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03-06-2014, 07:15 AM
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#81
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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My last two Dodges have had Michelin tires as OE. The best tire mileage I've ever gotten was 68,000 miles, and that set could have gone perhaps another 5,000 miles.
Apparently, some of you folks know some towing secrets that I haven't learned during the 250,000 + miles of towing. Please share them with us.
Larry
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03-07-2014, 05:28 AM
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#82
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CapriRacer
I'm in the
, US
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 991
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry C
My last two Dodges have had Michelin tires as OE. The best tire mileage I've ever gotten was 68,000 miles, and that set could have gone perhaps another 5,000 miles.
Apparently, some of you folks know some towing secrets that I haven't learned during the 250,000 + miles of towing. Please share them with us.
Larry
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There's no secret. The more corners you turn, the faster the tire wears. Driving straight ahead is practically free. Ergo, if you want your tire to last longer mileagewise, take long trips.
On the other hand, there are things you can do to prevent premature wear from occurring.
1) Rotate regularly. Different wheel positions have different wear characteristics and you can extend a tire's life by doing regular rotation.
2) Inflation pressure. As a general rule, you should use what is listed on the vehicle tire placard on your driver's door. If you want to use the published load tables (which I don't recommend) you need to include a certain amount of reserve (unused) load carrying capacity (I recommend 15%) by using a higher inflation pressure.
3) Alignment. When the tires are rotated, measure the wear. Uneven wear should be a clue there is an alignment issue.
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03-07-2014, 05:53 AM
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#83
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4 Rivet Member
Commercial Member
2009 30' Classic
Melbourne, FL
, Searsport, ME
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 309
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CapriRacer,
Quote:
2) Inflation pressure. As a general rule, you should use what is listed on the vehicle tire placard on your driver's door. If you want to use the published load tables (which I don't recommend) you need to include a certain amount of reserve (unused) load carrying capacity (I recommend 15%) by using a higher inflation pressure.
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I'm running Michelin M/S2 LT275/65R20 tires on my Ford F250 Super Duty. The door placard lists 65lb. pressure, but the tire sidewall shows 80lb. and that is what the dealer inflated them to. Which pressure should I be using?
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03-07-2014, 07:02 AM
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#84
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4 Rivet Member
2018 30' International
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Los alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 359
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We get 40-50,000 miles on a Ford Expedition ( three of them) Michelin---now on our 3/4 Diesel GMC. We have tried all lesser costs, thru the years, including Coopers, you simply get what you pay for.
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03-07-2014, 11:32 AM
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#85
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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The door placard is for original equipment tires. Other sizes may be different inflation pressures. OE sized tires are usually the best bet. Jim
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03-07-2014, 12:03 PM
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#86
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acstokes
CapriRacer,
I'm running Michelin M/S2 LT275/65R20 tires on my Ford F250 Super Duty. The door placard lists 65lb. pressure, but the tire sidewall shows 80lb. and that is what the dealer inflated them to. Which pressure should I be using?
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If you want the real answer, you have to know what load each tire is carrying and then go to the tire manufacturer's load charts.
The tire side wall pressure is the pressure at which the tire is rated to carry its max rated load (also on the sidewall.)
The pressure on the door placard is the pressure that the OE tire should be inflated to in order to carry the truck's rated max load distributed properly.
Tire shops nearly universally fill to sidewall pressure to protect themselves. That way any overload of the tire will be the owner's fault not theirs.
This is not the best place to ask this question, as you will get many different answers based on many different opinions. (That is my opinion)
My truck came with a separate information folder, that shows proper inflation pressure for the stock tires at different loads. Lacking anything better, that is what I use. If there is any question, I always error on the higher pressure side. It is better to have an uneven wear pattern that to risk a catastrophic failure.
Ken
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03-08-2014, 05:53 AM
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#87
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acstokes
CapriRacer,
I'm running Michelin M/S2 LT275/65R20 tires on my Ford F250 Super Duty. The door placard lists 65lb. pressure, but the tire sidewall shows 80lb. and that is what the dealer inflated them to. Which pressure should I be using?
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When towing, I always inflate to 80 pounds. Running around town, 60 pounds.
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03-08-2014, 06:08 AM
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#88
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CapriRacer
There's no secret. The more corners you turn, the faster the tire wears. Driving straight ahead is practically free. Ergo, if you want your tire to last longer mileagewise, take long trips.
On the other hand, there are things you can do to prevent premature wear from occurring.
1) Rotate regularly. Different wheel positions have different wear characteristics and you can extend a tire's life by doing regular rotation.
2) Inflation pressure. As a general rule, you should use what is listed on the vehicle tire placard on your driver's door. If you want to use the published load tables (which I don't recommend) you need to include a certain amount of reserve (unused) load carrying capacity (I recommend 15%) by using a higher inflation pressure.
3) Alignment. When the tires are rotated, measure the wear. Uneven wear should be a clue there is an alignment issue.
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Tires on all of my vehicles are rotated every 5,000 miles, without fail. Tire pressures are 80 when towing, 60 running empty. Tread wear is level and even across all four tires.
Looking at tire wear, there is no indication that there would be an alignment problem.
Good grief, as for turning corners, the only time that's done is when I have to go in a different direction.
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03-08-2014, 06:38 AM
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#89
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry C
Good grief, as for turning corners, the only time that's done is when I have to go in a different direction.
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Well, if you want your tires to last longer, you're just gonna have to quit that!
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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03-08-2014, 07:04 AM
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#90
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH
My experience with Michelins hasn't been near as good. The set that I just changed out were OE Michelins, had 38,000 miles on them, and calculating by the amount of original tread, remaining tread, and calculating the miles per MM of tread, they would have gone maybe another 9,000 miles before reaching the wear bars. Not saying they are not good tires, just I don't get that many miles out of them, but about 99% of the miles I put on my truck are towing miles.
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Your just going to have to quit burning rubber every time the light turns green.
My last LTX Michelins went 90k, excellent tires.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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03-08-2014, 07:07 AM
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#91
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r carl
Your just going to have to quit burning rubber every time the light turns green.
My last LTX Michelins went 90k, excellent tires.
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Yea, I know, but I just love smok'in those big tires with my big Diesel pickup every time I take off with my big 10,000lb trailer. Just can't help myself.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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03-09-2014, 06:56 AM
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#92
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r carl
Your just going to have to quit burning rubber every time the light turns green.
My last LTX Michelins went 90k, excellent tires.
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More likely: to have completely finished braking before entering a curve or a turn. These trucks are simply too heavy to keep up with car traffic (and much harder to stop). Brakes still on while initiating turns will wear them out quickly. Same for acceleration: only when turn completed.
My last set of MICHELIN had 4/32's of wear at over 70k miles prior to internal failure whereupon MICHELIN practically gave me a new set. 50/50 town and country. 10k of towing.
First set went 120k with 6/32's remaining (brake linings first replacement also). Was on course to 150k with second set though time in service would likely have necessitated replacement first.
.
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03-09-2014, 09:11 AM
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#93
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CapriRacer
I'm in the
, US
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 991
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry C
.....Good grief, as for turning corners, the only time that's done is when I have to go in a different direction.
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Allow me to clarify.
If you use a vehicle in a certain way, the tire wear is more or less programmed into that usage.
If you are trying to compare your tire wear with the experience of others (assuming everything else is the same), the first place to look is the difference between how YOU are using the vehicle vs the way others are using the vehicle.
A good example of this is trucks making deliveries around town compared to trucks traveling between cities. Delivery trucks will never get as good of tire wear as long haul trucks if the tires and the trucks are the same.
So if you are trying to achieve the tire wear others are reporting, you need to do the same things they do. HOWEVER, if your situation dictates that you're not going to be able to do what they do, then you should expect there to be differences that you will not be able to overcome.
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03-09-2014, 09:29 AM
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#94
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
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For all those that have a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup, you can get Centramatics self balancing add-on's and probably get 100k with good rotation on a Michelin LT E rated tire. They don't make them for 1/2 ton or passenger cars. BTW, they also have them for 15" & 16" Airstream trailers.
__________________
2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
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03-09-2014, 01:07 PM
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#95
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Why would they make Centramatics for a 15" or 16" trailer tire, but not for a 15" or 16" or 17" or 18" or 19" or 20" 1/2 ton or car tire?
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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03-09-2014, 03:31 PM
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#96
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony
Why would they make Centramatics for a 15" or 16" trailer tire, but not for a 15" or 16" or 17" or 18" or 19" or 20" 1/2 ton or car tire?
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I'm guessing that people who drive 1/2 ton pickups aren't manly enough.
Ken
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03-09-2014, 03:32 PM
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#97
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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I don't get it...
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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03-09-2014, 03:55 PM
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#98
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
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Go to their website: www.http://centramatic.com/Home.aspx
The first entry (200-221) is only for the 6 bolt 15" and 16" Airstream wheels.
A larger diameter special configuration (300-356 all "A" plates) is only for the 16" Airstream wheels.
They also make a special set of three for Gold Wings (two in front and one on the rear) that removes the need to put wheel weights on for balancing.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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03-10-2014, 07:19 AM
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#99
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CapriRacer
Allow me to clarify.
If you use a vehicle in a certain way, the tire wear is more or less programmed into that usage.
If you are trying to compare your tire wear with the experience of others (assuming everything else is the same), the first place to look is the difference between how YOU are using the vehicle vs the way others are using the vehicle.
A good example of this is trucks making deliveries around town compared to trucks traveling between cities. Delivery trucks will never get as good of tire wear as long haul trucks if the tires and the trucks are the same.
So if you are trying to achieve the tire wear others are reporting, you need to do the same things they do. HOWEVER, if your situation dictates that you're not going to be able to do what they do, then you should expect there to be differences that you will not be able to overcome.
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And there are differences between drivers doing the same "work" with the exact same vehicle over the exact same course. KENWORTH and CUMMINS both report that the difference in fuel mileage can be nearly one-third between professional drivers. Tire life will be subject to the same differences, mainly attitude towards tire life.
If one posits that tires are not easily replaced, then the driver will take steps to ensure longest life. As an on-road failure is NOT acceptable while towing, this means changes to the way the vehicle is driven in all situations. Fuel economy is a gauge of how well fuel is used, and higher brake and tire life are also indicators of applied skill bearing fruit.
Longest life at lowest cost with highest reliability is a mantra that works.
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03-10-2014, 09:50 PM
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#100
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1987 Avion 34W owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol'
, USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
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I have Cooper AT3's on my F250. I like them a lot and have had them for 20K miles and they are wearing nicely.
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
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