Strange Michelin behavior?

[NIsaacs]

Just replaced my Michelin MS2's (285/75x16) at 51k, good service, for hauling most of the time. I was late on my last rotation so my rears were done but the front still had about 10k left. So I decided to just replace the rears for now. I wanted to try a new local dealer so went with Mastercraft a cheaper label of Cooper, the only tire in stock that was sorta a highway tread. They also had Toyo, Nitto and BFG in stock.

I could not drive the truck, at 65mph empty it was white knuckle, with a small load on my bumper pull dump, 55mph was just nuts, total lack of control. I was sure I would get turned in for DUI before I could get home. I was sure it was the Mastercraft tires so I called my brother (Cooper dealer for 24 years) he said a complaint was really rare. However, he said a tire distributor once told him that a Michelin did not play well with any other tire. Has anyone ever experienced this? I saved them for later use, but now wonder if I dare mount them again with these, if I end up with mismatched wear again.

I went back to the dealer and we decided to install a set on the front and the problem is fixed, nice solid drive. What the heck? The dealer was awesome, never once questioned me or the truck. They would give me full credit towards any tire in stock or order me any tire I wanted. These (same size) were $776 out the door.

Nick

 

[RustyJC]

Hmmmm, can't say. I've never mixed Michelins with any other tire or mixed old and new tires on the same vehicle. I guess based on your experience it's obviously possible.

Rusty

 

[BigPapa]

I'm a bit confused. You replaced your rear tires with Master Craft's, then went back and replaced the fronts with Master Craft's?

 

[RVTRKN]

I never have mixed my Michelin tire's with another brand, so I can't comment on it, except the newer rear tire diameters will lift it slightly. Maybe the weight shifted to the front, even though it would be negligible, it's possible?*

 

[mwilson]

I'm pretty sure that's what he did, installed the Mastercraft all the way around finally..

I have heard that Michelin tires do not work well with other brands...

 

[Jim W]

I also do not mix Michelins with other brand of tires. I do use the Nitto Dura Grappler Tires on all four corners for my summer towing needs and than change out to the Michelins in the winter. Again I do not mix the tire brands on my vehicles.

 

[petersonj]

I could not drive the truck, at 65mph empty it was white knuckle, with a small load on my bumper pull dump, 55mph was just nuts, total lack of control.

My guess is that the rate of flexibility in the sidewall between these Mastercraft tires and these Michelin tires is significantly different, thus behaving similarly to driving a vehicle with one axle having radial tires and another axle having bias ply tires. When the tires are properly matched (i.e., all one type of Mastercrafts, Michelins, or any one brand), the problem goes away.

- John

 

[NIsaacs]

Hmmmm, can't say. I've never mixed Michelins with any other tire or mixed old and new tires on the same vehicle.

Rusty

I don't think I have either on my 4x4's until now however back in the day when 4x4's were very rare and all I had were 4x2 I did it all the time. Usually highway front and mud grip rear with no rotations, so usually only one axle at a time needed tires. It was not unusual to have a mix of brands because of this. I dang sure didn't expect what I got out of this combo, however I am glad (sorta) I did because now I have experienced "the whatever the heck happened!":-laf It sure wasn't funny at the time tho....

Nick

 

[NIsaacs]

Don't buy MasterCraft tires I have 2400 miles on them now with 12/32's rear and 14/32's front. They start with 15/32's. The rear feathered at 800 miles. Not looking good for a 50k tire....

Nick

 

[Regcabguy]

I always buy matching tires as I do shoes.
At work they tried using retreads on the dually's and new tires up front. Handling was a disaster.

 

[The patriot]

I've never run retreads on a car or small truck.
When I was an owner operator I had some pretty bad experiences with retreads on a big truck, so I stayed away from them.
Michelins have always served me well, so that's what I (at least used to) prefer. I got this last set from Sears. They provide free tire rotation, so I brought it to them a few months back for a rotation.
The guy came out with what looked like a large business card, went back in, then told me they were "no good". They had 80% + tread, but it seems they were warrantying them for sidewall cracking. Nobody informed me, so I lost out on that.
Funny part is/was, they had sidewall cracks on them 6 months after I bought them.
I may be rethinking Michelins now. They were NOT cheap!

 

[Tuesdak]

I had the same DUI handling when they put two "P" tires on one of my SUV's instead of "LT" rated tires. I always check them now to make sure they all say "LT" as the center wore fast on one tire alone and it was a "P" rating mixed with "LT".

 

[NIsaacs]

Don't buy MasterCraft tires I have 2400 miles on them now with 12/32's rear and 14/32's front. They start with 15/32's. The rear feathered at 800 miles. Not looking good for a 50k tire....

Nick

Rotated my tires, rear was at 11/32's outside edges, 10/32's center so I dropped the air from 72 to 65. Front was still at 14/32's all the way across, set them at 60 psi from 55. This is with 3800 miles on them.

Nick

 

[Joe Mc]

Michelins never again. Just had bad experience with them. They ride great, handle well are quiet and wear well. So what's the problem? The compound is hard so they wear fine by dry out. Had sets on 3 cars = sidewall and between the tread lugs dry rot 30k they were done! Believe it or not same thing on 2 bicycles. Best luck I've had with them is on the truck they have about 50k miles and about 30% tread left, but are cracked between the ribs. It's back to Nitto's for me. MHO

 

[Killer223]

goodyears and coopers in my house.

 

[BigPapa]

I'm really liking my Bridgestone R500HD's so far.

 

[NIsaacs]

I'm really liking my Bridgestone R500HD's so far.

What size are they? They don't make it in my size, 285/75x16. gsbrockman is having excellent service with them in a commercial application.

Nick

 

[BigPapa]

I'm running 3rd Gen wheels, LT265/70R17's. I ran a set of 285/70's once and decided to go back to the 265/70's. My truck's RWD and she's just a DD now. The only thing I haul or tow anymore is a bumper pull car hauler MAYBE 2-3 times a year for a friend.

 

[Mark31]

176K on my sig truck. Bought one set of Interstate batteries at 7 years (will replace these at 7 years) and one set of Michelins. 103k out of originals Michelins. Will probably replace these in about 10k or so. If anyone wants to sell me something other than Michelin, that salesman is really going to have to show me something.

 

[NIsaacs]

Rotated my tires, rear was at 11/32's outside edges, 10/32's center so I dropped the air from 72 to 65. Front was still at 14/32's all the way across, set them at 60 psi from 55. This is with 3800 miles on them.

Nick

Rotated my tires again, added 8k miles so 12k total now. I lost 4/32's on the rear and 2/32's on the front. Average 9/32's on the edges and 8/32's on the center so I dropped the air down again, 5 more lbs. 55 front and 60 rear. These big tires don't need much air it seems, 285/75x16, 3750lbs each. Since I am not sled pulling and being loaded both ways the center was wearing faster. Being loaded only half the time now is showing. Looks like I will be in the 30k life wise, about the same as always.

Nick