Michelin XPS vs. Goodyear Wrangler s

[Texas Ted]

I tow a 12,500 lb. Alpenlite 5w trailer. I have experienced many problems with the Goodyear's, no overload here, tread separation. I can't seem to find a suitable alternative! The wheels are not rated for higher than 80 lbs. pressure. I've looked at the Michelin XPS however Michelin says they are not rated for trailers. Is any one using these XPS tires? I need a 235/85/R-16 "E" rating. Can anyone help? Thanks, Ted

 

[RustyJC]

Ted,



The following description of the XPS Rib is from Michelin's website:

Michelin® XPS Rib® tires are the best value per mile in the Michelin commercial tire lineup and an ideal choice for commercial trailers because of low rolling resistance (for better fuel economy), a long-wear rib tread design and retreadability. These tires also have the strength of a reinforced all-steel construction for lasting durability.

Clicking to the next page shows the XPS Rib is available in an LT235/85R-16E size. I've priced these tires at Discount Tire's local store website, and they will run $811. 70 installed here in the Houston, TX area (specifically, the Tomball store on FM2920). I will probably replace my 13,500 lb 5ver's LT235/85R-16E Goodyear Wrangler HT's with the XPS Ribs should I have any problems with the Goodyears (12,000 trouble-free miles to date. )



Rusty

 

[slmwilli]

Go with the XPS. I changed out the 15 inch Goodyear tires after one major separation ($1000 damage) and two caught-just-in-time bulges. This is on a CarriLite 28 fiver running all year, including S. Texas summer pavement (hot. . hot. . hot). Changed to 16 inch wheels, got the Michelin XPS and have now done 8 months on them. When not in use, they are covered. They are rolled pretty frequently so internal lubrication should be OK. I agree that Discount Tire is worth looking at. The price here in Corpus Christi was close to Houston's price quoted above.

Happy hauling, Morgan Williams

 

[RJ2]

Thats a good price . I just got a set of 235's they were 1050 out the door with install,lifetime road hazard and balancing .

Sounded like I was going to get rotation also but I would not push that issue. They ride so nice.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Texas Ted,



Michelin XPS tires are excellent but do not compare the Goodyear Wrangler to them. That would be apples to oranges. The Wrangler is not in the same class as the XPS. Goodyear makes (in America) a comparable all steel tire for approx. the same price. Look at your GY dealer.

Happy camping

 

[RustyJC]

Ted,



Just for your info, you got me to thinking. We'll be heading out with the 5ver for a trip to Nashville, TN for the iRV2.com annual national rally next week, and the more I thought about driving from Houston to Nashville and back on the Interstates during the summer, the more I started getting nervous about the Wrangler HT's on the 5ver. It's going in Saturday morning to get that above-referenced set of XPS Ribs installed. I was just thinking - since your question was the cause of this, don't you think it would only be fair if you would chip in for half the cost of the tires?



Rusty

 

[willyslover]

just a heads up / FYI here... Costco Wholesale also has these tires [some do not stock them but do three day special orders]. . they are about $160 per tire ... also they have the summer cupon program on now . . 6/9 through 6/29 they have a $60. 00 off for a set.





Disclaimer... former now retired Costco Mgr.

 

[RustyJC]

Man, that's a great price! Just to be sure we're comparing apples to apples, the price I quoted was installed, balanced, with valve stems, lifetime rotation (on a 5ver? ) and includes Tomball's usurous 8. 25% sales tax. Of course, I could buy them in Houston and pay only 7. 75% sales tax (I think), but then I get hit for a $5/tire city-mandated disposal fee!



Of course, if Ted comes through and pays his half, it won't hurt as badly!



Rusty

 

[Texas Ted]

Guys; Thanks for all the great input. It was just what I needed to make my decision. I will go with the Michelin XPS rib. I checked with Costco and they do have the coupon now, $60. 00 OFF (set of 4). The price is $160. 00 ea. I'm in Oregon now so I can save the sales tax too!!



Rusty, Perhaps you should pay for half the cost of my new tires since, by reminding you of Goodyear's weaknesses I may have saved you a great deal of trouble on your trip. HAPPY TRAILS... .



Willy, Thanks for the "heads up" about Costco's deal!!! Ted

 

[RustyJC]

Ted,



OK, I guess we'll just have to call it square and be done with it. Actually, I hope we both come out as winners!



Rusty

 

[Okie-Go]

Rusty, I hope you don't leave your tires at the dealer. I may can use them on my gooseneck trailer if we can work something out.

 

[RustyJC]

Okie,



Wish you had hollered sooner. I gave the Wrangler HT's to another customer there at Discount Tire who wanted them for his flatbed trailer. Sorry!!



I guess with the Goodyears gone I'll never know if one would have failed on my 5ver, but I feel much better with the Michelin XPS Ribs on there! I've failed a Goodyear Marathon on our previous 5ver and don't care to go through that experience again.



Rusty

 

[DHawthorne]

Goodyears vs Michilins, no contest. Glad you picked the XPS. Thats one of the few tires out there that have Steel Belted Side walls as well as the tread. Last set on my 96 dodge went 88,000 miles. Don't think you'll wear them out on the trailer.



Dave

In Duluth MN with the 5fer