Why... Michelin discourages Trailer Use

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

The new Goodyear Endurance ST tires have a N (87mph) speed rating:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...odel=Endurance

N for no go :-).

[r carl]

Talk is talk, I do what works.

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

N for no go :-).

You can't handle the truth!

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

You can't handle the truth!

Huh ?

[polarlyse]

I replaced my GYM's about 4 yrs ago and installed Michelin LTX/MS2 at 16". The GYM's I took off were 3 yrs old and had lots of tread left. Upon removal and inspection I found one tire had begun tread separation on the inside of the tire. I had not noticed it when crawling around under my trailer but it was obvious upon removal. It surely would have failed on that winters trip to Florida. Since then I've put about 60k miles and the Michelins still have great tread and have performed flawlessly. I frequently put a hand on the tires and hubs to check temps while traveling and check air pressure regularly.
I really don't care that they are not ST rated they have given me great service and I will replace them with Michelins when needed.

That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
See ya'll down the road sometime.

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

Huh ?

Jack Nicholson... A Few Good Men - never saw that movie?

[Alluminati]

All Michelin LTX tires are NOT created equal. The LTX tires on my truck are NOT LT tires. "LTX" is a branding mark, not a service designation.

http://www.michelinman.com/US/en/tir...r-ltx-m-s.html

Scroll down and see the sizes offered. Note the "LT" in the prefix of the sizes listed. Michelin offers the Defender LTX as an LT tire in 16, 17, 18, and 20" size only. P metric LTX is offered in sizes from 15 to 22"

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=219

This could easily explain why Michelin covers LT tires on trailers, but not P metrics.

The LTX (P metric) tires on my truck are great! I wouldn't trade them for any other tire. But I've been spooked by tales of trailer body damage caused by steel belt shrapnel from non-ST radials when they blow. Perhaps I can trust honest-to-goodness LT tires next time I need to resole my trailer, and can put Michelins on the hindquarters too.

[Alluminati]

Originally Posted by blkmagikca

Ray, see http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...ml#post1944589

Michelin covered the damage to my AS + replacement tire where there was no evidence of road hazard damage.

Yup, thems was genuine, certified, true to life "Lite Truck" tires! It says so right in the size prefix!

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

Jack Nicholson... A Few Good Men - never saw that movie?

Yes I have and I still don't get the trust of your response.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

Jack Nicholson... A Few Good Men - never saw that movie?

And, I will never purchase a GY tire regardless what they rate them at.
I experienced a massive blow out due to thread separation on one of them on I 4 and the related nightmare. Cost of repairs to the AS $ 9,200.00.
In all my years of driving and trucking that was the only thread separation on any personal vehicle ever I owned.
You like them good for you.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

These issues are why Michelin does not want to cover tire damages when used on a trailer. Not that the tires cannot do the job, but the potential of hitting objects by new or just poor driving skills is much more than the company wants to be responsible.

I put on a couple of off brand tires on my Classic a few months ago because I needed them for a trip and they were all I could get. Long story short had a blowout inside of a week. Not the tire's fault, mine. Called up the store where I bought them and was told road hazard replacement is not available for any trailer tires.

[Ray Eklund]

My BIGGEST WORRY of owning an Airstream with four LTX Michelin 16" E rated tires and 16" wheels parked next to an Airstream with four Goodyear Marathon, or whatever new name, 15" D rated tires...

A professional thief would take my tires and wheels before even getting close to the GYM's under any 'new name'. You can change the name of a GYM, but those seeking quality and reliable tires need to WORRY. Not about tire failures, which need good warranty coverage and do not fail while in use on our Airstream trailers.

There is still honor among thieves, apparently.

A 'limited warranty' is only a salesman's pitch to sell. Backing the 'warranty' is the problem in my experience with a product. If your tires do not fail during use... a warranty is a sense of financial security and not needed.

A point earlier was well made. Needing to match all six, four or two tires is a money maker for poorly designed and manufactured tires. GYM has found a source of reliable future sales. Not from a quality standard, but lack there of. I know, until I made a change.

If the manufacturing of the tire is found to be the source of a tire failure, the manufacturer who steps up and takes care of their customer and their product is all one can ask.

Goodyear cheated me. Hi Run cheated me. Change the source of production. Change the name of the tire. Fool me once... never a second chance. Quality is not a temporary standard to maintain when business is slow...