Michelin - no warranty on LT tire used on trailer

[A W Warn]

(this is Michelin's response to my RFI)

October 18, 2012

Hello,


Thank you for your email. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.

In regards to the email you sent stating:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your prompt response.
I would appreciate further clarification to one of my original questions. Does Michelin warranty LT tires used for RV trailers?
The reason I am asking this question, I noticed Airstream uses Michelin light truck tires on at least one 2012 model of their trailers. I also looked on Airstream's website and saw that some of their models offered Michelin tires as an option as far back as the 1970's. I find that Airstream offers Michelin tires, as replacements for the original ST tires, at their factory service center.
I assume these tires are adequate to support the loads of these trailers or Airstream would not offer them. What is Michelin's official stance on warranty of a LT (light truck) tire when mounted on a RV trailer? I am considering doing this on my Airstream though I would be purchasing from a local dealer, not the Airstream service center.
Thank you in advance for your response!
---------------------------------------------------------------------



If the RV came original equipment with a ST tire, we do not recommend replacing with a light truck tire as this would be considered a misapplication. There is no warranty for misapplication.

Please let us know if you have additional questions.

Thank you for contacting Michelin.

It is our goal to ensure that your issue has been resolved or your question answered to your satisfaction. If we can assist you further, please respond to this email or call us at 1-800-642-4354 (toll free) between 8:00AM and 8:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday or between 8:30AM and 4:30PM Eastern Time on Saturday.

Sincerely,

Consumer Care Department
Certified Michelin Product Expert

[mutcth]

I guess I need to ask this - are you concerned about not having a warranty? They're going to take this approach as CYA.

Given that the overwhelming experience with using the tires on the trailers has been positive (including 10,000 miles on my Argosy), I'm not sure it would be a big factor in a decision.

Tom

[markdoane]

I guess I would take them at their word.
"If the RV came original equipment with a ST tire, we do not recommend replacing with a light truck tire as this would be considered a misapplication."
Thanks for the info and follow up, Alan.

[dznf0g]

I assumed this from the "git go", and accepted it as a much lesser evil than seeing my wheel well and half the skin gone on the AS.

I can't say that I have ever needed to use a tire warranty in my life anyway....jinx.

[Bill M.]

I do not blame them. And I think my chances are a lot better with something other than ST tires no matter what the warranty.

[dznf0g]

Edit: erased what I said. "Kind of inflammatory", I thought as my finger hit the save key. Sorry.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

I do not blame them. And I think my chances are a lot better with something other than ST tires no matter what the warranty.

I agree 100%. The only time I have ever collected on a tire manufacturers warranty was bogus anyway. The damage was my fault and they knew it. It was pittance, because it was a pro rated amount on a fairly old tire.

Ken

[JDS]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

(this is Michelin's response to my RFI)

October 18, 2012

Hello,


Thank you for your email. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.

In regards to the email you sent stating:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your prompt response.
I would appreciate further clarification to one of my original questions. Does Michelin warranty LT tires used for RV trailers?
The reason I am asking this question, I noticed Airstream uses Michelin light truck tires on at least one 2012 model of their trailers. I also looked on Airstream's website and saw that some of their models offered Michelin tires as an option as far back as the 1970's. I find that Airstream offers Michelin tires, as replacements for the original ST tires, at their factory service center.
I assume these tires are adequate to support the loads of these trailers or Airstream would not offer them. What is Michelin's official stance on warranty of a LT (light truck) tire when mounted on a RV trailer? I am considering doing this on my Airstream though I would be purchasing from a local dealer, not the Airstream service center.
Thank you in advance for your response!
---------------------------------------------------------------------



If the RV came original equipment with a ST tire, we do not recommend replacing with a light truck tire as this would be considered a misapplication. There is no warranty for misapplication.

Please let us know if you have additional questions.

Thank you for contacting Michelin.

It is our goal to ensure that your issue has been resolved or your question answered to your satisfaction. If we can assist you further, please respond to this email or call us at 1-800-642-4354 (toll free) between 8:00AM and 8:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday or between 8:30AM and 4:30PM Eastern Time on Saturday.

Sincerely,

Consumer Care Department
Certified Michelin Product Expert

Does this mean if it came original equipment with a Michelin LT (e.g. the Eddie Bauer) that Michelin gives a warranty?

John S.

[gmw photos]

That's interesting that Michelin takes that particular stance on it. Kumho has a tire ( the radial 857 ) that they specifically market ( on their worldwide site ) as both being applicable to trailer as well as light truck use. One would assume they would apply their warranty equally to trailer use or truck use. I suppose to be sure, a consumer would need to ask them what their official word is on the subject.

[Wayne&Sam]

The only time I used a tire warranty was with a GYM and the coverage was very good. I worry less with my Michelins- that's worth a lot.

[warbler5]

Don't worry about your Michelins....they will serve you well likely well beyond any warranty period! The worst thing I can say about 40 years of using Michelin tires is that they tend to get noisy when it's time for some new ones.

btw...we have been running the Michelin LT's on our 2004 30' Classic since 2007, when we had several dangerous failures on the low-mileage, OEM Goodyear Marathons, despite religiously checking them and caring for them during the off-season. If you are still running Marathons and they look fine, the clue is slight loss of air pressure.

[A W Warn]

Re: all of the above questions and comments (and any after this), I have no answers, nor strong opinion either way. I was just sharing the information.

[overlander63]

Alan, I don't know if you noticed (you probably did) the answer you got from Michelin was a non answer. You specifically asked about warranty on an OEM application, and they blew a smoke screen about ST tires. That was not your question.

[Beginner]

My trailer came originally with Michelin XCA 700-15 truck tires on it. I have to wonder if this applies to me. Also that is what we carry insurance for. Also, since switching away from the ST tires my problems have gone away and so have many others who have followed suit.