Michilin tyres again

[oily]

Just got back from the MOT station with an advisory for all 4 tyres. Side wall cracks. Michilin camping tyres(again). This is the 3rd camper this has happened to me. What brand do you guys recomend as Michilin as just lost another long term customer.....me. Has anyone got any cheap contacts for tyres?

 

[888dee]

have a look at tyres online @ mytyres.co.uk: cheap passenger tyres, summer tyres, winter tyres and tyre dealer I've not bought van tyre from them but have on several occasions for cars.

if nothing else it gives an easy way to compare price points and gives access to reviews against each.

 

[Deleted member 5816]

Tyres

Oily how old are the tyres date on side wall of tyre

Alf

 

[Boxerman]

Has anyone got any cheap contacts for tyres?

Don't skimp on tyres, your life and possibly the lives of your family depend on them.
I use Conti Vanco's not madly expensive being a commercial tyre.

Frank

 

[oily]

Don't skimp on tyres, your life and possibly the lives of your family depend on them.
I use Conti Vanco's not madly expensive being a commercial tyre.

Frank

lol. I'm asking for cheap contacts for tyres NOT contacts for cheap tyres

 

[kenjones]

Just got back from the MOT station with an advisory for all 4 tyres. Side wall cracks. Michilin camping tyres(again). This is the 3rd camper this has happened to me. What brand do you guys recomend as Michilin as just lost another long term customer.....me. Has anyone got any cheap contacts for tyres?

Boxerman is right. I had my VW Autosleeper Topaz fitted with conti vanco's
all round and I'm very pleased with them. Grip, road noise and fuel consumption are all noticably improved. Now with 10,000 miles on wear seems minimal.
It just isn't worth skimping on tyres.

 

[oily]

Oily how old are the tyres date on side wall of tyre

Alf

Havent checked but I guess they might be the originals. Done 35000 miles on the old 2001 camper but still got 7 or 8mm of tread, that's the annoying thing.

 

[oily]

It just isn't worth skimping on tyres.

see my reply to boxerman
I hav heard that Barum tyres perform quite well and apprently are made by conti. Can anyone confirm?

 

[derekfaeberwick]

The boss had a set of Marangoni tyres fitted to the drive axle of the artic I drive, I know, thats what I thought.
Guess what, they are brilliant for traction. Longevity, I'll have to wait and see.
The point being don't dismiss budget tyres out of hand, suck it and see.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Havent checked but I guess they might be the originals. Done 35000 miles on the old 2001 camper but still got 7 or 8mm of tread, that's the annoying thing.

Isn't standard advice to replace tyres at 5 years regardless of make? So if yours got to 8 years (or more depending on when the base was made) you've not done so bad...

I dug out this link though: Cheap Tyre Prices | Dunlop Goodyear Pirelli | Discount Car Tyres | Tyre Shopper
If I remember right it's the online arm of ?National Tyre Service - you buy online and get them fitted at a depot, cheaper than you can get them if you just go to the depot. I didn't use them because nearest depot was too far, and a local independent matched the price.

 

[oily]

Isn't standard advice to replace tyres at 5 years regardless of make? So if yours got to 8 years (or more depending on when the base was made) you've not done so bad...

I dug out this link though: Cheap Tyre Prices | Dunlop Goodyear Pirelli | Discount Car Tyres | Tyre Shopper
If I remember right it's the online arm of ?National Tyre Service - you buy online and get them fitted at a depot, cheaper than you can get them if you just go to the depot. I didn't use them because nearest depot was too far, and a local independent matched the price.

Maybe the manufacture recomends that, but I like to buy things that will last untill they are worn out. Would you buy a washing machine that the manufacture recomend you replace after five years. Admitedly, It's only on motorhomes (i've owned) where I've had to replace tyres before they are worn out. All the cars and comercial vehicles I buy tyres for are worn out long before they have time to perish

 

[oily]

Out of interest, i've just had it confirmed that Barum are made by Continental and they are half the price of Michilins. The write up looks good BUT does anyone have first hand experience of the Barum vanis tyres

 

[maingate]

Michelin are phasing out their Camping Car Tyres and introducing a range called Agilis or something like that. Time will tell if they are any better. One tip I got was to lift your tyre pressure when the van is not being used for lengthy spells. It apparently stops any problem with the side walls when stationary for long spells. I have no idea if this will do anything about cracking side walls.

As part of the deal I have negotiated with Discover Leisure, are 6 new tyres as the old ones have plenty of tread but are probably the originals (6 years old) It will be interesting to see what brand they fit.

 

[Deleted member 5816]

Maybe the manufacture recomends that, but I like to buy things that will last untill they are worn out. Would you buy a washing machine that the manufacture recomend you replace after five years. Admitedly, It's only on motorhomes (i've owned) where I've had to replace tyres before they are worn out. All the cars and comercial vehicles I buy tyres for are worn out long before they have time to perish

Tyres need use to keep in good condition it is the vibration of road use that
causes the lubrication of tyre sidewalls

being stood for long periods cause the loss of surface lubrication within the sidewall this brings on cracks in tyre side walls

If camper standing for long periods invest in a tyre vibrator

Alf

 

[oily]

Michelin are phasing out their Camping Car Tyres and introducing a range called Agilis or something like that. Time will tell if they are any better. One tip I got was to lift your tyre pressure when the van is not being used for lengthy spells. It apparently stops any problem with the side walls when stationary for long spells. I have no idea if this will do anything about cracking side walls.

As part of the deal I have negotiated with Discover Leisure, are 6 new tyres as the old ones have plenty of tread but are probably the originals (6 years old) It will be interesting to see what brand they fit.

I'm not convinced that the cracked sidewalls are due to long periods of inactivity as my previous two campers were never stood still for more than 3 weeks at a time and they still sufferd the same fate. I think, maybe, it was just a Michilin marketing ploy to use inferior rubber knowing that they could invoke the five year rule on us gulible motorhome owners

 

[Boxerman]

Tyres need use to keep in good condition it is the vibration of road use that
causes the lubrication of tyre sidewalls

being stood for long periods cause the loss of surface lubrication within the sidewall this brings on cracks in tyre side walls

If camper standing for long periods invest in a tyre vibrator

Alf

"lubrication" isn't the correct term Alf "protection from UV" is. Save the vibrator for other uses and just cover the tyres up to keep sunlight off them.

Frank

 

[Deleted member 5816]

"lubrication" isn't the correct term Alf "protection from UV" is. Save the vibrator for other uses and just cover the tyres up to keep sunlight off them.

Frank

Frank I am quoting the Michelin rep I once had some tyres crack on a new van 9 months old Agllis 71 to boot, the rep came checked the tyres found from the date the tyres were 3 years old on a new van.
he stated the problem was caused by being stood for above 2 years and explained the wax movement through the sidewalls my motorcaravan is under cover so no UV problem.
I tend to naive and believe the explanations of experts the rep replaced all the tyres even the spare at no cost and to a then better tyre the Agillis 81

Back to Oily's tyres from his post they are at least 8 years old and 35,000 miles so not too bad

Alf

 

[BedfordMJ]

My local independent won't even stock Michelin tyres, he'll get them ordered if someone requests them. I think also ATS is owned by Michelin so guess which tyres they recommend.
I've not had good experiences with Michelin on cars they are over-priced, the tread seems to be made of play-doh and they crack.

 

[Boxerman]

Hi Alf
Some experts tend to talk down to people, in an earlier post you said that the rep told you that it was paraffin wax which came to the surface. Paraffin wax is normally used as a process aid rather than an "active ingredient" - i.e. it makes the processing of the compound (mixing, moulding , extruding or whatever) easier or more efficient. Anti ozonants are largely wax based (there's water in beer but beer isn't water and water isn't beer). If your tyres were cracking up and had not been subject to UV exposure then there was something sadly wrong with the compound, this is probably why they were replaced FOC.

I would never call myself an expert at anything, but I do have 40+ years experience working in the rubber industry from mixing to technical.

As my van gets used as daily transport my tyres don't get the chance to die of old age either, but I would take the age thing with a pinch of salt. ( and I'm fussy about my tyres)

Frank

 

[rolandrat]

Boxerman is right. I had my VW Autosleeper Topaz fitted with conti vanco's
all round and I'm very pleased with them. Grip, road noise and fuel consumption are all noticably improved. Now with 10,000 miles on wear seems minimal.
It just isn't worth skimping on tyres.

Conti Vanco, simply the best, couldn't agree with you more.