Well, last year Michelin G rated were $2703.59 installed.
I just called my local dealer and had them check on Michelins, Continental's, Bridgestones and they tell me that Michelins are NOW $3359 !!! The continental's are about $50 less per tire and they have some Bridgestones that are $2664 installed.....HOWEVER, the Bridgestones ate "used" to the point that they were ordered on a fleet and when arrived, the buyer said they were not the size they ordered...or something to that effect, So, they will sell them to me with a new warranty and he said there is paint in the tread and nipples on the tread. They said there are only the miles on them that transported them from the state they were made in to Michigan...maybe as many as 1000. Also, we don't drive 4000 miles a year and some years we may not drive 3000. They told me the year dates on the tires will be 2011 or very lease, late 2010, but we can pick through to find the newest years.
Not looking for solid what to do advice, Just would like some input about your thoughts?
Big difference in dollars and that is major important this year.
Thoughts?
Carl,
How old are your current tires, and what is their current condition? Any checking on side walls? You may just get by another year if you're not driving that many miles, and you don't overload the coach. Being that you're not a fulltimer, you're likely not overloaded or even close to the 28,000 lbs. rating on your U280.
My tires are 2003, very light checking and about a 1/2" tread...I am going outto measure them now. I was told that the recap place could take them and "x-ray" them to tell me if they would gove me $50 each, but I was told that I could try craigslist and putthem up for $100 ea obo.
If I wait until NEXT year now, they will be that much more, but I don't really want to buy them now if I didn'tneed to. We are planning on a trip from Northern Michigan to Knoxville Tenn in June. I really don't want to worry about them either.
Last year the tire man told me that they really looked good......but then he said, you can drive them until you can stick 1/2 a quarter in them without replacing......not very sound advice to me :(
The 1/2 a quarter in them meant....INTO THE CRACKS ON THE SIDE WALLS !!
I also have 2003 Michelins and will likely run them this year as well...not too many miles, but more important is the loading and tire pressure.
My tires' condition is excellent...parked under roof except when on the road & camping.
We have had these for the 3rd year and have had them covered while we have had them. We don't think they were ever coverd when the other owners had the unit. After measuring the tread they are all right close to 1/2" and some a tiny bit deaper. The outside of them look really really good as for checking.
I believe our load if minimal and I have ran these at 100lbs since having the unit for 3 years.
We haven't had ANY problems with them at all, but now am concerned about what others are saying about the dates etc.
Eight year old tires could be dangerous or they could be just fine. That's the tough part about making this call. If I were to stick with them for another year I would not drive over 50MPH which is really difficult to do. I guess I'd opt for the "new used" tires on the front only. It you have a blowout on the rear, you still have another tire to help you get safely off the road , but you might also have some damage to your coach. It's a tough call, Carl.
The "new used" tires were probably declined by someone who needed load range H, but what was put on their truck was range G. G is fine for your coach.
George, I don't think I've ever drove 50mph, LOL!!
When I replace the tires I'm replacing all 6 at the same time. I don't want to have to gimp off the road and possibly mess anything up from replacing only the fronts. I couldn't pull out the drive thinking that way. I have to believe they would be fine, but I've read too many things on here that makes me question where I'm at right now. My Michelins are currently G rated and have been very good for our travels. I was just wondering what some folks might think about all 6 of the Bridgestone's for the price and quality. I listed mine on CL and added a couple pics. I posted them as available in a couple weeks and asked $100 each. We will see if I get any bites. Even if I got $50 a piece that still brings the price down to $2364, which I like better :)
Go ahead and get the tires and then sell your old ones.
I just got a price from Powers Tire in Nacogdoches and he indicated that on every new order he places the tires are going up Just $49 just in the last 30 days. I reserved 6 for my coach. Now to Wayne at Foretravel for alienment. Powers is going to give me $200 each for the 08 TOYO on the front. If you find a good deal remember if you wait you may lose ast the price is going to continue to go up. Pay now or pay later. DAn STansel U270 99 36 for sale
Dan, I got the price today for what they will charge when the tires come in around two weeks from now. I was SHOCKED when he told me last years $2705 was now $3359....
Carl,
I misunderstood your original post and thought you were trying to avoid spending so much money at one time based on your recent comments about batteries. Because you don't drive day in and day out, if you are going to buy six tires at one time then now seems to be the best time with that great deal for the six tries that were taken off of some other vehicle.
That's what it looks like I'm going to do. I'll get a call when they come in and I will go pick out the newest dates and be done with it. And yes, the moneys flyin, but it's all for things we want.....except for the medical bills :(
Good job you do not live in Canada as you can add at least a thousand more for any tyres. I am glad they where replaced the year before I bought this coach in 2010. While I am at it our Diesel is now $5.58 a gallon (american gallon, not imperial).
As I have mentioned on this board before - I sold tires for many years for truck and off the road applications. I run Michelins -and I overinflate them to keep them cool. I would not be hesitant about the Bridgestones if the dates were 2011 0r second half of 2010
Nice Tim! That also gives me comfort...just curious, would you run the stated tire pressure or increase? And if you would increase, how many pounds over stated on tire? Just curious. and I will certainly be looking for the newest date when the time comes. I was told I could come in a go through all of them until I found what I wanted, so it'sa done deal ya'll :)
Carl,
It would appear that FOT puts tire pressures at the minimum that will carry the rated load of the axle they are installed upon. Under inflation and over inflation both have their negative impacts, but in my years of looking at tires that were damaged, almost all of them could be traced to heat build up caused by under inflation 9or overload, which is just under inflation said in a different manner).
I like to run as high a pressure as I can, without creating more wear in the center of the tread than the edge of the tread. This gives two benefits - first, you have a greater margin of load carring capability, which will reduce heat build up, and second, overinflation will reduce rolling resistance and save fuel. The bad thing about over inflation is that it reduces to some degree your tire footprint, potentially reducing break effectiveness and hydroplaning resistance, plus it results in a harsher ride.
I run 100 lbs in the rears and 110 lbs in the fronts on my 40' single slide U-320 (Michelin tires).
We sold Michelins very early in the US to OTR truckers - it took them years to get used to the different "feel" of the radial tires vs. the old bias plies...
Tim
I would be interested in knowing the model of the Bridgestone tire you may purchase. I am currently evaluating the R-287A in a LRH. for my sons' 98 U270/36.
It would be helpful if everyone would describe the Brand, Tire Model ( i.e. XZA2) , size and load range and maybe date codes when discussing things like tires as unless it is mentioned the discussions don't have much meaning.
I would like to see prices, when discussed be just for the basic tire cost, with no taxes, installation, ect.. charges included to make evaluating prices more helpful. Services and taxes vary widely.
Oil prices are having an impact on the tire industry, it would seem.
I am also wondering what dealers are paying for our used tires. I notice that in the southwest, they REALLY try to avoid the issue unless you hammer on them and even then, apparently depending on cash flow, they will not do much economically for me. Best numbers I have seen so far is $90 or less based on inspection. Which I will do prior to finalizing a deal. What has been the experience of others??
Regards,
Tim, I'm glad to hear someone with professional knowledge say this. I was told by my tire man to run 105 lbs all around. The guys at the FOT shop almost got mad at me when I told them that's the pressure I wanted. They reduced my tires to the factory spec and I drove them that way for a very short time. I could not tell any difference in the ride so I put them back up to around 105.
I noticed you have the fronts at 110. Why more pressure in the fronts than the back tires? Is there a reason to not run the same pressure all around?
Overinflation is inflating the tire to a higher pressure than the tire manufacturer states as the maximum pressure on the small print on the sidewall. If it reads 110 lbs. cold then the tire is designed to operate at that pressure providing good handling, resistance to aquaplaning and stopping without affecting the designed road contact area (footprint). Bus, trucking firms and fire departments would not operate at that pressure if it compromised safety. The side to side "radial feel" is minimized, especially in a thin sidewall tire like a Michelin, with max recommended pressure. Mercedes states on their tire placard, " add 2 to 4 lbs for max. load, add 2 psi for winter tires, add 4 psi for warm tires, add 6 psi for speeds over 100 mph. This would indicate to me that for maximum traction in the wet (read winter) and high speeds where handling and stopping in both wet and dry are a foremost concern, they add pressure. Daimler-Benz was the first company to crash and safety test vehicles long before the D.O.T. got involved. Driving on the German Autobahn, cars are driven at up to 3 times our speed limit in typical inclement northern European weather. After many millions of miles, comprehensive tire data has been used in the design of the modern, high speed all season radial tire. Any of you with a MB product may open the fuel filler cap to view the tire placard.
Pierce & Gaylie
'93 U300/36
The recommended tire pressure listed by any manufacturer is for the best ride.
The recommended tire pressure listed by any tire maker is for longest tire life.
You want best ride or the best tire life ? It is your choice.
I like somewhere in between the psi on the weight/tire inflation chart and the maximum psi listed on the tire. I usually run ten psi over recommended psi on the weight /tire inflation chart.
Look at the load on the axle - divide by the number of tires - the bigger the load per tire, the greater the pressure - rears carry less load per tire - I am looking at the margin of safety above minimum inflation
Is everyone aware of the procedure of weighing your coach and then using the manufacturers "load tables" to appropriately pressurize your tires?
Many owners have no idea what their coach actually weighs and therefore they overload the coach and the tire capacities.
Many can not believe the weight slip, after they weigh.
FWIW,
Regards,
Its about time to get crazy on this tire pressure subject, don't you think?
Maybe 100 psi is too much, and 99 is too little, well there you go, 99.5 psi.
One of the guys asked me once why I laugh so much, I said due to the humor, they could not see any humor ;D Found out later he was correct, no humor at all :(
It's Better to be 5 to 10 lbs over inflated rather than 5 to 10 lbs under inflated.....Your coach will actually track and steer better (turn easier) when the front steer tires are slightly over inflated... Most older coaches are overloaded or at capacity when traveling, if they don't have a tag axle. :-*
Doesn't everyone have a copy of Michelin's RV tire guide www.michelinrvtires.com/assets/pdf/RV_Brochure_June2009.pdf (http://www.michelinrvtires.com/assets/pdf/RV_Brochure_June2009.pdf) in their maintenance files? It is very clear on evaluating tire condition, life, pressures, loading, etc.
Thanks Amos: I just printed the info out and it wil be very helpful. DAn Stansel 36-U270-99 for sale
I don't carry that guide, but I do carry the page from the Michelin web site for the tires on my coach. I also have three weight tickets, one with ALL tanks full, and two collected at "traveling weight" after filling with diesel fuel during trips.
On the coldest day I encounter, whether at home or traveling, I check the tires and set them to the recommended pressure from the chart that is just above the maximum axle weight I expect based on the weight tickets. As ambient temperatures rise, the "cold" pressure will rise 1-2 psi for every 10F increase in ambient temperature. I don't normally release any air to lower the "cold" pressure after temperatures rise. I expect to have to add air next fall or winter do to falling temperatures and the normal leakage of some air through the rubber.
After setting the appropriate minimum , I periodically check the pressure to verify that all the tires are "tracking" each other, i.e., no tire is losing air due to an abnormal condition. I also check tires by "bumping" them, and checking them with an infrared sensing thermometer at almost every rest stop. I figure I will be at a "safe" pressure for any conditions and be using a pressure appropriate for safety, comfort, and performance.
It appears that participants here are trying to be safe and learn. That's cool!
Having the Pressure Pro system, I found the tire pressures do raise more than I expected from stone cold to hours on the road, have not had this system in the heat of the summer yet, but so far have seen pressures raise 10 psi while driving, I keep the cold pressure at 110 front, 105 on drive. Learning is an experience.
Pressures will rise whenever the temperature of the gases (air) in the tire rise. Boyle's law describes the the relationship among volume, pressure, and temperature. TPMS gives readings as while you are driving the demonstrate the changes.
In a static situation (parked), I can measure pressure differences between the sunny side of the coach and the shady side. The pressures are the same before the sun illuminates one side. During a rest stop on a very windy day, I could measure higher surface temperatures (implying higher pressures) on the downwind side of the coach even though the sunny side was on the upwind side. I inferred the extra loading from the wind pushing the coach to one side loaded the tires more, causing more heat and higher pressure. Tire pressure is dynamic when the coach is in motion. Setting the pressures while "cold" and stationary provides good conditions for consistent, appropriate measurements.
Just as information, I had a CrossFire assembly installed on each set of duals a couple of days ago in Oklahoma City. While there, I asked approx. what the cost is for a new set of tires. He said figure $4000 for BF Goodrich and close to $5000 for Michelins. Those are the two brands of truck tires they sell. He said he knew the price of the BF Goodrich as they had just installed a new set on a coach that day. (In fact, the coach, a Foretravel GrandVilla was backing out just after I pulled into their lot.)
Morris, I bought my coach tires from T&W Tires, 25 N. Council in OKC. This was 2009/2010 but BFG's were under $3,000. You may wish to give them a call.
I am currently pricing tires in the Tucson area for my son's 98 U270
As we use our tires off road quite a bit I have been using the Michelin XZA3 275/80R22.5 LRH
Due to lack of availability (2 months) of that tire I researched other brand with similar quality and have gotten a quote from a couple of places. I will share all of them when time permits.
I have not gotten a good quote yet on Goodyear (prices seem to be much higher so far) G399 and G395
I am now looking at the Bridgestone R-287A in a 295/70R22.5 LRH as it compares favorably with the XZA3
Tire: $584.00
FET: $34.59
Scrap fee: 9.99
Balance Fee:24.99
Sales tax: 7.7%
Recycle fee: 2.00
He has not yet seen my casings or committed to a price for them.
The total of the above for six tires is 4327.20 :o
Is anyone using the above tire?
Comments on the different size charateristics? 275/80 v/s 295/75
Biggest problem so far is that everyone wants to sell what they have in stock regardless of what you want installed. They all seem to be selling based on price rather than the quality of the tire for the job. I've been offered a heck of a deal on Chinese Hankook but, I don't think I want to go there..
More quotes later....
Regards,
I will definitely do that... Thanks very much Kent. From what I have read, it appears the truck tires are really going up right now.
We put Michelin XZA-1+ 275/80R22.5 LRG on a 1997 U295 about a year ago. Total price installed was about $3,162. According to Michelin charts, the tire is adequate for weights up to the maximum safe axle weights for the coach. We normally operate at about 1,300# below front GAWR and 1,600# below rear GAWR with full fuel, full fresh water, us, and our stuff. We bought the tires from Herman Power in NAC.
Jon,
Hankook is a quality Korean tire company.
Have always had good work done at the Herman Power Tire in Nac 936 564 8751
Not cheap, I do not want cheap, I prefer quality. The two do not run together.
Remember you get what you pay for. If your lucky ;D
Hi Jon,
We have had Toyo (made in Japan) tires for just over a year now and really like them. But, with 8 air bags and Koni FSD, I think I would not notice much difference in any brand of tire.
Anyway, we are using M154 in Load Range H.
They are substantially lower in price than Michelin. And when one tire turned up with a chunk of tread missing about the size of half a golf ball, Les Schawab gave us a new replacement tire under the Toyo warranty about 4 months after the sale date.
Just got 6 tires for U295 40 ft at Powers on the 20th. He installed 275/80R22.5 H Mich XZE
$536.10 each
mount $25.00
Balance $25.00
Trade in of old front (yr 08) TOYO tires (2) rear tires were too old for trade (01 and 02)
minus $400.00
Sales tax $232.37
Drive out $3348.97
I think Powers in Nacogdoches is very fair on their pricing. He had the tires on order for three weeks and they are 02/11 dates. He indicated the Michelins are getting harder to get and the price keeps going up.
Dan Stansel U295 40 02 and U270 99 36 for sell
I stand corrected. Not a brand that I am familiar with or expect to be.
Regards,
Jon Twork
Check into Loves truckstops,most of them deal in tires. I was surprised the prices were reasonable and will deal when you buy more than one at a time,also may buy your old casings if good. BFG tires were a good buy.
They have a good reputation and a good following. The local Hankook
distributor here is high priced. Can get Goodyears at the same price as he wants for the Hankooks ?????
Today's Michelin Tire Purchase
6 275/80R22.5 XZA3 LRH @$597.36 =$3584.16
6 Federal Excise Tax $34.59 per tire =$207.54
Labor mount/dismount/balancing/EQUAL
Valve stems (6), Tire Diposal, =$462.00
Shop materials, Arizona Waste tire fee =$37.20
Arizona State Sales Tax .09+ =$352.25
Grand total for all of the above.................=$4643.15
The price of the tire went from 575.13 to 597.36 in just 18 days.
I sure hope the rest of you don't need tires anytime soon........
Regards,
someone once said that we should list brand, size, price etc so there was a good comparisson.
Ok, just 2 hours ago, installed 6 Bridgestone 295/75R 22.5 R280 @$400 each + $120 mount dismount etc. $2520 + tax. They quoted $2664 and that's what I paid out the door. The DOT dates is 0911 so they are less than 4 months old. Sold 5 minutes ago, my old Michelin for $100 each for a total of $600. Final price for my new tires $2064 and I am a happy camper :)
An added bonus, the tires are R280, the coach is U-280 :)
Carl,
Great info. Thanks. How old were your old tires?
Seems tire prices are going north on a weekly basic.
My old ones were 2003.
Well, I thought I knew what the DOT date meant -- the month and year of manufacture. If that is correct then your tires are due for manufacture four months from now. Can I assume that you meant 0111? If not, what am I misunderstanding about DOT date?
Paul,
The last for digits of the DOT... number which is molded into one sidewall of each tire indicates the WEEK and YEAR of production.
Brett
good for you! Great pricing! What load range?
Dave, I had G rated on the coach when we bought it and felt real good with them, course I didn't have anything to compare with. The tires that came with this deal were in fact G rated as well. At $344 per tire complete for new tires and a good brand, I'm really happy :)
Carl,
The weight of your coach should easily fall within the acceptable load limits for load range G tires. Sounds like a great deal to me.
I took our coach in to Loves Tire Center today to have our tires checked out. The front tires look GREAT, but as it turned out are 1999 vintage tires. They are Michelin Load Range G (14 ply) tires.
The duals look GREAT and are Good Year 16 ply tires (Load Range H) and we thought they are 1999 vintage tires as well. The date codes were mounted on the inside of the tires and were difficult to see, but the code ended in a 9.
I thought I will have to replace them in the not too distant future if I don't replace them today. So I told them to install 6 new BF Goodrich 275/80R22.5 ST244 tires. The pricing was:
$369.99 per tire + FET $25.23 per tire.
Mount/dismount $28.99 per tire.
Valve Stems $7.00 per tire.
Credit of $60.00 per tire.
In addition, I purchased 2 sets of Centramatic units, one set for the front wheels and one set for the rear wheels. $169.99 per set.
They first took the left front wheel off. I checked the hub oil and the level looked to be right on the full line. (When they took the right front wheel off, I checked the hub oil and the level looked to be right on the full line also. So both front hubs look to be full.)
Then they took off the right rear wheels. After they removed the old tires from the wheels, I was looking at what I thought was the date code on the tires and did not see the horizontal triangle (I>) to indicate the tire was a 1999 tire. So I asked the supervisor if it truly is a 1999 tire or a different year as i did not see the horizontal triangle that indicates a 1999 year code. He went over and looked at it very closely and very surprised said, these tires are 2009 year code tires, not 1999 year code tires....He was VERY apologetic and asked me if I wanted them to put my original dual tires back on. I said that they are virtually new tires, so I thought I would not replace them right now. So bottom line was, I only purchased 2 new tires + the Centramatic units ($1183.92) instead of 6 new ties + the Centramatic units ($2814.85).
So our coach did have 2 each 1999 14 ply Michelin tires on the front and 4 each 2009 16 ply Good Year tires on the rear. I was surprised that 4 each 2009 (45th week of 2009) 16 ply tires were purchased for the rear tires and 2 each 1999 14 ply tires were left on the front.
just bought 6 g rated michelins in gadsden alabama from a reputable dealer liquidating his sizeable inventory foor 480 per mounted---comeback if you wnat more info---
Why so secretive?
Just joined, first post. You aren't associated with said dealer are you? That would be in violation of your user agreement....Just want to make sure as we try to run a tight ship ;)
no connection--just met the owner a few years ago at a motorcade rally and was impressed with his knowledge--the dealer is a & g tire service and # is 256/4920350 or 256/295-8270--owner is mr. horton
Please accept my humble apologies for being suspicious - we just try to protect the membership from unauthorized solicitation and I erred on the side of caution.
And thank you for sharing the dealer contact info!
Michelle