Stan Simpson]

Jeff: can you see the other side of these tires / I have a dually that can only be seen with a mirror because it was mounted with the stamping on the inside.

Exactly...the DOT code has to be there by law. Some dealers install them with the code on the inside, just to **** you off.  

[Edward Buker]

Ron,

This is the Michelin RV tire information brochure. Page 3 will show you exactly what you are looking for.

https://www.michelinb2b.com/wps/b2bcontent/PDF/RV_Tires_Brochure.pdf

Later Ed

[Jeff Watt]

Thanks for the advice. I feel kind of stupid now as I looked on the inside of one front tire and there it was....2706. Haven't checked the others but assume similar vintage.

So I guess I need to go tire shopping. The Monaco and fmca programs don't apply in Canada so will see what kind of deal the local tire shop can give. (or wait until I am in the US). Seems such a waste as they only have 30k on them. Maybe the tire shop will give me something for them and can sell them for retreads or something.

Jeff