95k1500 Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I am no expert on truck tires, most of my mechanical experience is with light vehicles, but I assume there must be some differences with rubber compounds used. Some softer and some harder? One of the fire engines at the fire department I work at, got a new set of rear tires (Michelens), I don't recall what brand of tire was on the the truck before. Anywho, the engine used to be a joy to drive, seemed solid and gripped the road. Ever since the new hoops, the truck is a real turd! Feels like a wet noodle. The slightest lane change and the thinks feels like shes going to roll! Need nerves of steel to drive it. I suppose now that they are on there, we will have to live with them, even thought everyone that drives it is bitching.Dave Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambi80 Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I had (...well, have) the same problem when I got 8 new drive tires put on my truck last year. When I bought the truck it had a mis-matched set of about 6 different brands of tires on it, but went down the road like a dream. After the 8 new tires were put on the handling is a bit wishy-washy and I've been blessed with an intermittent 'hop'. While I'll admit, the tires I bought weren't the highest priced/quality tires on the market, but still they were a matched set of new tires. Due to the nature of the work I do...construction work...a lot of stopping/starting and turning and off-road...I'm not going to grind off a set of $400+ tires in 50,000 miles.I'm sure a lot of it has to do with new rubber being more flexible...and more tread enabling the tire to feel as if it 'rolls'. As my tires wear down that feeling has more or less gone away. Quote Ever wonder how a blind person knows when to stop wiping? Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-22968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
95k1500 Posted October 27, 2008 Author Share Posted October 27, 2008 I had (...well, have) the same problem when I got 8 new drive tires put on my truck last year. When I bought the truck it had a mis-matched set of about 6 different brands of tires on it, but went down the road like a dream. After the 8 new tires were put on the handling is a bit wishy-washy and I've been blessed with an intermittent 'hop'. While I'll admit, the tires I bought weren't the highest priced/quality tires on the market, but still they were a matched set of new tires. Due to the nature of the work I do...construction work...a lot of stopping/starting and turning and off-road...I'm not going to grind off a set of $400+ tires in 50,000 miles.I'm sure a lot of it has to do with new rubber being more flexible...and more tread enabling the tire to feel as if it 'rolls'. As my tires wear down that feeling has more or less gone away.But even when the truck was brand new with matched virgin rubber...the truck road like a dream. That is why I wonder that there are different grades, or pliability? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-22969 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CML Service Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Two things come to mind with your problem. Be sure it does not have bias ply tires on the front that will cause that problem. Then the other thing I think of is load rating on the tire. Fire trucks often use a larger or heavier tire than freight trucks. Part of the reason is to control sway from a water tank sloshing. Michelin makes a very good truck tire it just sounds like the application is wrong. Chuck Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-22976 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Michelin makes a very good truck tire it just sounds like the application is wrong.ChuckI agree with Chuck on the Michelin tires. Air pressure is vital in that application also.Rob Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-22979 Share on other sites More sharing options...
95k1500 Posted October 27, 2008 Author Share Posted October 27, 2008 Yeah, I figured probably the wrong load range, pressures are goodThanksDave Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-22981 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bollweevil Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I have experienced the same situation on road tractors, when replacing worn out tires with a full set of cross bar or lugged type drive tires. The problem always went away after a few thousand miles, as the tires began to wear in. Inflation pressure is critical to performance and tire life. On a set of new tires the " Roll Out", or inflated diameter will always vary somewhat. Usually not enough to create a problem. A rough tread tire with lugs sticking out every which way, compounds the problem. A few thousand miles on a fire truck, which I am assuming sits most of the time might be another problem. A single axle truck will behave differently than a tandem axle. Before I blamed it all on the tires, I would check the axle and spring mounting points for something loose. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-22983 Share on other sites More sharing options...
greendog32 Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 plus alot off the new deep lug tires are a full 32nds thick.with this much lug you tend to get the roll,but it does go aweay after a few thousand miles. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-23909 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocomotiveBreath Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 I have had the same problem before when only replacing the drive tires. I had Bridgestone V-Steel's all the way around on an old truck and it drove great. I put new Goodyears on the rear later and the truck felt like the rear end was about to fall out. I ended up bitching enough they took the Goodyears back. I bought 4 more V-Steel's and everything was back to normal, the truck drove fine again. The Goodyear regional rep. explained that the V-Steel's sidewall was much stiffer than the Goodyear so any steering input was being magnified by the Goodyear sidewall flex. He said it would have been fine if there were Goodyears up front too, but at that point I just wanted my V-Steel's back. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-24179 Share on other sites More sharing options...
95k1500 Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 Well, after a visit from a Michelen rep, they agreed to go half way with us on a new set of tires. They are the same load rating, but a different design...still Michelen. Truck drives like a dream again. Must have been something with the first set. Thanks for the replies and Happy EasterDave Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-33617 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I have experienced the same situation on road tractors, when replacing worn out tires with a full set of cross bar or lugged type drive tires. The problem always went away after a few thousand miles, as the tires began to wear in. Inflation pressure is critical to performance and tire life. On a set of new tires the " Roll Out", or inflated diameter will always vary somewhat. Usually not enough to create a problem. A rough tread tire with lugs sticking out every which way, compounds the problem. A few thousand miles on a fire truck, which I am assuming sits most of the time might be another problem. A single axle truck will behave differently than a tandem axle. Before I blamed it all on the tires, I would check the axle and spring mounting points for something loose.I had the exact same situation myself. Last time I got a new set of drive tires it felt like I was driving on ice at first. By the time i'd made one trip it was unnoticable. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-33623 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Well, after a visit from a Michelen rep, they agreed to go half way with us on a new set of tires. They are the same load rating, but a different design...still Michelen. Truck drives like a dream again. Must have been something with the first set. Thanks for the replies and Happy EasterDaveDave,What designs were the first and final Michelins? I have XDN2 on the rear and XZA3 on the front. Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-33628 Share on other sites More sharing options...
95k1500 Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 Dave,What designs were the first and final Michelins? I have XDN2 on the rear and XZA3 on the front.The old were XDN2, pretty sure...they made the truck wiggle and jiggle, and started to throw rubber. I will have to look for the model of the new ones, I don't remember. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-33648 Share on other sites More sharing options...
95k1500 Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 I had the exact same situation myself. Last time I got a new set of drive tires it felt like I was driving on ice at first. By the time i'd made one trip it was unnoticable.We ran the old tires for probably six months, ride never improved. Then the tires started to throw rubber. The new ones seem to be a huge improvement. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-33649 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 The old were XDN2, pretty sure...they made the truck wiggle and jiggle, and started to throw rubber. I will have to look for the model of the new ones, I don't remember.Maybe that is why my MH bounces. Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-33709 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Rider Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Maybe that is why my MH bounces. You need Rob to sit on your fifth wheel plate to make it ride smooth! Quote #1 on A-model registryIf I drink because of work, why can't I drink at work? Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-33717 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 You need Rob to sit on your fifth wheel plate to make it ride smooth! He only has a single axle. I'm afraid he'd rut the pavement, and wear tires out real quick. Not to mention dealing with the cops for being overweight!!I smell sombody pickin on me again.Rob Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-33723 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 He only has a single axle. I'm afraid he'd rut the pavement, and wear tires out real quick. Not to mention dealing with the cops for being overweight!!I smell sombody pickin on me again.RobI am not getting in the middle of this one. (But a little extra weight might help!) Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/4342-new-tires/#findComment-33786 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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