Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: jlid51 on May 01, 2012, 02:03:24 pm
-
Need some new tires due to sidewall cracking more than thread depth. What tires are the softest and offer the best ride? I do not care about the tire lasting a lot of miles more interested in a softer ride that the stock Michelin tires.
-
I'm turning 70 years old and have bought a lot of tires of different brands, but when I replace my RV tires I only look at Michelins. I'm surprised you have cracking in the sidewalls of your tires on a 2010 model RV. Either the previous owner left it parked in the sun a lot or the tires were old when they went on the RV. That said, you might want to talk to someone at Phoenix to get their thoughts, as the way the RV rides is not just the tires, but the springs, shocks, antisway bars, etc. Since RVs usually call for high inflation pressures, I suspect a change in rubber compound in the tires is not going to make a big difference in ride. Anyway, good luck in your tire buying efforts. I've neglected that in the past and had to buy one on the road and it's never cheap when that happens.
Jerry
-
Jerry is perfectly correct, the sun is a big tire killer. Even though our PC is garage kept I still keep the tires covered. Also, when we travel I cover the tires any time we stop for more than one night. In addition, long term storage on unsealed cement is very hard on tires so I always store mine on a nonporous material.
Barry
-
Some cracking is normal. You can tell the age of your tires by looking at the sidewall for DOT and 4 numbers. The first two are the week and the last two are the year of manufacture. I would take the PC to a tire dealer and have them look at the tires.
-
Stick with the Michelins.
One way to make your tires last longer is to occasionaly wipe down with 303 Protectorant.
NEVER use Armorall, that will make you sidewalls crack.
-
I'm surprised you have cracking in the sidewalls of your tires on a 2010 model RV.
Jerry
A 2010 motor home could be built on a 2008 chassis (ours is), maybe older. The tires could have been manufactured in 2007. Those pre-delivery years can add up.
-
I have read on other forums that another thread pattern called RIB (not M&S) will provide a slightly nicer ride and improve fuel economy a tad bit as well. But they are much less effective in mud and snow, so if you plan to drive under such conditions, stay with M&S. RIB tires are not all-season tires. All tire manufactures offer M&S and RIB tires.
I read about cracked tires on motorhomes all the time, but is never discussed on other vehicle forums. I wonder what that is all about. Is the rubber on truck tires different, or is it simply that the tires sit around too long, exposed to the elements?
Our 2007 is garage kept, opposite the garage window, so it's pretty much in a cave. Five years so far without any cracks. I never apply any type of tire dressing either.
-
I read about cracked tires on motorhomes all the time, but is never discussed on other vehicle forums. I wonder what that is all about. Is the rubber on truck tires different, or is it simply that the tires sit around too long, exposed to the elements?
Our 2007 is garage kept, opposite the garage window, so it's pretty much in a cave. Five years so far without any cracks. I never apply any type of tire dressing either.
I don't know if the rubber compound is any different, but I have heard that tires that are in motion (being driven on) will be less susceptible to dry rot. The reasoning was that the constant flexing prevents the dry rot.
It makes some sense considering the typical driving habits of RVs vs Cars ...
BC
-
This is a little latefor the posting but I just replaced my Michilen tires on my 2100 07. Had about 20000 miles on tires and they were becomming severly cracked. This is a safty issue. i called Michilen and they said to bring it to Sears an autharized dealer. Sears inspected the tires and agreed they were not safe. They called Michilen and i got a substantial prorated reimbursement. Sears said that Michilen was one of the few companies that did this. I put 6 new Michilens on the RV and left very happy. MIchilen a fine company that cares about its customers. If you go this route make sure you emphasize the safty issue. John Pierce
-
I have heard that most tire shine sprays are not good and produce sidewall cracking. I am not familiar with 303 protectorates.
I keep tires covered in the carport, and just wash them down when I wash the coach.
Only experience with MH tires was 7 years with the Rialta. Rear usually wore out before front, even though front wheel drive. (they seemed to cup after about 3 years). But the tires were starting to crack after about that time anyway, so they were usually changed after 3 years for wear and cracking.
Denny
-
I have heard that most tire shine sprays are not good and produce sidewall cracking.
I too have heard that some protectants are bad, others are okay.
I have never applied anything to our 2007 tires and all remains crack-free, keeping in-mind our PC is stored indoors.
-
"I don't know if the rubber compound is any different, but I have heard that tires that are in motion (being driven on) will be less susceptible to dry rot. The reasoning was that the constant flexing prevents the dry rot."
Sounds like what's wrong with my body, no flexing!
-
"I don't know if the rubber compound is any different, but I have heard that tires that are in motion (being driven on) will be less susceptible to dry rot. The reasoning was that the constant flexing prevents the dry rot."
Sounds like what's wrong with my body, no flexing!
roflol funny... yes have also heard that... Guess we need to take or PC to work and the store once in awhile?
-
If that was true, then new old-stock tires would get cracked up during the first mile driven. But I never heard of that happening.
-
I think the reason that tires dry rot more while sitting long periods is that the sidewalls on the part touching the ground are constantly distorted outward from the weight while sitting. Push down and out on the bottom part too long and it will start to crack. New old-stock tires aren't being deformed in the same manner.
Jerry
-
I had always understood while in long term storage, it was best to inflate the tires to the max pressure as stated on them, 85psi for many E-rated tires. This to minimize the distortion you (Jerry) mentioned and to minimize ground contact. It also helps to have the extra tire pressure when stored off site where some air is lost from just sitting around. In the spring time when you go back to the storage lot, you might be lucky enough not needing to air up the tires there.