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Topic: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night (Read 398 times) previous topic - next topic
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My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
We were headed back to Phoenix from a weekend Flagstaff trip on June 27th at about 11:00 a.m.  We were just passing the Sunset Point rest area on I-17 southbound getting ready to enter what we locals refer to as the "death chute".  The "death chute" is a 4 - 6% downgrade with 19 bends in the road, most of them blind.  Because it is downhill, everyone has to drive as fast as possible to be the first to get to the bottom.   Suddenly I hear a loud "bang".   :o   I didn't hit anything in the road and my TPMS reported all normal.  I got stopped on the emergency shoulder just after entering the downhill grade.

I discovered that the tread on my inside dual tire on the passenger side was completely gone.  The inner tire remained completely inflated and thus the reason why my TPMS never alerted me.  I've been a Michelin brand guy for years.  I run Michelins on every vehicle I now own and have ever owned.  At Discount Tire today, I learned that the production and date codes on all my Lazy Daze tires place them as being manufactured 6 months after the latest recall date in that infamous Michelin recall we all remember from the recent past.  There are only 7,000 miles on these tires. 

I am a tire fanatic on my rig.  I own a TPMS that reports both pressure and temperature.   As I said above, there was never any indication that there was a problem until I heard the BANG that announced the tread saying goodbye.  Fortunately for us, the only damage done when we parted company was a fender flare on my toad was broken loose at its forward attach point.

I am certain these kinds of things happen to me because the powers that control causality are continually figuring out ways to prove to me that no matter how hard I try to plan for the unexpected, there is always one more trick left in the bag.

I won't bother you with the collateral details of our experience with Good Sam Road Service.  I'll save that for when we meet up around a real campfire.   ;)

Dan and Lynn
2007 IB-30

2007 IB-30
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #1 –
Dan and Lynn,

Must have been a hair rasing experience. I'm glad the both of you are all right.

Cynthia
Daughter of the first Lazy Bones
Hitting the road on my own and with a friend 🚐 while reporting back to the Lazy Bones at home 🛋

2 Lazy Bones - Home
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #2 –
About 2 years ago, my factory Michelin tires were recalled and replaced. They were over 3 years old and looked fine. About 20,000 miles were on them. The new tires are now showing signs of dry rot. Cracks caused by ozone. There were no signs of dry rot on the original tires. I took them to America's Tire who did the recall installation. They said not to worry and showed me pictures of when to worry. Well I worry anyway.
James Allen Jackson
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #3 –
Okay, here's a good spot for a query. My first set of OEM Michelin's were replaced after six years. I was not as careful as I could have been and the exposure to the elements had created some minor fissures (dry rot) on the sidewalks so out they went even with very low miles.

This set has a manufacturer date of 3609 and I have meticulously kept them covered, 303'ed et al and they look absolutely like new. However, they are 3609 sooooooooo the old adage is we tempt fate going over five or six years on tires no matter what they look like or the low mileage, correct? Thanks for feedback.

-- Dave
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #4 –
Quote from: dsandsaz  - 
I discovered that the tread on my inside dual tire on the passenger side was completely gone. 
Glad that nothing bad happened and the damaged was limited.
Having the entire tread let go and leave is a lot better than having it only partially detach.

A high percentage of blown LD tires are passenger-side, inside rear tires. Theory is the heat from the exhaust is the cause.
Make sure the exhaust pipe's heat shield is in place, where it passes the tire.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #5 –
Good tip, as usual Larry- Gives me another item to check under the old coach when I get back home. Also makes me consider another reason rotation is a good idea, and to be more compulsive about rest stop tire temperature checks.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Larry Wade  - 

...A high percentage of blown LD tires are passenger-side, inside rear tires. Theory is the heat from the exhaust is the cause.
Make sure the exhaust pipe's heat shield is in place, where it passes the tire.

Larry

Thanks, Larry.  That's a very good idea.  As a matter of fact, I think I'll look into some additional shielding in that area as a precaution.  There are some good insulating wraps that will withstand manifold temps and should be good way to keep that exhaust temp as low as possible as it traverses the area of the inside dual.

Dan
2007 IB-30
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #7 –
Quote from: huskerblue  - 

...This set has a manufacturer date of 3609 and I have meticulously kept them covered, 303'ed et al and they look absolutely like new. However, they are 3609 sooooooooo the old adage is we tempt fate going over five or six years on tires no matter what they look like or the low mileage, correct? Thanks for feedback.

-- Dave

Dave,
I think this is good advice.  These tires on our RV's are subjected to stresses that aren't seen on normal automobile tires.  So replacing them at the 6 to 7 year mark regardless of what they look like seems like the smart play.  I just run a sinking fund for tires and set aside $25 per month.  In 7 years, that leaves me with $2,100 for a new set of tires all the way around.  When we first got this rig in 2013, I replaced the original Michelins that had only 16,500 miles on them.  But they had been on the rig for 6 years and still looked really good.  Tires have just never been anything I wanted to cut corners on and this recent experience has left me a bit rattled. 

And while I was at Discount Tire expressing my concern to the sales guy, he just looks at me, shrugs his shoulders, and says, "You know, this happens sometimes.  Not often, but sometimes."  Like that is supposed to make me feel better.  Oh, well.  :-\
2007 IB-30
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #8 –
Quote from: dsandsaz  - 
We were headed back to Phoenix from a weekend Flagstaff trip on June 27th at about 11:00 a.m.  We were just passing the Sunset Point rest area on I-17 southbound getting ready to enter what we locals refer to as the "death chute".  The "death chute" is a 4 - 6% downgrade with 19 bends in the road, most of them blind.  Because it is downhill, everyone has to drive as fast as possible to be the first to get to the bottom.  Suddenly I hear a loud "bang".  :o  I didn't hit anything in the road and my TPMS reported all normal.  I got stopped on the emergency shoulder just after entering the downhill grade.

I discovered that the tread on my inside dual tire on the passenger side was completely gone.  The inner tire remained completely inflated and thus the reason why my TPMS never alerted me.  I've been a Michelin brand guy for years.  I run Michelins on every vehicle I now own and have ever owned.  At Discount Tire today, I learned that the production and date codes on all my Lazy Daze tires place them as being manufactured 6 months after the latest recall date in that infamous Michelin recall we all remember from the recent past.  There are only 7,000 miles on these tires. 

I am a tire fanatic on my rig.  I own a TPMS that reports both pressure and temperature.  As I said above, there was never any indication that there was a problem until I heard the BANG that announced the tread saying goodbye.  Fortunately for us, the only damage done when we parted company was a fender flare on my toad was broken loose at its forward attach point.

SNIP ...

The exact same thing happen to me going downhill on the I-217 in Pasadena. Also have the TPMS with temp monitor and I watch the tires carefully.  In my case the tires had about 32,000 on them. I didn't see any damage to the LD and only scuff marks on the toad.

I think the LD was getting back at us, as we were on our way to see our new rig. :D The new owner got 4 new tires out of it though.

J Sadler
Former 2006 MB owner
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #9 –
I don't have a TPMS that I am smart enough to keep it working. But, I do check the temperature with an IR gun most days. It's a lot faster than using a tire gauge. Just walk around the rig and the toad and in two minutes, the task is done.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: My Michelin tires - something else to keep me awake at night
Reply #10 –
As soon as the OEM Michelins wear out on an RV I own (3 LD's + 1 SOB), I get rid of them in favor of an all steel tire. It's just my opinion that when you're driving a seven ton vehicle, sidewalls made of cloth are not good. 
Goodyear makes a great all-steel tire for heavy duty  use. The G949RSA Armor Max.

They are expensive. $$$$$
Tires and brakes are two main safety features on a vehicle. When I'm looking to save money, I don't do it on safety items.

https://www.goodyeartrucktires.com/pdf/resources/publications/2011_utility_vehicle_brochure.pdfGoodyear heavy duty tires. G949RSA Armor Max

To each his own.
Ed