Tire decision, Michelin, BFG, or Kumho

[427435]

After 8 years, it's time to replace my 245-70R-19.5 tires. I got these prices from a reputable local store. They are all out the door including balance and new valve stems.

Michelin.......................... $2901

BF Goodrich....................... $2318

Kumho............................. $2066


Any thoughts or advice???

[tropical36]

427435 wrote:
After 8 years, it's time to replace my 245-70R-19.5 tires. I got these prices from a reputable local store. They are all out the door including balance and new valve stems.

Michelin.......................... $2901

BF Goodrich....................... $2318

Kumho............................. $2066


Any thoughts or advice???

For beginners, I quit paying for any name and go with the price, as long as I can find some decent reviews. Having said that, I put four of these on the drive wheels last year, HERCULES before driving all over and then doing a 7200 mile US tour for the summer. So far so good, is all I can say and was not happy with the service I got from the Goodyears anyway.
These were shipped to my door and a local tire shop, mounted and balanced them.

[mike_brez]

Let's see sidewall blow out on my Firestones with under 10K miles on my pickup and firestone was no help at all replaced all four with another brand.
Rear tire blowout in rv with Goodyear 670s not fun. Yes they were properly inflated blaaa blaaa blaaa.
Michelin has zipper issues and Goodyear rivering problems. I have 22inch Hankooks on my Suburban with 50k on them and on the rv with 5k with no problems yet.
The way I see it is your paying for advertising.

[camper19709]

I bought Kumho for my moho this spring and I am very happy. Yes the price was good but not the lowest. Also Kumho has a good reputation.
Any of those tires you list would be ok.

[wny_pat1]

You want to know where your tires are made? Well just find the DOT Tire Plant Code on the tires!!! And then check at the following web page: http://www.harriger.com/tires.htm. Then you will know the name of the plant, the city, the state, and the country!!!

[RFCN2]

You will likely be happy with any of the three. I personally try to buy tires made in USA. I have used Michelin, Goodyear, BF Goodrich, Firestone, and Dunlop in the last 8 years with no issues. All those were made here. I do think standards for manufacturing are higher in first World industrial countries. That includes the USA, Canada, Germany, Japan, and so on. Does it include Korea. Probably. Does it include China. Maybe. They do have a space program and do make iPads. But is their quality control good on tires????

Michelin for a lot of years made the best radial tires since they invented them. These days they are one of the best tire makers.

I have also heard a number of times that the Chinese use very hard rubber in their tires. That would cause me not to want them. Wet roads and hard rubber do not mix. I buy OTR truck tires and not RV tires for my coach. Why, I think they are tougher. My coach rides fine.

The last two times I have bought tires I would have bought Michelin if the price was not so darn high. Both times Mich was right about 30% more. If I am able to use FMCA program next time I need tires I am going to do that.

[falconbrother]

Someone already said it.. Dont buy Chinese motorhome tires. Two years ago I put Coopers made in Arkansas on my motorhome and they are great. I understand that they may have moved this production to China since then. Next purchase wont be Cooper if that's true.

I had a blowout driving on the Chinese tires that were on my rig when I bought it. It went like a grenade and damaged things around the wheel well. Chinese tires aren't a deal in the long run. I will pay more for American tires. I might run something from Asia on the CRV but not the motorhome.

When that tire went I seriously thought DW was having a heart attack. I was just thrilled to still be alive. I hope to never do that again and if it means dropping some coin on decent tires every few years I'll do it or I'll get out of the motorhome hobby.

It's been said, don't try to go cheap on tires for a motorhome. Think of the hours you'll be driving either not worried about the tires or stressing not quite sure they are safe. A calm mind is a good investment.

Personally, I'm not married to a brand. The only question I ask is, "Where are they made?" The only answer I want to hear is: "The USA". This, of course, is just my opinion but, it comes from the school of hard knocks.

If I were doing the TV/TT thing I might feel a little more flexible on this issue but, a blowout on a front tire of a motorhome can be very dangerous. Just not worth it to save a few bucks for me.

[wny_pat1]

Smitty77 wrote:
Second post in this thread, to expand. I concur that price always is a factor, as long as safety is not compromised.

Three years ago when doing my research, off of memory, three tires were considered Tier 1 in our tire size (22 X 12R):
-Michelin
-Goodyear G670
-BF Goodrich (Please see note below.)

Tier 2:
-Bridgestone
-Toyo
-Others (about two or three more)

Tier 3:
-Others (As I would only consider Tier 1 and 2, don't have these in my memory cells.)

Note: As with all things, opinions varied when I talked with different tire distributors/dealers. Some considered BF Goodrich (Made by Michelin) to be Tier 1, others said Tier 2 but 'close to Tier 1'. Also, to the best of my knowledge and memory, the current Continental RV tires were not available at that time.)

OK - So what? I feel that any Tier 2 and above tire, is a 'safe' tire. As you shop price, you really can't go wrong with any of these tires.

Why I have Michelins? And yes, they were the highest cost. I had negotiated a credit for 8 new tires as part of the purchase agreement. We agreed to use BF Goodrich's price as the baseline. So I only paid the difference between BF Goodrich and the Michelin's.

I had wanted the XZE*, as they had a bit thicker sidewall then standard XZE's. (As a rookie with a 40', and tag's, I was concerned about clipping the curb from time to time on turns. And yes, I have done this. That extra little extra gives me a safety edge.

Next set? Will probably do as Mr. Executive has done. Putting a Tier 1 tire on the steers, and a Tier 2 on the Drives and Tag. (And note, not saying Goodyear G670's are Tier 2, and if they price close they could easily be those tires on the rear.)

Last comment. Tier 1 and Tier 2 opinions, are just that opinions. But these were from three multiple sources, and I trusted their input enough to run with it. Other's may not care to do so. And, this was three years ago.

Do your research, factor the costs to your decision on the level of quality. Make your decision.

One last opinion, already said by others: Buy the best tire you can. As no matter how good your suspension or brakes are - it is those tiny little patches of tires making contact to the pavement, that can be the difference in an emergency maneuver or stopping. (Cars as well as RV's)

Best of luck to all, be safe, have fun,
Smitty

Currently, "third tier now is made up almost exclusively of Chinese-made tires, representing 30 to 35 percent of the market, Mr. Weller said. This tier includes brands such as Cooper Roadmaster, Double Coin, Hercules, Sailun, GITI, Samson, Road One and another 20 to 30 manufacturers or brands sold in North America at the moment."
source: http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/20130802/NEWS/130809973/chinese-tire-industry-consolidating&temp...

And Tier 1, 2, and 3 are meaningless when determining what tires to put on your motorhome. Means nothing but market share.

[timmac]

427435 wrote:
After 8 years, it's time to replace my 245-70R-19.5 tires. I got these prices from a reputable local store. They are all out the door including balance and new valve stems.

Michelin.......................... $2901

BF Goodrich....................... $2318

Kumho............................. $2066


Any thoughts or advice???

I had Kumho on my last motorhome and they were great, smooth and quiet, when the tires on my newer rv need changed that's my 1st pick.

[Smitty77]

Second post in this thread, to expand. I concur that price always is a factor, as long as safety is not compromised.

Three years ago when doing my research, off of memory, three tires were considered Tier 1 in our tire size (22 X 12R):
-Michelin
-Goodyear G670
-BF Goodrich (Please see note below.)

Tier 2:
-Bridgestone
-Toyo
-Others (about two or three more)

Tier 3:
-Others (As I would only consider Tier 1 and 2, don't have these in my memory cells.)

Note: As with all things, opinions varied when I talked with different tire distributors/dealers. Some considered BF Goodrich (Made by Michelin) to be Tier 1, others said Tier 2 but 'close to Tier 1'. Also, to the best of my knowledge and memory, the current Continental RV tires were not available at that time.)

OK - So what? I feel that any Tier 2 and above tire, is a 'safe' tire. As you shop price, you really can't go wrong with any of these tires.

Why I have Michelins? And yes, they were the highest cost. I had negotiated a credit for 8 new tires as part of the purchase agreement. We agreed to use BF Goodrich's price as the baseline. So I only paid the difference between BF Goodrich and the Michelin's.

I had wanted the XZE*, as they had a bit thicker sidewall then standard XZE's. (As a rookie with a 40', and tag's, I was concerned about clipping the curb from time to time on turns. And yes, I have done this. That extra little extra gives me a safety edge.

Next set? Will probably do as Mr. Executive has done. Putting a Tier 1 tire on the steers, and a Tier 2 on the Drives and Tag. (And note, not saying Goodyear G670's are Tier 2, and if they price close they could easily be those tires on the rear.)

Last comment. Tier 1 and Tier 2 opinions, are just that opinions. But these were from three multiple sources, and I trusted their input enough to run with it. Other's may not care to do so. And, this was three years ago.

Do your research, factor the costs to your decision on the level of quality. Make your decision.

One last opinion, already said by others: Buy the best tire you can. As no matter how good your suspension or brakes are - it is those tiny little patches of tires making contact to the pavement, that can be the difference in an emergency maneuver or stopping. (Cars as well as RV's)

Best of luck to all, be safe, have fun,
Smitty

[J-Rooster]

I buy Michelins because they make a soft rubber tire (XRV) softest RV tire on the market, which is made specifically for RV's that sit for long periods of time. I have no complaints about Chinese except they are made of hard rubber!

[Executive45]

Sully2 wrote:

Executive wrote:
IMHO, only fools buy tires buy based on price alone......Dennis

Thank you for calling me a fool...because I openly admit that I price the living CRA* out of tire prices when shopping. I dont buy the lowest cost out on the market but I sure do price them to death. And IMHO people that BLINDLY buy Michelins because "they are the best" are the fools in the buying game.

There are other brands available that are JUST AS GOOD as the Mich's at lots less $$. Not that Mich's are bad...or junk or anything...because they arent...Mich makes a great tire. In lots of cases almost 200% OVERPRICED....but quality-wise a good tire.

Sully you are no fool....I've highlighted the word you may have missed...:B..obviously you do your research THEN check prices....if that makes you a fool, then it makes me one too....just sayin..:W..Dennis

[Don_Don]

Go continintal , what most buses over the road run.

[mike_brez]

This guy likes his Michelins.

[Sully2]

Executive wrote:
Who buys tires based on price alone....:h:h..

My family's safety is my first concern. I'm interested in buying the best rated, best quality tire I can find. I could care less about the cost.

My research showed Michelin and Goodyear had better quality control, testing and compounds than any of the other brands so that's what I run...Michelins on the front, Goodyears on the drive and tag axles....your perception may be different....good luck..

IMHO, only fools buy tires buy based on price alone......Dennis

Thank you for calling me a fool...because I openly admit that I price the living CRA* out of tire prices when shopping. I dont buy the lowest cost out on the market but I sure do price them to death. And IMHO people that BLINDLY buy Michelins because "they are the best" are the fools in the buying game.

There are other brands available that are JUST AS GOOD as the Mich's at lots less $$. Not that Mich's are bad...or junk or anything...because they arent...Mich makes a great tire. In lots of cases almost 200% OVERPRICED....but quality-wise a good tire.

[Sully2]

Seneca 35GS wrote:

mike brez wrote:
You could get 6 Hankooks out the door for $1,700.00

Don't buy CHINESE.

Thats an old saw that cant cut anymore