Tow vehicle tire trauma.....

[cdlaine]

Yep...this a.m. ...greater Phoenix metroplex. Planned on
camping this weekend , but, now need to get remaining tires
replaced... camp site cancelled.

4 years old, Michelin LTX M/S 245/75/R16... side wall blow out.
Not towing when it happened. Had drying out of side wall...was
trying to stretch life cycle of tires before replacing. I chose
poorly. New tires this week.

..don't be like me. 😮

Will replace with same. Lately, the RV'ing thing has been performing
significant wallet biopsies... more then "the cost of doing business".
I need a break from things breaking . :B

Charles

[LowRyter]

I had a blowout on my left front while pulling my 5th wheel. I had to continue driving until I crossed a creek bridge on I-10 just east of Jacksonville before I could pull over to a shoulder.

A little scary and **** near had a coronary running that crank jack while dodging 80 mph traffic. Get rid of the factory crank jack.

Anyway the Firestones had dry rot inside the tread. Not visible at all. I replaced them with Pep Boys Dakota tires. So far, so good.

[beergardens]

Greene728 wrote:
I am confused. I mean zero disrespect when I ask this. But why in the world would you go back with the same brand that only lasted 4 years, exhibited significant sidewall cracking, and caused you a massive and complete sidewall blow out?
This is a known issue (sidewall dry rot) with Michelins. I myself would have given another reputable manufacturer a try had this same event happened to me. Cooper, Toyo, etc. all have just as good (and in many cases better) a rating and generally cheaper price tag. Again, just curious as to why?

I have to speak up as a lifelong Michelin fan here. Working in the auto industry for decades, I observed many quality traits of Michelin tires. They took far less weight to balance than any other brand of tire. Once balanced, they were pretty much balanced for life. (Try that with a Goodyear). They never ever separated or caused a pull or perceived alignment problem. It's pretty obvious that their quality has slipped but they do still exhibit some of the good qualities that many tire manufacturers have not been able to master. I sure wouldn't write them off just yet.

[phillyg]

You're very fortunate, indeed. So, even the good ones are subject to problems. I suspect that particular tire had a slight manufacturing defect that finally gave out after four years. I plan to change my LTXs out with the same.

[cdlaine]

Well Scott.. no justifiable reason other then to say that
many/most of the truck owners that I have spoken with here in
the Phoenix region site similar results regardless of
brand. I have not been convinced that the problem lies with
the tire manufacture process/content. It seems more likely
that the trade offs that have been made to provide comfortable
ride, load ratings, speed ratings, number and make up of
side wall plys etc. play a more important role then brand. In
the region I live in, environmental conditions (sun) and
road surface conditions (marginal) are also factors. Since I
drive like a Nun it is not likely I'm to blame. 🙂

Being a creature of habit, and, wondering if the "forum" reporting
of premature failure is of statistical significance, and, if switching
to comparable brands would yield better results (already similar
results with Bridgestone and Goodyear). I decided to stay with
tires within the same spec range of the o.e.m. tires that came with
my truck.

I am not a tire expert. A change in brand name at this time seemed
more based on "just trying something else" then reasoned thought.
When I initially purchased the Michelin's they were the darlings of the forum...
much love for the logo, except for "cost". The tide has turned. We shall
see if I sink or swim. I wouldn't advise anyone to do as I've
done as every application is different.

Charles

[Greene728]

I am confused. I mean zero disrespect when I ask this. But why in the world would you go back with the same brand that only lasted 4 years, exhibited significant sidewall cracking, and caused you a massive and complete sidewall blow out?
This is a known issue (sidewall dry rot) with Michelins. I myself would have given another reputable manufacturer a try had this same event happened to me. Cooper, Toyo, etc. all have just as good (and in many cases better) a rating and generally cheaper price tag. Again, just curious as to why?

[naturist]

Yeah, looks like that tire is toast. Glad the damage is limited to the tire(s) (and your wallet).

[cdlaine]

Thanks Jeremiah.

As typical (residual from early childhood) I have failed
to listen to the forum intelligentsia. This a.m. dropped $935.76
on 4 new Michelin LTX M/S2 LT245/75/R16 . Warranty 70K (with lots
of detractors).

..time will tell if I'm not some dumb but plumb dumb.

BTW...sidewalls sure look purtty when brand new... nary a crack. :B

now, to get back to RV'ing.

Charles

[jerem0621]

Yeah my Michelins are cracked and not holding air at all anymore. They are my last set of Michelins. My next tires will be Cooper, Toyo, or Khumo.

After three sets of failed sub par Michelins I am done with that brand.

Sorry for your troubles OP...glad it wasn't worse than it was.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[RoyF]

On warranty coverage -- I had a year-old Continental pickup-tire (load range E) fail not long ago. Dealer said that truck tires are not covered by any kind of warranty. I did try to argue. (Replaced by a Michelin!!)

[john_bet]

My 3 sets of Michelins only lasted 3 years and about 50k on my truck. Switched to Firestone Transforce in Sept. of '13. I am hopping to get thru the winter now and will have to replace them in the spring. They all were worn out. Never had a blowout. Not sure yet what I will use on my 2wd truck that is our TV and as my DD.

[TyroneandGladys]

Bionic Man wrote:
I would try to get that covered by your tire dealer. Tires should last longer than 4 years.

Depends on the part of the country you are from. With the Temps in Phoenix at 110+ for highs and a month of lows in the 90s tires do not last as long as in your part of the country covered or not. We replace tires at the 4 year mark and the one time we also tried to stretch the time it was not good.

[FishOnOne]

My BF Goodrich tires at 2 years old are cracking and the Pirelli's on my wife's '11 Edge had to be replaced at 2.5 years due to cracking.

The factory Michelin's that came with my truck never cracked no did the Michelin's that I put on my wife's Edge ever cracked, but neither exceeded 2 years.

What I'm seeing regardless including cooper on our farm/ranch trucks is ~2-3 years our tires start cracking.

[45Ricochet]

Problem was it's a gasser and a 25 series truck :W :B

I read countless dry rot side walls the last few years with Michelin tires. It was almost a deal breaker for me when we got the MH in July. Dealer wouldn't budge on knock offs. Soooo I will most likely use them for like 3 years and replace with Bridgestone or Toyo and sell the "michablow's" to some log hauler. Till then I'll keep the infrared gun and gauge in use every 3-4 hours of travel :M

[cdlaine]

Vince... to be honest I felt the same "washboard" road vibration
just before the "kata-boom" !... unfortunately I was in the center
lane on the 101 nearing Scottsdale... (area in permanent road
construction mode) ...no bail out. Limped it to the next off ramp
and found a parking lot.

...in hindsight...should have changed the rubber at the start of this
RV season. I knew the sidewalls were degrading. Obviously I don't get
the longevity most here seem to.... I'll review my tire maintenance.

Charles

[RooDude09]

Yep had our 6 year old Uniroyal tires start to separate while towing. I knew they were getting a little cracked but not too bad. Started to feel a bad vibration when slowed down to about fifty. Had to put the spare on to get back home. Immediately swapped them out with fresh rubber.