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Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Yahoo Message Number: 112309
I'm looking for some advice on upgrading my tire sizes on my 2006 Affinity 730. My drive and tag axle tires are aging out after 7 years. Fortunately the fronts are only 2 years old.

I'm considering moving front wheels and tires to the tag axle. The tag current has 295/R80/22.5. They would be replaced by the current fronts which are 315. In theory this would give me slightly more load and allow for slightly less air pressure and hopefully a smoother ride.

I would replace the front wheel and tires with 365/R70/22.5. Again, theoretically giving me a better ride quality and more load capacity buffer.

I understand the last years Affinity production used these sizes. Has anyone tried this can could provide any feedback? Thanks!

Re: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112311
Sayer:

Went with the 365 tire/wheel combo on the steers of our Intrigue 550 which has the same Dana suspension. No issues but no improvement in ride quality.
Coriwelsh
Intrigue 12314

Re: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112313
"No issues but no improvement in ride quality."

I have become convinced, after way too many $$'s searching, that the
'Improvement if ride quality!' is something we've all been paying for with our gas/diesel taxes for years - but sadly, the funds have been diverted to 'more important' items.

While on a highway of the 60's quality - my, and probably your's, coaches ride just fine. While on a highway of today, without the maintenance to correct the deterioration of our highway's - we all help the economy with 'Handling Improvement' searches... (I know I have:)!)

I suspect all we can do, is keep our tires properly aired for our weight, maintain chassis suspension components. and head on down the road as best we can:)!

Best to all,
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: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112314
Isn't that the truth Smitty! Even worse is our suspension components were not nearly as good as today's.

Ray

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S® 5, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

Re: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112316
The Best set of tires for being quiet, smooth, and easy on my body were Michelin XZ2 highway tire. They would travel across a concrete seam with very little distress. Noisy asphalt with large stone, typical on Oregon, were crossed at very low levels of noise to the ear, The only issue was you had to keep them covered without fail or they crack prematurely. The Continentals HSR1 after initial break in were pretty good, too. The XZA2 is smoother and a bit quieter than the Continentals but being an all purpose tire cannot match the XZ2 highway tire. XZE aren't bad tires, but because of the thicker sidewall are not as smooth as the XZ2. Keeping Michelin tires covered is essential. In the past I have had Bridgestone and 3 sets of Toyos. Anything is an improvement over a Toyo accept in one respect. Because of the thick stiff sidewalls the steering response is much faster than anything else.

Its a shame the XZ2 isn't available anymore, but with cracking issues I can see why it was removed. I had Bridgestone on my Allure and they performed well. But I cannot comment as I only had them 18 months before I traded the coach. TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112327
Amen, Smitty.

Our Interstate Highway system is a disgrace. And the Best Government Money Can Buy does nothing about it. All we can do is slow down and be very vigilant.

Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
40' w/tag, Cat C-9 & Cat tranny

Re: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112330
After watching my expensive XZE's develop sidewall cracks after only 6 yrs, and being covered, I went back to 8 Toyo 295/80/22.5's and love the ride so far. New England roads where we live are a good test. Long drive this winter to whatever's left of Florida should help confirm them as a good choice at a reasonable price. Safe travels. 8)

Jeff Thurston
'04 Intrigue 42ft
11630

Re: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112331
Hey Jeff - Bummer about your XZE's having cracking problems, as these shoes to cost some coin...

A few questions please:

> How long ago was it when you put that set of XZE's on your rig?
> You mentioned they covered. Did you also use any tire dressing compound too? If so, which product did you use?

I've had one set of the XZE* (My understanding is that the "*" means the already set of XZE beefy sidewalls, had a bit of extra meat on them.) I bought these approximately 8 years ago, and replaced them at under 7 years of age.

I've talked to SOB owner's with XZE's. Two of these owners commented that they had problems with their first set of XZE's, about 14 for one, and I think 12 years ago for the other. But that their second sets were still looking solid at between age 6 and 7. That was my experience too, as the 6 tires I replaced (I had lost two to an impact with a pot hole about 18 months earlier.) were in great shape. The tire manager at the TCI in Lakeside, CA where I bought this current set, said he would have gone another year on them if it was his coach. (And if it was just me in the coach, I would have too. But if the DW goes thru a tire blowout, good chance that will be our last trip:)!).

In these conversations, one of the owners of an Executive, told me that he was told that Michelin had adjusted the compound in the second set of XZE's he had on.

And to be clear. Sure not taking away from your experience with having cracked XZE's. And I've never confirmed that the compound may have had changes to it. (Though the TCI shop manager said it is quite common over the lifecycle of a tire product, like the XZE, for minor changes to be made to compounds, and even manufacturing build processes too.).

Mostly curious about how long ago you had the problem...

TIA, and best,
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: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112332
Hi Smitty. I had Toyos as the original tires when I bought our coach new in October of 2003. Conscience made me change them after 8 yrs, although they still looked great. The tire shop gave $300 allowance when I bought the Michelins. I have consistently used only 303 as a dressing, and continue to.

The DW saw cracks in the sidewalls of the XZEs this Spring while cleaning the wheels, and I would have suffered the "Death of 1000 cuts" if I had not changed the tires. I shopped Michelins, etc., and decided to revisit the Toyos. $2800 less despite FMCA discount, and good reviews from other RV Owners, plus they can't be worse for aging than the 6 yr old XZEs were. Ride comfort actually seems better at the same pressures I prefer. Safe travels.

Jeff Thurston
2003/4 Intrigue 42ft
11630

Re: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112334
We also shopped Toyos vs. Michelins. Chose the Toyos due to price point and reviews. Carried us on a 1600 mile round trip first thing without issue.

Marie Slagle
'93 Magna

Re: Tire size upgrade - Affinity 730

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 112335
Thanks Jeff. Seems lime coaches rolled out within 6 months or so of each other. We're 04 model, but build date of Sept 2003, with a July of 2003 Cummins CAPS era ISL:)!

Our tires were also probable within 6-9 months of each other on the shift to Michelin XZE. Mine were all 8 under 3 moths of age, and were the XZE*. So who knows if any difference of compounds or construction were involved. Or, if the XZE - "*"'s - compounds were different. Know the build process was, based upon the info that they had more meat not eh side wall...

I use 303, and cover when appropriate (Which basically to me, means when we're off the road for a few months at a time:)!) I admit I do not cover the tires while traveling, even if stopping for 3-4 weeks at a time. Just good old reapplication of 303.

So, our tires could be Apples to Oranges.

I did go with 6 new (2 older BF Goodrich ST230's not he Tag.), 295/80's XZA2's, to replace the XZE*'s 12R's tries. They ride much better then the XZE*'s, but, at about 12-14 pounds less per tire, have less meat...

Keep your tires taken care of. Keep the PSI's accurate - and go have some fun.. Tires are a very important part of the RV'ing experience - but having safe fun, is the most important!!!

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!)