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capyjack's avatar
capyjack
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013

Tires

I have an 03 Alfa See Ya on a Freightliner chassis.
The tires were weather checked after 10 years and 60,000 miles.
Plenty of tread left but they made me nervous.
I replaced them with a set of Hancooks that I was told are as good as any.
The tire guy explained the difference between steer tires and drive tires (the coach came new with all six steer tires (Michelins)).
The steer tires have a rather straight tread while the drivers are more of a traction tread.
My issues is that the coach seems to need more correction in the steering to keep it in a straight line, meaning that it seems to wander more with these tires that with the original Michelins.
I tow an enclosed car hauler and it seems to wag more than it used to.
Is there that much difference in these tires or is it just me?
Any comments appreciated as I just spent $2800 on tires and am considering dumping them for another set more like the originals.
Class A

8 Replies

  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    We reduced our "wander" by having the RV aligned, set the toe-in, and properly inflated the tires.
  • ghostrider421's avatar
    ghostrider421
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    My brother just replaced the OEM tires on his Peterbilt this year with Kelly Commercial tires.
  • capyjack's avatar
    capyjack
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    All good thoughts guys.
    I have put about 2500 miles on them and will check the weights and look at that chart. I have weighed it but don't remember the weights. I know its heavy.
    I would suspect that the Michelins were all position tires as they were all the same. The tire guy called them steer tires but he was young enough to be my grandson.
    As for all season that would make sense as well. I have been stuck on level wet grass as it does not have a locker in the transaxle.
    A few years ago I was driving across Wyoming in a blizzard. It was icy and a hand full. I almost couldn't get rolling again after a pit stop.
    Thanks for the comments.
  • Rwake901's avatar
    Rwake901
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    I used to own a box van that I made deliveries for FEDEX in. I had new commercial tires put on it (don’t remember the brand) when the OEM tires wore out. I had the same problem with them wandering all over the road. After running them for a few months it drove OK again. Might just be because they are new and the rubbers soft…
  • JimM68's avatar
    JimM68
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    as was said.
    motorhomes typicaly call for all position tires, or use steer tires for all six.
    Inflation is very important. too much pressure equals a terrible rough ride, too little = wandering all over the road.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 06, 2013
    I would have gone with "all position" tires.
    I do not know where your "tire guy" was coming from.
    There is also some that are considered "all season" especially for the NW.
    I would say that it is possible that there is not enough air in the front tires.
    Have you weighed your rig? If yes, then check the tire manufacturer's website for correct inflation.
    Does your rig have a steering stabilizer? This should slow down some raod wander.
  • wny_pat1's avatar
    wny_pat1
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    capyjack wrote:
    I have an 03 Alfa See Ya on a Freightliner chassis.
    The tires were weather checked after 10 years and 60,000 miles.
    Plenty of tread left but they made me nervous.
    I replaced them with a set of Hancooks that I was told are as good as any.
    The tire guy explained the difference between steer tires and drive tires (the coach came new with all six steer tires (Michelins)).
    The steer tires have a rather straight tread while the drivers are more of a traction tread.
    My issues is that the coach seems to need more correction in the steering to keep it in a straight line, meaning that it seems to wander more with these tires that with the original Michelins.
    I tow an enclosed car hauler and it seems to wag more than it used to.
    Is there that much difference in these tires or is it just me?
    Any comments appreciated as I just spent $2800 on tires and am considering dumping them for another set more like the originals.

    Sounds like he did not tell you about All Position tires!!! Which seem to be the tire of choice for most motorhomes. I live in "ski country" south of Buffalo, NY, that you might often hear about during the winter months on the Weather Channel. My All Position tire are just fine for traction when leaving to go south during January or February. No traction problems at all.

    As to your wandering problem, have you weighted the coach on all four corners and adjusted you tire psi per the manufacturers tire inflation charts? You will find the weight/inflation charts on page 14 in the http://wholesale.lindertire.com/assets/2012TBRCatalog.pdf. If your tires have too much or too little air psi, it will cause them to wander. If you tow that trailer all the time, weight your coaches axles when hooked to the trailer! And check the tongue weight of the trailer too!
  • deereone's avatar
    deereone
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2013
    Just remember the old tires were 10 years old and stiff from age. The new tire are very flexible both in the tread and sidewalls. The new tread also has much more grip to the road than the old tires. You will feel a difference in staying with the same brand and model of tire as far as old and new tires.

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