Michelin Cross-Climate 2 - Probably the best T6 tyre in the world?

[jdo]

@Carbon13 - Your first para above makes me wonder why you would ever bother going back to the Hanlooks if the Cross Climates are so good. Speaking personally, I found the Hankooks to be irredeemably bad when I had 16" wheels and just couldn't wait to be rid of them!

On your second para, I seem to recall that the reason we all rode 23s at the time was that the science told everybody that the narrower the tyre, the less drag and more aerodynamic it was - until, that it, the science was found to be wrong and we now all know that you can go big (within reason) without losing the other benefits.

@Ayjay @Carbon13 I'm similarly interested in the reason for putting Hankooks on in the summer. Some reports the CC's handling is a bit "squishy" in hotter weather? I was planning on having them on all year round.

Yeah, we were all told narrow and max pressure was fast because it felt fast as we rattled along the road! Had some 20's (possibly 18's) years ago but my aging bones are very glad of the current trend for bigger volume tyres and lower pressures which we are now told is also faster (to a degree, depending on tyre rim interface etc.)

 

[Carbon13]

@Ayjay @Carbon13 I'm similarly interested in the reason for putting Hankooks on in the summer. Some reports the CC's handling is a bit "squishy" in hotter weather? I was planning on having them on all year round.

Yeah, we were all told narrow and max pressure was fast because it felt fast as we rattled along the road! Had some 20's (possibly 18's) years ago but my aging bones are very glad of the current trend for bigger volume tyres and lower pressures which we are now told is also faster (to a degree, depending on tyre rim interface etc.)

The T6 in winter is just a campervan with a few added weeks in Europe touring for sun and cycling, in summer it tows a caravan in the UK, the CCs aren't great when the weather gets above 25, they get a bit squishy and with a caravan on the back they are no good at all. The Hankooks ( correct spelling this time ) are stiff as a board with a greater load rating and perfect for towing.

 

[dxbajf]

Evening folks. Bit of a post hijack (and aware it’s an old post so apologies in advance if I’ve done the wrong thing)

So just got the t6.1 (2020 42k miles) in the local dealer for service. Just had a call back saying all
4 tyres are worn in areas down to the cords and have cuts on walls as well. These are Michelin Cross Climate 2 - 235 55 17 on standard alloys. Here’s the rub - I put these on in early April 2023 and have done around 11k miles.
They were great on the snow when needed in alps But surely these should last longer. Anyone any ideas if this is any of the following ?
Not suitable for the t32?
Manufacturer flaw?
Standard wear and tear on a van for this tyre ?
Crappy UK roads and potholes?

Apologies for kicking off an old thread but seemed there were some cross climate officianados here on this chat….

Massive Thanks in advance for any thoughts

 

[Sasquatch]

Tyres last as long as they last. There are so many variables involved it's meaningless to say tyres should last for  xyz mileage.

Do you not eyeball your tyres regularly for wear or damage? It's a bit worrying that it takes a garage to tell you they're down to the carcass.

 

[dxbajf]

Tyres last as long as they last. There are so many variables involved it's meaningless to say tyres should last for  xyz mileage.

Do you not eyeball your tyres regularly for wear or damage? It's a bit worrying that it takes a garage to tell you they're down to the carcass.

Yeah funnily I did think that and do eye ball them often when checking pressure etc however notable this damage done on the inner shoulder / inner wall. Also i guess i was sort of expecting the tyres to last more than 18 months.

 

[ginkster]

Agree with Sasquatch.

Have you been checking the pressures are correct? When was the alignment last checked? Is the van lowered/raised (this affects alignment)? What sort of driving do you do? All with have an impact on the mileage you get from the tyres. 11k is not terrible but could be better, but only if your usage is such that that is achievable.

If they are 103 rated they are suitable for a T32.

 

[dxbajf]

Agree with Sasquatch.

Have you been checking the pressures are correct? When was the alignment last checked? Is the van lowered/raised (this affects alignment)? What sort of driving do you do? All with have an impact on the mileage you get from the tyres. 11k is not terrible but could be better, but only if your usage is such that that is achievable.

If they are 103 rated they are suitable for a T32.

Thanks Ginkster. Yep - pressures been fine and correct. Standard van no adjustments apart from a slightly wider tyre than stock (235 v 215). Local driving on an and b roads and then 2 trips to the alps. The other thing that is worrying me slightly is we live on bridle track and am worrying the loose stone / bumps are causing damage

 

[Bav]

Get your van in for a 4-wheel laser alignment.

 

[dxbajf]

Thanks Bav. Does seem like alignment or tracking is pretty screwed.

….next job try and find another tyre. Thinking going for CC for 2 weeks of potential snow may not be the best option when I have snow socks anyway. Thanks for help everyone

 

[BognorMotors]

We are in Sussex if you want your alignment done correctly, and also being a Black Circles dealer out tyre prices are very keen too.

 

[Micktheplasterer]

Thanks Ginkster. Yep - pressures been fine and correct. Standard van no adjustments apart from a slightly wider tyre than stock (235 v 215). Local driving on an and b roads and then 2 trips to the alps. The other thing that is worrying me slightly is we live on bridle track and am worrying the loose stone / bumps are causing damage

Say you live down a bridle track, is it humped in the centre? Think you could possibly be running the inside shoulders off the hump to dodge potholes perhaps. Just a thought, you will know how the track is.

 

[dxbajf]

Thanks Oli. Looking at the forum and your views I think may head Goodyear f1. Need tyre for Sussex roads (you know what it’s like around chi/bognor/up to haslmere etc). But also possibly ok to alps and south of France. Think I’ve over engineered it with the Michelins

Say you live down a bridle track, is it humped in the centre? Think you could possibly be running the inside shoulders off the hump to dodge potholes perhaps. Just a thought, you will know how the track is.

Yep mick. It’s slightly centre cambered and shockingly MOT aggregate - esp in winter. It’s only a few hundred meters but 2 or 4 times a day maybe taking its toll.

 

[Micktheplasterer]

Yep mick. It’s slightly centre cambered and shockingly MOT aggregate - esp in winter. It’s only a few hundred meters but 2 or 4 times a day maybe taking its toll.

I’d say that’s where the damage is being done. I’ve cross climates on the crafter, been brilliant tyres. 15k in and still plenty of life. That’s the work bus to so goes down some bumpy lanes and on sites.

 

[Jay-D]

Thinking of putting these on next year. Been looking at sizes, van is currently on 255/45/r18 (never heard of the brand summer tyre) but seen other posts about running 235/55/r18 which fill the arches a bit more, come in a 104 load rating and are quite a bit cheaper. Wheel is 8.5 so width should be fine and willtheyfit show a -4% speedo reading, which isn’t terrible. But no doubt next week I’ll change my mind and go for a more dedicated road tyre, or go the complete opposite and raise it it up, stick 17s and an AT tyre……….decisions decisions

 

[DaveD]

Just had a call back saying all
4 tyres are worn in areas down to the cords and have cuts on walls as well.

I'd want to physically see those tyres myself, I've been told things like that before by unscrupulous traders when it was B.S.

 

[dxbajf]

I'd want to physically see those tyres myself, I've been told things like that before by unscrupulous traders when it was B.S.

Thanks. Am back in this am so will see them before they do anything. Not picked a new tyre yet so they won’t have changed.

 

[Scruffy]

I currently have CC2's on my T32 and I will be going back to the Vredestiens All seasons when these wear out ( which looks like quite soon ). I have not been impressed at all by them.

 

[Ayjay]

@Scruffy. Wear, grip or things in general?

 

[Scruffy]

Wear, and very poor performance in snow in comparison to other brands I’ve used on cars and vans. For me , the just don’t deserve the hype.

 

[Sasquatch]

I always prefeHankook Kinergy 4S2's but never tried them on a Tranporter. Certainly on my old XC90 and Mrs S's V70 they were better in pretty much every regard than CC's but others experiences my be different.