Ohtsu tires-any good?

[PP]

I have an opportunity to purchase a set of 12R-22.5 Ohtsu tires with the same rating as my Michelins for 500. each installed and balanced. Any input? I can go up a hundred more each and get Toyos or Goodyears. But if the Ohtsu's are a decent tire, I'll go with them. Thanks for all comments in advance, Will

[jackhartjr]

One of our owner-operators just got a set for his truck and likes them quite well.  If I remember they are made in Thiland, is that right?
Jack

[luvrbus]

The Laughlin Transit Systems uses that tire on their Van Hools I thought they were a Japan made tire if they hold up in the heat here it should be a good tire

good luck

[artvonne]

  Looks Japanese to me;

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falken_Tires

[lostagain]

I had them on the drive axle on the Courier 96. I got them as take offs from a friend off his semi truck. Both he and I were happy with them.

JC

[bergdoll]

Ohtsu's are pretty good. i put them on my Prevost, for 8 new tires (no recaps) installed & balanced & an oil/filter change it was $3,200. in California.

[saddleup]

Seem, to be good tires  have them on steertires 10,000 miles on them , will probably put a set on my drive tires shortly, they are sold by Les Shwabe here, just haven't check yet to see how much they have went up in price in the last year.
Matt

[TomC]

Once again-remember tires are much more then just big round rubber things that holds air that supports your bus.  The tire construction, rubber compound, tread design can affect you fuel mileage as much as 10%!!  Michelin makes 50 (yes fifty) different models of on highway truck/bus tires alone.  That should show you how specific tires are now being made. 

What model of Ohtsu is it?  You should find out the exact model, then go to their website and research the tire.  If it is a trailer or drive tire design, you shouldn't run it on your front axle.  Line haul steer tires will give the best fuel mileage-but just don't hit or go over curbs-they tend to be a bit thinner on the sidewall.  Regional tires rated at 75mph are my favorite since the sidewalls are typically reinforced, have good steering tread design, but usually won't last past 80,000 mile.  But for most of us, that's not a problem. 

If you find out the tire model, let us know.  Good Luck, TomC

[TomC]

Just looked at the Ohtsu web site.  If you're running 12R-22.5's, it looks like Ohtsu only makes it in a R1200 tire.  Now the question is-do you really need a 12R-22.5?  My guess is probably not.  You could save some money, and then have a whole bunch of tires available to you if you switch to 11R-22.5's.  Granted you'd be going from a 485rpm tire to a 498rpm tire, but on the front axle, that doesn't mean anything, except for it bringing the bus lower by about 1 inch.  A 16ply 11R-22.5 H rated tire can support 13,200lbs on the front axle.  I'll bet you're no where near that.  On my bus, my front axle is rated at 13,000lbs, but I only have 10,500lbs on it.  Hence, on my 11R-24.5's I only run 90psi-which is still higher then suggested-making for a very nice ride.  Good Luck, TomC

[PP]

Thanks for all the comments. I am staying with 12R's because that's what the Prevost manual calls for and I like the beefier looking tire. The Ohtsu's that I'm looking at are the only 12R they offer. I average only 10K miles a year, but I am very heavy all the way around (LOL) and feel safer with the larger tire. To save a buck, I'm considering moving the inside drives to the tags, since they don't appear weather checked yet and just replacing the other six. The dealer said he would throw that in at no charge with the purchase of six.
Will

[luvrbus]

Never can get to much tire on Prevost Will Prevost knew what they were doing

good luck