Good morning, all,
I am going to get 6 new 275/80R22.5 XZA3+evertread for my 1999 U320, 40' motorhome. My old tires are at least 7 years old and I don't want to risk problems. Question. Where do the installers put the jacks to raise the front and the rear? There must be a special place so that nothing is touched that shouldn't be touched but I thought I'd ask so I have the correct information. Thanks for your help. We just came back to Salina, KS from Mesa, AZ via the South rim of the Grand Canyon. Stayed in Williams at the Railway RV park and had a great time. I40 was good coming back except for some rough road in New Mexico and really rough road coming in to Oklahoma City. I35 north of OK City was very good. Thanks again for the lifting information.
Richard Anderson
1999 U320, 40'
Axles is where I've always seen. They know where to put them and they are the same axles as a semi tractor.
I just called around and In Central FL TCI tires (a national chain) has 30-40 XZA 3+ 275/80 LRH in stock - the first thing they asked me was if I belonged to FMCA. Their price $521.00 plus FET, mount/bal etc. I was stunned. The other place I called quoted me $639.00. I triple checked that it was for a LRH!
I will receive the same $521 price when they are installed. The retail I saw at the dealer was $655. I think that is a good savings.
Richard Anderson
1999 U320, 40'
Just got my invoice on 9R-22.5 XZE were $ 395 each, to which I paid the mounting, and stems to the dealer.
Be sure your dealer has the tires in stock, or gets them from the Michelin directly, so the dealer can do the paperwork correctly. BTDT!
Dave,
Many of us with 9R22.5 as the OE tire have upgraded to the Michelin 255/80R22.5. No fit issues with the stock 6.75 wheels.
Brett
The March issue of FMCA magazine published a letter quite complimentary of the Lancaster, TX TCI Tire location for the Michelin Advantage Program as well. Apparently one of the assistant managers there is a former fulltime RVer and the location is quite familiar with the program and RVs.
Michelle
BTW...TCI, depending on the particular store, is either partially or wholly owned by Michelin. I know that the Cincinnati location is wholly owned by Michelin and that's the only brand tire they stock.
Does anyone know if Herman Power Tire Co. in Nacogdoches will honor and work with the FMCA Michelin Advantage Program? The quote I have from another source is more than $700/tire for all tax, mounting, etc.
Don, yes, we got the FMCA tire deal at Herman Power Tire last month. But you need to have them order your tires from Michelin direct, shipped once a week to Nacogdoches. They worked with me to make the program work. I paid Power Tire for the mounting, stems and tax on that part, FMCA takes your credit card and charges for the tires.
Has anyone purchased tires in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area using the FMCA program? We're needing a backup option.
We are "underwhelmed" with our in-person experience requesting tires at the TCI in Denton. Asked for a oldest date code of 0812 and were assured "oh, all our tires are manufactured this year" ::) . Tires were supposed to be in today; no call (and they didn't take anything more than name/number - no notation of tire specs, quantity, etc.). If the tires do show up, we will personally check every date code.
Had we noticed we would need to be be buying tires this spring we would have bought them at Herman Power Tire in Nac a couple of weeks ago. We thought we could get a 6th year out of them, but noticed some sidewall checking while in Kerrville :-(
Michelle
Michelin has a checking chart that to my surprise, shows most side wall fine cracks are ok.
Basically, if you can get your fingernail in the crack, they are BAD. But, be aware that tires have other issues than just sidewall cracking. If over 5 years old, they should be inspected by a tire professional.
This is probably old news to most but I found the following document from Michelin on RV Tires:
http://www.michelinrvtires.com/assets/pdf/RV_Brochure_June2009.pdf (http://www.michelinrvtires.com/assets/pdf/RV_Brochure_June2009.pdf)
For the most current Michelin RV Recommendations, go to Michelin North America RV Reference Materials Page (http://www.michelinrvtires.com/michelinrv/toolbox/reference-material.jsp)
Click on: "RV Tire Guide"
Brett
Thanks Brett. Your reference has the newer tires like the XZA 3+ mentioned earlier.
Steve and I are now talking about heading back to Nac for our tires because of our past good experience with Herman Power Tire. Good to know that if we do so, we should work out the FMCA program details ahead of time to give them time to get tires in from Michelin if needed.
Michelle
On May 4, we had Herman Powers replace our 7 year old Goodyear's with 6 Michelins ZXA3s. Final cost was $3939 with the FMCA discount. Powers billed us separately for the install/balance because their costs were less than the FMCA allowance. I was not real happy with the actual installation process. The week before, Frank had marked my name and 'sold' on 6 tires. The tires were stacked and the one date we read was 0812. On the day of the install, the two tires in my pile, had another customer's name on it and had dates of 1312. Once the tires were balanced in the shop, they were rolled out to a concrete parking area where I was directed to park. (I forgot to tell them what pressure I wanted so they inflated all six to 100 pounds). A young, unhappy kid/man did the replacement in the parking lot using a mobile service truck for air. He busted two of my lug nut covers. Herman Powers did not offer to replace them. The kid directed me to a truck stop south of Nac. The next day, I discovered that he had lost two of my metal valve stem covers. When I reported that to Herman Powers, they immediately found two new ones. I looked at the inside of my 7 year old tires and they looked fine to my untrained eyed. I asked Frank if he ever had a customer that wanted his 5-7 year old tires dismounted and inspected to determine if they were OK to continue to use. He said no, they just replace them. Frank then at my request, inspected my old tires and said that they were in great condition!
When I returned to FOT, I found at least one of my tires had a date of 0412.
Bob
2000 40 ft U270 CAI
I gather that as the FMCA does not do the tire program here in Canada I am going to have to do a small trip over the border as I just noticed a vertical crack on one of my front tires. The side wall is ever so slightly bulging around the crack and it is a shame as there are no sidewall rotational cracks at all.
I will get an opinion from a store here but I know they are going to say it has to go!!
So, what do you do, call a tire shop that handles Michelin and see if they will do it under this program or ???
I guess I go with the 275/80R22.5 XZA3+ as I have the XZA3 on now. I may just do the front-we will see. Where do you find the load range on the tire. These are also 6 yr old so getting close.
John,
Why not call FMCA and ask if Canada is included? If you're an FMCA member I don't see why FMCA would not honor the pricing from a Canadian dealer (exchange rate taken into consideration). Can't hurt to ask.
Peter
John,
The instructions for using the FMCA program are here (you might need to be logged into FMCA's site)
Michelin Advantage program - instructions (http://www.fmca.com/join-family-motor-coach-association/member-benefits/fmca-connections/3448)
(ETA there seems to be something erroring out on FMCA's site tonight, so you may need to try again tomorrow)The process involves registering a credit card with Michelin for the actual tire purchase.
In my research I learned that the XZA3+ replaced the XZA3 last summer. Michelin is still listing the XZA3 on their website, but that's likely because there is still stock at some locations (it will likely have older date codes so, yes, XZA3+ is the "latest and greatest" long haul tire).
I think the load range is imprinted on the tires. It might say "LRH" or "LRG"; I don't recall the exact labeling. If you have the weights of your coach as loaded for a trip that will tell you what load range you need. You'll need to check your loaded weights against the Michelin load and pressure charts. Some have found "G" to be a little low on the capacity given their coach weights. We have margin but are going "H" all around.
I will be stopping at another TCI location (Ft. Worth) tomorrow afternoon to see if we get "warmer fuzzies" from them on getting tires for our coach close to home. We weren't aware of this other nearby TCI location and "googling" them they are clearly a MUCH larger facility than the one in Denton so I'm hopeful.
Michelle
Thanks Michelle and Peter. Yes Peter that would be good if they do and also take into acct our exchange rate as we are again above par with your dollar :P ;D
John H
Yesterday replaced the 8 years old rear tires (Michelins) with 4 new Michelin XZA3+ load range "H" that are 5 weeks old through the Michelin Advantage Program. Process was painless.
Had the work done at Pete's Tire Service in Fullerton. They have other shops in California also.
Their list price was $607.xx and through Michelin I paid $521.00 per tire, plus F.E.T., state tax and installation. Happy with the service at Pete's and the discount price.
Now all 6 tires match.
Jon,
This recommendation came at a good time. Someone at the rally pointed out that my tires were were getting tread worn. I thought I had just bought these 3 - 4 years ago. I had to look up my receipt and found I had 72,000 miles on them bought in 1/2006. I made an appt with Petes to get them replaced.
I've had both the worst and best tire experiences with TCI. The worst was in Tucson where shoddy work and shady practices seemed to be the norm. 100% difference at
TCI in Oklahoma City. Courteous, looked at a tire with a bulge, said "well, we're supposed to break em down and inspect em but that ain't right. Let me put on a new tire, fully warrantied." When they were wrapping up the installer pulled out the biggest torque wrench I've ever seen, looked up my rims in his chart and torqued em right. No asking him to torque em, just part of a job done right.
Recommended.
Six 275/80R22.5 XZA3+ LRH were installed on Tuesday the 19th, purchased through the FMCA program, on our 2000 U320. Herman Power in Nacogdoches was the dealer. He invoiced the installation, balancing and new valve stems separately. It was the only invoice I took home with me that day. I used a different credit card to pay for those items. Michelin Tires billed my other credit card for the tires, FET, local county tax, local tax and state taxes. It was emailed to me within a few hours.
Michelin's price was $1,024.91 per tire, minus the FMCA discount of $503.91 yields a net unit price of $521.00, plus taxes. I seem to remember a quote of $611 for a walk-up customer at that dealer. Of course all those taxes add up and my credit card was charged a total of $3,608.57 by Michelin.
Bob
My pricing was the same as Bob's.
Replaced Six 275/80R22.5 XZA3+ LRH seven year old tires with 72,000 miles on them. and were installed yesterday, purchased through the FMCA program, on our 2003 U320. Pete's Road Service was the dealer in Fullerton CA.. He invoiced the installation, balancing and new valve stems separately. It was the only invoice I took home with me that day. Michelin Tires billed my credit card for the tires, FET, local county tax, local tax and state taxes. It was emailed to me within a few hours.
Michelin's price was $1,024.91 per tire, minus the FMCA discount of $503.91 yields a net unit price of $521.00, plus taxes. Total was $3602.40
After taking off tires they discovered a leaking axle seal on both sides. Replaced them.
Looking at the brake pads, there was little wear but they were cracked. Replaced them.
I dont understand the cracking as they are very rarely used.