Roger Marbel is the guy you’re looking for. He is a retired tire engineer. He uses the name Tireman9 when posting in internet forums. Here is a link to his tire blog.
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Thursday 1st of November 2012 06:18:57 PM
pitbull said
08:41 PM Nov 1, 2012
Looking for some opinions on tires from all the knowledge out there. I presently have 6 year old Michelin 275-80-R22.5 and am looking for replacement of all 6 tires. Hate to do it because of only 20,000 miles and they look great but worried about age.
I have heard that the Handcooks are a good tire but made in Korea---around $3,000 for 6 installed
Michelin replacement around $3,500 for 6 installed
Many tires out there but do not know which way to go
Looking for fellow RVer's opinion
Thanks in advance
Pitbull
NorCal Dan said
08:54 PM Nov 1, 2012
I am no tire expert, but it would seem prudent to have the tires inspected before replacing...
GENECOP said
10:35 PM Nov 1, 2012
Many tires will run 10 years before replacement is needed....there was a member here a few months ago who works in the industry and had a RV Tire Blog, I would check it out, anyone remember the poster?....
GENECOP said
10:39 PM Nov 1, 2012
Also use the search function (Tires) and read.......a lot of discussion here...
Lucky Mike said
10:51 PM Nov 1, 2012
Fasteagle......is the poster Gene , he also lists a blog............I believe the name of the post was trailer tires
RVRon said
01:40 AM Nov 2, 2012
We replaced our motorhome tires at 7 years because they were showing cracking in the sidewalls near the rim. Instead of wondering if we did the right thing we bought Michelin XRV's and didn't look back. Yes, we probably could have saved a bit with some other brand of tire but I really didn't want to take the chance. If I remember right, Michelin says you should do annual inspections starting at 6 years and no matter what the tires look like replace them when they're 10 years old.
pitbull said
08:14 PM Nov 2, 2012
Thank you everyone, I will check out the site. I just went over to my site and found out that my tires are actally Michelin 235/80 R-22.5 XRV. That must be what you put on RVRon. I looked at Loves Tires and could not find that exact tire. Can you tell me where you got them and the cost?-----if that's not to personal. I only see 275 and 255's. I need to read up on tires to see how much differance this makes.
Pitbull
RVRon said
11:30 PM Nov 2, 2012
Pitbull, sorry I can't help you on your size... we have 19.5" tires on our motorhome. Kind of an apples/oranges deal because the 19.5" tires are quite a bit less expensive than the 22.5's. I just did a quick check on the Michelin website and found your size in their XZE tire so at least it is available. Just make sure you get the same load rating as is on the rig now. Another word to the wise too... inspect all of the tires before the dealer mounts them, making sure they are all the same load rating and that they have recent dating.
bjoyce said
12:12 AM Nov 3, 2012
Watch the load range on replacements tires and don't accept any lower letter load range. We have 275/80 R22.5 Michelin XZA3's with a load range of H (LRH). This size is common at LRG and the tires are cheaper, but then it can't carry as much weight. If we put on LRG tires we would be overloading our front tires. If I remember right there was only one other brand, I think it was Cooper, that makes this size and load range of tire in addition to Michelin. If you want to be cheap, you can probably put LRG tires on the dual rear axle since I think they can handle more than 20,000 pounds in that configuration, but on the front axle you probably need LRH. We went with the same tires all around.
pitbull said
11:33 PM Nov 13, 2012
Just checked the thread, thank you bjoyce, I will make sure I have the same load rating
Pitbull
FastEagle said
01:55 AM Nov 14, 2012
When considering replacing Original Equipment tires with something different it’s normally referred to as “plus sizing”.
The following reference spells it all out. It starts on page 15. Just use the information that fits your situation.
This procedure is the industry standard and not many tire manufacturers will print it all out as well as it’s done here.
check out FMCA family motor coach association they have a Michelin Advantage program we saved over $ 100. a tire .
Motoguy2
TXRVr said
02:22 AM Jan 24, 2013
I am not going to disagree with anyone's personal opinons in this thread because picking and buying tires is one of the most difficult and expensive decisions each of us make. What is ultimately decided is usually based on one's comfort factor.
Tread was not the decision in my decision. Sidewall cracking was. It was a painful decision to get rid of tires that had plenty of tread left on them, but we've all been there. After seven years of ownership, I replaced my Michelon tires with a Kelly brand six set of tires that cost $1200 less than Michelons. They have specs that match ever aspect of Michelons and they handle just like the Michelons. They are used on school buses in my regions so I am confident that they are safe. With respect to that brand, I have found in 6000 miles that they do not not ride as well as the Michelons. But for a $1200 savings, I put an extra pillow under my butt when I'm driving down the road. I felt confortable with Hancook. It just wasn't my final decision.
One of the things I researched in the process of tire replacement was steer vs drive tire. Many will say that “drive” tires need to go on the rear axle. That is untrue for a motor home unless you are going 4 wheeling with it. Steer tires all around, regardless of the make, will provide the luxury of rotating among all axles.
Pitbull, when you are doing your research among tire dealers, please use those companies that actually deal in servicing 18 wheelers. Those are the pro's who can give advise on tires for rigs that weight lots of tons.
Good luck.
Jwar said
07:38 AM Jan 24, 2013
On the Cummings site they have a how to get better mileage blog. They stated a straight grove type tire gets better mileage then a cross groved, also a half worn tire gets better mileage also. What was interesting to me is that the grove of a tire make's a big difference for better mileage up to approx 50MPH, above that is aerodynamic treatment account of wind resistance.
Now I see why some coaches have that wierd roundy front look, curved sloped windshields. Getting off topic, me gone LOL
Roger Marbel is the guy you’re looking for. He is a retired tire engineer. He uses the name Tireman9 when posting in internet forums. Here is a link to his tire blog.
http://www.rvtiresafety.com/
FastEagle
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Thursday 1st of November 2012 06:18:57 PM
Looking for some opinions on tires from all the knowledge out there. I presently have 6 year old Michelin 275-80-R22.5 and am looking for replacement of all 6 tires. Hate to do it because of only 20,000 miles and they look great but worried about age.
I have heard that the Handcooks are a good tire but made in Korea---around $3,000 for 6 installed
Michelin replacement around $3,500 for 6 installed
Many tires out there but do not know which way to go
Looking for fellow RVer's opinion
Thanks in advance
Pitbull
We replaced our motorhome tires at 7 years because they were showing cracking in the sidewalls near the rim. Instead of wondering if we did the right thing we bought Michelin XRV's and didn't look back. Yes, we probably could have saved a bit with some other brand of tire but I really didn't want to take the chance. If I remember right, Michelin says you should do annual inspections starting at 6 years and no matter what the tires look like replace them when they're 10 years old.
I only see 275 and 255's. I need to read up on tires to see how much differance this makes.
Pitbull
Pitbull, sorry I can't help you on your size... we have 19.5" tires on our motorhome. Kind of an apples/oranges deal because the 19.5" tires are quite a bit less expensive than the 22.5's. I just did a quick check on the Michelin website and found your size in their XZE tire so at least it is available. Just make sure you get the same load rating as is on the rig now. Another word to the wise too... inspect all of the tires before the dealer mounts them, making sure they are all the same load rating and that they have recent dating.
Just checked the thread, thank you bjoyce, I will make sure I have the same load rating
Pitbull
When considering replacing Original Equipment tires with something different it’s normally referred to as “plus sizing”.
The following reference spells it all out. It starts on page 15. Just use the information that fits your situation.
This procedure is the industry standard and not many tire manufacturers will print it all out as well as it’s done here.
http://www.tiresafety.com/images/Tire%20Replacement%20Manual.pdf
FastEagle
$ 100. a tire .
Motoguy2
I am not going to disagree with anyone's personal opinons in this thread because picking and buying tires is one of the most difficult and expensive decisions each of us make. What is ultimately decided is usually based on one's comfort factor.
Tread was not the decision in my decision. Sidewall cracking was. It was a painful decision to get rid of tires that had plenty of tread left on them, but we've all been there. After seven years of ownership, I replaced my Michelon tires with a Kelly brand six set of tires that cost $1200 less than Michelons. They have specs that match ever aspect of Michelons and they handle just like the Michelons. They are used on school buses in my regions so I am confident that they are safe. With respect to that brand, I have found in 6000 miles that they do not not ride as well as the Michelons. But for a $1200 savings, I put an extra pillow under my butt when I'm driving down the road. I felt confortable with Hancook. It just wasn't my final decision.
One of the things I researched in the process of tire replacement was steer vs drive tire. Many will say that “drive” tires need to go on the rear axle. That is untrue for a motor home unless you are going 4 wheeling with it. Steer tires all around, regardless of the make, will provide the luxury of rotating among all axles.
Pitbull, when you are doing your research among tire dealers, please use those companies that actually deal in servicing 18 wheelers. Those are the pro's who can give advise on tires for rigs that weight lots of tons.
Good luck.
Now I see why some coaches have that wierd roundy front look, curved sloped windshields. Getting off topic, me gone LOL