Michelins vs G614's - Montana Owners Club

drjjj · 09-29-2016, 11:45 AM

Currently have Michelin LT tires on my 2007 3400RL. Hope to start making more/longer trips next year after hanging it up job-wise after Jan 1. Tires will be 5 years old in the spring, and Michelin has a 7 year dry-rot warranty but I don't want to push my luck. I have dealt with Discount Tire for almost 20 years and they have yet to steer me wrong on tires. The manager has a 39 ft SOB with a 13K wt (according to him) and he put Michelins on his own trailer. Pros and cons of the two brands, please.

mlh · 09-29-2016, 11:54 AM

I'm a Michrlin fan but I would put the G614s on my 3400 Montana.
Lynwood

bigskyjimmy · 09-29-2016, 12:39 PM

The G614's are a proven winner but do not forget you need 110 P.S.I rims to handle them and Montana did not start putting 110 P.s.I rims on till 2011-2012 I do believe

drjjj · 09-29-2016, 12:56 PM

Recommendation on what new rims to buy and where to buy them?

**DQDick** · 09-29-2016, 02:56 PM

If you really want to go to the G614's get the rims from http://www.tredittire.com that's where Keystone gets theirs. But most of the older rigs aren't heavy enough to need them and the good LT tires are plenty for them. Also, you should look at Sailun tires. They are now the standard tire on new Montana's and should be a good tire for you.

Dam Worker · 09-29-2016, 03:08 PM

I like Michelin's but did have a blow out on the driver's rear on my truck. Replaced with new set of Michelin's. As for the Montana I went with the Sailuns. Either way I would go Sailun or Goodyear on the trailer.

Tom Marty

1Happycamper · 09-30-2016, 03:16 AM

Take one of the tires off your unit and check the back side of the rim. There you will find either 80lbs or 110lbs stamped on one of the rim spokes.
We have a 2008 Mountaineer and my rims are stamped 110lbs.

rames14 · 09-30-2016, 03:52 AM

Also, don't forget your 3400 is a heavy unit. You have 7,000 lb axles. Michelins are rated 3042/tire at 80 psi max. So, you took a 7000 lb axle and derated your unit to 6080 lbs per axle. I believe that your tire guy is leading you down a bad path. Start with weighing your unit. If I was stretched for cash, I would put the Saluns on. Cheaper than Michelins, load range G, 4000 lb capacity per tire. I am running G614'S. We do about 15-20k miles per year. Before I knew better, I had a set of Michelin LT's and they lasted 4 months before I replaced with G614's. Good luck. If you read the tire section, you will continually see Sailun's and G614's. A few people with shorter units are using LT tires. But they also have derated their unit to the tire as the weak link. Also, Sailun's and G614's are all steel carcass tires. LT are poly steel. In the end, you have to live with your decision.

drjjj · 09-30-2016, 04:25 AM

Just so I am clear-if I go the the G614's and my rims are stamped 80 lbs I will need new rims, correct?

mlh · 09-30-2016, 04:34 AM

Yes if you inflate over 80 pounds you will need the 110 rims, and if you don't you don't need the G614 tires. Both tires will have the same weight carrying capacity at a given PSI if they are the same size.
Lynwood

dieselguy · 09-30-2016, 05:07 AM

I just can't keep it zipped ... all of us don't have mega campers and many of us don't run anywhere near max weight per sticker on fiver. I've run my "weak link ... axle derating Michelins" for several years of thousands of miles of carefree towing. They are infinitely better than the Goodyear Marabomb crap that was OEM. That being said ... the OP has a heavier unit and needs to buy accordingly.

pkbridges77 · 09-30-2016, 07:27 AM

On our 2004 3575RL we had 80psi rims. I had LT tires that were wearing very poorly and after reading all the threads I could find I eventually put the Sailuns on even though they were 110 psi tires. The installer pointed out that even though they were rated for 110, I was well under the max weight and I could run the Sailuns at 80 psi and still be within the weight of the Monte. He showed me the chart and I was satisfied. I ended up running them at 85 and was very satisfied, confident, and never regretted changing to the Sailuns. I had planned on upgrading to 7k axles, 8 lug rims and keep using the Sailuns until the rig developed other issues. Weigh your rig and make your decisions with the data. You may not have to upgrade to use the better tires.

mazboy · 09-30-2016, 08:26 AM

i'd go to a G rated tire even if you don't go with the G614. the saliuns are what the montana is now putting their trailers.

rames14 · 09-30-2016, 04:36 PM

Dieslguy, there is a big difference between the 3400 and a 3150. And, everyone loads different, which is why I recommended weighing the rig. So, if your recommendation is for everyone to use LT tires because you do, I believe it is a disservice. Especially, as mentioned, the cheaper Sailun's tires have greater carrying capacity than the LT's, even at 80 psi. The beauty of this forum is we can agree to disagree. Some of our newer members know nothing about tires, load ratings, differences in tire construction, etc. This sort of discussion helps us all to learn.

JandC · 10-01-2016, 01:53 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by rames14

Dieslguy, there is a big difference between the 3400 and a 3150. And, everyone loads different, which is why I recommended weighing the rig. So, if your recommendation is for everyone to use LT tires because you do, I believe it is a disservice. Especially, as mentioned, the cheaper Sailun's tires have greater carrying capacity than the LT's, even at 80 psi. The beauty of this forum is we can agree to disagree. Some of our newer members know nothing about tires, load ratings, differences in tire construction, etc. This sort of discussion helps us all to learn.

X2. First step is to actually weigh the rig loaded for camping/travel. However, if you want to skip getting your rig weighed like about 90% of RVers do, then just have the Goodyears installed to be safe.

TLightning · 10-03-2016, 11:10 AM

At max weight, LTs can carry the load on a 2007 3400RL. No need for bigger tires or new rims.

Irlpguy · 10-03-2016, 12:48 PM

For the purpose of determining what tire is appropriate/adequate for your 2007 - 3400RL you should weigh the trailer loaded and ready to go, remember you will most likely load more for a long trip than you would for a short weekend/2 week trip.

The max load rating on a Michelin XPS Rib tire for instance is 3042 lbs at max pressure of 80psi, so technically you can carry 12,168 lbs on the two trailer axles. My 2012 - 3402RL loaded and ready for a 3 month trip to Arizona weighs 12,456 lbs. I would not put tires on it that were listed with a lesser weight rating than what my trailer axles actually weighs, but that is me.

I have 7k axles on my 2012, not sure if the 2007 had 6k or 7k axles, however from the factory and verified by the sticker on my trailer my 7k axles were rated at a GAWR of 6750 lbs, that is because the Marathon ST tires it came with de-rated the axles to what the tires could carry.

Many folks on this forum run LT tires and have had great luck with them and it would appear you have as well with the Michelins, if you are comfortable with knowing that they can only carry 12,168 lbs in spite of the possibility your axle weight might be greater than that, then use them again. That is not a recommendation, and I would not do so that is why I have G614's on my 3402.

There is tons of good advise on this forum, however making "any" blanket statement regarding what tire you should use is not in the best interest of those who ask. Best advise I will give you is to get the unit weighed and then decide based on those figures.

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