Michelin or Toyo Tires

[RJOL]

The tires on my 96 Alpenlite are 7 years old, and even though they have plenty of tread, I'm going to replace them this spring. Just wondered if anyone had any opinions between Michelin and Toyo tires. These would be 235/85/16 LR E tires, for truck duty, but I'm thinking of putting them on the 5th wheel. Always had good luck with the Toyo's, from Les Schwab, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has an opinion on this... Thanks...

 

[pwr2tow]

Never tryed Toyo but the Michelins on my truck have almost 52,000 miles on them and will probably get another 10,000-20,000 miles before I change them out. The side walls look as good as the day I bought the truck they came with.



Ron

 

[RustyJC]

I believe that both Michelin and Toyo offer 235/85R-16 all steel construction transport-type tires that are scaled down from their Class 8 OTR tires. Michelin's tire is the XPS Rib (if memory serves me correctly) - I can't recall the Toyo model designation right now. Goodyear's was the G159, although I believe that's recently been superceded in the 16" and 19. 5" sizes.



These OTR-type tires are available in load ranges far above the fabric-and-steel LT235/85R-16E Goodyear Wrangler HT's that came on our 5ver. When it's time for tire replacement on the 5ver, I'll be going with the transport-type tires and not have the concerns about tread separations, etc.



Rusty

 

[Bill Stockard]

RJOL,



I second Rusty's recommendation... go with the Michelin XPS Rib. They are all steel tires and ended my 5th wheel tire problems. Several of my friends with big heavy Alpenlites also switched to the Michelin XPS Rib tires and ended their blow out and tread separation problems too.



I can't give you any advice on the Toyo tires... no experience with them.



Bill

 

[LR Smith]

RJOL,

IMHO go with the Michelin XPS Rib. Almost all LT rated truck tires use nylon or polyester cord wrapped radially from bead to bead to form the "skeleton" of the tire. When you inflate a tire, you stretch these cords taunt, thus giving a tire it's shape. When you overload a tire, one or more of these cords can break thus providing you an opportunity for a blowout. The Michelin XPS is an all steel tire, meaning that instead of using nylon cords, steel cable is used for the radial cords. This results in a tire with much more weight capacity as well as much better durability. Most larger truck tires are manufactured with steel cord construction. Plus the XPS Ribs have a deep tread depth providing very long life.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

I will 3rd Rust's comment. I have had excellent luck with Goodyear G159 commercial all steel tires on the pickup as well as the 5th. whl. 75k miles and still in good shape.