Anyone Know Why The Michelin XPS Is Not Intended for Winter?

[tlukasavige172]

I currently have these on my trailer as it came with it when I bought it. The sidewalls are all cracked though so I need to replace them. I was going to go with a G rated tire but I looked at my wheels and they are only rated for 3042 pounds. So I'd like to stick with these as they have been awesome. However, looking at new ones it says "Highway Rib Summer tires are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice." I am headed for Alaska next week and tow this trailer 90% of the time in winter. Does anyone know why they are not rated for winter? I have no idea what I'd go with if not the Michelin XPS. Thanks for the advice.

[tlukasavige172]

Thanks Y-Guy. I'm going to order some tomorrow.

[Y-Guy]

I chatting with my friend a bit about these. He says these are some of the best trailer tires for hauling heavy loads, but clearly not a all season tire. In the past some have used them on pick up's with poor results in the winter. For a trailer though he wouldn't hesitate to recommend them or install them for winter use.

[dedmiston]

Tractor Trailer Drifting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_g6nRubs1U

[tlukasavige172]

Well that's what I figured. Then I look at a tire with traction and it's not suppose to be used on a trailer. All the good trailer tires don't have traction from what I see. I'm kinda confused.

[JIMNLIN]

Look at the tread design. There is very little siping and no tread blocks for traction like a mild all season type of LT tire.

Michelin makes a XPS Rib Traction tire for winter use. However with those large lugs and voids don't make for the best traction and lateral stability on a trailer.

Other members have contacted Michelin with that question. Before it was traction issues. Be interesting to see what they now say.

[Dick_B]

Did you do a Google search?

[CapriRacer]

It is also likely the rubber compounds used will crack in very cold temperatures.

Interested to see what Michelin says.

[big_buford]

Highway tread design = harder rubber compound, lower rolling resistance, almost no siping, solid shoulder ribs and increased mileage summer tire.

Which I would think is the exact opposite of what you would want in a winter tire?

[tlukasavige172]

Thanks Y-Guy

[Y-Guy]

If you don't hear anything let me know I am friends with the owner of a few tire shops and I can ask him when he gets back on Monday.

[tlukasavige172]

Thanks for the replies. I suppose I'll call Michelin tomorrow and get to the bottom of it. I'm hoping it's only a recommendation for people using them as steer or drive tires.

I use the trailer in the winter for skiing and snowmobiling so it's used in the snow and ice. I bought it last year in December with these tires on it so I haven't used them it's entire life but they've worked fine for me so far. I didn't know they weren't rated for the winter until I went looking for new ones.

[phillyg]

I don't know for sure but you're not using them as drive or steer tires on a MH so I wouldn't worry about it since you're using them as trailer tires. Plus, you wouldn't be using them during a snow or ice event, correct?

[Dennis_M_M]

My guess is that "summer" rated tires have a harder tread compound and obviously do not have an aggressive enough tread to shed snow. Most likely applies to light truck usage.

If you tow in cold weather 90% of the time and they have held up fine for 10 years I would put them on again. I love mine.

[TucsonJim]

The synthetic and rubber mix is not formulated for cold temperature. They will not have acceptable traction and may act more like an ice skate.