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PapPappy's avatar
PapPappy
Explorer
Feb 24, 2016

Tires: XPS Ribs vs. LTX M/S?

A friend of mine just called and asked if I could ask you guys about a tire issue he's having. He is in his Class C, on a trip between CA and OK, and has blown a tire. He knows that he's due for new tires, but is having some issues with locating the Michelin XPS Ribs (10 ply "E" rating, with metal mesh sidewalls), which apparently have to be special ordered for his RV.
The Tire store recommended the LTX-M/S tire, with the same ratings, but it doesn't have the metal sidewalls.

Is it really going to make a difference? He doesn't mind the extra money, if it's a safer tire having the metal sidewalls.

Of course, it is ironic that the tire with the metal sidewall is what blew out when he hit one of California's many potholes!!

He's on the road, so I'm going to send him texts of your comments. He knows he's going to be buying new tires all the way around on his RV (save that new tire as a spare), but wants to make the smart/safe choice. He's got basically the same RV as I do (31' Winnie), so I'm also interested.:)

What would you recommend. I know that I probably should have posted this in the technical forum, but when I looked there, most of the tire stuff was for P/Us and trailers...not much for a Class C.

Thanks in advance.
Class C

18 Replies

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  • pnichols's avatar
    pnichols
    Explorer II
    Feb 24, 2016
    Note that the "M/S" in that LTX M/S2 tire of course means Mud & Snow ... it means a tread with better traction just in case you find yourself on wet, soft, or snowy surfaces.

    The XPS Rib tire has a smooth tread for long wear on relatively firm and dry or non-slippery road surfaces. The steel sidewalls are to help with scrubbing against curbs in commercial use.

    I'd definitely go with the LTX M/S2 tires on a Class C motorhome so as to be ready for the widest possible conditions anywhere anytime. I have them all around plus the spare in size 215/85R16 LR E. I changed to the 215/85R size to get a slightly taller tire for better ground clearance. The M&S tread - even though more aggressive than the XPS tread - is still very quiet on the highway.
  • ernie1's avatar
    ernie1
    Explorer II
    Feb 24, 2016
    I just got rid if my Toyo Open Country tires which could not handle the stresses put to it by my class b rv. One by one the belts would separate and the tires would start rumbling. Had new Toyos put on under warranty by Les Schwab and they had the rv all over the road swaying and wandering from lane to lane. I said "enough!". To Les Schwab's credit, they returned all my money and installed new Michelin XPS, which I bought, for free. I got a real smoking' deal at $250/tire. Now the rv drives like it should with no wandering and shifting from lane to lane.

    Just thought I'd mention my experience because most people talk about tread wear and initial price, while I'm also concerned about those issues, proper handling is also very important.
  • Rolin's avatar
    Rolin
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2016
    We are currently switching to rib tires. Reasons: better durability and fuel economy.

    If we frequently drove in mud, snow, and ice then we would stay with the MS tires, but we don't often encounter snow and ice so the rib tires are a better match for our needs.
  • Duck's avatar
    Duck
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2016
    Make sure they are M/S2 and not just M/S tires. Ribs are best have call a Goodyear Commercial Truck Store. Think that they are called G/Y Wingfoot stores. They might have them in stock.
    Don
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Feb 24, 2016
    If you bought a new Class C on a Ford chassis, it'd come with Michelin LTX M/S2 tires. Michelin is a name that needs no introduction, no apology, anywhere in the world. The LTX M/S2 meets all requirements and has that reputation for quality.
    The XPS RIB is a downsized commercial tire. So is Bridgestone's Duravis R250. Same load rating but the tire is considered "tougher." Our Class C had R250's from the previous owner. They were bulletproof, so when we needed to replace, we simply went with another set. Discount (aka America's) Tire.
    Does your friend care that LTX has an "all season" tread and XPS has a "highway" tread? I've heard it claimed that a "Rib" or "Highway" tread is similar to "Steer Axle" tread for heavy duty trucks. They use "Steer, "Drive," and "Trailer" versions of their big tires, like the 22.5" and 24.5" rim sizes. Anyway, some believe that Rib will track better on the road than All Season. We had All Season on or first Class C and it tracked fine.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2016
    I chose Michelin XPS RIBS after researching various forums for a few months. The one forum is used by drivers who transport vehicles and goods using medium duty trucks. Many of them travel 100,000 to 300,000 miles per year and will go through numerous tires. Quite a few used the XPS RIBS because the tires held up well and provided more than expected miles of trouble free use.

    That being said, I don't think I would want to sit around and wait for tires for more than a day or two if time was an issue or I didn't like where I was stuck.

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