Michelin XPS Ribs??

[HBarlow]

I posted this question in another related post last night and got no answers so I'll try posting it again separately.



My OEM Goodyears have 65k miles on them and are due for replacement very soon.



I am impressed by the quality and expected longevity of Michelin XPS Ribs but am uncertain about all-weather traction provided by these tires when mounted on the drive wheels. I put a set on my previous F-250HD and got stuck on the street in front of my house on approximately 1" of snow and ice on top of blacktop pavement.



I know that tire choices are like... ..... well, like oil preferences. It is not my intent to start a brand war here but I would appreciate hearing member's experiences and opinions.



How do XPS Ribs work on the drive wheels? I don't live in snow country but would like to know if these tires will provide adequate traction on wet pavement, soft ground, wet grass, muddy roads, occasional light snow, etc.



All opinions appreciated!



Harvey

 

[Pit Bull]

Harvey, I have done a lot of research and asked a lot of questions about the XPS Rib's. One reason is that my local Sam's club sells them for $158 each. I think they are great tires (All steel recappable). I think you would get stuck on wet grass with them in a 2wd truck. I would go with the XPS Ribs on the front and the XPS Tractions on the rear. That's what Michelin recommends for the big rigs. If your concerned about rotating? I have found that 1/2 the 3500 owners never rotate their tires. If you don't want to mix tires then go with the XPS Tractions in all positions. JMHO

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

In a 4x2 on ice you really should leave it parked w/o chains. I'm too stoopid to stay home when I should too



Pit bull is right, the traction tires are better for drive axles. We have too much torque to use smooth, hard tires out back.



Later,

Mark

 

[HBarlow]

Pit Bull & Mark,



Thanks for your replies. I have studied the XPS Traction tires at my local SAM's Club and wondered if that would be the best bet for the rears. I reviewed the tire special order book behind the counter and learned that the XPS Traction is similar in construction to the all-steel retreadable XPS Rib, just a more aggressive tread.



Your suggestion leads to the next question... ... have you or anyone else had experience with the XPS Traction tires? Are they noisy, how well do they wear, any idea what the expected mileage is?



Harvey

 

[Pit Bull]

Contact member "willyslover" he runs them on his 3500 and has for sometime. He should be able to give you detailed information.

 

[willyslover]

I think I better put this in a file so I can cut and paste, I have answered this question so many times I can type it with my eyes closed... LOL



I live in the mountains in snow level so I need the tractions... . however I used to work down in the valley 72 miles one way and I never wear out a tire I grind them off do very twisty windy roads... original Michelin's got 25K wear the replacement XPS traction got 60K when I wrecked the rig... new rig got 35K on the Michelin's and the new XPS are at 40K and have another 30 or more left...



XPS rib are a great tire also. . they are a commercial tire for delivery type rigs . . ups and fed x use them a lot around here.



on edit corrected mileage

 

[HBarlow]

Willy,



Thanks for the additional info.



When I'm ready to replace the tires in another month or two I'll follow the advice received here and install four XPS Tractions on the rear and XPS Ribs on the front.



Harvey

 

[willyslover]

I know people do this [different tread designs different axles]... but that is not a good idea... they act differently in weather more and less traction per Axel may cause adverse handling...



your not a 4x4 so it isn't quite as bad [most good tire shops will not install on 4x4 different tread designs]... but it is still an issue on 4x2's



just an informed opinion. . NOT INTENDED TO START AN OPINION WAR



ON EDIT... . one thing I forgot to say. . these tires are a tiny bit more noisey... but over all very quiet for traction treads

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

I would put the XPS traction on the front also. I have had hard rubber compound tires on the Ram and the front tires would slide on thin snow/asphalt. Postively dangerous, I replaced the tires with 40 percent tread left.

 

[GeneralMachine]

Xps Ribbed

Harvey we run these tire's on all our field truck's, they wrk well for our truck's on the oil field lease road's, we just replaced a set with 75k on them, and had never had a flat. they run them on some pretty muddy road's and ive yet to have to send a tow truck to pull one of them out, I guess it depend's on where your gona go, id like to look at the other's they might even be beter for our aplication. Harv

 

[champspa]

aren't the xps tires suppose to be retreadable , and if so has anyone had this done and where

 

[willyslover]

yes they are... I do not run retreads myself

 

[randyn]

Anybody know what country Michelin is from? I don't mean where a particular factory or distribution point is, I mean where are they headquartered and to what government do they pay taxes?



Just wondered... ... .



RandyN

 

[randyn]

Anybody know what country Michelin is from? I don't mean where a particular factory or distribution point is, I mean where are they headquartered and to what government do they pay taxes?



Just wondered... ... .



RandyN

 

[rrl989]

Michelin XPS Tractions ?

I'm glad to see this thread. With 80,000 miles on the truck, I'm replacing my Michelin LTX's with Michelin XPS Tractions . I'm paying $185/each complete at Costco Club. Those of us with 215/85R16's are so limited as to replacements. Even though I now HATE France, they do make a good tire.

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by randyn

Anybody know what country Michelin is from? I don't mean where a particular factory or distribution point is, I mean where are they headquartered and to what government do they pay taxes?



Just wondered... ... .



RandyN

Put it this way, ..... their corporate web site is in English or French... ... .

 

[TowPro]

I know you asked about Michelins, but check out the Cooper SRMII's (the ones I run are on the RS of the picture).



When I bought them they had a 60,000 mile treadwear warrantee, made in USA and ran around $120. 00 each installed.



I have run them on the front in the snow, (they are MS rated)

and all 4 positions moving my RV in the wet grass, sure they might slip but they last 2X longer then a tire that gives you great traction



I put 40,000 on them before I sold the truck, and I bet I was 1/2 way to bald.



Also watch places like Sams and BJ's etc. Michelin makes a line that looks like what you "think" you are buying, but there not the same. I think they are missing a letter in the model number like XS instead of XPS. The price you are quoting sounds like those tires. I have been to a michelin dealer and they wanted darn near $200. 00 each for the XPS ribbed.



Also check out the Goodyear G159-LT's another tire that will last a long time, but it looks like it would have less traction then the coopers.



Most school buss places run these goodyears, Stop buy they may sell you a couple.

 

[Pit Bull]

XPS is sold at Sam's club for around $158 per tire. The only difference is the price.

 

[willyslover]

FF1063... . not to argue. . but are you sure about that price... I bought mine [XPS Traction] at Costco about a year ago +/- and they were about what Pit Bull stated



maybe you guys have some huge dump fees or different taxes applied to them ????

 

[rrl989]

Willyslover / Towpro



I was quoted $135 each for the LTX's 10 plys (they also carry 8 ply). Costco no longer carried the XPS's in the computer, but, checked stock and ordered them. They said $176 and I think $9 more for M & B. BJ's and Walmart qouted a little higher for each.

WTC Tire here wanted $185 for the LTX's !!! Been shopping around for a year now. No one in my area really deals with Cooper, found one shop, but, it was to much trouble for him to give me a price so I walked. In a year, I have seen the prices jump, I 'm not a Sam's member. I'll look out for any letters missing too ! Costcos here on LI really don't carry "cheap" tires, but do sell the high end brands at a discounted prices.



Thanks,

Ron