LT Tire Survey

[rodsterinfl]

Forgot a point that I was told regarding michelin tires. One salesman shared with me (for what it is worth) that the M/S 2 and Rib were very similar tires but the rib was designed to be retreaded.

[Phoenix]

Note: The Michelin LTX MS/2 and XPS Rib, in size 225/75x16, are load range E tires (10 ply rating), and both have three steel belts under the tread. However, the LTX MS/2 has two actual body/casing plies of polyester while the XPS Rib has only one, which is steel. The LTX MS/2 weighs 38 pounds, and the XPS Rib weighs 49.

[slowmover]

Tires for commercial applications are going to be the "best" so far as reliability is concerned. But they are heavy and the most expensive.

Switching to 16" LT with a 120 or higher Load Index means 80-psi for greatest sidewall stability on a trailer tire. Where the Load vs Pressure Table does not apply. ST tires appear to have the better price, max pressure and easy fit. It isn't as easy to match up LT.

At the least, an LT should have a tread width a close match to the wheel rim width. And, IMO, a closed shoulder tread design. Avoiding what we've called "tread separations " and what the tire engineers call "interply shear" taking its toll.

I just watched a neighbor leave with a 2002 model Mobile Scout 5'er of pleasingly short length. But the truck height puts the load unequally on the rear axle of the tandem. So, as he made a near 90 degree turn out of here one doesn't need much imagination to envision how those GYM rear tires looked. I can't say they were at best practice full pressure, but those tires were close to being ripped off the rims.

Bad practice with better tires isn't much of an improvement.

[Msmoto]

As I am more into safety and tire reliability, I am in the game now for 16 inchers on my Serenity. Just ordered a set of
16" 6 Lug LH1 Black Hi Spec Aluminum Trailer Wheel

And, these folks state I will have them on Thursday, today being Tuesday. Then I have chosen the Firestone Transforce HT LT225/75R16 E to be mounted by my favorite local dealer.

Pricing is $682.95 Tires, $544.00 Wheels, total of $1226.95 mounted, balanced, total.

As they sell this tire almost daily, my tire dealer has my size in stock. Their experience is that Michelin is no better tire.

Will give an update when I return from my 2700 mile trip up north in a couple weeks.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

As they sell this tire almost daily, my tire dealer has my size in stock. Their experience is that Michelin is no better tire.

Will give an update when I return from my 2700 mile trip up north in a couple weeks.

That's almost word for word what my tire dealer told me about the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A. Hope you have better luck than I did.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by SteveH

That's almost word for word what my tire dealer told me about the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A. Hope you have better luck than I did.

How is better defined? Reliability and durability? If so, I agree. As some of you know, I have the opportunity do drive a lot of new vehicles...up to 15 - 25K...as company assigned demos. What I do think, by the seat of the pants, is Michelin is superior in wear, soft ride, and consistently round tires (meaning no, or very little run out).

This is also verified by my interaction with customers with warranty concerns relative to tires. I just don't get complaints from Michelin relative to waddles, vibrations nor unexpected premature wear out.

There are a lot of good tires out there. 95% and 100% are both A grades, but one is a higher score. Michelin consistently scores higher in my tests.

[SteveH]

What Discount Tire told me was the BF Goodrich was just as good as the Michelin, and was made by Michelin.

However, BF Goodrich is NOT made by Michelin, it is owned by Michelin....big difference. That's like saying a Chevrolet is made my Cadillac.

My friend and I bought 8 BF Goodrich Commercial T/A's at the same time, and four of them failed by separation in two years.

[gmw photos]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

As I am more into safety and tire reliability, I am in the game now for 16 inchers on my Serenity. Just ordered a set of
16" 6 Lug LH1 Black Hi Spec Aluminum Trailer Wheel

And, these folks state I will have them on Thursday, today being Tuesday. Then I have chosen the Firestone Transforce HT LT225/75R16 E to be mounted by my favorite local dealer.

Pricing is $682.95 Tires, $544.00 Wheels, total of $1226.95 mounted, balanced, total.

As they sell this tire almost daily, my tire dealer has my size in stock. Their experience is that Michelin is no better tire.

Will give an update when I return from my 2700 mile trip up north in a couple weeks.

I have quite a few miles with Transforce HT's on one of the horse trailers. I run this trailer loaded between 12,000 and 14,000 lbs, and I don't limit myself to just 55mph, if you catch my meaning. These tires have worked flawlessly.
Good choice, IMO. And, yes, this tandem axle trailer gets spun around in tight circles at times in parking situations. It's just the nature of where I have to go with this rig. They have taken the abuse and just keep on rolling.

[tjdonahoe]

My experience with tires is ,there are no bargains out there,it seems that you always get what you paid for,even with michelins on our Buick ,they started coming apart after 6 years......

[tjdonahoe]

Out of curiosity I just measured my tires and rechecked the mileage ,the trailer is 2 years old with 15" gym's,with 16000 miles each tire is 8/32 of 10/32 when new,measured in 2 places 180 degrees apart,65- 70 lbs air rotated every 5000 miles or so....so far so good.....

[fordfarmer]

I wish I had a set of the recall Michelins. The rib upgrade is quite a deal. Just under $200 for LTX's, $340/tire for ribs. I would like the ribs, but I think they will outlast both my trailer and me.

[FishinHatteras]

Msmoto,
That dealer is trying to sell you what he has in stock. I respectfully, and wholeheartedly disagree, that a Firestone tire is better than a Michelin MS2 E rated. I've been running Michelins on my vehicles for far too many years to have someone tell me that a Firestone is of equal or better value. That just isn't so.

Betya a bottle of scotch on that one, and SteveH can hold the bottle to see who wins the bet! You in?

[Wingeezer]

I've had my Michelin 16" LT tires now for a couple of years and they have performed very well.

For some reason they seem to be wearing much better than the 15" ST's I had before. The last set were Towmasters and they seemed to be wearing very quickly for some reason - I was starting to wonder if I had an alignment problem, but all appears great with the Michelin LT's. I run them at 75PSI.

Very happy with the switch.

Brian.

[lahrfarm]

All of the LT tires being talked about are good tires. I had a set of Michelins on a truck and one was out of round. They replaced it, I still run Michelins today. They all have recalls and an occasional bad tire. The bf Goodrich commercial had a recall 2010-2012 for separating, doesn't make the brand bad. I have run michelins, BFG, Yokohama, Firestone all with good results.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by lahrfarm

All of the LT tires being talked about are good tires. I had a set of Michelins on a truck and one was out of round. They replaced it, I still run Michelins today. They all have recalls and an occasional bad tire. The bf Goodrich commercial had a recall 2010-2012 for separating, doesn't make the brand bad. I have run michelins, BFG, Yokohama, Firestone all with good results.

I sure wish BFG had notified me of the recall on those tires, it sure would have saved me a lot of grief. And, if my tires were on the recall list, I consider them a inferior company for not notifying me.

[tjdonahoe]

I had a set of towmasters once,they did run about 15000 miles ,uneven wear and even had bulged center on 2 of them,a real deal.......

[tjdonahoe]

Steve , maybe a bad dealer....?

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

I had a set of towmasters once,they did run about 15000 miles ,uneven wear and even had bulged center on 2 of them,a real deal.......

A bulged center is a separation, and you are fortunate to have gotten if off your trailer before it came apart (belt separated from the carcass).

The dealer is Discount Tire, one of the biggest, if not the biggest tire dealer in this neighborhood. And anyway, the dealer cannot be responsible for the failure of a product they sell, unless it happens all the time and they keep pushing the product.

[lahrfarm]

I would think they should contact owners. I don't even know if any do. Who makes towmaster? I'm certainly no authority on tires, but had good experience with the brands I listed. I have Michelins on my truck, BFG 16" on trailer, hope good times keep coming!

[SteveH]

BFG may have had a recall in those years, and the particular tire/size that I had may not have been involved in the recall?