Isata 3 Tires

2guppies · 10-08-2019, 03:41 PM

This newbie has a question about replacing tires. We noticed excessive wear on the outside tread of front tires on our 2019 Isata 3 FW. Driver’s side is almost bald and passenger side is not quite as bad. Mercedes said coach is out of alignment, which apparently is not uncommon when delivered. We’re obviously getting it aligned, but also now needing to buy new tires. We have 27,000 miles on the Continentals that came on the new coach. The four rear tires appear to be in good shape. So...is it necessary to replace ALL six tires now, or is it okay to replace just the front two? All of the threads I’ve found tend to speak about age of tires vs miles. I guess we’re one of few who use our coach quite a bit. Thanks in advance for any advice.

milkman55 · 10-08-2019, 03:58 PM

You can replace just the two steer tires on the front. I have been thinking about new tires at some point. You can replace with the Continental Vanco OEM or try something else. I think a few have gone with Michelin.

You have definitely been doing some driving to put 27k on a 2019. We just have 16k on our 2017.

2guppies · 10-08-2019, 04:14 PM

Thanks milkman55. My husband was looking at getting Michelin, which we have on our cars.

We’ve done three cross-country trips since we took delivery on August 1, 2018. The few issues that came up pale in comparison to how well this coach has performed.

milkman55 · 10-08-2019, 04:19 PM

Look for these. They are exact OEM replacement. Kind of hard to find. Discount Tires shows they had some of you have them near you.

MICHELIN
AGILIS CROSSCLIMATE
LT215 /85 R16 115R E1 BSW

2guppies · 10-08-2019, 04:24 PM

Those are the ones he wants. We’ve got a call into a truck tire shop that’s part of the FMCA Michelin Advantage Program for a quote. We’ll also contact a nearby America’s Tires (same as Discount Tires I believe).

TowPro · 10-08-2019, 04:24 PM

there is several ways to look at this.

option a:
Keep rotating all your tires all the time.
(only works if done from beginning)

Option b:
Some people never rotate dually tires, they just keep throwing front tires at it.

Option B:
replace the 4 rear tires with better tires, then move 2 of the old rear ones on front, now you are left with the other 2 old rear tires for when next set of front wear out.

2guppies · 10-08-2019, 04:35 PM

Thanks TowPro. We were hoping for a little better ride with Michelin’s, at least on the front.

FFred · 10-09-2019, 05:28 AM

When choosing a shop to do the wheel alignment , be ure to find a place that does 4 wheel alignment.

Bill Davis · 10-09-2019, 07:37 AM

I replaced the front tires on mine with the Michelin Agilis Cross Climate at 30,000miles. They were not worn out but I was looking for a better ride. The improvement was significant enough that I went ahead and replaced the rear tires as well. Also I weighed the coach on a Cat scale and adjusted the tire pressures according to the Michelin pressure chart.

2guppies · 10-09-2019, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Davis

I replaced the front tires on mine with the Michelin Agilis Cross Climate at 30,000miles. They were not worn out but I was looking for a better ride. The improvement was significant enough that I went ahead and replaced the rear tires as well. Also I weighed the coach on a Cat scale and adjusted the tire pressures according to the Michelin pressure chart.

Good to know. Thanks. While the coach has handled well, the ride is a bit jarring and loud on some of the disgraceful roads in the US, so we’re hoping new Michelins will help. Given the comments from folks here, I think we’re going to get two new on the front now and then the other four later - maybe in February when there is sometimes a sale locally for buy two/get two.

chroniekon · 10-09-2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFred

When choosing a shop to do the wheel alignment , be ure to find a place that does 4 wheel alignment.

I'm curious why to pay extra for a 4 wheel alignment when there are no adjustments on the rear axle?

Dbrote · 10-09-2019, 11:21 AM

We took ours to Smothers Mercedes in Santa Rosa and they installed adjustable camber bolts. We had the same bad wear as yours. We rotated the front tires to the inside rear and put the better rears on the front then Mercedes did the special alignment. They said they see this wear often. Now the rig drives much better.
Still have hard Contentals though. Will replace with Michelin’s this coming spring.

2guppies · 10-09-2019, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbrote

We took ours to Smothers Mercedes in Santa Rosa and they installed adjustable camber bolts. We had the same bad wear as yours. We rotated the front tires to the inside rear and put the better rears on the front then Mercedes did the special alignment. They said they see this wear often. Now the rig drives much better.
Still have hard Contentals though. Will replace with Michelin’s this coming spring.

Nice! We’re having the alignment done at Mercedes in Sacramento. Our closest Mercedes dealer in Rocklin can’t do it yet, but said their sister dealership In Sacramento can. They also said the adjustable camber bolts will almost certainly have to be installed. I’m glad to hear that you found even that improves the ride.

TowPro · 10-09-2019, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbrote

We took ours to Smothers Mercedes in Santa Rosa and they installed adjustable camber bolts. We had the same bad wear as yours. We rotated the front tires to the inside rear and put the better rears on the front then Mercedes did the special alignment. They said they see this wear often. Now the rig drives much better.
Still have hard Contentals though. Will replace with Michelin’s this coming spring.

does Mercedes do these camber bolts under warranty?

Dbrote · 10-09-2019, 03:58 PM

I don’t think so. They are needed to correct the camber due to the weight of the motor home. We are all running at or just above maximum weight. It cost me about $350.00 but well worth it. As stated above not every Mercedes dealer can do it.

FFred · 10-10-2019, 06:42 AM

"I'm curious why to pay extra for a 4 wheel alignment when there are no adjustments on the rear axle"

The rear wheels are only used to be sure the front wheels are pointing to the vehicle front and centered.

Some shops do not have machines that can make this check,they just hope the front is straight.

Bill Davis · 10-10-2019, 08:03 AM

Very few modern alignment machines will do a two wheel alignment. They use the rear sensors to make sure the vehicle is tracking straight and to help with aligning the steering wheel.

2guppies · 10-10-2019, 11:31 AM

Thank you all for the good information. We’re getting two new front Michelin’s now, with Mercedes doing the alignment right after (including camber bolts that are not covered under warranty). We’ll get the four rear tires replaced in a few months since the ones on there are still in great shape. Again, thanks so much. Always impressed with the depth of knowledge and willingness to help by folks on this forum. ��

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