Posted by Charlie on August 28, 1999 at 23:32:05:
In Reply to: Tires for a M-37/M-43 posted by Mark M. on August 28, 1999 at 07:55:22:
I've driven about 450,000 miles in various vehicles from BJ40 Landcruisers to M37s to 11,000 lb Ford F350s on Michelin truck tires. I've never had a tire failure. I have had about half a dozen slow leaks (over days or weeks) due to punctures with nails or railroad spikes. "Weak sidewalls"? Compared to what? Compared to bias ply heavy truck tires like 12.00-20s or 9.00-16s, maybe. But check the thickness of the sidewall rubber in an 11.00R16 or a 9.00R16. It's at least as thick as a 9.00-16 ND. I don't know how strong one steel ply is compared to 4-8 nylon plies. I've never ripped out a sidewall, and I like to drive fast on gravel roads: when I drive the Dalton Hwy. (North Slope haul rd.) I go 55-65 in my F350 on 11.00R16 XLs. Compare Michelin truck tire sidewalls to trash tires like BFG Mud Terrains; thin rubber, 2-3 plies of weak polyester. No comparison. Unfortunately, I believe Buckshot Mudders are polyester. The only non-Michelin radials I'll use are Swampers, which are nylon sidewalls and fairly thick rubber. Mainly because Michelin doesn't have anything between 32" (7.50R16 and 235/85R16) and 36" (9.00R16). 8.25R16s (34") exist but are impossible to find. My Landcruisers like 32.2"-34".
Anyway, don't draw conclusions about Michelin's military tires from peoples' experiences with car tires. The entire US Army is switching over to Michelin for tactical vehicles. I think for good cause.
Charlie