2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Michelin XPS Traction

[kschitoskey]

Just wanted to share the painful experience of replacing 6 tires on a 3500 4X4- First of all, Costco can now only special order the XPS Rib and not the traction... ($176 and change), and CANNOT mount a non-standard tire size on any vehicle. Yes, they stated very clearly they would only sell me a 215 75 R16 for my 99! You guessed it, a lawsuit... However, the tire guy said I could go to the other costco in town, tell them my truck is a 2001, and would have no problems getting a 235 85 R 16 (no vin # check). :-laf



Anyway, the best deal I could find was from Discount. I told them I could get the XPS tractions in 235 85 R 16s from Sams for 1100; they gave them to me for $1096. 00 including tax for 6 with warranty certificates. This was the best I could do both locally and on the internet (shipping is outrageous). OUCH

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Just wanted to share the painful experience of replacing 6 tires on a 3500 4X4- First of all, Costco can now only special order the XPS Rib and not the traction... ($176 and change), and CANNOT mount a non-standard tire size on any vehicle. Yes, they stated very clearly they would only sell me a 215 75 R16 for my 99! You guessed it, a lawsuit... However, the tire guy said I could go to the other costco in town, tell them my truck is a 2001, and would have no problems getting a 235 85 R 16 (no vin # check). :-laf



Anyway, the best deal I could find was from Discount. I told them I could get the XPS tractions in 235 85 R 16s from Sams for 1100; they gave them to me for $1096. 00 including tax for 6 with warranty certificates. This was the best I could do both locally and on the internet (shipping is outrageous). OUCH

What is the load range on an XPS Rib?

 

[NSteever]

we run all Michelin XPS tires tractions on the trucks and ribs on the trailers. They are steel carcus tires they weigh about twice as much as a regular E range ten ply, but we never have a flat and they go 80K + miles.

 

[NSteever]

Anyway, the best deal I could find was from Discount. I told them I could get the XPS tractions in 235 85 R 16s from Sams for 1100; they gave them to me for $1096. 00 including tax for 6 with warranty certificates. This was the best I could do both locally and on the internet (shipping is outrageous). OUCH

They tire store here in York NE(penners tire and auto) sells xps tractions in 235/85 for $155 a piece mounted and balanced.

 

[kschitoskey]

What is the load range on an XPS Rib?

The Michelin web site lists the XPS Rib as load range E, specifically 3042 lbs single tire and 2778 lbs for duals; same capacity for XPS traction.

 

[willyslover]

what town / state are you in ?? or better said what Costco did you go to ?



I have some inside friends at Costco buying that can check if the local shop was on track with what was said about availability. .



and an FYI... any tire taken in off the rig will be mounted with what ever you ask for ... as long as you don't give them the truck info you didn't give faulty info



and another FYI. . Costco has the $60. 00 off cupon going on thru the 1/30

 

[kschitoskey]

I was ready to write the check to have the tires special ordered, when the tire guy dropped the bomb. I guess that's why they don't offer 33s or 35s anymore. He said some guy "back east" had costco put oversized tires on his rig, he wrecked, and is blaming costco for his paralysis :{ . I was even more suprised that they cannot even get the XPS tractions... But the silver lining is that Discount Tire matched the lowest price I could find anyway (including the 60. 00 coupon). Clearly worth the trouble; what an awesome tire.

BTW, I would never have even heard of this tire without the awesome info. available on the TDR. Best 35. 00 I've ever spent.

 

[kschitoskey]

Albuquerque, New Mexico; Eubank store

 

[David Wheeler]

NSteever,



So far I've got 30K on my XPS Tractions. They appear to be wearing fast, however, I still have sufficient tread on all 6. Do you find they wear a lot early and then slow their wear rate as they get closer to the center of the tire (harder rubber)?

 

[willyslover]

what pressure are you running ??



I'm on about my 9th set might be 10th [between all the rigs I have run them on]... unless pulling a heavy load I run them at 50 front and 45 rear. . almost always get 60/65K before pulling do to tread depth and winter snow. . still have another 10/15K left and will use them up on trailer now that I have a G/N trailer that uses this size. . I live in the mountains and drive my rig like a slot car so don't wera them off but grind them off



kschitoskey . . I'll e-mail my friend today

 

[David Wheeler]

Willy,



I'm running 70psi all around. This rig is empty 95% of the time. They seem to be wearing a little heavier around the edges, therefore, I've kept the pressure up. Was considering going to the manufacturers recommended 80psi to see if that would help. Doesn't appear running very low pressurers have affected your logevity on the tires though.



Thanks,



David

 

[hammersley]

I have had very poor luck with the Michelins

that came with my truck. Obviously they weren't these. What do you mean that they weing about 2x as much - where is there some data that shows the weight difference in these tires. Thanks

 

[NSteever]

xps wear

We alway run the full 80 psi. We have two sets of rims for each truck we run a set of tires till about 60,000 then switch to a new set for winter then run the last 20,000 out again in summer. They do seem like they wear slower the older they get. We had several sets recaped by Bandag the recaps lasted about 35,000 on the back of the dually which is OK beacause they only cost about $60 a piece to retread.

 

[NSteever]

xps weight

I don't know if Michelins web site gives tire weights. Just lifting an XPS compared to say an LTX there is no doubt the XPS are way heavier.

 

[willyslover]

I just got a reply from my friend in the Buying Offices at Costco. .



"I know YOU know about dual spacing, but you are one of the few. .

I shot a photo in Idaho once of a dually with 245-75-16's on it that touched- Thank you, ... I edited. . a competitors name was here. .



The buyer tells me that XPS traction supply is spotty. We can get them still most of the time. Michelin indicates that the demand for the rib is steady but demand is falling for the traction, so they are less concerned about maintaining a steady supply (I know, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy at that point)

Still the best damned tire available. . tell the folks out there to be persistent. Thanks"





I should say here I have no vested interest in Coctco other than I was a Manager at a location before I retired... just believe you have to go a long long way to beat them, MHO

 

[kschitoskey]

Well, I just had them put on yesterday, and :--) ; Deep tread, decent ride (even with those thick side walls). Very sharp. I run Wrangler MTRs on my jeep CJ, and I think I like the look of these better. I just hope I get the longevity that others report. Thank you very much for the research and insight. TDR has had a profound effect on how I built this truck...

 

[KDoerr]

I Run them on my trucks for two years now and I love the tire. I run them at 80psi and the truck is always loaded and I mean loaded and also on the hwy I run the truck loaded at 120-130 km/h and never once had a problem

 

[Dallass]

What is the difference between the rib and the traction?

 

[RustyJC]

What is the difference between the rib and the traction?

Tread design. The Rib is designed for a steer axle application. The Traction is designed for drive axles.



Rusty

 

[Dallass]

Can you run the Rib all the way around? I don't plan on going off the road. I have a '98 12v 3500 215/85R 16 E pulling a 5th wheel trailer. Would you get better milage with the ribs? I have Michelin LTX A/S LT on the truck now.