Tire Match Question

Lin · July 21, 2016, 04:20:22 PM

As mentioned in an earlier thread, I had a road service replace a front tire a few days ago. They had a Gladiator QR55ST-E, which was 14 ply. I contacted my local tire shop when I got home to replace the other front. He said Gladiator was a good medium quality brand and he could get one for me. He got one with the same model number, but when I looked at it, it was 16 ply. He said they were still compatible, so we installed it. The bus seems to ride fine, but I am curious to see if there was anything to watch for with what appears to be a minor mismatch.

DoubleEagle · July 21, 2016, 05:56:42 PM

I would not be too concerned about the difference in ply ratings as long as they meet the axle load requirement, but I would be uneasy about having two Chinese tires on the front. Medium good quality might have been a generous rating, time will tell. Someone needs to test how they do on a bus, looks like circumstances have selected you.

eagle19952 · July 21, 2016, 08:17:24 PM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on July 21, 2016, 05:56:42 PM
I would not be too concerned about the difference in ply ratings as long as they meet the axle load requirement, but I would be uneasy about having two Chinese tires on the front. Medium good quality might have been a generous rating, time will tell. Someone needs to test how they do on a bus, looks like circumstances have selected you.

suggest two steer tires not made in China...

luvrbus · July 21, 2016, 08:51:42 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on July 21, 2016, 08:17:24 PM
suggest two steer tires not made in China...

I don't know what tire to buy we lost a brand new Michelin 315/80/22.5 Sat.on the front with only 350 miles on it. With the crappy GREEN tire construction and technogly now you will buying new tires every 4 years.I would not worry about the plies difference Lin it is only in the tread area anyways

TomC · July 21, 2016, 10:38:29 PM

Many times, a 14ply and a 16ply tire will look exactly the same. The difference is in the steel belt thickness. They use a slightly stronger belt for the 16ply. And the strength of the 16ply only comes into play at the air pressures that are higher than the 14ply. At equal tire pressures, the two tires will perform equally well.
I would suggest using a better brand on the front. From what Clifford said, I don't quite know what is the best tire out now. Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · July 22, 2016, 06:36:33 AM

I think the newer GREEN tires are going to be a problem from here on out,they are making them faster,cheaper and lighter to cut manufacturing cost.I have owned the Michelin X (GREEN) tires in the past now I am worried about this set of new tires I bought through FMCA. They called yesterday and said they are not going to warranty the tire no reason given, that battle is not over with yet for sure

TomC · July 22, 2016, 07:47:42 AM

Sounds like I'm safer on my 10yo Michelin XZE 16ply, rather than new tires.

uncle ned · July 22, 2016, 08:44:41 AM

Tom

I have 2 8 year old xyz's that you can have. both have holes in the side wall that you can stick your hand in.

came of the inside of huggy did not know until i put her on a pit.

Now have a full set of Hankooks o her.

uncle ned

luvrbus · July 22, 2016, 09:45:26 AM

I have a friend in Albuquerque that bought a new $58,000 Ford pickup and it came from the factory with Hankooks tires that really surprised me

TomC · July 22, 2016, 09:53:42 AM

Freightliner offers Hankooks from the factory-and are the cheapest option. Good tires, no problems

TomC · July 22, 2016, 10:07:00 AM

I just talked to my tire guy I've known for 35 years, and he still says Michelin is the best tire. The fuel efficient "green" tires are built lighter, but the XZE's are still the best motorhome tire. Michelin has extended their case warranty to 10 years. So my 10 year old XZE's should be alright. He also said Hankooks are good tires. Good Luck, TomC

sledhead · July 22, 2016, 03:27:10 PM

I just replaced 8 michelin XZA3®+ EVERTREAD that were dated 09 but had cracks on all but inside drives . kind of sad as they only had about 8000 miles on them and the previous owner got ill so in the last 7 years very few miles

I put 6 x aeolus 295 75 22.5 ( dumb size ) $ 330 installed + tax each . and 2 new steer tires continentals same dumb as* size at $ 520 + tax each installed yes all have the little green leaf on them

my tire guy tells me age limit is crap .if they are not cracked and no sun damage do not call me and save your money

dave

Lin · July 22, 2016, 06:27:23 PM

Regarding tire age, most of what I see on the web says that tires do age and expire. There seems to be general recommendations to replace car tires after six years from the date of manufacture even though they may have been sitting on a shelf a year or two before you bought them. Michelin and Continental seem to recommend a ten year interval with annual inspections after the 5th year.

I have not been paying attention of the tire manufacture dates and merely going by when I got them. I just looked and see that the one that I got from the emergency road service is already almost 5 years old. I certainly would not have refused it had I checked though since I needed a tire. The one I just bought from my local shop is really about 1.5 years old. The Kelly tires that they are replacing were bought through a friend's gravel truck company and they must have been spanking new at the time since the were manufactured in 2007 just before I got them.

It is logical to assume that tire wholesalers are going to try to move there oldest stock first on unsuspecting one-time customers like me. In the future I will try to push for the latest date possible. Since the Kellys were sold to me through a trucking company that was a regular customer, they made sure to supply new tires.

There seems to always be something new to learn here.

sledhead · July 23, 2016, 04:58:42 AM

when I ordered my new tires I asked for fresh ones and was told I will try . they are all dated 12 16 so very happy about that and should be good for the next 10 years on the tire front . as my tire guy said because I keep my coach in a heated shop out of the weather they should be good for a long time

dave

DoubleEagle · July 23, 2016, 06:11:37 AM

One thing that annoys me about checking the tire manufactured date is that it seems to be imprinted on one side of the tire only, and when it is on the inside it is much more difficult to spot the number without serious crawling and contorting. In the case of replacement tires being brought to you, you can check them before they are mounted, but it would be even better if you ask about the age before they come out. If nothing else, it puts them on alert that you know about the dating. Being given a five year old tire would deserve a discount in my opinion, but when you are on the road and desperate, they have you in a weak position.