Michelin Tires

[comeupwithsompin]

Anyone using the Michelin XPS Rib tires on their trailer?

Just had rig in to dealer for skylite leak and he noticed two of the Duros appear to be failing. They are "round" on the tire to ground contact area and apparently should be more flat.

See that Michelin has lower weight rating (but are still load range E), higher speed rating, and hopefully a longer life. Sure are more expensive than the Duro.

Comments?

Thanks,
Danny

[letsrun100]

I considered these tires for our old unit. We just bought a new Cameo 35SB3 with Duro tires, so I don't need them now.

Just curious, how many miles do you have on the "needing to be replaced" Duros?

[Donr827]

I have used the Michelin Ribs on a 34CK3.  After having one Goodyear blow up and another one with a bubble starting to form I took them off and put the Ribs on.  The peace of mind is worth the extra cost to me.
Don

[Greyhead]

The first thing all trailer owners must do before any tire replacement is to weigh your truck and trailer as loaded (you, wife, dogs, full water tanks, full fuel and propane tanks, cooler of ice and drinks, food, etc.) for travel at a truck scale as you'll find at all major truck stops.  It's under $10 and easy to do.  Now you'll know what your rig really weighs on each of it's axels.  With the trailer weight you now have an idea of how close to the tires cappacity your running every trip.  Our 2006 F30RLS is small compared to most other Carriage's and at 9000lbs on the trailer wheels we were 5000 lbs under the capacity of the 4 factory (Tow Max) trailer tires @ 80 lbs.  Since I always ran at 80 lbs this probably kept us safer for the 6000 miles of use. 

I purchased the Michelin XPS Rib in a LT245/75R16 E load range from Costco.  This is not the same as the factory ST235/80R16 E that came on my Carriage but it is close in many ways and better in some other areas.  First, it's an all steel constructed tire with incredably strong side walls. It pulls better and I get better gas millage too. It's speed rated to 75mph as opposed to ST tires rated to 65mph maximum speed.  It's almost the same dimensions as the factory tire so it's a good fit.  But, the XPS Ribs in this size are rated at 3042 lbs and the factory size tires are 3500 lbs.  This is not a problem at the weight we run at (9000 lbs on the trailer tires) as the 4 XPS Ribs will carry 12,168 lbs @80lbs  which gives us a 3168 lbs unused extra capacity.

Your weight will determine if this will work for you but you MUST weigh your rig to find out.

[comeupwithsompin]

We've had the rig weighed at an Escapee's rally. Axel's are 6000# and XPS Ribs are rated at 3050 each so we know we're under weight. Total weight just over 13k#'s and hitch of course carries the balance (we're at about 1800#'s there). Just to note, Duro's are rated over 3500#'s according to tire, but speed rating is only 70mph. We don't care that much about speed rating as we don't drive anywhere near that fast except at very few moments.

Two current Duro's are original. Manufactured in 2007 and have about 20k miles being towed (we aquired rig new in April 2008). One is new after having replaced one with fingertip size bubble at the bead. Other I gouged sidewall on so had to replace that one. One of the two originals is one that dealer pointed out as being rounded instead of having flat surface at road contact area and he indicated a blowout was likely soon.

Heard mixed results on Goodyear G614's but haven't seen anything on Michelin XPS as trailer tire use (until responses seen here). Just trying to get a concensus. I also want peace of mind and have had okay results with Duro's.  Just hearing enough that if I've gotta replace two more, might as well upgrade.

Gonna be $262 plus install at Discount tire so they aren't cheap.

[Leslie]

I have the Michelin XPS Ribs on my 2006 Carriage Compass. I caught my powerking tomax tires right before I had a blow out in Sept 2007. Only had 7,000 miles on the tires. I went to the truck stop and my trailer weighs 14,700 lbs. OF that 3,100lbs is hitch weight so 11,600 is  on the tires.  I am very happy with the Michelin tires. With the steel belt in the sidewalls they weigh about 1/2 times more then my powerking tomax tires did.

[Diesel Hugh]

After you have just one tire fail at 60mph and resulting in $1,000-$2,000 in damage to your rv the cost of Michelins at $1,000 is cheap insurance.  I've put them on my Cameo and never thought about them again except to check air pressure before each trip. 6,000 miles and they still look new.
I'll never purchase cheap tires for a rv and risk injury to my family for a few dollars.
Hugh

[comeupwithsompin]

I second that and very much value the input of those on this forum.

Thanks for feedback. Will continue to watch this thread for other info., but we're investing in a new set of ribs tomorrow morning before we're back on the road.

Thanks to all.

Danny & Karen

[diandtom]

We got our 2010 Cameo 35SB3 in Jan. Our 2003 Arctic Fox had Michelins XPS Ribs that were two years old and I got the dealer to change them to the new Cameo. I had a set of Goodyears that four out of the five gave me problems. These Michelins have at least 20 K miles and I cannot see any wear. It makes me mad that Carriage would put lousy Chinese tires on a new fiver. I have read many a post about Chinese tires blowing out or tread coming apart. It is no fun sitting on the side of road with a blow out on a hot day. Michelins XPS Ribs are good for six years if you take care of them.

[wudcuter]

You guys should try Hankook Tires, I have them on my 34CK3 and have had no problems what so ever. They are LT7.50-16 G rated 14 ply and really pull good and rated for 110# pressure @ 90 mph. My good friend that transports tires from all over the country uses these tires on all his trailers loaded with other new tires. He is a tire distributor here in West Texas and he recomended I try them. I blew out every tow-max tire on my trailer. They are less exspensive than michelin or goodyear.

[r3rver]

Anyone running these Michelin XPS Ribs on a 36FWS Cameo?  This is the heaviest of the Cameo line.

[Jimdee]

I second the question about the 36FWS.  I have Duro ST235/80R16E tires on 16 x 7 inch aluminum rims.  I just checked the Michelin web site and they don't come in that size.  What would be the equivalent size that would fit my rims?  We ordered our rig loaded (dual panes, Onan genny, astrofoil insulation).  My delivered weight allows for less than 2k cargo cap with empty tanks... with full tanks the cargo cap is around 900#.  I haven't had a chance to weigh it yet, but plan to at a rally in early April.  Thanks.