04 Allure 8.25 rims with 12R22.5 - 315/80R22.5 or 275/80R22.5
Yahoo Message Number: 102167
I know tires have been covered several times, but dang search is non existent and I wanted to bring it up again:)!
We have about 5 1/2 year old Michelin XZE* tires, and all are looking good on the cracking front. I have one tag and one outer drive tire, on different sides of the coach, that have what 'may' be broken belts or popped steel. Very minor, surprised if either is over 1/8", probably closer to above 1/16" to 3/32" of a 'bump' (TCI Tire Center said they would no call them a bulge, as they were so small - so thus the word bump).
The reality is that I've never noticed them before, and I suspect that the mighty pot holes of California may have gotten me. Noticed one 'bump' when in California. And a tire shop said to just monitor but probably fine. Now with two different tires having them, I stopped for another opinion at mentioned TCK Tire Center. The gent was real nice, spent all of under two minutes walking around the coach, looking out the outside surface of the tires. Mostly looking for cracks, of which two or three tiers have minor cracks just starting where the letters are stamped. Not really fair to call them cracks, but you can see where it's a little crack starting in the lettering seams.
He did not see the 'bump', admittedly the tires were a bit dusty from a dirt campground we had left early in the day. When I pointed them out. He looked them over, rubbed it, and said 10-15 seconds later - could be belt break, slippage, or a steel popped. Said he suspected it was a bels slippage, as it was such a minor bump. (Rejected the word 'bulge' that I had used.) When I told him one of the 'bumps' had been with me from in California, now in East Colorado area, he said to just keep monitoring them with my daily walk arounds. If they start to grow in size, then get the tire replaced.
Now gang, he is a tire pro, really did seem knowledgeable when I asked a few more questions. And said that he would personally drive on these tires with his family. Said he'd seen truckers with these kinds of bumps, and actual smaller bulges, drive with the slipped or broken belt, for the balance of the life of the tires. (Walked me over to three trucks and trailers in the lot, and found one bulge on the drive axle of a big truck, within two mins of us walking around.
OK, all of that to say, I'm within 18 months of where I had wanted to replace my tires at age 7 anyways. I'm thinking of replaying the two back tires with the current steers, and getting two new tires now.
Please refresh my memory, Allure 40' model here, a 2004 if that matters. Mention the models, as the weights differences between a Magna, or say Affinity are much higher then our Allure. With 8.25" rims all around, and existing 12R22.5 tires, what are my options from your experiences with going to a different size tire? I'd like to go to a 275/80R22.5 XAZ3 for the fronts. (They don't make 12R22.5 or 315/80R22.5, that I can find, in this tire.)
Would consider the Continental or BG Goodrich tires, but have into researched size availability of them. Prefer to stay with Michelins, for the FMCA and Michelin Advantage program. And, I believe I will again go with the XZE* for the drives and tags, in two more years. (I like the extra robustness of the "*" sidewalls. Forgiving when clipping a curb, or a rock... (I also wonder how much faster I could have had problems without such a sturdy sidewall. Sure, we do our best to avoid potholes. But have had not choice but to strike them due to traffic, and in heavy rain, you can't even see them.)
One final comment on my 'bumps' on my ties. In addition to this gent at TCI stating he would drive on them, as I was getting the tire air adjusted, the tech that was helping me, stated that he would not consider these bumps a belt slip, break, or steel popped. He said these extra thick "*" tires, especially if impacted, can sometimes have a separation from the outer (Thicker added rubber) and the inner standard structure of the normal XZE. His opinion, is that they were a non problem...
But, for peace of mind, and calmness of wife, I look at pulling up the purchase of two tires by 18 months or so, as inexpensive insurance:)!
Sorry for the my long ramblings, it's my nature!!
Appreciate any tires size sharing with the Allure and 8.25" rims! Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017, 40' High Cascade, Two Slides
Topic: 04 Allure 8.25 rims with 12R22.5 - 315/80R22.5 or 275/80R22.5 (Read 4027 times)
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