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RV Tires choices -- Is the ride of our motorhome based on the front

Yahoo Message Number: 102252
Bob,

Thank You for the ionformation on  the tires. Michelins are currently unavailable, and very expensive. I may be limited to another selection including Toyo. Emails from CC members have indicated that Continental and Goodyear are problems.

Question ---- One of the members indicated that the ride is dictated by the ffron tirees and the back is no big deal. Is this true ?

Quote
Stan,

I have a similar coach to yours, 36' with 4 slides.
It came with 11R22.5 Toyo's and I am now running 295R22.5 Michelins.
The Michelins can be run at a lower pressure for a better ride.
I did not think much of the Toyo's. The rears were down to the wear bars after 45,000 miles and they were rough riding.
Bob Cole

2005 Inspire 51394

Re: RV Tires choices -- Is the ride of our motorhome based on the fr

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102253
R22.5 Stan,

In Nov. 2008 I replaced the front tires with 295R22.5 Goodyear G670’s due to edge wear with the Toyo’s. I believe the ride improved a little. The passenger front tire outside edge wore initially so I had an alignment at Big O which did not help. Had another alignment at Kaisers in Oregon and that did not help so I did my own alignment to factory specs and the edge wear stopped.

In Sept 2011 the Toyo’s in the rear wore out so I replaced them with Michelins and the ride did seem to improve.

Last year I replaced the fronts with Michelins due to age and the ride was about the same.

I do believe that the new rear tires do ride better than the Toyo’s. It is most noticeable when hitting a road irregularity or pothole. The Toyo’s hit like they were made of cement but the Michelins takes the shock much easier.

I tow a lifted 2014 Rubicon 4 door and initially did not install the rubber isolators on the top of the rear springs because the instructions did not state to put them in. In May I talked to the lift maker and was told that the isolators should be installed so I put them back in and the ride improvement was remarkable.

Maybe it is similar with the motorhome in that larger softer tires in the rear do improve the ride.

I have been fighting wander since I got the coach. I have increased the front ride height about an inch, have installed 2 additional house batteries and corrected the alignment all with a little improvement. In June I adjusted the alignment to get 3/8” of toe in and the change was dramatic. The coach takes corners much better and tracks much better.

Bob

Re: RV Tires choices -- Is the ride of our motorhome based on the fr

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102258
I have done much to improve the ride and handling on my 2005 inspire Siena as well. Huge improvements were realized when I changed out the original wimpy anti sway bar end link bushings with larger polyurethane bushings, installed MCU's and as you stated increased the toe in to 3/8"+, now my coach rides and handles very nicely.
RJ

2005 Inspire #51264

Re: RV Tires choices -- Is the ride of our motorhome based on the fr

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102263
Hi Stan - I'm not Bob, and I have the Allure  not the Inspire. But, I agree with the comment about the front tires make more of a difference on ride quality then the rears,

Look into the FMCA Michelin Advantage Program. Quite a savings. And, not just Michelin's are involved, but also BF Goodrich ST230's too.

We have 12R 22.5 on all 8 of our tires. Two of them were damaged thanks to potholes I could not avoid, and need replacing. Yep to the Michelin tire shortage being a current problem:)! We're on the road, and need to replace those two with damaged cords now, not in a month when Michelins should start flowing again.

In Denver area now, and after a few days of calling around, I was able to find two BF Goodrich ST230's, made by Michelin, and part of the Michelin Advantage Program. TCI Tire Center quoted $680 each (mounted/balanced/Colorado and Denver taxes). Thru the FMCA Michelin program, down to $520, quite a savings.

We're going to wait until we're in Oregon in October to replace the other 6 tires, and by then the Michelins should be flowing. Or, I may go ahead and get 6 more ST230's, we'll see.

Long story, to say that IMO, it is OK to have different front tires then rear tires!!! Spend some good money on maybe the Michelin XZA3's for the front, and something else for the rears. (In my size, I'm thinking of mounting the ST230's on the front for now, see how they compare to the XZE*'s we now have. If I feel the ride is to stiff, the front is a bit rough with the XZE*'s, then I'll move them to the tag position. Probably go with four ST230's for the drives, and XZA2's for the steers. (The XZA3's are not available in a size that will fit our coach.)

If you can't wait until probably mid September for the Michelins, check to see if you can get the BF Goodrich ST230's. They are considered a 'Tier 1' tire. And were actually my second choice 5 1/2 years ago when I went with the XZE*'s:)!

If you have not left the San Diego area, TCI Tire Center (Owned by Michelin, should be part of the Michelin Advantage Program. You might also check to see if Parkhouse Tires, Kearny Mesa area, is an Advantage Program member too. 5 1/2 years ago, they had the best price, did a good job on mounting and balancing of my current tires. (TCI was very close price wise, but was not just a few miles away from my home. They have a good reputation too:)!).

Happy tire hunting!

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)
 

Re: RV Tires choices -- Is the ride of our motorhome based on the fr

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102264
I'm running Bridgestones all the way around on a 40 foot Inspire.  I really like these tires.  Comfortable ride at 100 lbs.  I'll consider them again when it's time to replace tires.