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macofpei · 09-22-2011, 10:46 AM

Thank you for the picture. Visual works for me.

Jim Foster · 09-22-2011, 11:07 AM

If it is not completely around the tire, I would say way out of round, way out of balance, or both. Both could be caused by separation.

Take the wheel off and have your tire place put it on a spin balance machine and see what it looks like.

Mr.Bill · 09-22-2011, 11:21 AM

I misunderstood your previous post - I thought you were saying that the center was worn down all the way around the tire. Looking at the photo it appears that the part that has abnormal wear is the highest point of the tread. Conclusion: the tire was dragged - brakes locked up or something else caused the wheel to stop turning. A balance problem would cause the tire to be abnormally worn all the way around, not just in one spot. Even one panic stop can cause a tire to get a flat spot - ask any truck driver.

Sphere Guy · 09-22-2011, 11:32 AM

No other abnormal wear? What about the area in the upper left of the photo, on the inside? Looks like it's worn tread as well.

Looks to me like unbalanced, tire or running gear.

dznf0g · 09-22-2011, 03:05 PM

Am I seeing this correctly? Higher on both outside edges, higher in the middle and depressed in between? Like a "w" if you look longitudinally (a cross section) of the tread? And only 10" of the circumference?

If so, I think a structural issue with the belts and/or carcase fabric. sumpin' broke in der.

Jake · 09-23-2011, 09:06 AM

Thnx to all. A wealth of info here. Am now in search of replacement tires again. Have given up on the GYM 's. Looking at the Michelin LTX 235/75R 15. Anyone had any experience with these or other Michelin products?

ROBERT CROSS · 09-23-2011, 10:30 AM

Jake,

Have the LTX's on the TV, very happy with them, 38k+ with no problems and plenty left.

Don't see why they wouldn't work well for you.

Bob

Bill M. · 09-23-2011, 11:07 AM

"Looking at the Michelin LTX 235/75R 15. Anyone had any experience with these or other Michelin products?"

got the Sears version of the Michlen LTX 235/75R 15 on my 25' Excella. Been on for 3 years. been to Alaska and a lot of other places. No problems at all. no visible wear at all. rated for 1980 or so lbs each at 50 psi. Thats where I run them. gives me about 2200 lbs total to spare over the actual axle loading of 5800 lbs.

went on a caravan with a former Goodyear tire desinger. He was running Goodyear Wranglers on his Airstream. I took that as a hint.

pappy19 · 09-23-2011, 04:15 PM

I had a very hard time balancing my Bridgestone Dueler A/T's and finally got the N. Salt Lake Firestone dealer to give me 2 new front tires. Even then, they had a very hard time getting them to balance. I did get them to do pretty well at the Boise Ford dealer, but my set of Michelin's have always been smoother. When my Firestones get bald enough, it's another set of Michelin's for me. I did the Firestone's when they had a buy 3 get one free deal, but the PITA is more than I can stand.

Pap

Kosm1o · 09-24-2011, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

Thnx to all. A wealth of info here. Am now in search of replacement tires again. Have given up on the GYM 's. Looking at the Michelin LTX 235/75R 15. Anyone had any experience with these or other Michelin products?

I only have a few thousand miles on mine but they ride about the same as my old GYMs. I haven't had to put air in them since I installed them. Also, I have Centramatics and I recommend them. You won't have to worry about balancing when you have them. Cost about $180 for a set to fit the 15" wheel.

Phoenix · 09-24-2011, 05:32 AM

Michelins; you get what you pay for -- More expensive and worth it. We have run Michelins on all our vehicles, since the old Michelin X radials in the late 60s. The few times we used other brands (mainly, OEM tires on new vehicles), we had tire failures or very poor treadlife.

Right now we have Michelin XPS Ribs on our 19-foot Bambi, and we don't worry about blowouts or tread separation. The tires could safely handle 75-80 mph sustained speeds, but we still drive 55-65 depending on the type of roads; because we feel safer towing at the lower speeds and get significantly better fuel economy.

We have Centramatics, although Michelins typically require very little weight to balance; they are just insurance against out-of-balance problems with the other spinning parts in the running gear. I have ridden in our Airstream at 55-65 mph for a short distance, and the ride is very similar to our 2008 Tundra. My wife leaves a napkin holder with salt and pepper grinders on the table (with a non-skid mat underneath, mainly to prevent scratching the table top), and it has never fallen over or off the table while traveling on highways.

The conversion to 16-inch wheels and XPS Ribs was relatively expensive, but it has been worth the added peace of mind, versus the constant worry about blowouts with Goodyear Marathons and (later) Maxxis tires.

richinny · 09-24-2011, 07:00 AM

say jake, there is one more test to try besides spinning that tire on a balancer. let that air out and see it the shape deforms. if the belts have shifted it can become more apparent without air in the tire.