Tires

[Getup_ngo]

OK. I will preface this question by saying I am a tire Nazi. I replace tires when they reach six years and I religiously check my tire pressure every day on the road.

So here's my question: I am buying an eight-year-old motorhome that has been garaged its whole life. It only has 9000 miles on it. If tires are not exposed to the elements does that affect the necessity to change them out? They look like they are in very good condition, but I won't take chances.

So, what say you?

[Jim]

Getup'ngo wrote:
Do full-timers choose tires differently than occasional travelers?

Not really. I just choose tires based on my current economics and plans for upcoming trips. I try to avoid brands that have lots of complaints on RV forums...like Michelin XRVs with their sidewall cracking.

[Getup_ngo]

Do full-timers choose tires differently than occasional travelers?

[Kayteg1]

No tires are build equal.
When I bought my vintage conversion, it was standing on tires 20+ years old (those years only last digit was on DOT code, so rear recaps could be 30 yo) .
The tires had cracks all the way around the side, some where I could stick my finger into.
Yet the coach made 150 miles home just fine.
If the tire can hold max rated pressure - it is not likely to blow on slow drive home.
The theory behind RV tires is that they have more of waxes or paraffin in the compound, to give it more protection when park for long periods, but lately I am getting impression that newer tires age faster than the tires in the past.
Somehow it goes with batteries quality.
I've been buying 100 months warranted batteries for years, but now Costco offers only 48 months warranty.

[Ivylog]

Having run Toyo and Hankook on MH's I'd say either would be a good choice.
Rubber was not invented/processed until the 1700's.

[brirene]

TNGW1500SE wrote:
When archeologists dig up Roman chariots the rubber is always gone. It's an age thing.

Oh come on! That's only because they recycled the tires into playground padding before they buried the chariot. The Romans were good about that. 🙂

[bluwtr49]

I'm a big fan of Hankook. The set I put on my previous MH were made in South Korea.

As far as the tires specifically built for RV's I have yet to find anything that suggests they outperform truck tires. Outside of the manufacturers literature of course. I'm a bit skeptical that they're significantly (or any) better.

If I were to comparing the Hankook to Toyos I believe the Toyo has stiffer sidewall and rides a bit harsher but are still a great tire. I'm getting some new tires this summer and I will get Hankook or Toyo depending on price and size availability.

[mike_brez]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Hankook AH12 are the tires pictured in the other post about cracking on 4 year old tires that had only been on the vehicle for 2 years. Tire cracking

You have no clue how those tires were ran.
I can show you plenty of pictures if you wish of michelin sidewall zipper blow outs and cracking and the famous goodyear rivering and law suits on defective tires.

[Jarlaxle]

Ivylog wrote:
You can add the cost of expensive advertising to your tires or not... your choice. I agree there is something wrong with the tires pictured above. Hankook tires are made in China and those sold here are built to US and Australian standards.

I went and looked at the 6 AH12 11R22.5 tires on the back of my MH... date code 2911 which I put on in late 2012. They still look like new, did not balance, and hope to run them for 10 years. See no reason to not put them on again.

I looked on Ebay and a Hankook11R22.5 TL01 is $424 delivered. A DL11, rear drive tire is only $365.

Actually, most Hankooks are made in Korea.

[Jarlaxle]

Getup'ngo wrote:
Ok smart guys. What tire$ do you recommend and why? I am buying a 36-foot cla$$ A with 22.5 wheel$.

What size?

And note: if the tires one it are XRVs, I wouldn't drive it around the block!

[rgatijnet1]

Of course with that expensive advertising also comes tires designed specifically for RV's, which includes UV blocking components that help prevent surface cracking/degradation. Only Goodyear and Michelin sell RV tires. All of the rest sell truck tires. Look at any NEW coach and see how many you see that came from the factory with truck tires on them. But, as usual, your money, your choice.

[Ivylog]

You can add the cost of expensive advertising to your tires or not... your choice. I agree there is something wrong with the tires pictured above. Hankook tires are made in China and those sold here are built to US and Australian standards.

I went and looked at the 6 AH12 11R22.5 tires on the back of my MH... date code 2911 which I put on in late 2012. They still look like new, did not balance, and hope to run them for 10 years. See no reason to not put them on again.

I looked on Ebay and a Hankook11R22.5 TL01 is $424 delivered. A DL11, rear drive tire is only $365.

[rgatijnet1]

Hankook AH12 are the tires pictured in the other post about cracking on 4 year old tires that had only been on the vehicle for 2 years. Tire cracking

[DutchStar38]

Why do so many people want to be cheap on the one thing that can go wrong and tear your RV to pieces or ruin your life? Be cheap on dishes, soap, polish but not tires. If you are not sure whether they are good for the road or not then change them and have peace of mind on the road. Which tire to buy? That's up to you. There is no definitive superior tire. Everyone has an opinion about what they have used and experienced. Just because they cost more doesn't make them the best quality. But new tires with dates that are not already 2+ years old are new tires and should eliminate that nagging question in the back of your mind of should I change them or stretch it. Is losing pieces of your RV or your life worth stretching the extra miles out of old tires? Go on youtube and watch the video of a class "A" that blows a driver side front tire on the interstate.

[mike_brez]

Getup'ngo wrote:
Ok smart guys. What tire$ do you recommend and why? I am buying a 36-foot cla$$ A with 22.5 wheel$.

Hankook because they are better and less $$$ than Goodyear or Michelin rv tires.
Flame suit on. ROTFLMAO :E