reasons why motorhome tires vary so MUCH in price PLUS Recommendations

[bpaikman]

We've been talking to tire dealers available in our area about replacing the tires on our motorhome. This is just information we gathered and how accurate it is I don't (#3 might be worth some attention)
1. One small tire shops quoted $3000 and he could not understand why motorhome tires should cost more than that. We've never heard of the brand he mentioned (Hankook ). 99.9% of his businesses is cars. We doubt he's ever done a motorhome. Doesn't look like he has room for us, but there's a parking lot nearby he might poach on? Sketchy haha.
2. Larger, excellent tire dealer (Brazosport Tires) that we have been doing car business with for 40+ years can install good new tires for about 6000-Michelin (not sure when available). Quoted $3000 for Hercules tires (available, in stock). We'd need to find out more about Hercules.
3. Here's the interesting one: Cy-Fair tires in Houston (they deal mostly with big commercial rigs, but they also do motorhomes) was the only one to explain the difference between 6000 and $3000 tires. They said the rubber is formulated differently and they're intended for different use: semi rigs that pull these big trailers use the Cooper tires and they're considerably less expensive. They also mentioned that commercial buses don't use trailer tires. They do Michelin, but weren't sure when available.
However another thought.. is that tires for motorhomes might be considered a luxury market therefore they charge more ...whereas a commercial market might not tolerate price gouging.
(also, couple years ago they were able to make modifications to our tire stems so that we could properly use our tire monitoring system. - we've always been impressed with their work).
......... so there's information we have and it still is dependent on what we work out with the buyer when we sell our motorhome.

this also from our research
"Top 4 Best Motorhome Tires: Ultimate Guide for RV Enthusiasts

 

[Rosy]

I've heard of Hankook but never used them. They're Korean. Better choice than Chinese for sure. I don't know how they compare to the bigger manufacturers.

 

[TheLooks]

I have Hankook on my Jeep. I think they make some of them right here in Tenn. Clarksville to be exact.

 

[newmarokie]

Hankook is the factory tire on a Lincoln Navigator. I didn't know Hankook made 22.5" truck tires

 

[Holdmybeer]

Goodyear and Michelin have plants in China.

 

[Vint]

Hankook's are great tires! I d buy them before Michelin any day. I have two on the front axle of my DP, 2023, bought online from Walmart, and had my truck shop do the install. Later in 2023, I put 4 Sumitomo's on the rear axle. For the price you can't beat the 16 ply Sumitomo's. I put 6 on my prior gas motorhome after replacing the standard Michelin s that were cracked at only 16K miles. The Sumo's drove and ride were better than the crap Michelin s.

 

[SGilbert]

I have no idea if they make your size, but have a good look at Toyo tires.
Replaced my 16" motorhome Michelins with Toyos and am very pleased!
Better specs and lesser $ than Michelins.

 

[Holdmybeer]

I've heard of Hankook but never used them. They're Korean. Better choice than Chinese for sure. I don't know how they compare to the bigger manufacturers.

Many tire brands, ie., Goodyear, Michelin, etc., manufacture tires in China. They could make them on Mars for the matter. The Chinese plants are manufacturing the tires, microwave ovens, washing machines....to the specs required by the brand.

 

[Vint]

An acquaintance of mine worked for Dunlop Tires in Tonawanda, NY. He was a foreman in the assembly part of the plant. When Dunlop sold to Sumitomo, Japan, he accepted a two-year contract in China at a massive new Goodyear Plant. When his two-year deal was coming to a close, he accepted another four-year deal to stay in China and with Goodyear.

While visiting the Great Wall of China, his wife sold her Nike shoes right off her feet for $300 in American dollars!

 

[d23haynes57]

We've been talking to tire dealers available in our area about replacing the tires on our motorhome. This is just information we gathered and how accurate it is I don't (#3 might be worth some attention)
1. One small tire shops quoted $3000 and he could not understand why motorhome tires should cost more than that. We've never heard of the brand he mentioned (Hankook ). 99.9% of his businesses is cars. We doubt he's ever done a motorhome. Doesn't look like he has room for us, but there's a parking lot nearby he might poach on? Sketchy haha.
2. Larger, excellent tire dealer (Brazosport Tires) that we have been doing car business with for 40+ years can install good new tires for about 6000-Michelin (not sure when available). Quoted $3000 for Hercules tires (available, in stock). We'd need to find out more about Hercules.
3. Here's the interesting one: Cy-Fair tires in Houston (they deal mostly with big commercial rigs, but they also do motorhomes) was the only one to explain the difference between 6000 and $3000 tires. They said the rubber is formulated differently and they're intended for different use: semi rigs that pull these big trailers use the Cooper tires and they're considerably less expensive. They also mentioned that commercial buses don't use trailer tires. They do Michelin, but weren't sure when available.
However another thought.. is that tires for motorhomes might be considered a luxury market therefore they charge more ...whereas a commercial market might not tolerate price gouging.
(also, couple years ago they were able to make modifications to our tire stems so that we could properly use our tire monitoring system. - we've always been impressed with their work).
......... so there's information we have and it still is dependent on what we work out with the buyer when we sell our motorhome.

this also from our research
"Top 4 Best Motorhome Tires: Ultimate Guide for RV Enthusiasts

Few dealers can really help with tire selection. They usually offer the brands they have deals to get and or are readily available. You need to do some research on your own. Part of that research is to really look at your application and use and consider everything required. For example, if you do winter travel should you consider drive tires for the rear? Do you want all season or all-weather tires, the 3 peak mountain snowflake? How about travel speed rating? Some RV tires are rated as low as 68 mph, 75 mph is more common, a few go to 81 mph. A tire designed for urban use? Regional and long haul would be preferred. There may also be options to look at other sizes, load ratings.
As for brand names some are just outright expensive, Michelin!
Tires often are purpose built. Tires with a design focus on long life and impact resistance may sacrifice ride quality. For many Toyo seems to be a very popular option. There are a number of other brands, Continental, Yokohama, Falken, Hankook, Sumitomo, Hercules, etc. that offer some really good options. Often tire choice will be limited by size. For example, 365/70-22.5, Michelin only choice available. There are other sizes brand specific but other sizes may be an option.
What size are you looking for?

 

[Underboss]

As FL has stated, they use Michelin because Michelin is the only tire manufacturer for the big rigs thats doing ongoing research