[Archived]

Joe,

All XL coaches starting somewhere in the 90’s when tires were switched from 120 to 315 used aluminum outer wheels along with steel inner wheels. For decades these tire and wheel combinations were run with no apparent issues.

Recently however Michelin issued new pressures and weight limits for 315 tires when mounted on 8.25 wheels, which at one time were listed by Michelin as an acceptable wheel size.

I have no idea why Michelin changed the tire pressure chart to reflect the use of 8.25 wheels, but when they did that there was no mention of problems or potential problems running the two wheel sizes together. Based on the tire weight limits, and the fact the drive axle weight limits are so relatively low I am not sure the variations in sidewall flexing could be used to explain the failure.

John’s family has a lot of tire expertise and likely has the ability to get a forensic review of the tire failure to determine possible causes.

[Tim]

My neighbor down Houston way has had problems twice in the last year with newer Michelin tires on his Newell. Sidewall separation. Tore some goodies up when one came loose, Blowout. Wonder what’s the problem. He has a monitor system and said he has never run them low. Said he noticed a vibration and caught the other one before trouble. Fixing to buy tires for mine, as they’re timed out with only about 45 some odd thousand miles on them. Ain’t buying michelin’s.

[Bill]

What age were the tires, what size, and has he had a forensics examination of the tires?

[Deleted User]

Boy, I sure hate to hear this as I’m going to get new tires this year. My understanding is that Michelin is the only manufacturer of the 365 which we run on the steer and tag.

The oldest tires that we have are the tags which are dated at the end of 2013, the others early 2014. Actually, the steers are dated 2015 as they were replaced under warranty for being out of round.

Mark

[Jimmy]

Jon, The way he talked about 2 years old. His dealer didn’t offer any explanation on warranty. Had about 25,000 on tires. . Told him he either run um low on air or hit something. He really didn’t care as He has a boat load of Oil and Gas money. Just get the Tires off. The other was out of round or sidewall problem. Both rear, different sides. Don’t know the tire size. Newer Newell Coach. I’d be the same way if 2 out of the set went south. Get um off.

[Archived]

Thanks for all the input and advice.

I have decided to replace the inner rims with steel wheels. Of course, I am

putting on all new inner and outer nuts too.

Here is a link to pictures of the inside of the blown tire. There is no tell tale

ring around the inside, or no rubber powder to indicate the tire was run under

inflated. Once the tires are inspected by Michelin, I will share the results.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zCZf5FMzi3iug11z6

[Bernie]

Glen,

While having a boat load of money makes the lack of warranty coverage acceptable your friend needs to understand 2 failures in 2 years means he has an issue and it could impact his safety.

Maybe the dealer is right and he did run them low on pressure, but you said he has a TPMS, and if he did not run low pressure then he should be concerned about what is causing these failures.

If the failures were the result of low pressure a dealer or tire expert will see the evidence so that might have been what happened and if so your friend needs to be more aware of his tire pressures.

[Dick]

Guess He was aware. He got the Michelins off. Don’t know what he went with as I haven’t talked to him in a couple months. Do know He was like Peter running all over the country.

[Archived]

John, I’m curious about the length and weight of your coach. My Marathon is #546 and my book states to run my drive tires at 80psi, and when I had my coach weighed it also indicated I only needed 80psi. You said that your running yours at 110, that just seems high, I usually keep mine about 82lbs.

Just wondering what your manual and or weight slip suggests?

[Archived]

As an old, really old tire man, I like to ride my tires hard.

the lower the inflation, the better the vehicle seems, but not necessarily the best for the tire.

Miss you guys.

[Loc]

Michelin and others use a formula which is floating around on the internet somewhere to define tire pressures. The resulting pressures are the best combination of load carrying, tire wear, handling, braking, etc.

When John opts to use higher pressures he loses a little ride quality and perhaps some braking and handling, and perhaps has a little more braking distance due to a smaller tire tread contact area, but his tires are going to run cooler and have less of a chance of a blowout.

There is nothing that says we shouldn’t run higher tire pressures, but we sure have to never run at lower than required pressures.