Newbie class A owner, time for tires

[Useroverdrive]

Hello all,

I have a new to me 1989 28' Mallard Sprinter, P-30, 454, auto, 49500

miles that has bridgestone LT215 85R16 tires all the way around.

They look like they're right off the showroom floor.

I bought the mh march of 2013 and drove 200 miles home after buying

it. I checked the DOT info on one of the steer tires and it shows a

manufacturing date of oct 2002. Once I confirm the other tires mfg

dates, I will be looking to replace all of them I'm sure.

Can a few members give me some tire recomendations? I want to replace

the tires with the same size LT 215 85R 16's but want to know some

company names/model numbers to research.

Many thanks in advance,

DS

[olfarmer]

I have had good luck with Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Michelin. Buy a quality tire of any brand and you should be OK. I bought some cheaper brand once and they didn't last very long at all.

[Daveinet]

Yes, that is true. It depends on what your RV needs and your rim width. I run max pressure to compensate for the softer sidewall. Even running max pressure, the ride is softer than steel. On a 28 foot coach, it probably doesn't handle that bad to begin with.

Of course if you wanted to, you could go to a 17 inch wheel. It would give you several improvements. You would loose unsprung weight, both in switching to an aluminum rim, as well a a nylon tire is lighter. Softer sidewall would improve ride, 17 inch would improve handling. All it takes is dollars.

[RLS7201]

One of the reasons that I recommended all steel carcass tires for your application is the very tall side walls of the 85 series tires. Fabric cord tires will flex more and make you driving experience less than optimal. I had a set of 16" Coopers on my MH and the side wall flex was more than I was willing to deal with. Other will tell you that they can't tell the difference and I believe them. I can.

Richard

[Useroverdrive]

I checked on the xps tires and they do have my size.

[Dick_B]

We like our Michelin XPS Ribs but don't know if they come in your size.

[Executive45]

Welcome to the forum!!!

FMCA offers a pretty good discount on Michelins. I run Michelins on the steer and Goodyears on the drive and tag. Check out their prices.

My opinion is never buy tires based on price alone. Your safety, your family's safety and those who share the road with you depend on you making the smartest choice when purchasing tires. Personally, I like Michelins and Goodyears because I've visited the tracks where they do their testing and it was pretty impressive. Some folks like Hankooks, Toyos and even Double Coin....to each his own....Michelins and Goodyears are the only tires formulated for RVs. The others are truck tires...your choice....Dennis

[Daveinet]

I've been running Firestone Transforce for about 8 years now (multiple sets). They are nylon belted, which I have no problem with. I see no advantage with steel belts, and nylon tends to run cooler, which means a higher speed rating. Rubber bonds much better to nylon than it does to steel, so you tend to have less problems with tread separation - a common complaint on RV tires. Experience has shown that road hazards seem to still penetrate steel belts anyway, so I'm not sure what good it does.

[gbopp]

HANKOOK. I'll buy them again. They're good tires.

[RLS7201]

IMHO, an all steel carcase tire is desirable on older chassis using 16" tires. Both Michelin (XPS) and Bridgestone (R250) make such a tire. Both are pricey tires. Ford used the Michelin XPS as OEM on their F53 chassis from 1988-1997.

Richard

[Mississippi]

IMHO - Top line Michelin; Mid line Toyo. Michelin offer softer ride, Toyo is lower price and still a good tire.