Tires (again)

ron.dittmer wrote:
My plan is to get at least 3 more years, maybe longer pending if I see significant sidewall or between-thread cracking. So far no cracking of any kind, not even very minor. They still look like new and are wearing well too.

This is a dangerously short-sighted plan. You often can not SEE the wear and tear that causes the failure.

Last year I bought a 7 year old used C. The tires looked "like new".
One of then threw a tread a month later.
Thankfully I wasn't going too fast at the time.

You are, of course, free to do whatever stupid thing you want but advising others to follow your plan is irresponsible.

Thanks all of you. The first price of $500 was from a Michelin dealer. I will definitely shop around. Agreed that my average is around 3000 miles a year. Is there any brands to stay away from? In other words, tires are personal. I get that. But has anyone heard of real life horror stories with any particular brands? Thanks all.

Look for sidewall cracks - if the sidewalss aren't cracked and the tread area is still thick - you might be able to get a couple more years out of them.

$3000 sounds WAY HIGH. My last set of seven (including the spare) Michelin M&S2 tires for our Class C cost only a little over $1800.

By the way, both the Michelin M&S and M&S2 tire lines have now been replaced with their M&S "Defender" tire line ... so if you do get a net set of Michelins be sure and ask for their latest M&S Defender tires. I have a new set of these on our rig as of early this summer.

I use the 215/85R16 Load Range E Michelin tire size on our Class C so as to get more ground clearance and less rolling friction, while at the same time having the same weight carrying capacity.

just4mrg wrote:
Just asking the expertise of the forum. I bought a used 2010 Jayco Melbourne. Has a set of Michelin LT225/75R16. My question is the previous owner stored this Motorhome in a garage for the first six years unless camping. I know all about the 5-6 year rule, but a set of 6 of these is around $3,000. Do you think with the indoor storage I would be safe going longer? They only have 17k miles on them. Thanks. Just looking for the expert opinions of the members

Our 2007 Phoenix Cruiser motor home HERE is always garage kept when not in-use. The house portion is built on a 2007 E350 with the same original tires as you have. They now have 30,000 miles of use. So our Michelin LTX M/S LT225/75 R16 tires are now 9 years old. My plan is to get at least 3 more years, maybe longer pending if I see significant sidewall or between-thread cracking. So far no cracking of any kind, not even very minor. They still look like new and are wearing well too.

If your rig is on the smaller/lighter side, I think you can get another 6 years of regular use. Just watch for sidewall or between-thread cracking or other concerns. If your class C/B+ rig is 28-32 feet long and over-loaded, I think you are still safe to use them, but consider replacing them a few years earlier, again assuming they pass inspection. I feel shorter/lighter rigs can stretch tire-life for longer periods because they carry less weight with lower PSI.

Our first motor home, we owned for 24 years. It too was garage kept, and it was very light weight. We sold it with it's second set of tires.

Thanks Ichabod. I felt like I was winning LOTTO. Everything matched the recall with the exception of the last 4 of the DOT identifier. The website says if it does not match EXACTLY, it is not part of the recall. Was so hoping. Guess I will bite the bullet. Just hoping 6 years indoor maybe buy some time. Thanks for the link, though.

I also have the same size and paid just over $1000 in Denver area for 6 new tires balanced and mounted.

Definitely check around for different brands. There is no point in getting 70,000 mile tires for your RV that you'll only drive 15,000 miles in the next 5-8 years.

yes check the recall. and tires start aging the day they come out of the mold, being inside helps, but they still rot as time goes on. p.s. find another tire dealer I have the same size and six mounted ,bal was $1500.out the door two yrs back. get the MS 2.

Most all will recommend to replace them after 6 years,they will time out before the wear out.

You may luck out and have them covered by the RECALL check them out,you may get a new set free,after all if they are the original tires they may fall into the range of the recall.