dgo1369 wrote: Michelins are not required to be replaced for 10 years (unless they require it for some reason other than age). Many people feel more comfortable changing their tires prior to that time, ESPECIALLY if they aren't Michelins. As long as my tires show no cracking, excessive wear and tear, and a Michelin rep approves them, I won't waste my money replacing them for another year and a half (they are 8 1/2 years old now). If I had any other brand I would not wait past seven years to replace them.
Gary & Liesel
Cocoa, our Chocolate Lab companion
2013 Tiffin 30 GA
2004 Honda Element Toad
dgo1369 wrote: Michelins are not required to be replaced for 10 years (unless they require it for some reason other than age). Many people feel more comfortable changing their tires prior to that time, ESPECIALLY if they aren't Michelins. As long as my tires show no cracking, excessive wear and tear, and a Michelin rep approves them, I won't waste my money replacing them for another year and a half (they are 8 1/2 years old now). If I had any other brand I would not wait past seven years to replace them.
Not quite accurate. Michelin indicates a MAXIMUM of 10 years with the caveat that there are many other factors to consider. Talked with a tire shop this afternoon and they indicated that Michelin had a severe problem for several years with one particular series of (MH) tires (the ones on mine not included and they do sell Michelins). My Michelins have approximately 30k miles on a MH that is always garaged and they show absolutely no sign of wear - no tread wear, no cracks, etc. They truly look new. Interestingly, they told me many MH owners change out the like-new tires at 5 years and then sell the old tires for use on delivery vehicles where they will be worn out long before age becomes a factor. Seems a win-win. I'll be replacing all seven of my 'like-new' tires before another trip to Alaska in July.
When front tires blow out, you can lose control endangering you and yours and others in oncoming traffic. When rear tires blow out/come-apart the flailing steel belts can wipe out holding tanks, propane lines and wiring. Disruption of a trip from tire failure and repairs in "Podunk" will make you think twice about driving on good looking old tires in the future.
Bordercollie wrote: When front tires blow out, you can lose control endangering you and yours and others in oncoming traffic. When rear tires blow out/come-apart the flailing steel belts can wipe out holding tanks, propane lines and wiring. Disruption of a trip from tire failure and repairs in "Podunk" will make you think twice about driving on good looking old tires in the future.
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2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 VORTEC Recycled El Monte RV Rental
IMO all E range is that pretty much the same. When cutaways are shipped to whom ever, They will add a great deal of weight more so with slides. Heck they even rubber stems on steel wheels remember they are only rated at 55 PSI. C Coaches are close to being overweight after all tanks,fuel,water,all toys,camping equipment and anything else inside. Then you hear of the six year rule on tires, why maybe the tire are feeling the strain right from day 1. Then people post about damage to under neath,Propane line rip out. I was also in this boat did a lot of research and found G rate was the way to go yes it rides a little harder and yes I needed to go to 235-85-16 but yes it's a real truck tire, not a Light truck tire. Yes I did have to look more so to find what I wanted it took a little patience now I keep booking down the road not worrying when the next shoe will drop.
If it makes you feel any better my tires are 10+ years old, never been covered, in the Texas sun 24/7, only washed with soap and water, and no protectants used. They just started getting sidewall cracks this year.
A set of six Michelins at Allen Tires cost me $1384 with taxes, etc and there is a $70 rebate credit card offer. I did some negotiating after an online price search of Michelin prices at other dealers. BTW, fresh tires are often around 1 year old from the warehouse per date codes. Lots of RV'ers are buying equivalent Firestone tires which may be cheaper.
Quote: A set of six Michelins at Allen Tires cost me $1384 with taxes,
Which Michelin tire model did you purchase?
I believe warehouse/dealer inventories may still contain the old design Michelin LTX M&S tires, but Michelin's new model is the LTX M&S2 tire.
The new set of M&S2 tires I had put on our Class C in June of 2011 had been manufactured about one month earlier, so I assume that the M&S2 model was quite new at that time. I specifically wanted the newest design tire, so I requested the M&S2 from the dealer and he had to order them. I wanted M&S2 just in case Michelin had improved the rubber formulation so as to reduce sidewall crack aging - if in fact the older Michelin design does have a unique problem with this.
We owned our first motor home for 24 years, purchased new in 1983. When we sold it in 2007, it was on it's second set of tires. The first set lasted 12 years and were replaced due to thread wear, not age. The second set was a better tire lasting longer. Those tires were not yet ready to get replaced, even with the superficial cracks seen on the side walls and in between the tire threads.
Here is a picture used in my original sale ad showing those 12 year old tires.
Now there is something to be said about the rubber grip of tires. As the tires age, the rubber looses that gripping touch to the road. New tires will grip to the pavement better than old dried-out tires. It will make some difference when driving a motor home on hair-pin turns. That would be my only safety concern. But driving conservatively addresses that concern well.
Because we store our motor home indoors with winter heat, our tires don't get weather beaten. Also our motor home usage is limited to a few weekends and one 3 week trip per year, so it does not get a lot of outdoor exposure. Of course this is the primary reason why our tires last longer than most. How and where you store your motor home, and how much outdoor use it gets makes the difference.
I wish I did have tire problems because it would mean that we are using our motor home more often. But this working man cannot get away much. Unfortunately for me, I would be the perfect person to buy a used motor home from.
* This post was
edited 05/04/12 11:56am by ron.dittmer *
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