Hello It's tire time in Magnolia TX! We would like to know the best place to buy 6 new Michelin tires for our 2002 36' U-270? In or around the Houston area. Thank you John & Dee.
Look into the FMCA Michelin tire program if you have not done so for pricing. Also note the build dates on the tires you get, before they get mounted if possible.
We highly recommend the FMCA program as well. Strouhal tire is who we used, on the southwest side of town. But, they may have a location closer to you.
As Dave said, be sure and check the manufacture dates. Age and degradation is all predicated on this. The danger of dry rot is based on time and not so much mileage. Don't accept old dates.
David
So. What is the "good price" for a set of 6 Michelin XZA3s, LRH? I am due, also. I am currently not a member of FMCA, but might join if for no other reason than the tires! I am planning on probably buying from Les Schwab in Oregon (same as last time), but I would like to get some figure to compare when I get their quote.
For those on a very fixed income but still wanting the Foretravel experience with an older (or newer) motorhome, there are many other tire options. Check the Chinese manufacture Triangle on ebay. At $264 delivered, it't hard to beat for price. Reading the reviews. I haven't been able to find much fault or find any bad reviews at several sites.
Triangle brand tires - iRV2 Forums (http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/triangle-brand-tires-155239.html)
STEER TIRES - RBTIRES.com (http://www.rbtires.com/steer_tires)
I have never believed that advertising has much to do with quality. Look at the many really bad reviews for a RV supplier/shop that sponsors many NASCAR races compared to the amount of advertising they do.
Michelins are good tires but for those who wring their hands worrying about their families' safety, I had a huge sidewall explosion on the driver's side front Michelin tire on my bus/van. Smooth road at 65 with no road debris. Just a funny noise for perhaps a second or two and then the sidewall blew out. I bought all six Michelins new only a couple of months earlier. After replacing the bad one, the others never gave a problem.
The French design a great tire and we build it for them but as we have seen, the Asians also build outstanding products with many Foretravel owners replacing their TVs and fridges with Samsung, LG and other Asian products. For China bashers, remember where your iPad, tablet, smart phone, laptop, etc. are made....China.
Research plus a DOT rating go a long way for me in selecting tires for our coach.
Pierce
John, I believe there is a Strouhal tire center in Conroe which may not be far from you.
You might have an issue finding the size. I know I got six of the last 8 that Herman Power in Nac had.
We purchased ours through the FMCA Michelein discount program, I believe we paid $3600 +/- mounted and spin balanced for 6 in 2013. All XZ3A's. We felt the discount was worth the cost of the FMCA membership. Read alot on this forum re: brands, sizes and prices. Perty confusing to me. I figured we would go with factory recommended this time. Next time not so sure...... We do have a number of years before we have to make that decision. I believe FMCA will suggest dealers that they will work with in your area.
Brad when you go to L Scwab ask about the Toyo's. I have them on front and will replace rear Michellins with Toyo when time is right.
I had Toyo on BMW 7 series for long time and loved them too. better price than FMCA. Lots of Truckers using them too
JohnH
My son (the trucker) takes a lot of business to Don at Les Schwab, and my last two sets of tires (one for the 1990 and one for the 2002) both came from there. I will be asking him what he recommends. I plan on still minimal travel until 2019, so I know this will be an "interim set" and I am only concerned with longevity, not treadwear. I'll see what he says about options this time around. My ZXA3s look like brand new...but they are uncomfortably aged as far as I am concerned.
I did look up the Chinese Triangle Tires, which took a LOT of searching to finally get a load rating, and their 275/80R22.5 tire, a TR666, is insufficient in capacity for my 13,000 lb front axle.
That's in line with our cost a year ago. I went to the nearest tire shop shown on the Michelin Advantage website. The tire dealer told me my cost through the program was lower than his dealer cost.
I am sure I am correct and this bugs me that this program is only available in US. We seem to be second class people on a lot of issues.
One reason I will not buy Michelin. There are lots of others looking for my money.
John H
I believe the Michelin advantage program is available through a number of organizations, including the Prevost forum.
I had a friend who had TOYO tires and he thought they were just fine and saved some money. When I purchased my coach it still had the original on the back but the front had been replaced by TOYO tires. It drove great with these tires and I thought they would be good tires, and I believe Herman Powers in Nac sells this brand also. I elected to stay with Michelin as the one thing I do not wish to have on the road is tire trouble. Never any gtds. DAN
Oh// by the way one reason for the difference in price could be: Can you sell your old tires?? I got $125 a piece for rear and $200 for the Toyo's in front as they were newer. So that really helped my price. Ask for a trade in price! :D
DAN
I got no trade-in credit for our old tires. Sidewalls were very cracked and were told that they were garbage.
Tom, what I meant was no mich' dealers in Canada are on this plan so we would have to get them in US.
Dan, why would only Mich's give you security on the hwy, they pick up crap just like any other make,and, are built exactly the same using the same kind of materials??? Never had a flat Toyo in almost 20 yrs.
JohnH
John H: Great. It a matter of the mind. My friend who had the TOYO's never had an issue either but the one thing he had was more money in his pocket from saving the bucks on his purchase. DAN
Got my quote from LesSchwab. He recommended LRH Ohtsus after I told him my front axle was too heavy for LRG. I trust Don's experience and that was his recommendation. $2605 mounted and balanced for 6 of them. Sounds like my plan. As usual, there are praises and condemnations online for this brand, just like there are for Michelins.
My tires are too old to be worth anything, but they do look great still. I'm just hoping they will get me safely up to Don to get them. I will be fairly lightly loaded and that should help.
I have had Ohtsus for 2 years now and are quite happy with them no problems at all, and I do run on down the road 70-75 with the traffic. They also don't seem to loose air and require airing up as much as some other sets I have had.
I will be getting new drive tires soon and I plan to get the YOKOHAMAs. I put them on the front last year and they have performed well. They may be a little more expensive than some others, but when you spread the cost over the next 7 or 8 years, not a big deal. I like safe and sturdy and my homework has led me to the Yokohama tires. To each his own ---- be safe and have a great day ---- Fritz
There is a Strouhal location on U. S. Highway 75 North in Willis, Texas - (936) 856-2812 That location is about 10 miles north of Conroe.
Another dealer is Beasley Tire on U. S. Highway 59 North (East-Tex Freeway) near Houston Intercontinental Airport - (281) 449-2365
Thank you for all your input. Joined FMCA, Ordered 6 new XZA3+, Strouhal tires Willis TX , Will keep you all posted how it works out next week. Thanks again John & Dee
John,
You could have joined the fuel discount program offered on this forum for $25 and not only got the Michelin fleet tire program but also 10% off at NAPA and cash price at 5000 truck stops and 10 cents below cash price at all Loves truck stops.
Enjoy the FMCA mag.
2 years and 12k miles on my Ohtsus and happy with them. Recommended by locally owned truck shop.
Good to hear that a couple of members (at least) have tried these. I know that I will probably not be putting even 20,000 miles in the next 5 years and the coach will be garaged for 10 month out of the year until that time period is over. Maybe back to Michelins then. Our "big" trip this year is still planned to be less than 4,000 miles.
Sorry, Didn't see your post prior to joining FMCA. John & Dee
Actually through the Prevost Community forum, but the Prevost folks extended the offer to our forum as well
Fuel Discount Program. (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=19243.0)
Prevost Community Fuel Discount Program & Michelin Tire Advantage Program (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=19306.0)
Hello, when I started this post I knew that I was looking to buy six Michelin tires (XZA3+). I was just asking for a good reputable location close to my home here in Magnolia Texas that would be able to do a good job. Yes I could've bought cheaper tire someplace else but the extra $312 that I am spending on the Michelin's compared to other manufacturers tires is something I'm willing to live with. Joining FMCA and utilizing the Michelin program was an option that saves me a few dollars. Thank you again for all your input. John & Dee
Rudy, I am a member of the Prevost fuel program and have used it. I still have not recieved my Prevost yet though!!! As I am Canadian I had to open a US bank account to get this as well- they do not accept canadian accounts- see what I mean?? We also have many problems with ordering parts from US as the web sites are not able to handle canadian adresses and info- believe it in this day and age!!!
My comment was meant to show that you have to be in US to get the tyre break( if there is really one?)
JohnH
I sold Yokohama and Toyo tires for years alongside Michelin all great tires wouldn't be afraid to use any of them price might be the most important feature
John H,
The Michelin Fleet Tire program is available from several sources with FMCA and Prevost Community being just two. I have not tried to use it as a non-US citizen so have no experience there.
I do know from depositing a Canadian bank check in Texas, that cross border banking is an expensive pain. Took time and $30 from me to process that check. So I am not surprised to learn they do not accept a non-US bank account. My credit union provided me with a free account for the fuel program.
But since you are Canadian, I have no clue as to why Canada based Prevost has not provided you with a coach of your choice. I do know why they have not provided this Texan with a coach. All in good jest, of course. All the best.
Correct Rudy on the cost of cashing a Cnd check- that is absurd.
Just like we get hosed when cashing/ depositing a US one into account- they call it handling fees??
JohnH
I had forgotten about the Prevost Community, as I signed up for it last September when it was first announced. I logged in and found the link. Then I sent an email to the proper person 2 days ago asking to join the Michelin Advantage program. Very quickly I was responded to and told they had referred my request to the folks who issue the certificate. This morning, I find my certificate in my inbox. I think I will check on getting them locally so I don't have to worry along the drive to Les Schwab. My worry is only worth so much $$$ tho.
I just wanted to alert others that it was a simple 2-day process to get enrolled in the Michelin Advantage program. A hearty thank you to the Prevost Community!