Dry Rot Michelin XPS Versus Bridgestone R250

OK, I ran Michelin LT235/85R16E XPS Ribs for 6.5 years and around 40K miles before taking them out of service and selling them on CL for 200 bucks with around 60-65 percent tread left. Why did I remove them? One was getting hairline cracking. The date code on that tire showed it to be 8.5 years old, and the other three were 7.5 years old.

I install four Bridgestone Duravis R250's in their place. That was 2.5 years ago so my history with them is shorter.

I will tell you that both the ribs and the R250s hold air without adjustment for a long time. We used the trailer recently and I checked the air pressure. It was spot on at what I measured it at last spring before leaving Arizona to return home.

Both are excellent choices for long term use on trailers, I feel however after using both that the tread pattern of the R250 is slightly better for trailers. Both due to tread pattern and steel carcass have very low rolling resistance.

Given that R250s are about 50 bucks each less, it was a no brainer buying the R250's and I would do it again.

Chris

I would just run my worn truck tires on the the trailer. I can't justify buying new tires for a trailer just to have them rot out from not enough use. Ideally I like to run the same tire size on everything.

tsetsaf wrote:
Just sold a rig that had r250s with about 15k towing miles on them. Other than adjusting air pressure for altitude changes the tires were perfect after 3 years. I even ditched the vinyl covers 1.5 years in with no negative impact. Just purchased/ installed 6 more r250 for our new rig. The ltx on my truck just got replaced for 19.5; they were almost 3 years old and were developing sidewall cracks.

I would love to hear more about your R250's on the trailer. It sounds like your at where the rubber hits the road. There is a lot good info for the very HD tower's.
MM49

Just sold a rig that had r250s with about 15k towing miles on them. Other than adjusting air pressure for altitude changes the tires were perfect after 3 years. I even ditched the vinyl covers 1.5 years in with no negative impact. Just purchased/ installed 6 more r250 for our new rig. The ltx on my truck just got replaced for 19.5; they were almost 3 years old and were developing sidewall cracks.

mileshuff wrote:

MM49 wrote:
I don't think that the Ribs are included in the cracking side wall issue. The LTX tires are the worst.
MM49

over 80K
There was some model LTX'x last year that were recalled due to some issues but it was only few sizes made at one particular location. I've had LTX M/S and M/S2's for years and never a problem. Best tires I've ever owned.

Have Ribs on my 5'er but they're only 8 months and 5,000 miles on them so far.

I had the LTX tires on new trucks for last ten years. There was distinct change in rubber formula. I had great tires on a 1994 Ram that lasted 80K. After that I had six or seven trucks that had the cracking tires. Chrysler then dumped Michelin and went to Firestone. I hope the Michelin fixes their problem.
MM49

MM49 wrote:
I don't think that the Ribs are included in the cracking side wall issue. The LTX tires are the worst.
MM49

There was some model LTX'x last year that were recalled due to some issues but it was only few sizes made at one particular location. I've had LTX M/S and M/S2's for years and never a problem. Best tires I've ever owned.

Have Ribs on my 5'er but they're only 8 months and 5,000 miles on them so far.

My XPS's are about 6 years old and have some cracks! Will replace them after this season. Good tire IMO.

I have 6 yr old XPS Ribs on my 5er. Just checked them last week getting ready for new season. No sign of any cracks at all.
~17,000 miles and no obvious tread wear. Look virtually new.

the cracking side walls was just certain years. mine are 8years old and look great not one crack. LTX 225x75x16r go to mich site and get the facts

I don't think that the Ribs are included in the cracking side wall issue. The LTX tires are the worst.
MM49