Replacement Tires
I am seeking some technical advice regarding tires for my motorhome. I own a 2000 National RV Tradewinds motorhome with Michelin tires that will soon need to be replaced. My husband passed away two years ago, and I seem to recall him saying that the tires currently on the motorhome are no longer available. According to the chassis identification data they are Michelin 235/80R22.5 and the rims are 22.5X7.50. Can you give me some advice on finding a proper replacement Michelin tire, and/or whether another brand would provide a softer ride? I have always found that unless the road surface is very smooth, there is an undue amount of vibration in the motorhome.
Phyllis Andersen, F28816
Kelowna, British Columbia
Michelin still produces an XRV 235/80R22.5 tire, so a direct replacement does exist. You can learn more by contacting Michelin’s customer service folks at (888) 532-6435; visiting the company’s RV tire Web site at www.michelinrvtires.com; or stopping by a Michelin tire dealer.
If you do decide on Michelin tires, you’ll want to check into FMCA’s Michelin Advantage program. Many members have found that it saves them money. Details are available at www.fmca.com/join-family-motor-coach-association/member-benefits/fmca-connections/3455 or by calling FMCA’s Membership Department at (800) 543-3622.
Since you mentioned a rough ride with the Michelin tires, it sounds as though you may be running too much air pressure in your tires. Find a truck scale where you can have the coach weighed, including the weight of the individual axles, so that you can fine-tune the air pressures. Then use the Load and Inflation Tables available from Michelin (www.michelinrvtires.com/michelinrv/tires-retreads/load-inflation-tables.jsp) to determine the correct pressures for each tire. If you’re not confident doing this yourself, ask the technicians where you have the coach serviced to perform this task.
Tire Age
I am considering replacing the front tires on a 34-foot 2005 Fleetwood motorhome that has approximately 35,000 miles on it. We’ve owned it since new. Is this a wise move? My decision to replace the tires is based on age rather than wear and condition.
Ed Mohammed, F173648
Niagara On The Lake, Ontario
Especially since your motorhome is a 2005 model, you will want to check the actual age of the tires themselves. They could be up to 3 years older than the motorhome itself as a result of tires being in storage before they were shipped to the chassis manufacturer. Check the DOT code on the tire sidewalls. The code starts with the letters DOT and ends with four digits that signify the week and year of manufacture. For instance, a code ending in 1213 indicates that the tires were manufactured during the 12th week of 2013, which would have been in March 2013. Note that the code is stamped on only one side of the tire, so depending on how the tires were mounted, it may be facing inward.
Any tires that are 5 years or older should be inspected annually by a tire professional regardless of their apparent condition or how many miles they have traveled. Just because they look to be in good condition does not mean that they are. Also, never use tires that are 10 years or older.
To assure that you get the most use from your tires, keep them properly inflated, don’t overload them, and keep them clean using soap and water.
Tire Facts
I have a 2008 Holiday Rambler Ambassador that has tires that were manufactured during the 36th week of 2007. I plan to replace the front two tires. One of them is badly worn, I think because it was misaligned. I will replace the back tires next year. That way I will spread the financial pain over two years. I currently have Goodyear G670 RV tires. Should I stick with RV tires or opt for truck tires that are significantly less expensive? I’m getting conflicting views from the tire dealers with whom I have spoken. Some say truck tires will do just as well. Another says the RV tires will resist ultraviolet sunlight better and therefore last longer, and that truck tires will not ride as smoothly. Who’s right?
Bill Goodmon, F387171
Fairfield Glade, Tennessee
Replacing the tires and spreading the cost over two years is a good idea. Just remember next year, when you buy the new tires, to put two of them on the front and move the 1-year-old tires to the same side on the rear axle. That way you have the latest tires up front.
Personally, I’d stick with RV tires. Truck tires are built to be much stiffer and do not provide the kind of ride to which you are accustomed. You may go nuts with all the new squeaks, rattles, and bangs that the harder-riding truck tires will give you. If you’re a typical motorhome owner, your new tires will age out before they wear out, so go with the softer, more comfortable-riding RV tires.
As for UV protection, RV tires contain special antioxidants and emollients to protect the tires from ozone and UV rays. The problem is that the tires must be used for these compounds to come to the surface of the tire and be effective. So, if you travel often, the tires should be fine without any additional protection. But if you stay in one place for long periods or store the motorhome where it receives direct sunlight, any kind of tire you choose can become damaged by ozone and UV rays. In that case, you may think about investing in tire covers to provide additional protection.
Since you’re purchasing new tires, you may want to investigate FMCA’s Michelin Advantage Program, which could save you money on your tire purchases. More information about the program can be found at FMCA.com.
Fouled-Up Fuel Filler
I am having problems fueling my 2013 Thor Palazzo. It has fuel filler openings on both sides of the motorhome. When I try to fill the tank, the fuel pump cuts off before any appreciable amount of fuel has been pumped. It’s as though the vapor-sensing mechanism in the pump believes the tank is already full. I am able to trick the pump into continuing to deliver fuel by opening the other fuel filler, giving a vent path for the tank. This trick has its problems, of course. One has to be careful to avoid splashing fuel out the other filler opening when the tank approaches full. Thor representatives have attempted to guide two service centers to repair this problem, supposedly by making sure the fuel tank vent is above the level of the fuel filler openings, but nothing has worked. Any idea about how this can be fixed?
Steve Harmony, F430089
Durango, Colorado
I ran into this problem on two or three new motorhomes during road tests over the years. In each case, when I notified the manufacturer, I was assured the problem would be rectified with a production-line correction. I found that sometimes it helps to realign the nozzle, such as holding it sideways or upside down. Your temporary solution of removing the fuel cap on the opposite side indicates that the fuel tank’s venting system may not be functioning properly, so I suggest you continue working with Thor to solve the problem.
Slow Water Heater
We have a 1998 Fleetwood Pace Arrow. Our Atwood water heater doesn’t heat up very fast. We have checked for leaks but haven’t found any. What can it be? If the tank has scaled up, what would be the best way to clean it out? We do most of the work on this coach ourselves.
Allen and Janet Wiley, F427227
Wellsville, Pennsylvania
Considering the age of your motorhome, I would say calcium has built up on the bottom and sides of your heater’s tank through the years, which insulates the water from the heat. It will have to be cleaned out or replaced, which would require the services of a technician.
First, you need to verify whether the water is heating slowly or having cold water mixed into it after it leaves the heater. Check to make sure that the heater bypass valves are closed and that all showers are turned off at the faucets (not the showerhead) to prevent mixing cold water with the hot water. You can check the water temperature by carefully (with gloves on) opening the temperature relief valve to release some of the hot water inside the tank.
In addition to flushing the tank to remove precipitated minerals, Atwood recommends cleaning mineral deposits by filling the tank with an equal mixture of white vinegar and distilled water. Run the heater through a complete heating cycle; drain; and flush.
King Versus Queen
Do you know of anyone or any company that has converted a queen-size bed to a king-size bed in a 2004 Intrigue Country Coach? Can it be done?
Dr. Donald Covert, F418199
Graham, North Carolina
Although I believe that any competent RV shop could convert your queen-size bed to a full-size king (provided your motorhome has the room to do so), I suggest you contact Country Coach directly. The phone number is (541) 234-2167, and the Web site address is www.countrycoach.com.
Wacky Windshield Wipers
We have a 2008 Winnebago Journey. There are times when our windshield wipers will start without being turned on. We are wondering whether anyone else has experienced this problem and may have a solution.
Keith and Shirley Murphy, F147874
Clarksburg, West Virginia
I contacted Winnebago’s technical service department and here is the answer: “I think that the owner is experiencing either a loose wire connection to the wiper motor or a faulty wiper motor itself. Winnebago Industries doesn’t have any documentation that there is an outstanding issue with other units.”
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