XPS Rib vs XPS Traction?

[Axion]

I upgraded my trailer from 15" OEM "will-pops" to 16" XPS Ribs. Anyone have any experience with the XPS Tractions? From what I can find they just have a slightly more agressive tread pattern to handle light off road duties. I'm going to be spending more time in PA and NY working (instead of West TX and NM) and am thinking the Tractions might be better for the winter conditions?

 

[HBarlow]

The XPS Traction tire is as strong and durable as the Ribs but is a very aggressive tire for mud and snow. It would be useful on drive wheels of a truck in low traction conditions but of little value on a trailer.

 

[Moe]

Michelins are great tires, but not on a vehicle that sets for long periods of time. Can you say DRY ROT and CRACKING!

 

[HBarlow]

Any and all tires that sit idle for years will develop sidewall cracking. A Michelin XPS Rib is less likely to fail as a result than other brands.

 

[rrl989]

++++++++++++++++

 

[Axion]

Thanks for the feedback.



Looks like I'll just stick with the Ribs when this set wears out.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Thanks for the feedback.



Looks like I'll just stick with the Ribs when this set wears out.

I use the ribs on my 5er and steering tires on my truck. I have 2wd and with that iron out front and basically nothing in the bed this thing really does not do well in Ice, Mud, Snow I have the traction's on the rear and working as well as i can expect. For me if I am towing and get into more than a dusting of snow I find a place to park it. I think the traction's are the most aggressive tire Michelin has to offer.

 

[Matt42]

I use Michelin XPS Rib tires on a gravel testing plant trailer that goes to a lot of mine sites. There we have all sorts of puncture and ripping hazards. Then we also use it at the normal flow of traffic on rural Arizona Interstate highways and rural Nevada highways, as well as on gravel and dirt back roads of varying quality. (I use the word "quality" in a highly variable sense here. ) We replace the tires on a nine year schedule, though they retain more than 3/4 of their tread. When not in use, we store the trailer indoors where the temperature does not exceed 90F except during power failures. (That's to preserve equipment, not the tires. ) At the end of nine years, there is only minuscule evidence of sidewall cracking, though that can be chalked up to being out of the sun. Tires in direct sun will behave differently. Even so, a nine year run is four years beyond what is "normal. " The sidewall rubber compound on the XPS tires may be more resistant to UV and heat because (1) they can be regrooved, and (2) they are designed to be retreaded multiple times. Using a better rubber compound would make sense there.



During those nine years, we never had a flat tire of any kind, although the various tow vehicles did. Parking the trailer for testing work usually involved sliding the front or rear tires as we near-jackknifed the trailer. This created no problems. Towing and tracking behind the tow vehicle was always predictable and stable.



I am normally required to buy the least expensive tires that will fit, with the lowest-cost retreads preferred. That's unless I can justify otherwise. I have never had a problem with justifying an all-steel belt and sidewall tire for this use. We did not consider using the traction type tires because we didn't expect much advantage on a trailer, and there would be slightly more rolling resistance.

 

[HBarlow]

The report of nine year service life using Michelin XPS Ribs is interesting. You made a good point about the use of better rubber compound because the tire are intended to be regrooved or retreaded multiple times. I don't think I have the confidence to run them nine years on my fiver for fear of trailer damage if a tread separation occurs but I do believe the Michelin is capable of longer reliable service than most other tires.

Just this weekend I gave a set of four Michelin XPS Rib takeoffs from a fiver I previously owned to a fellow TDR member for use on his fiver. The tires are five and one half years old and have only been towed about 20k miles. They still look fine.

 

[Matt42]

Well, I told my supervisor that at the end of nine years, the fun was over and it was time to spend some money. He agreed. I wasn't willing to go any longer.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Does anyone know whether there is a shortage of the XPS Traction tires? I had a local dealer order a set for the truck, and after three weeks they have not arrived. The dealer says that he is being told that many of the Michelins are on backorder right now.



Just curious whether others have run into this issue. I run a lot of gravel roads and drive on ice/snow in the winter, so am not really giving serious consideration to other tires at the moment.

 

[AMink]

Tire Rack shows only 16" applications for either the Rib or Traction. Do they not make 17" models?

 

[Bill Stockard]

Tire Rack shows only 16" applications for either the Rib or Traction. Do they not make 17" models?

Unfortunately, Michelin does not make them in a 17" size.



Bill

 

[HBarlow]

Does anyone know whether there is a shortage of the XPS Traction tires? I had a local dealer order a set for the truck, and after three weeks they have not arrived. The dealer says that he is being told that many of the Michelins are on backorder right now.

Just curious whether others have run into this issue. I run a lot of gravel roads and drive on ice/snow in the winter, so am not really giving serious consideration to other tires at the moment.

My local SAM's Club keeps them in stock all the time. If you are a member you should be able to order a set on line from SAM's Club or Costco.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Thanks, I'll have him give his suppliers another call. If they still can't get a set, perhaps one of my friends in the Big City can direct me towards a Sam's Club or Costco. None out here in the boonies, and I doubt that I would patronize their stores often enough to make a membership fee worthwhile. Frankly, I think I've been inside a Costco maybe once in my life when I was stationed out east, and don't think that I've ever seen the inside of a Sam's Club. Besides, I'd prefer to keep the money local if possible; I know that I'll get better service when the tires need repair or rebalancing.



I wonder whether the Sam's Club tires are US-made or German? I saw on the Tire Rack website that some are made there too. At least no Chinese made on these tires!

 

[Jim W]

I just installed a set of Michelin XPS Ribs today on my 5er. I bought them from Discount Tire CO. took all of two days to get them from their local warehouse. Tires were made in the United Kingdom this was molded right in the side wall of the tires. Not cheap but worth the extra cost considering what a tire failure will cost in repair bills to the 5er.

Jim W.

 

[KYOUNG]

I just put 6 new Michelins on my C-Force Toy hauler, made in the USA last November, Nice Tires!!

 

[seafish]

I used to run the XPS Traction them on my 1993 W350 and they lasted forever>

It's REALLY too bad that these great tires are NOT available in a 17" LRE.

 

[HBarlow]

Yeah, I agree. If Michelin made them for 17" wheels I'd use XPS ribs on the steer axle of my C&C.

Michelin does not choose to make tires for every application. I wish they would make tires for my 1800 Goldwing but they are apparently not interested. The GL1800 was first introduced in 2001 and many thousands of them have been built. Many of the owners ride two up with luggage and pull a trailer running thousands of miles every year. There is a big market for Michelins but they don't seem interested. Michelins are available for the 1500 Goldwing, I bought a set for an ST-1300 I had, they make them for some Harleys and many other cruisers.

 

[jelag]

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