I wanted to get it out over Christmas, but didn't make time.
Here's my question to start the year:
I'm going to put new tires on our '77 Kingsley next spring. I searched
the messages to see what tires are recommended. I'm still a caveman, and I
must confess, I've also been using "D" range tires. What I know so far are
these comments:
- - - - - - - - - - -
Steel wheels:
Recommended by many: The Michelin LTX 16.5 "E" (Apparently, the Michelin ATX
and the XPS come apart)
I have Michelin 875R16.5 XPS Rib, Radial X, Load range E on my coach and are
doing fine. (Bob)
Bridgestone R265 all-weather tires were in stock. 9.50R16.5s for $127 ea.
(Rick Staples) Which was followed with: Might you be talking about the
R260s? I can't find R265s in 8.75x16.5 (Billy Massey) Which was followed
with: I meant to say R273 all-weather tires.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Somewhere in the middle...
You can still get Goodyear G159 Load range E tires for the 16.5 inch wheels.
(Emery Stora)
I can't find any G159 8.75x16.5 E anywhere (Billy Massey)
- - - - - - - - - - -
Moving to a 16" wheel is an alternative I'm considering,
and this unanswered question remains:
Alcoa'$:
Is there a better price than $1150.00 for a complete set of 6 Alcoas (from
Wright)... a to the door price?
- - - - - - - - - - -
In 16" tires, it is written that...
{M}ichelin makes the tire with an A/S ("All season") tread, and that is the
one I ordered, which is supposed to be even quieter than the M/S tread. I
ordered the 225/75 R16 size because that nearly matches the OE 16.5" ones.
(Richard, paraphrased)
Michelin's LT (light truck) series appears to be a possibility... This is
the tire on some high-end "passenger" trucks. It also comes in a size (LTX
225/75R16 E 115/112R) and load range E that fits our coaches. It is also
good for speeds of up to 105 mph. (Richard, paraphrased)
In load range E, 225/75 seems to be the size of choice. Funny, Costco didn't
provide any information on the A/S tread; the LTX brochure they gave me and
their price sheet only showed A/T and M/S. (Glenn)
And regarding Michelins in general:
"... Don Wirth who worked for goodyear for 30 years, he told us of the
problems with michelans... Then my son came and said the spare tire was
gone. I wondered what gone was, until I went out and saw the explosion that
had occured. It was not even on the coach. Seems the michelin was "gone."
Although I still use michelans on my car, I no longer use them on the
coach." (Mr. C)
But then again....
Michelin told me that they would give me 2 LT225 75R16 XPS 10 ply tires for
the two that were defective, free!!!. Then they offered to give me 5 more
at half of the negotiated price ($129.95)from the local NTB center in
Syracuse. They wanted to assure me that Michelin stands behind every one of
their tires, even if they are 10 years old(which they determined by the
numbers
that I had furnished them in the e-mail). (Tom Warner)
Regarding other brands:
6 Goodyear radials at local Goodyear store for $600.00 "E" 225x75x16 or
$505.00 "D" (which aren't recommended)
Firestones 10 ply, E range, all steel....$650 mounted on the rims, driveaway
price.
{went with} Firestones since the Goodyear G159's are backordered two months,
and didn't want to pay for the Michelins.
I went with the Firestone R4S's, and am very pleased (Larry Nelson)
- - - - - - - - - - -
Other comments:
I had another Bridgestone go flat today on the way home. After 45k miles I
shouldn't complain but a blow out and a flat with in 45 days is more than I
will tolerate, soooooo goodbye Bridgestones, hello, Goodyears (David
Greenburg)
Michelin tire rides a little firmer than the Goodyear G159. (Russ Bethel)
The local tire people tell me that there is nothing better than the Goodyear
G159's. (Gary Miller)
Ridge Runner, Radial LT made by Lee Tire Company which is owned and operated
by Goodyear Tire {who also make} Goodyear, Lee and Kelly Springfield. I like
'em, lifetime warranty on the tread.
(Ed Lubo - paraphrased)
Don Wirth who worked for Goodyear told me to use the G159s and to put 60 in
front and 55 on rear. Seems the front weighs more than rear. Anyway, five
pounds less on rears. (Jim Davis)
Let me first say that I replaced the 16.5 wheels on our coach {although a
lot of stuff still uses 16.5's but} in a pinch... I can find and put on a
"D" range tire and drive carefully...with the 16.5s I may have no choice but
to wait. (Henry Davis - paraphrased)
- - - - - - - - - - -
Can I get that in a White Wall?
Yes, they are, or were, available from a coach owner in Colorado. I talked
to him and took pictures of his 78 Royale (with a set of cattle horns
mounted on the front end) at the Boerne TX GMCMI Rally last year. He also
sells an alternative wheel, Armstrong I believe?
In case you haven't learned of the individuals name, I just found out that
it is Ed Laird 303-795-8900.(Paul Bartz)
- - - - - - - - - - -
And this 'summary':
Goodyear Unisteel G159's (LT225/75R16) seem to be the favorite for Alcoa
Rims. I have had good luck with mine. Whatever you get, insist on Load
Range E. (Gary)
- - - - - - - - - - -
Now I won't even repeat the threads on polishing your Alcoa's. I concluded
they must have a better, quieter ride, which David Greenburg confirmed when
he wrote: I bought my Alcoas because they weigh a whole lot less than steel
and they run straighter and are quieter. Is there any other reason to spend
$1200.00?? I wish I had time to polish them once in a while, but.....
And the writings of Ed Lubo, who turned into Mario Andretti {...On my way
back, I was driving 75 in the rain -- that ain't like me, Doris had to
watch me...} attributed to his Alcoa's and his Lee tires.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Just as a market spot check, I went to Sam's the other day. They had the LTX
and the XPS Michelins, and about 4 different kinds of BF Goodrich tires. Not
a single post on the merits of Goodrich. Here's what I want in the tires I
buy this year:
The smoothest, quietest ride possible that delivers the best gas mileage.
I want the least chance of tread separation or blow-out.
I don't go off road, I don't drive in the snow.
Now taking your calls (so to speak) on the mailing list or off line at
mailto:mgrady
Mark Grady
Here's my question to start the year:
I'm going to put new tires on our '77 Kingsley next spring. I searched
the messages to see what tires are recommended. I'm still a caveman, and I
must confess, I've also been using "D" range tires. What I know so far are
these comments:
- - - - - - - - - - -
Steel wheels:
Recommended by many: The Michelin LTX 16.5 "E" (Apparently, the Michelin ATX
and the XPS come apart)
I have Michelin 875R16.5 XPS Rib, Radial X, Load range E on my coach and are
doing fine. (Bob)
Bridgestone R265 all-weather tires were in stock. 9.50R16.5s for $127 ea.
(Rick Staples) Which was followed with: Might you be talking about the
R260s? I can't find R265s in 8.75x16.5 (Billy Massey) Which was followed
with: I meant to say R273 all-weather tires.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Somewhere in the middle...
You can still get Goodyear G159 Load range E tires for the 16.5 inch wheels.
(Emery Stora)
I can't find any G159 8.75x16.5 E anywhere (Billy Massey)
- - - - - - - - - - -
Moving to a 16" wheel is an alternative I'm considering,
and this unanswered question remains:
Alcoa'$:
Is there a better price than $1150.00 for a complete set of 6 Alcoas (from
Wright)... a to the door price?
- - - - - - - - - - -
In 16" tires, it is written that...
{M}ichelin makes the tire with an A/S ("All season") tread, and that is the
one I ordered, which is supposed to be even quieter than the M/S tread. I
ordered the 225/75 R16 size because that nearly matches the OE 16.5" ones.
(Richard, paraphrased)
Michelin's LT (light truck) series appears to be a possibility... This is
the tire on some high-end "passenger" trucks. It also comes in a size (LTX
225/75R16 E 115/112R) and load range E that fits our coaches. It is also
good for speeds of up to 105 mph. (Richard, paraphrased)
In load range E, 225/75 seems to be the size of choice. Funny, Costco didn't
provide any information on the A/S tread; the LTX brochure they gave me and
their price sheet only showed A/T and M/S. (Glenn)
And regarding Michelins in general:
"... Don Wirth who worked for goodyear for 30 years, he told us of the
problems with michelans... Then my son came and said the spare tire was
gone. I wondered what gone was, until I went out and saw the explosion that
had occured. It was not even on the coach. Seems the michelin was "gone."
Although I still use michelans on my car, I no longer use them on the
coach." (Mr. C)
But then again....
Michelin told me that they would give me 2 LT225 75R16 XPS 10 ply tires for
the two that were defective, free!!!. Then they offered to give me 5 more
at half of the negotiated price ($129.95)from the local NTB center in
Syracuse. They wanted to assure me that Michelin stands behind every one of
their tires, even if they are 10 years old(which they determined by the
numbers
that I had furnished them in the e-mail). (Tom Warner)
Regarding other brands:
6 Goodyear radials at local Goodyear store for $600.00 "E" 225x75x16 or
$505.00 "D" (which aren't recommended)
Firestones 10 ply, E range, all steel....$650 mounted on the rims, driveaway
price.
{went with} Firestones since the Goodyear G159's are backordered two months,
and didn't want to pay for the Michelins.
I went with the Firestone R4S's, and am very pleased (Larry Nelson)
- - - - - - - - - - -
Other comments:
I had another Bridgestone go flat today on the way home. After 45k miles I
shouldn't complain but a blow out and a flat with in 45 days is more than I
will tolerate, soooooo goodbye Bridgestones, hello, Goodyears (David
Greenburg)
Michelin tire rides a little firmer than the Goodyear G159. (Russ Bethel)
The local tire people tell me that there is nothing better than the Goodyear
G159's. (Gary Miller)
Ridge Runner, Radial LT made by Lee Tire Company which is owned and operated
by Goodyear Tire {who also make} Goodyear, Lee and Kelly Springfield. I like
'em, lifetime warranty on the tread.
(Ed Lubo - paraphrased)
Don Wirth who worked for Goodyear told me to use the G159s and to put 60 in
front and 55 on rear. Seems the front weighs more than rear. Anyway, five
pounds less on rears. (Jim Davis)
Let me first say that I replaced the 16.5 wheels on our coach {although a
lot of stuff still uses 16.5's but} in a pinch... I can find and put on a
"D" range tire and drive carefully...with the 16.5s I may have no choice but
to wait. (Henry Davis - paraphrased)
- - - - - - - - - - -
Can I get that in a White Wall?
Yes, they are, or were, available from a coach owner in Colorado. I talked
to him and took pictures of his 78 Royale (with a set of cattle horns
mounted on the front end) at the Boerne TX GMCMI Rally last year. He also
sells an alternative wheel, Armstrong I believe?
In case you haven't learned of the individuals name, I just found out that
it is Ed Laird 303-795-8900.(Paul Bartz)
- - - - - - - - - - -
And this 'summary':
Goodyear Unisteel G159's (LT225/75R16) seem to be the favorite for Alcoa
Rims. I have had good luck with mine. Whatever you get, insist on Load
Range E. (Gary)
- - - - - - - - - - -
Now I won't even repeat the threads on polishing your Alcoa's. I concluded
they must have a better, quieter ride, which David Greenburg confirmed when
he wrote: I bought my Alcoas because they weigh a whole lot less than steel
and they run straighter and are quieter. Is there any other reason to spend
$1200.00?? I wish I had time to polish them once in a while, but.....
And the writings of Ed Lubo, who turned into Mario Andretti {...On my way
back, I was driving 75 in the rain -- that ain't like me, Doris had to
watch me...} attributed to his Alcoa's and his Lee tires.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Just as a market spot check, I went to Sam's the other day. They had the LTX
and the XPS Michelins, and about 4 different kinds of BF Goodrich tires. Not
a single post on the merits of Goodrich. Here's what I want in the tires I
buy this year:
The smoothest, quietest ride possible that delivers the best gas mileage.
I want the least chance of tread separation or blow-out.
I don't go off road, I don't drive in the snow.
Now taking your calls (so to speak) on the mailing list or off line at
mailto:mgrady
Mark Grady
