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Gaining tire knowledge
I need to replace our tires. It currently has Michelin 315/80R22.5.
I am a FMCA member, so I was looking into their discount program.
I am a bit confused at what tire to choose due to the different suffixes/tread types.
Is one tread better then another?
Appreciate any guidance.
Thank you,
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14 Replies
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Jerry, sent you an email. Did you receive it?
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Why FMCA? Prevost Community has the same program and much easier to use.
Go to Member Discounts and click on Michelin.
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I don’t think he is asking wabout where to get tires, I think he is asking about Member knowledge/experience of the different tire models. I don’t have Michelin Experience, I run Toyo M144’s on my Bus.
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How is anyone that does not have a fleet of 200 buses or trucks even capable of providing accurate information evaluating tires?
Members here are lucky if they replace tires every 5 years and that does not begin to count as enough experience to evaluate tires.
On the other hand Prevost works extensively with Michelin and engineers the coach and tires to work in concert with one another. I see no reason to ignore that combined expertise and have the opinion if that is what Prevost provides as original equipment I would want to stick with it.
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Michelin is all that we ran on our trucks for many years. The tires performed better than any others we tried, the support from both our dealer and Michelin direct was very, very good, and the Michelin retread process was the best we ever used.
I will only use Michelin on any bus/coach/motor home I ever have. I would not even look at anything else.
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I’m sure he is trying to determine FMCA discount.
I am a FMCA member, so I was looking into their discount program
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Hi Tom,
I was not aware of the Prevost Community Tire Program. The bus is going in for service at Prevost Hayward. Since it is there, I was just going to have them install new tires, but thought I better get a bit educated on price and type in case they ask me any questions as to what type I want.
The first place I looked was FMCA. They list a few tread options, so I was looking for guidance on what tread would be best.
I will check out the Prevost Community Tire Program.
Appreciate the help,
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Ran Firestones (2 set’s, aged out ) on mine and they were smooth as Glass. There are other good tires out there.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Here is some insight on the Michelin 315 offer:
The following tires have the speed ratings and ride performance you’d want for a Prevost:
XZA2 Energy (available at OE for Prevost, and at their service centers. A Michelin dealer will not have this offer)
X Line Energy Z (most common in the replacement market for coach bus). Most fuel efficient replacement offer, starts at 17/32″
X Multi Z (deeper tread depth than X Line Energy Z at 19/32″). If you’ve worn out your drive tires within 7 years, this would be a great choice. However, it does have a directional tread design, so rotation considerations come into play.
XDN2 Grip (drive tire). Great for winter traction on drive axle and used in some motorcoach operations in northern states and Canada.
The following tires are on the FMCA program, as they can buy the whole product line, but I would not recommend for a motor coach:
X In City Energy Z- speed restricted to 68 mph
XZUS2- made for refuse trucks, speed restricted to 65 mph
X Works Z- made for vocational trucks/construction, speed restricted to 68 mph
X Works XDY- Made for construction; speed restricted to 65 mph
Hope this helps.
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I run Toyo M144’s They were 450 each, so far pretty happy with them.
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I hope everyone appreciates my cynicism. I mentioned the only people who can recommend and appreciate tire value and performance are fleet owners who tend to buy tires by the hundreds, if not thousands. Those of us who buy a set every 5 to 10 years can only provide information such as the tires are black, round and hold air.
A buyer who bases purchase decisions based on gut feel, price or advice from unqualified people like me are likely not going to end up with the best tires for their needs because we have no clue about things that are important to anyone else but ourselves. On the other hand Prevost and Michelin worked together to insure the tires they install on new coaches are the best possible for the application. They consider all sorts of qualities such as wear, rolling resistance, traction, resistance to aging, ride quality, noise, etc. Using the PC discount program is going to get the best tires available at a good price.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Has any one tried this tire on their coach? I am thinking of trying it for drive axle and tag. It has an extra steel belt per data sheet and is heavier, and thicker tread. Presume it would ride harsher. The data sheet says suitable for RV “NO” although the application icons show RV. I wore out my drive tires before the steers and tags from heavy retarder use, they do most of the work of slowing the coach and toad as well as driving it. Tags also take a beating from tight turns. Stiffer tire might hold up better.
Multi Z part number 02872Energy Z coach part number 09807 -
David, take a bow. Few of us will wear out tires before they age out.
I had the opportunity to talk tires with Prevost a long time ago, and a few years back spent a week at Michelin learning about tires. The Michelin training was intense.
The tires used on Prevost coaches from Michelin were developed in concert with each other and both companies did extensive testing of the tires and coach suspension tuning. The original equipment tires had the best combination of characteristics to provide long life, good handling, excellent ride, etc. That does not mean they are the best in all categories but are the best combination of characteristics for a seated Prevost application.
You have to determine if your needs are other than what the original tires provide.You might want better rolling characteristics for better fuel economy, longer tread life in terms of miles, smoother ride, better traction, or any other need but just remember it will come at the expense of another characteristic.
Some changes are subtle so it might not make any difference to you if the ride is a little harsh or if you lose a little fuel economy.
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