Forum Discussion

docsouce's avatar
docsouce
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2019

Mixing Michelin tires

I've spent a week researching this and I'm not satisfied with the answers I'm getting so here we go.
I have 4000 miles on a new set of Michelin LTXMS2 tires that I put on the front of my e350 22 ft Class C RV. 39000 miles on the original Michelin LTXMS2 TIRES. These tires have since been discontinued.
Now at 44000 I want to change out the rear dually tires.
Michelin says no problem using either "Defender LXTMS" or XPS RIB catalog # 08404 on the rear with the LTXMS2 ON THE front. However they recommend the XPS RIB.
3 truck tire dealers in the area say they recommend the Defender.
I'm wondering if/how the stiff sidewalls on the XPS RIB will work with the LTXMS2 tires.
The reason I changed the front tires early was because of an alignment problem, which has been fixed, caused the tires to wear faster.
Really dont know what to do here.
Seeking Advice
  • JRscooby's avatar
    JRscooby
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2019
    Your front and back axles do different jobs, so I don't think matching front to rear is required or even desirable. Now 2 tires running side by each need to be the same height or the short one will wear real fast. And if the tires on the ends of a drive axle are of different heights, it will cause extra wear in the differential. Mis-matched steering tires? Some trucks you only notice when inspecting, others it can make it feel bad.
    Now when I say the tires need to be the same height, I'm talking about how high they hold the axle when aired up and under load. Most times I wrap a tape measure around, measure the circumference, to match before I put them on.
    BTW, I have no RV experience, but have ran trucks millions of miles.
  • docsouce's avatar
    docsouce
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2019
    The fronts are identical. My rear dually tires will be the same size as the front. I'm wondering if it will effect the handling when the front set are one style (LTXMS2'S) AND THE rear dually's are a different style (Defender LXTMS or XPS RIB). All Michelin and all 6 will be the same size 225/75r/16.
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Sep 06, 2019
    Shouldn't make any difference at all. I'd go with the ribs, myself. Who would know better than the tire manufacturer.

    B.O.

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