TIRES

[devildog1971]

My class A has a 22.5 tire all the way around, a friend at a trucking company (he buys loads of tires the same size that is on our motorhome) A Continental is $520 he will mount and balance free, Bridgestone priced at $530 again mount and balance free. He has been trying a new tire on the market called Ironman $250 same deal on mount and balance, He has run the Ironman on his drive axles since they were new, 50000 miles no problems. The Ironman tire is made in China. Please any and all opinions are welcome a big decision, and if the Ironman tire has any problems it is not for me. I forgot to mention the only tire he does not use is Firestone, he told me he had a few problems that he never had again even with the Ironman Chinese tire. Thought I should clarify the rear tires are three years old the left front is 8 years old it was put on by the original owner when he was out and needed it to get home (he had been carrying it in the basement in case of a blowout and road service could not get one soon enough) the right front steer is one year old. I was advised by my friend that he never changed just one steer tire. With that my plan is to buy two of whichever of the above I decide on. and keep the right steer that is a year old as a spare as of now we have enough storage to do that. Also I have only owned the 2002 Monaco Diplomat for a couple weeks . Which ever way you cut it then it would be $500.00 for two tires or $1060.00 for the non Chinese tire. decisions decisions , always seem to have money involved.

[Executive45]

Tire threads usually generate a "spirited" conversation. That said, my only comment will be to choose the tire with which you are most comfortable with. Just be sure you're picking the tire with your brain and not your wallet....Dennis

[full-timer]

Been running the Ironman Tires on the front of mine for two years. They run good and hold air without leaking. Will buy again when I need tires.

[mike_brez]

Running Samson's on mine. All good.

[LVJ58]

Personally I would choose Bridgestones or Continentals. Been running Bridgestones on our coach now for 18 years with zero issues.

Good luck with your choice of tire Brands and Safe travels.......

[Ivylog]

OP, it would help if you shared what size tire other than 22.5. What is the one year old front tire and why not buy another so you will have a matched set on the front? Instead of putting 295/80/22.5 back on the rear of my DP I went with 6 Hankook 11R 22.5 (probably the most common truck/trailer tire) which has the same revs/mile BUT I had to increase the psi 10 lbs because of the lower load rating.

[FormerBoater]

When I had to replace my 7 year old Hankook AH12's (inside duals), the tire dealer here in Jacksoville (Davis Tires) strongly recommended the Ironman I-502 tires based upon his customer's satisfaction/positive feedback.

Ironman is a subsidiary of Hercules which is owned by Cooper if memory serves.

The Ironman I-502 is identical to the Hercules I-502 tire, just marked with the Ironman logos.

This is an all-position tire and can be used in steer applications.

What impressed me is that this is a J-rated tire (18 ply equivalent)in my 275/70/22.5 size. Almost all other 275/70/22.5's are H rated.

The Ironman's had fresh 2017 date codes at the time of purchase.

Ran the Ironman's on our trip up to Nashville and back via Mobile and the Panhandle (2500 miles or so)in October and noticed no difference from my Hankooks.

Price was $389 per tire installed. About 30% less than the Hankooks.

I will likely replace my Hankooks with the Ironman tires at some point in the future.

The one caveat, the Ironman I-502 has a speed rating of 68MPH vs. 75 MPH for most tires used on Class A's.

But, 68 MPH is plenty fast for me!

[Jim]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with Chinese tires sold in the US in our sizes. IMO.

Lurking on several RV'ing forums I've kept an eye on people reporting blow outs and other issues and it seems to me that Michelin with their sidewall cracking is the most common problem. Chinese tires are no more susceptible to blow outs than any other brand, as far as I've found. Blow outs can happen to any tire, and are usually caused by chronic low pressure, bad stem or valve, or hitting debris on the road. The numerous 'China Bomb' stories from a few years ago caused by defective tires made in China applied to smaller trailer tires. Not the big RV or truck tires we use. Those tires have been removed from the system and new regulations on imported tires were instituted back then.

I've used Roadlux, Double Coin, Michelin, Toyo, and Bridgestone and they've all given me good service except the Michelin with it's sidewall cracking, which is more 'disconcerting' than a big issue. Still running them on the rears since they came with the RV but I'll replace them this year (I stagger my tire purchases).

You have time to make a decision too, as Roadlux is available on Amazon at $215 with free shipping. Love's tire stores will balance and mount them for ~$40 each. Double Coin is available on Amazon as well.

Here's a tire size calculator to check your size against what's available to see if it's a good substitute: Tire Size Calculator

Have fun! Save money!

[moisheh]

False economy: You do not want to run drive axle tires anywhere. You need steer tires or multi axle tires. Drive tires will probably hurt your MPG and may be noisy. The only thing between you and the road is the tires! No name Chinese would not be my choice. Have you tried pricing Hankook. Excellent tires and good pricing. There are no tires @ $300 or less that I would put on my MH. When a tire explodes on an 18 wheeler the vehicle rarely gets damaged. On your MH it might rip up the fender wells, wiring and air lines!

Moisheh

[Tom_Barb]

I will only run Michelin XA3s on my coach. (all 6)

[Mr_Mark1]

Mr. Devildog, you certainly could do the same and run the Ironman tires on the drive axle and the more expensive tires on the steer (don't know if you have a tag).

We, unfortunately, only can buy Michelins as they are the only manufacture that makes the 365 tire that we use on the steer and tag axles, we use 315's on the drive.

Good luck,
MM.