Forum Discussion

S_NotFree's avatar
S_NotFree
Explorer
Apr 19, 2015

Replacement Tires

After seeing pics of the recent band tour bus fire (total loss) due to blowout, I realize my tires should be replaced because of time not wear. I am thinking Cooper commercial truck tires instead of RV tires for the $ difference.

I know this has been covered in past. I called Cooper and was connected to their commercial tire specialist. He says that they sell a lot of tires to Motorhome owners. I currently have 275/70R/19.5 load range G. He asked me how I use coach and where and He recommended same size in their load range H in their Roadmaster 170 series. He would recommend something else if you drove in snow or muddy dirt roads. He said if I weigh the axles and call him. He will give me the correct psi to run and that I should get the same ride as the G range with the proper psi in the tires plus have a much stronger sidewall.

Also, asked him about UV protection in this tire, he said cover them of course, but also mentioned that sometimes the covers you buy that covers the entire tire make the tire much hotter causing more damage than UV and suggests some type of sun protection that blocks sun but allow air flow to keep tire cooler. Is there anything like that you can buy like something that attaches to wheel well and hangs down or do you jerry rig?

Anyone used these tires and if so your thoughts?

Thanks
Class A
  • Kidoo's avatar
    Kidoo
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    tropical36 wrote:
    There is so much talk about good and bad tires and ones that will blow out opposed to the ones that won't blow out. Now, tell me someone, does the US Dept. of Transportation (DOT) number on the tire, mean nothing at all, or is there something I'm missing here?
    As for where tires are made, every company is seeking the most profit and along with a few diehards, I betting that it won't be long that every tire will be made in China or some other place, out of the US.
    Speaking of blowouts, I'm guessing that they are caused by under inflation (purposefully or slow leak) or some road hazard and not much matters, as to who might have manufactured the tire.


    I agree, the blowout I had was a tire that had a slow leak, it probably weakened the tire. I went to a shop, they removed the tire and inspected it and did not find any damage. After a few thousand miles, I found that the tire was deflating again. This is probably what caused the blow out, and maybe I went over a sharp rock too as I was in Quartzsite for a while in the boonies.

    We see semi trailer with blown tires and loosing rubber on the roads, but these are often retreaded tires.

    Myself, I want a good tire for a cheap price.
  • tropical36's avatar
    tropical36
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    There is so much talk about good and bad tires and ones that will blow out opposed to the ones that won't blow out. Now, tell me someone, does the US Dept. of Transportation (DOT) number on the tire, mean nothing at all, or is there something I'm missing here?
    As for where tires are made, every company is seeking the most profit and along with a few diehards, I betting that it won't be long that every tire will be made in China or some other place, out of the US.
    Speaking of blowouts, I'm guessing that they are caused by under inflation (purposefully or slow leak) or some road hazard and not much matters, as to who might have manufactured the tire.
  • Kidoo's avatar
    Kidoo
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    I just bought two new Cooper Roadmaster RM120 all position tires following a blow out with a Goodyear. The blow out came from a tire that had a slow leak previously, so I guess the tire had some unseen damage.

    I installed them at the steering. The shop said they sell those for motorhome. The are fine, did not notice much difference from the Goodyear except they seems to be a little smoother.

    I am thinking of replacing two more with Kumho steer tires, I would put the Kumho at front and take the two Coopers in the back to match with two Goodyears.

    Although Cooper is an American Company, it says Made in China on the tire. I was told it is the same tire as built in USA. I do not think China is something to be scared about when it bares the name of reputable maker and probably all tire makers now have plants somewhere in China or Asia. Same goes with Mexico for a lot of things.

    Here is a quote from Michelin web site: "Michelin has 111,306 employees worldwide of 120 different nationalities and produces over 178 million tires in 68 sites in 17 countries".
  • viajante's avatar
    viajante
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    hsteinle wrote:
    You pay more for them BUT I personally think it is hard to beat the Michelin tires for a motorhome. There is just TOO much to lose with a blowout. Michelin tires may cost more, but it is difficult to put a price on protecting one and their family. By using the FMCA Michelin Advantage program, you can acquire mh tires at a price lower than even a dealer can purchase them. Again, just my personal opinion.


    I heartily agree.
  • viajante's avatar
    viajante
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    1BryNelson wrote:
    First have you looked and priced Toyo tires? If you are driving as stated the Toyo highway truck tires might be better priced. Live mostly in AZ so I use the those. When I shopped around rhose were the best price and tire. Like previous post about tire shielding, gonna do that myself. Heat in AZ is a ongoing problem, but rather that than snow.


    I know a lot of folks like Toyos. However, I replaced my Michelins with Toyos and absolutely HATED them. They bumped and vibrated and rode twice as rough. Luckily, Les Schwab gave us a full credit as a trade on the Michelins. Truck tires have tougher sidewalls and will have a harsher ride.
  • hsteinle's avatar
    hsteinle
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    You pay more for them BUT I personally think it is hard to beat the Michelin tires for a motorhome. There is just TOO much to lose with a blowout. Michelin tires may cost more, but it is difficult to put a price on protecting one and their family. By using the FMCA Michelin Advantage program, you can acquire mh tires at a price lower than even a dealer can purchase them. Again, just my personal opinion.
  • tropical36's avatar
    tropical36
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    S'NotFree wrote:
    After seeing pics of the recent band tour bus fire (total loss) due to blowout, I realize my tires should be replaced because of time not wear. I am thinking Cooper commercial truck tires instead of RV tires for the $ difference.

    I know this has been covered in past. I called Cooper and was connected to their commercial tire specialist. He says that they sell a lot of tires to Motorhome owners. I currently have 275/70R/19.5 load range G. He asked me how I use coach and where and He recommended same size in their load range H in their Roadmaster 170 series. He would recommend something else if you drove in snow or muddy dirt roads. He said if I weigh the axles and call him. He will give me the correct psi to run and that I should get the same ride as the G range with the proper psi in the tires plus have a much stronger sidewall.

    Also, asked him about UV protection in this tire, he said cover them of course, but also mentioned that sometimes the covers you buy that covers the entire tire make the tire much hotter causing more damage than UV and suggests some type of sun protection that blocks sun but allow air flow to keep tire cooler. Is there anything like that you can buy like something that attaches to wheel well and hangs down or do you jerry rig?

    Anyone used these tires and if so your thoughts?

    Thanks

    I bought 4 Hankooks the last time around, but have four Hercules on the drive axle and probably the cheapest Chinese brand you can buy. Don't see any real difference in any of them and have quit paying for big names, like the GY's I once had, that really didn't impress me one bit. I mean they all have a DOT number on them, do they not?
    As for covers, I use them and mine do fit loosely, so they do get some air around them. Can't hardly buy into the heat theory anyway, considering what they must be like on the highway and especially in the tropics and desert southwest during summer. Along with that, most any manufacture or expert will tell you not to use liquid compounds on them. This stuff is mainly for show and the first thing dealers do for sales.
  • 1BryNelson's avatar
    1BryNelson
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    First have you looked and priced Toyo tires? If you are driving as stated the Toyo highway truck tires might be better priced. Live mostly in AZ so I use the those. When I shopped around rhose were the best price and tire. Like previous post about tire shielding, gonna do that myself. Heat in AZ is a ongoing problem, but rather that than snow.
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Apr 19, 2015
    On the tire cover issue I used FRP Panels from Home depot and cut to size. They just slide into wheel well and seem to stay put pretty well. They are thin and slide easily on top of the spare in the compartment. They cost about $35.00 a panel and I got 2 covers out of each panel

    http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-4-ft-x-8-ft-White-090-FRP-Wall-Board-MFTF12IXA480009600/100389836

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 21, 2025