New Tire recommendations?

Leo Iezzi · 07-07-2017, 01:27 AM

Our motor home came with 225/70R 19.5 Continental HSRs.

The stamp date has about a year left on them and the tires seem to be on fair shape. There's slight cracking where the tires meet the rim.

I was considering putting new tires on it, since they're ok, not great and I'm about to embark on a 2600 mile round trip.

Should I replace the tires with the same brand? Is there something less expensive but just as good for those of us who will only put 3k to 4K miles a year on them?
Any particular brand to stay away from?

CasaLoca · 07-07-2017, 03:33 AM

I buy cheap stuff....sometimes. Cheap T-shirts, cheap yard sprinkler, etc.
I will NOT buy cheap tires when my family's lives are riding on them. I figure
I am as likely to encounter an extreme situation in the first thousand miles as I am the 15th thousand miles. In all my life "just as good" never turned out that way.
Chuck Peck in CasaLoca

JRS950 · 07-07-2017, 03:39 AM

One place to do some research is TireRack.com. They have many brands and sizes on their website that you can compare. They even have a list of installation locations. It will give you a start in you research from your computer.

**EA37TS** · 07-07-2017, 12:03 PM

If you are an FMCA member check into the Michelin Advantage program. I know someone that used the program to replace all tires on his DP with tag axle (8 tires) and he saved a ton of money.

axis earl · 07-07-2017, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo Iezzi

Our motor home came with 225/70R 19.5 Continental HSRs.

The stamp date has about a year left on them and the tires seem to be on fair shape. There's slight cracking where the tires meet the rim.

I was considering putting new tires on it, since they're ok, not great and I'm about to embark on a 2600 mile round trip.

Should I replace the tires with the same brand? Is there something less expensive but just as good for those of us who will only put 3k to 4K miles a year on them?
Any particular brand to stay away from?

Just curious when you say that you have "about a year left on them" as far as the date stamp is concerned. What is the week and year stamped on your tires?

Joe-FL · 07-07-2017, 03:12 PM

Leo, I am no expert when it comes to tires on MH's. I learned a lot about tires on large 5th wheels and some of it may relate. I know from what I am seeing there are a lot of MH owner's who run Michelin tires.

If you are checking your tires close enough to see slight cracking and you have found the date stamps then you are already ahead of the game. Many new RVers simply glance at how much tread they have and figure they are good to go.

Every time we travel out west in the summer there are not many days go by when we do not pass a TT or fiver pulled over with a flat tire. It seems like when the temps get up over 96 or 97 degrees you can count on seeing one on the shoulder. High temps, high speeds, and aging tires equals blow outs. I've witnessed that as a Trooper and I'm still seeing the same thing traveling in an RV.

I have a 2014 chassis with a 2015 coach. When purchased used it only had 3,200 miles on the clock. No visible cracks yet but the tires are being changed out next spring or this fall. They are original Michelins and I am happy with them. I utilize a TPMS and keep them covered when stationary for a week or longer.

TyCreek · 07-07-2017, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo Iezzi

Our motor home came with 225/70R 19.5 Continental HSRs.

The stamp date has about a year left on them and the tires seem to be on fair shape. There's slight cracking where the tires meet the rim.

I was considering putting new tires on it, since they're ok, not great and I'm about to embark on a 2600 mile round trip.

Should I replace the tires with the same brand? Is there something less expensive but just as good for those of us who will only put 3k to 4K miles a year on them?
Any particular brand to stay away from?

In the 19.5 comercial tire size I don't know a brand to stay away from ... however, if the slight cracking is on a front tire, I'd rotate a rear to the front if any of them are better (unless rears are not steers) to get me through till I got replacements. I personally replace tires at the first signs of cracking.

Typical brands listed low to high cost (roughly): Hankook, Dunlop, Continental, Firestone, Toyo, Yokohama, GoodYear, Bridgestone, Michelin. I know some that run Hankook and love them while others wouldn't consider any but the top 3. My last 19.5 tire purchase happened to be Michelin with +1" diameter and increased load rating as well. That choice worked well for that rig because mpg went up some.

Decide on what tread pattern, size and rating you want because that might limit your choices. For example... if your rig came with F, you might want the next load rating up G (or G to H etc...). Do you want to change/optimize your gearing a little bit by changing the diameter (size)? Check your wheel width to make sure they're "right" for the tire choice.

99dart · 07-07-2017, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-FL

I have a 2014 chassis with a 2015 coach. When purchased used it only had 3,200 miles on the clock. No visible cracks yet but the tires are being changed out next spring or this fall. They are original Michelins and I am happy with them. I utilize a TPMS and keep them covered when stationary for a week or longer.

May I ask how many miles are on them? And, the born on date? You may have read that I blew a Michelin LTX in our first 200 miles after buyig our 2016 WS31(used). The dates on them are 2015 like the chassis. Just wondering if you know something I don't. LOL

Leo Iezzi · 07-08-2017, 12:56 AM

Thank you guys for all of your input.
After reading all your comments I thought since this is our first RV, and the tires that are on it now have served it well, I'll stick with them for the first go around purchase. I believe these are the originals...not sure.

Found a good deal on them and hope to get them mounted tomorrow/next week.

As for my time stamp, it reads 3210. As I have come to understand, that's the 32nd week of 2010, putting them roughly 2-3 months from being 7 years old.

Mr Sunshine · 07-08-2017, 01:22 AM

7 years is elderly for an RV tire! Common misconception is to judge a tire by the tread.

When my last coach had 5 years on the tires, I took out a roadside service plan. Blew a front tire on the interstate in Texas, and it was just 5 hours and $425 to be back on the the road. A month later, blew an inside rear tire in Missouri. Again, 4 hours and $425. That next week, I shopped around and the other 4 matching tires were....$425 each. Fair treatment by both road service outfits.

When those tires were getting near replacement, it was time to trade before putting another $2500 in the old one. Glad the Vegas tires are smaller and cheaper! When it is time to replace these tires, I will be buying Michelin like the originals.

Joe-FL · 07-08-2017, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99dart

May I ask how many miles are on them? And, the born on date? You may have read that I blew a Michelin LTX in our first 200 miles after buyig our 2016 WS31(used). The dates on them are 2015 like the chassis. Just wondering if you know something I don't. LOL

The coach now has just over 7,400 miles on it as we sit in a Bozeman Montana CG. I don't have the manufacturer date of the Michelins but I am confident it is in 2014. When you had yours replaced did they speculate on why it blew?

Joe-FL · 07-08-2017, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo Iezzi

Thank you guys for all of your input.
After reading all your comments I thought since this is our first RV, and the tires that are on it now have served it well, I'll stick with them for the first go around purchase. I believe these are the originals...not sure.

Found a good deal on them and hope to get them mounted tomorrow/next week.

As for my time stamp, it reads 3210. As I have come to understand, that's the 32nd week of 2010, putting them roughly 2-3 months from being 7 years old.

Just a suggestion, but when you get them mounted mention that you may be installing a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) on your valve stems. You will be needing all metal valve stems. I'm a huge fan of using a TPMS so I can constantly monitor the pressure and temp of all my tires as I travel. If you decide in the future you want/need a TPMS then at least you will be ready.

Excellent call on replacing those aged tires.

Leo Iezzi · 07-08-2017, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-FL

Just a suggestion, but when you get them mounted mention that you may be installing a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) on your valve stems. You will be needing all metal valve stems. I'm a huge fan of using a TPMS so I can constantly monitor the pressure and temp of all my tires as I travel. If you decide in the future you want/need a TPMS then at least you will be ready.

Excellent call on replacing those aged tires.

Thank you Joe! I just got off the phone with my buddy who was telling me about these caps! I had no idea they even existed! And he didn't mention I needed metal valve stems, so I'll be sure to ask them to do that for me.

Thanks again!

Dragon70 · 07-08-2017, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo Iezzi

Thank you Joe! I just got off the phone with my buddy who was telling me about these caps! I had no idea they even existed! And he didn't mention I needed metal valve stems, so I'll be sure to ask them to do that for me.

Thanks again!

You don't necessarily need metal valve stems. Most rear duals have an extension on them and many fronts are 1 1/2" or shorter but each to their own.

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