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Tires are a very sensitive subject on this site, I am sure you will get everything from replace the tire, to if it holds air leave it alone. For me personally, I would plug it, I have done this in the past, and carry a plug set on board for my tires or someone stranded and in need. It is solely based on your comfort level.

I have a couple of these kits.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HUIOJBA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Thanks for the feedback. I checked the date code on my front tires, and they are late 2016, so maybe I should consider moving the front ones to the drive axle (replacing this punctured one and another drive tire) and getting new ones for the fronts. My understanding is that fronts should be changed within 6 years and rears within 10, but I suppose there might be a lot of opinions on that as well.

Biggest factor in deciding what to do might be tire availability. I need to look into the Prevost Community Michelin discount as well.

[Tim]

That is a reasonable plan in my opinion.

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Just a couple of observations everyone can ignore if they wish.

Michelin changed there policy regarding tire warranty a while back to base the prorated tire life based on years from the date code, as opposed to tread depth. That is a significant change and is a testament to Michelin in their belief age has become the factor in warranty participation.

But that imposes on us, owners who may never ever wear out tires. If we do not exercise tires routinely we fail to allow the tire, when exercised to release the anti aging components that keep the casing from cracking due to age. We have further concerns if we are not aware of the total tire history. If we or a previous owner drove on tires that were not at a pressure required for the weight carried that tire regardless of age may have been damaged sufficiently to make its worthiness questionable. I have 2017 tires now, and in all previous cases replaced them at 5-6 years. I am going to continue to run them in their present positions for as long as I feel brave. I do know they have never been run at a lower than required pressure.

As to the kit to put a plug in tires that should be treated as nothing more than a means to get the tire to the closest shop to do a proper repair. Should a tire get a puncture a plug is part of the repair, but according to tire manufacturers the correct repair should include a patch on the inner tire liner as well.

If in doubt go to the tire manual for the brand of tires on your coach.

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I pulled the object, it is a short-ish screw that went in about 60 degrees from perpendicular into the tire. It seems like it did not actually puncture it, but I am going to keep my eye on it to see if it loses air.

Given the age of the front tires, I may go ahead and do the tire replacement, mostly depends on availability at this point, as I have a trip to start in 32 days.

[Michael]

If you’re not going to replace the tire, I would reach out to the Michelin tire experts. I think that Jon or Tom had one who would come to the maintenance seminars.

They might tell you to replace the tire … or take it to an authorized Michelin dealer who can inspect the tire, and if its salvageable can make the proper repair.

With a trip on the horizon, I wouldn’t take too many chances. If you don’t have Coach-Net now, probably a good idea to sign up for it.

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Mike Harper

2004 Marathon XLII

[Michael]

I’m checking on tire availability today, using the Prevost Community discount, waiting to hear back from a local installer right now.

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Mike Harper

2004 Marathon XLII

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save about the tax

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After a potential bad experience, I do not change position of tires ever.

I would also not replace any drive tire without being sure the repacement was very similar to the mates in tread wear (overall diameter). Mismatched tires on duals can be an issue.

[Greg]

Given Joel’s advice, I will see if at least we can move the tag to the outer drive *if* it and the inner-tag wheel have the same tread depth, then move the old drive wheel to the front (replacing the tire) and move the old front to the tag (all of this on the passenger side).

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Hi there,

I’m the tire representative for Michelin that was referred to here; it sounds like you removed the offending object and it had not penetrated the casing, and that the steel belts did there job in protecting it.

In the future, the best practice is to first mark the tire where the nail is (grease pens work great), squirt the object with a soapy solution to check for tiny bubbles around the object. If you see bubbles, the object and penetrated the inner liner- inflate the tire, drive to a tire store, and get it repaired. If there are not any bubbles, and you are within driving distance of a dealer, remove the object and spray the area again. If there is a small leak, you will see bubbles, and you should get to the tire dealer, sooner versus later.

The plug kits are legally sold as TEMPORARY USE ONLY, except for lawnmower tires, lol. They are made with string and gummy rubber, and do not provide a permanent seal. If left in long term, they will lose their rubber properties and the string will act as a wick, allowing moisture into the tire and rusting the steel belts. Never leave a plug in a tire!

As for this particular tire, if you’ve removed the offending object and the tire is not leaking, and the damage is to “rubber only”, then there is not an issue leaving it in the wheel position where it is running now.

[Dick]

Thanks for that information. I’ll check with soapy water if there is a leak. If not, I’ll just leave it in that position.

[George]

Pat,

Thank you so much for becoming a member and participating in these forums. Here at Prevost Community we greatly appreciate the relationship with Michelin. The fact that you are here to add technical assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again from Jessica and I.

Bill III

PS we would love to have you at our Rally in Sarasota, FL January, 2023!