Michelin vs. Toyo tires for RV's (and other brands)

[Ventana]

I ran Coopers on my cars and they did seem to wear a bit faster. So did the Hankooks, Generals and Sumitomos. Also ran Michilens which lasted longer but oddly didn't drive as nice as the Coopers. Currently running Falkens and they drive the best of any tire I've owned. Supposedly, they're more durable. Time will tell.

I'm not convinced Michilens wear better. The Michelins I just changed out on my RV were 7 years old with 47,000 miles on them. The treads looked really worn and the sidewalls were cracking. Not impressed.

The RM272's are quieter than the Michilens, but it likely is not a fair comparison given how worn the Michilens were.

I suspect most 18 ply (J rating) tires with a speed rating of 75 mph (L rating) will perform similarly if they comply to US DOT regulations. Branding is likely more about marketing than performance.

 

[Neal]

Neal are your tires 305/70’s ?

305/70R22.5

XRV's are around 830/tire through Snider Tire (of course add the mounting, taxes, etc. to that)

 

[Neal]

I'm not convinced Michilens wear better. The Michelins I just changed out on my RV were 7 years old with 47,000 miles on them. The treads looked really worn and the sidewalls were cracking. Not impressed.

It's interesting how these differ. My XRV's still look like new. 60K miles and over 6 years in service, probably 7 post DOT dates.

 

[Richpatty]

It's interesting how these differ. My XRV's still look like new. 60K miles and over 6 years in service, probably 7 post DOT dates.

I agree…my tires are like new with no cracks - even in the slightest. Although I only have 27k mikes on mine.

 

[Ventana]

Here are some of the Michelin's that came off my rig.

 

[Neal]

Here are some of the Michelin's that came off my rig.

I wonder if it's worth reaching out to Michelin to see what they say, maybe something good would come out of it for you? I don't understand how that happens unless something completely wrong in manufacturing.

 

[J&JD]

I changed out my 6 original Michelins a month or so ago with 55k miles on them. They looked like they could easily run 100k more miles, easily. Last year I had changed the two steer tires with 45k on them and they looked almost brand new. None of the tires had any sign of sidewall checking. My only reason for changing out all eight was aging and an abundance of caution. These were 315 80 22.5.

 

[Richpatty]

As mentioned, I plan on getting new tires in March...and will get Michelins unless I can find Toyo's at a substantial discount over the Michelins. I have had Michelins on my cars and RVs and I really have had a great experience with them. I cannot remember the last time I bought tires that were not Michelin...maybe 25 years? So it would take a significant savings (plus the glowing reviews of Toyos found here) to make me move.

My daughter bought a used car and several years ago and when t needed tires about a year later. I told her to change to Michelins, although she didn't want to spend the premium, but she did and later told me her car drove and handled so much better. I figure if my novice daughter can notice, then maybe they are worth it.

Sorry for the long post...but bottom line, I really don't have a reason (besides cost) to move off of them.

As a side note, I will be having Rettrobands installed at the same time at the Atlanta NIRVC location and will have the tires shipped there (at least the fronts).

 

[Ventana]

Interesting. There are quite a few complaints over at IRV2 about Michelin and sidewall cracking. I guess the saying, YMMV applies.

 

[Neal]

Here are some of the Michelin's that came off my rig.

What tire pressure did you run in these? Some use chart values based off of corner weights, some add values to the min pressures, some run at pressures on a chart behind the driver's seat, some run at sidewall max. I'm trying to determine if there is a trend that causes this, i.e. too high of a pressure or too low?

 

[Richpatty]

I'm trying to determine if there is a trend that causes this, i.e. too high of a pressure or too low?

The answer is yes to both questions….

 

[AbdRahim]

Interesting. There are quite a few complaints over at IRV2 about Michelin and sidewall cracking. I guess the saying, YMMV applies.

Apparently. Michelins don’t like to sit.I think I posted this somewhere before, but not sure where.

I had two sets of Michelins, one on SUV, one on MH. The ones on the suv ran for 8 years, ~ 60,000 miles. The MH 4 yeares , 12,000 mi. The one on the suv looked perfect 5-7/32 left on the tread. The ones on the MH had lots of cracking on the sidewalls. MH sat fir six months. SUV driven regularly -never sat for more than a month or two. They both had the same model LT Michelin?

Moving moves the lubricants in the rubber, I am told, preventing the outside from drying out. Michelins are very dependent on this movement apparently.

Btw, exact same manufacture date on both sets
Will see how the current Michelins do on this MH. 16, 000 mi or so, three years.

 

[Ddmo]

I have mine weighed fully loaded then add 10-15%. Adjust for temperatures as needed. Recheck weight annually to verify.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Moving moves the lubricants in the rubber, I am told, preventing the outside from drying out. Michelins are very dependent on this movement apparently.

Regarding chemicals to keep sidewalls from cracking, a Bridgestone tire engineer made the same statement during a conversation as above regarding movement. The heat and movement redistribute preservative chemicals in the tires and keep sidewalls from cracking.

 

[Neal]

Speaking of chemicals, I heard applying "treatment" such as to gloss up the sidewalls post detail is not recommended and there was even chat it voids warranties. Anyone know anything about this? Maybe tires that have had this bad cracking have had something applied to them during their life?