Michelin XZL tube or tubeless - Horizons Unlimited

**longroadtrip** · #1 4 Mar 2006

Hi,

Please can someone tell me, are Michelin XZL tyres tubed or tubeless? I just dont seem to be able to find out for sure.

Thanx

Rob

**moggy 1968** · #2 6 Mar 2006

if you look on the side wall it should tell you, it also depends what type of rim you have them on as some tubeless tyres have to have tubes on some rims, i.e split rims. My guess is that they are tubed, but thats only based on using michelin XS and XCL which are tubed.

Andy
Toyota H60 Landcruiser
land 101 ambie/camper
1968 morris minor traveller
www.plymouth-dakar.com

**Andrew Baker** · #3 6 Mar 2006

Don't know for sure but I think they are like the XZY - you can run them tubed or tubeless on the appropriate rim. Phone Michelin tech dept (look on website under 'professional usage', then 'truck tyres' for the number. They are very helpful.

Andrew.

**Gipper** · #4 7 Mar 2006

Its a Tubeless tyre, but can be run tubed no problem
Cheers
Grif

**Erik D.** · #5 7 Mar 2006

I've had both XZL and XZY in 7.50x16. Both these types are made to run as tubeless and with tubes (depending on the rims).

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**longroadtrip** · #6 8 Mar 2006

thanks for that guys

rob

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www.longroadtripsouth.com

**Bundubasher** · #7 9 Mar 2006

Yep they can be run tubed or tubeless. I run them tubed as I use split-rims. They do tend to wear quite fast on tar though although the side walls are tough and I've never had an external puncture (just a few internal innertube punctures from my rusty old split rims!).

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Jeremy "Enzo" Elphick-Pooley

http://www.elphick-pooley.co.uk

**surfarirtw** · #8 18 Mar 2006

XZL'S are a great tyre and can be run tubed or tubeless, I've always run mine with tubes as they are easier to repair (poping tubless back on the rim can be a problem in the bush and improvised sidewall repairs are possible with tubes)If you decide to use tubes get heavy duty ones, for my last trip (48000 miles rtw) using 4 tyres with kelber heavy duty tubes and 2 spares with ordinary new tubes. I rotated the tyres at every service, when I ripped one of the spare tubes I replaced it with my one spare heavy duty then continued with 5 heavy duty and 1 ordinary, in total for the trip I had 8 punctures and replaced the ordinary tube twice more but never had a puncture with the heavy duty tubes, work out the statistics yourself!!! What ever you do dont use old tubes unless your ready for lots of repairs (been there done that, on a previous trip).
Mal

**Sjakkelian** · #9 26 Mar 2006

Safarirtw,

In your post you mention the use of heavy duty tubes. Do you have a link to the manufacturer or vendor in europe?

Tnx in advance
Ian
www.overlanding.nl

**moggy 1968** · #10 27 Mar 2006

Quote:

Originally posted by Bundubasher:
Yep they can be run tubed or tubeless. I run them tubed as I use split-rims. They do tend to wear quite fast on tar though although the side walls are tough and I've never had an external puncture (just a few internal innertube punctures from my rusty old split rims!).

Have you got your flaps in! tyre flaps (or bands) are semi rigid rubber rings that fit between the wheel rim and the tube, significantly reducing punctures like the ones you describe

Andy

TLC H60x2
landy 101 Ambie
1968 morris minor traveller
www.plymouth-dakar.com

**Bundubasher** · #11 31 Mar 2006

Yes of course I do, never leave home without them, otherwise you'd have a flat every time you hit the road! Will be buying new tubes soon and will be trying the Firestone/Sameer Africa one's. We're off to Tsavo East for a week and then the coast so will report how they fair.

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Jeremy "Enzo" Elphick-Pooley

http://www.elphick-pooley.co.uk

**Robbert** · #12 31 Mar 2006

If you can, ride them tubeless, andcarry those tubes in your spares kit.

Reading the tread it's clear that it's the tubes that puncture (because of friction with the tyre/rim), not the tyre.

And if your tubeless tyre punctures, there's those repair sets to plug the hole without taking the tyre of the rim. No sweat at all.

;-)

**simon_c** · #13 9 Apr 2006

Hey,

I've just bought 6 tubeless XZLs from Costco (http://www.costco.co.uk/) and I think I got quite a good price for them, £399 including all fitting and balancing, which is £67 a tyre . It's certainly a LOT cheaper then the £100/tyre I was quoted by some other 4x4 outfitters.

So find a mate who is a member or join yourself and save yourself a buck. They also have industrial rachet straps for £10 for 4 and they are really good quality.

Well maybe somebody can get them cheaper but I'm leaving in a week and it was the best I could find. Good luck.

Cheers
Simon

**moggy 1968** · #14 7 May 2006

best supplier of this type of tyre is Vass limited near bedford who do new and nearly new ex military tyres for 40-45 quid
They sold me 4 michelin type continental sand tyres and they were excelent in the sand
if you are using tubes on split rims go for a commercial bent metal valve tube as they are vastly thicker than car tubes.

Andy

**moggy 1968** · #15 7 May 2006

I learned that the hard way, first time I ran tubeless they fitted them without flaps and yes, I had a puncture every time I left home! put me off for years but now for africa travel I would always use tubes. Take a good selection of tubes with you cos in africa they are crap and expensive, if you can get them at all.

QUOTE=Bundubasher]Yes of course I do, never leave home without them, otherwise you'd have a flat every time you hit the road! Will be buying new tubes soon and will be trying the Firestone/Sameer Africa one's. We're off to Tsavo East for a week and then the coast so will report how they fair.

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Jeremy "Enzo" Elphick-Pooley

http://www.elphick-pooley.co.uk[/QUOTE]