OK to mix tire brands? (Front/Steer tires)

[mtrumpet]

Never did I think that I would have a tire question, but I do. I did an extensive search through the many past tire posts, but could not find an answer to my question..

Is it ok to mix different brands of tires on the front (steer) provided that they are of the same size and load rating? For example, A Goodyear on the drivers side and say, a Hankook or any other brand on the passenger side if both are 275/70R22.5 Load Range H ?

I don't see a problem, but is there something that I may not be considering?

I realize that this is a no-no with the rear duals on the same side.

[racecarfan]

naturist wrote:
Can't mix across a differential as it will cause overheating of the differential.

That one cost me $1500 once upon a time.

BS
you can put a firestone on one, a goodyear on another, a Michelin on another etc as long as their identical or very very close to the same Diameter

[mtrumpet]

Thanks J-Rooster.

In fact, my tire guy pretty much said what you said - in a pinch/emergency you can do it to get out of a bind. BUT, he didn't recommend it for a long term fix.

[J-Rooster]

I retired from a trucking company in 2010 after 44-1/4 years OTR and our trucking company did this when one of our trucks had a flat tire that couldn't be fixed immediately. The one thing our tire guy focused on was getting the right width of tire and the right tread height of the tire to insure the best steering / handling possible. So to answer your question Yes! But it was done at our company for no more than 3 days (weekend) because our tire guy liked us to run matched sets of tires when over the road for maximum road handling. Good Luck in whatever you decide to do. I'm not a tire expert, but have been associated with tires for 44-1/4 years. Ask your local tire guy for his advice.

[Sully2]

mtrumpet wrote:
OK. When I get the ball joints replaced and the front end all fixed up at Spartan in a couple of weeks, I'm going to have them put Goodyear 661's on the front, which I'll be bringing along with me. Yea, I know, they're not "RV tires" per se', but they're supposedly very good for steer tires (can be used in all positions too). They are a lot heavier duty than the RV670's for sure. 275/70R22.5 LOAD RANGE J. The thread pattern is kind of similar to the Michelin XRV style.

The only thing that concerns me a little is how much "harder" they will ride since they're so much more heavier duty? The tire dealer that I deal with said they they've put them on quite a few DP's and after they "break in" a bit, they should be fine. They claim to not have had any complaints.

Mark: Check and see if those 661's are short haul tires or long range / over the road tires. It makes a difference for sure

[mtrumpet]

OK. When I get the ball joints replaced and the front end all fixed up at Spartan in a couple of weeks, I'm going to have them put Goodyear 661's on the front, which I'll be bringing along with me. Yea, I know, they're not "RV tires" per se', but they're supposedly very good for steer tires (can be used in all positions too). They are a lot heavier duty than the RV670's for sure. 275/70R22.5 LOAD RANGE J. The thread pattern is kind of similar to the Michelin XRV style.

The only thing that concerns me a little is how much "harder" they will ride since they're so much more heavier duty? The tire dealer that I deal with said they they've put them on quite a few DP's and after they "break in" a bit, they should be fine. They claim to not have had any complaints.

[Sully2]

FINALY found this thread Mark. I posted info to you in a PM but here it is again. I had 12R-22.5 Firestone tires installed That were quite a big cheaper than anything else I had priced. 16 ply tired. And some of the other bands that are talked about time and again...the local "tire guy" wouldnt even sell to me. Not for any reason!!
Firestone FS560 tires..ride good...handle nice..etc

[wildmanbaker]

This is not meant to degrade any post.

Mike, you have gotten many replies and opinions. Try it and see how it handles and drives, then make up your mind. I wasn't always this old, and as a punk teenager, who though you had to smoke the tires at least once a day, I was using a lot of miss matched tires not only front to back, but side to side. When I got a semi permanent job, I started buying recaps, of course the casings were all the same. Now racing, ever hear of stager? Tires of different diameter on each side of the same axle. You have to hold the steering wheel 1/4 turn to the right going down the straightaway to go straight. As you go into the corners, you start letting off, and it usually goes right around the corner easy as pie, yea right. Like I said, try it.

[Sully2]

mtrumpet wrote:


Sully, which model of Firestone are you running?

Dont remember Mark. I'll check tomorrow when its light outside and respond here

[mtrumpet]

Executive wrote:
Mark, I don't think anyone said any of the brands suggested were unsafe. Michelin and Goodyear are the only two brands formulated specifically for RV use. That means they contain compounds that help reduce the UV damage to tires from non use. I'm not a tire engineer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once, so I can only rely on their printed assurances. These compounds also provide a softer sidewall which results in a softer, (smoother) ride many RVrs are demanding. Yokohama, Hankook, Toyo etc. are all truck tires and are designed to provide a longer tread life that truckers demand. RVrs do not. Because of these factors, those tires are harder and more substantial than the Ms or GYs making the ride more pronounced. IMO, they are all safe tires and your choice should be dependent on your requirements. The softer, smoother ride will cost you a little more....Is a Mercedes safer than a Chevy..? Nope, but the MBZ sure costs more.....Dennis

:B:B

[Executive45]

Mark, I don't think anyone said any of the brands suggested were unsafe. Michelin and Goodyear are the only two brands formulated specifically for RV use. That means they contain compounds that help reduce the UV damage to tires from non use. I'm not a tire engineer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once, so I can only rely on their printed assurances. These compounds also provide a softer sidewall which results in a softer, (smoother) ride many RVrs are demanding. Yokohama, Hankook, Toyo etc. are all truck tires and are designed to provide a longer tread life that truckers demand. RVrs do not. Because of these factors, those tires are harder and more substantial than the Ms or GYs making the ride more pronounced. IMO, they are all safe tires and your choice should be dependent on your requirements. The softer, smoother ride will cost you a little more....Is a Mercedes safer than a Chevy..? Nope, but the MBZ sure costs more.....Dennis

[mtrumpet]

Sully2 wrote:

mtrumpet wrote:
OK. Thanks for all of the informative replies to my initial post/question. Clearly, there were a couple of details that I wasn't considering.

Don't know how this turned into a "this brand is better than this brand" thread (not my original question), but since it has, let me put this question out there....

How is it factually known that Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone/Firestone, etc. are "better" tires than Cooper, Toyo, Yokohama, Hankook, Sumitomo, Dunlop, Continental, etc.? Why? Because they're more expensive than the others? Because marketing literature says so? Perhaps because the popularity of the brand names indicates "popular name=higher quality"? I would like to know. Has there ever been any known statistical testing done on RV tires?

FWIW, I've been exclusively running Goodyear G670RV's on my motorhomes (current size, 275/70R22.5 LRH). However, given the current, ever increasing prices of not only the Goodyears, but the Michelin RV Tires as well, I find it hard to believe that they are the ONLY tires we could/should be "safely" running on Class A DP's as some would seem to have us believe. I feel that because "RV" is included in the model description, we're getting "jacked' for a couple of hundred extra bucks per tire.

Then again, I realize that I could be completely wrong...

It ISNT "factually" known. Im running Firestones at present and love them. LOTS better ride and handling than the Goodyear G670's i did have on it

Sully, which model of Firestone are you running?

[Ivylog]

I'll venture I started with Michelins before most on here... 1964. I was a loyal user until eight years ago when their XRV tires started blowing out... some fortunately while sitting still. Michelin did not stand behind this problem tire and at that point there are other good radial tires unlike in 1964. I agree a Michelin will probably out wear most truck tires, BUT in 11 years I have not read of anyone replacing the tires on their MH because they were bald.

[Sully2]

mtrumpet wrote:
OK. Thanks for all of the informative replies to my initial post/question. Clearly, there were a couple of details that I wasn't considering.

Don't know how this turned into a "this brand is better than this brand" thread (not my original question), but since it has, let me put this question out there....

How is it factually known that Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone/Firestone, etc. are "better" tires than Cooper, Toyo, Yokohama, Hankook, Sumitomo, Dunlop, Continental, etc.? Why? Because they're more expensive than the others? Because marketing literature says so? Perhaps because the popularity of the brand names indicates "popular name=higher quality"? I would like to know. Has there ever been any known statistical testing done on RV tires?

FWIW, I've been exclusively running Goodyear G670RV's on my motorhomes (current size, 275/70R22.5 LRH). However, given the current, ever increasing prices of not only the Goodyears, but the Michelin RV Tires as well, I find it hard to believe that they are the ONLY tires we could/should be "safely" running on Class A DP's as some would seem to have us believe. I feel that because "RV" is included in the model description, we're getting "jacked' for a couple of hundred extra bucks per tire.

Then again, I realize that I could be completely wrong...

It ISNT "factually" known. Im running Firestones at present and love them. LOTS better ride and handling than the Goodyear G670's i did have on it

[Sully2]

mtrumpet wrote:
Thanks for the very informative reply Busskipper.

Dont run different size OR different brands of the same size on the front.