Michelin XLs

[fisherman]

Ok so lets say I don't want to run the Michelins, but want a tire similiar in size. At least 38" actual measurement tall. What are my tire choices in a radial tire?? Swampers, do they make a radial that tall? Anyone have any other tires they know of that will fit on a stock or 8" wheel??

[LuckyPabst]

You don't have to worry about any service men using XL's in Iraq right now because the government got rid of all these tires because they are all old.

That's why I didn't specify "XL". My point was that I don't think extreme temps and low humidity are to blame for tire failure.

Funny thing is, I had the EXACT SAME problem today with an ooooolllldddd Michelin (XZN ???) 1100-20 on our forklift, that's hella dryrotted. It split radially from the center outward, just like the 3 XLs I've killed. Same deal, bouncing around enough to flex the sidewall real good and it gave out.

I'll get pics of the XLs in a little while but it's nothing exciting.



Chris

[MarknessMonster]

...At least 38" actual measurement tall. What are my tire choices in a radial tire?? ...that will fit on a stock or 8" wheel??

That's precisely why folks use the XL's and XZL's. Unfortunately, no other manufacturer makes a radial that's tall and narrow. The closest is a non-radial 38.5x11.00-16 S.S. Bogger rated at 2815 lbs.

Until another manufacturer makes a strong, tall and skinny tire, I'll buy XL's and XZL's from Michelin as long as I can get them. Even if they are made overseas. Besides, I've seen cracks in tires like Firestone's, Mickey Thompson's and others anyway.

I do have a "stickered" set of XZL's in the back of the barn that I'll have to check for cracks the next time I'm back there. I know there wasn't any when I bought them.

[rpgdeity]

Todd, I don't know if they make all these tires in 38", but here are a couple good tires to look at:

Ground Hawg, 38x15.50R16LT, listed as 21/32 tread depth, 10.3 tread width, 37.56 overal diameter, for a 16x10-12 size rim.

McCreary Super Lug Tires, I know they make a 9.00x16, its only about 36" tall, not sure if they make any other sizes, but the 36" ones are pretty skinny. I have a set of 36" tall ones that will be going on the M-725. A really nice tire, I've been very happy and impressed with it.

Power King Super Traction, again I know they make a 36" tall tire for a 16" rim, not sure on 38" x 16. I have 4 used and 1 brand new 36" tall ones, fairly skinny. Good tire except for the dual solid zig-zag bar down the center makes them awful on the ice. Ran them on the 715 for a while though before I got my XL's, seems to be a pretty good tire.

[CAP]

Do the Michelins have a speed rating?

[Snuffy]

XLs - 62 mph
XZLs - 68 mph

From my understanding, you can still pick them up in Canada.

[LuckyPabst]

The first death - after much rumination I concluded that running low pressure (about 14 psi on this day) caused the sidewall to flex beyond its capacity and crack radially until the tube eventually failed. The extreme damage is from driving very fast with it completely out of air. Before this particular trip, the tire looked just like the 2 following pics. This is from March? I think:



The two that split yesterday - They looked "perfect" beforehand with the typical sidewall cracks near the wheel. I have no idea how much longer I can run these before the tube fails, luckily I have 3 more XLs sitting around:





Just for fun, this is one of the other two tires that didn't split yet. These cracks only become apparent with the sidewall flexed. The rest of the tire looks just fine in this area - this is at 12 psi:



I'm in the same boat - I like the tall skinny tires and that's what keeps me buying the Michelins. If I could get something comparable for size and wear (that didnt' cost a grip), I'd probably give up on the XLs altogether.

Chris

[kwai]

The cause is global warming.

Honestly, I think humidity and altitude play a role in the rate at which the rubber deteriorates. Higher altitudes have more ultraviolet rays that will break down the rubber faster. High temps and low humidity cause the plasticizers in the rubber to evaporate faster. I have seen more ugly, severely rotted tires at dryer, higher elevations in Ca, NM and Co than I have seen in and around texas and oklahoma.

Not much data I know but it's the only real observations I got.

That's my theory and I'm sticking to it. cracks and all.

[LuckyPabst]

But I'm at relatively low elevation, these tires came from Tijuana (who knows where they were before that) and until January of this year, they were stored at sea level on the coast.

[kwai]

Mine came from sandy's eggo tires too. Maybe lower elevation but DV is hot as he!! Is there a manufacture date on those tires. I have never looked at mine.