Another tire question

phillyg wrote:
Minor cracking is normal. I think Michelin has a chart used to assess the amount of cracking.

Five-six years is the time to start looking for new tires for Class As, although some folks report getting many more years from their tires.

Cracking is normal for Michelin, would be more to the point and you don't always get what you pay for, as some have been led to believe.
I do agree that this marketing genius needs such a chart, considering their reputation for sidewall cracking. I say geniuses because who else has such a following of never ending Disciples that would rather walk than ride on anything else.
For us, it's the best bang for the buck in a truck tire, which was the HERCULES brand, the last time around and I've had these on another coach as well.
I mean, how many ways is there, to make a tire to meet DOT approval and for staying out of trouble?

Yep,
That's the same tire size calculator I used when searching for replacements for my junk Michelins. As stated, for me, the Yokohama RY 103 265 x 75 x 22.5 LRG was so close in specs that, it was a no-brainer. Not to mention a monstrous savings in dollars.
Scott

MrWizard wrote:
Jim
Like that tire calculator, thanks

You are welcome. I use it before every tire purchase. I buy my Front/Rears in alternate years and the market forces have to be obeyed when I buy so having that calculator helps me make a quick decision on any bargains I run into during a 'tire buying year'.

I also use this Load Range & Load Index site to be sure any tire I choose has the appropriate load range. (Doesn't work in Firefox without some hassle).

And of course, no tire search is complete without checking the Speed Rating (again, needs Chrome or IE to properly display the site).

Thanks to all for the replies. Going by the guidelines on the Michelin site, the tires are still safe to operate. Two days ago when I checked them, and I check them frequently was the first time I had ever seen any cracks. I will continue to monitor them and when the exceed the depth for safe operations I will replace them............but I don't think they'll be Michelin's. I don't see the advantage in paying nearly twice as much for tires and they still crack in about 5-6 years. The savings will $$$ will put a lot of diesel in the tank.
Thanks again, and Merry Christmas to all !!
Brian

Jim
Like that tire calculator, thanks

Sounds normal the tires should be replaced, when depends on who you ask, My advice is 2 years from now.. If those are 22.5 nobody makes a same size but there is at lest one that is close..begains with "T" (Toyo troyo????)

I'd stick with what you have though with FMCA discount

Unfortunately cracking is a normal Michelin problem and until they get fairly large they are not disposed to be a problem. Pretty sure your Michelins are 80 series, not 75 so a 295/75 is going to be a much smaller diameter. You do not need 295/80/22.5 on the rear of your coach...a 11R 22.5 is the same diameter and much cheaper. In Canada Conentials are common on tour buses. I'm using Firestone 315's on the front and Hankook 11Rs on all 6 rear tires

Have thought for many years as a forum member and full timer, that the Michelin's were and are a scam more than anything.

The cracks are due to their rubber formulations and they can change that any time they want. Of course they don't because there a far too many who swear by Michelin's even though they don't deserve it and they tend to get replacements far too early. Others are tricked by unscrupulous dealers who don't point out all the other brands that have a similar enough size that it can be a direct replacement.

To avoid that trap, here's sizing chart you can use to compare sizes of tires: Tire Size Calculator

I've set it up with a common Michelin size compared to a competing brand - note the slight differences in actual sizes. Not enough difference to ever worry about. Toyo's at $291 currently on Amazon have that 245-75r22.5 size.

I've read some of the Michelin specs and white papers about their RV products and they give a length and depth of cracks that are acceptable (smaller and shallow are OK), and also give a procedure for how old is too old (I forget...8 years I think? Then you are supposed to have them checked by a professional once per year up to 10 years, I forget the details, but there's no need to toss them at a magical 7 years like some do). If they are within specs, then I believe they'd be fine. You can come to your own conclusions.

Minor cracking is normal. I think Michelin has a chart used to assess the amount of cracking.

Five-six years is the time to start looking for new tires for Class As, although some folks report getting many more years from their tires.

supercub wrote:
My Michelin tires are just starting to show some barely detectable cracking. tire dates are 24/12 so a little over 5 years old. I keep them cover whenever stored. Any idea how much long I can run them safely?
How are Continental Tires? FMCA have a special pricing for members on Michelin's and Continental's, the Contintenal's are a lot cheaper, just wondering how the handle and ride.
The Michelin's are about $715 295/75/22.5 (a Michelin size) Continental's are about $411 for 295/75/22.5 an equivalent size to the Michelin's if I'm figuring right.

supercub,
I just went through all of this with our coach and it's tires. The coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT, came from the factory with Michelin 255 80R 22.5s. They, like yours, were/are proprietary to Michelin. My coach, is parked INSIDE an RV garage, 24/7/365 WHEN we're not using it. But, at about the 4.5-5 year mark, our tires too started to show the infamous "Michelin" sidewall cracks. Well, that topic's been discussed on here and other RV forums a few dozen times.

Michelin knows about the cracks and, stipulates a certain size and length of the cracks BEFORE anyone should show concern. I ran mine with those cracks about 15-25K miles like that. I never felt comfortable with them. But, it was one of those things that, if Michelin says they're fine, well, who am I to argue?

But on a very recent trip, my fronts were wearing very badly. So, While on the trip, I started searching for them. As stated earlier, the 255 80Rs were/are Michelin proprietary, meaning, THEY'RE the only ones that make that particular size. Trying to find a proprietary tire, while cruising the circumference of the U.S. was to say the least, totally futile. This is when I started doing some calculations and research.

Long story short, I came up with Yokohama RY 103 265 x 75 x 22.5 LRG tires. The Michelins, if and when I could EVER find them, were well over $550 each, not including mounting and balancing. The Yokohama RV RY 103s are $375.00 each, WITH MOUNTING AND BALANCING!!!

The ride and handling is superb. I couldn't be happier. Some folks go Michelin crazy. That's perfectly up to them. I don't ever plan on having another Michelin on anything I own or, will ever own. Waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much cost for a name.
Scott