Re: New Michelin tires Reply #50 – July 13, 2011, 09:37:00 am Kent, I feel it would be better to install a single stem for about $12.00 each. I have a link listed above where they are listed.Just a thought, to avoid all the issues with the extensions weakness.As usual FWIWCheers Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #51 – July 14, 2011, 12:59:45 am Quote from: Kent Speers – July 13, 2011, 08:51:38 amWhy would one not want to use thread lock, LockTite, on the union of the valve stem and the extension. Wouldn't that help stop any future valve stem leaks. Kent, For those who know that "the DEVIL may be hiding in the details", just a note of caution about using "bendable" valve stems (and other metal tubing).If it is not done correctly, "cold forming" metal tubing introduces weaknesses and/or defects into the base metal. At the molecular level, the outside bend radius has to yield and "stretch" while the inside radius has to compress and "wrinkle". Tubing bends formed in manufacturing processes are done several ways, but all of them, that I know of, involve mandrels, sometimes with heat added.Medium and thick wall tubing used in low pressure service can be cold formed (bent) without too much concern, up to 10 or 15 degrees of bend. Our inner duals require a tire stem bend in excess of 30 to 35 degrees.The common rule of thumb for tube bending, such as with brass valve stems, is to not use a bend radius of any less than a 1::4 ratio of the tubing's outside diameter. Valve stems tend to be 9/32" to 5/16" O.D., so 1.125" to 1.5" would be a reasonable minimum bend radius. Hand mandrels for ΒΌ" tubing come in 1.0" and 1.5" sizes and go for $100 new, or under $40 used on eBay, or tube bending sleeves (for say, 3/8" tubing) are available at hardware stores. One could possibly use a tubing sleeve to bend over a 1.5" diameter pipe or other form.I mention all of this because:More than once I have seen truck tire shop technicians install a "bendable" tire stem in a wheel, grab a box end wrench, slip the stem through the box end and proceed to pry and reef away on the stem (with the sharp inner edges of the box end wrench) until they get it somewhere close to headed in the right direction. Then they put the wheel on the hub and finish the bending mutilation off by bending the stem by hand. I saw it just this spring in Brunswick GA and pointed it out to the owner of the truck. He made a commotion about it and the shop foreman spent time with the technician with a new stem and the proper tools. The shop had the tools but probably no clear expectations other than "turnaround time". Why is it that turnaround time in tire shops is so much more important than doing a job right the first time?Anyway, if you elect to go with "bendable" stems, bend them correctly yourself or be sure to watch that others do it properly.I much prefer single piece valve stems. That's why all the agony of trying to find them for the inner duals. But given the choice between a questionable or improperly formed "bendable" stem, and a rugged Haltec/Alcoa stem extension, with maybe with a little LockTite added, Kent, I'd definitely prefer the extension. At least I'd know that the "O"-rings or grommets are silicone or EPDM material, designed for high-temperature, commercial truck applications and are not made of rubber, as the "lowest-cost" suppliers are prone to use.And regardless of the stem material or how it is formed, always change out the tire valve stems when you change out to new tires, inspect and "coarse polish" the inside rim and stem seating surfaces and always keep the hand hole stabilizers properly in place, whether you use TPMS sensors or not.Quote from: Dave Head – July 12, 2011, 09:48:35 amBorg Tire Supply Dually Valve - Main FramesetYes - long valve stems are available.No - they are not cheap.But you only have to do it once... As far as I know these are the only players in the game. I believe the DL4 kit is the one for us.DaveI had e-mailed them angles, lengths, rim data, etc.e-Mail and phone message back from them today. I'm not sure if it's bogus or not. Message said they have nothing that will fit a FT. They only sell in complete kits for specific vehicles and FT isn't one of them? There must be something there that would work. I'll call a real person tomorrow. FWIW, Neal Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #52 – July 14, 2011, 07:39:58 am I would tell them its a pair of 22.5 Alcoa rims - no diff than a Country Coach, Monaco or any other decent sized diesel pusher. The DL4AC with the right sized stabilizer... If there is anyone in the Northeast or wants to call Six Robbless as indicated in the link below, it appears these guys may carry them about 1/2 price to Borg... RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Questions About Dually Valves by Borg or Tire ManWorth a try, I suppose. Although the website listed Six Robblees doesn't show them, It would be worth a phone call or email to find out! Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #53 – July 14, 2011, 10:40:34 am Alcoa Wheels North America: Products: Accessories: Heavy Duty Trucks - Valve carries them too. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #54 – July 14, 2011, 01:12:36 pm Nuthin there looking 9 inches long! Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #55 – July 14, 2011, 02:24:31 pm OOOH, I must have been robbed, My inside dual is a steel wheel/rim, souynds like all the others have the Alcoa Aluminum ? Trick is use a protector between the outer rim and the steel inner rim Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #56 – July 14, 2011, 03:11:08 pm Our coach and every other that I have seen have steel inside rear dual wheels to save cost. Outside dual wheels are only polished on dished-in side that faces out. Front wheels are only polished on dished-out side that faces out. So wheels are only interchangeable by swapping them from one side to the other on the same axle. Any other rotation pattern requires dismount and remount of tires on wheels. We don't rotate anymore. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #57 – July 14, 2011, 05:06:07 pm Quote from: Dave M – July 14, 2011, 02:24:31 pmOOOH, I must have been robbed, My inside dual is a steel wheel/rim, souynds like all the others have the Alcoa Aluminum ? Dave,When we owned our '92 U240 and now on our '97 U320 they both have 6 Alcoa's. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #58 – July 14, 2011, 05:38:46 pm The best thing about this one, now we all know there are differences, so one answer does not fit all questions. Aint That Great ! Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #59 – July 15, 2011, 10:44:30 am I looked at the specification sheets on Barrry's website and saw the following:1997 U270 - four Alcoa rims1997 U295 - six Alcoa rims1997 U320 - six Alcoa rims1994 U300 - six Alcoa rims1994 U240 - Alcoa rims (no number).So it appears that some Foretravel motorhomes do have steel rims, depending on year/model. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #60 – July 19, 2011, 10:28:41 am We just met a young couple at Lazydays in Tampa with a brand new Tiffin that just had two blowouts on brand new Michelins. They had JUST reached the bottom of a mountain when the front tire blew or they would have rolled down the mountain. Yes I said 2. One front tire and one back tire. This couple has 6 young children. Set of twins,11, set of triplets ,9, and a single ,7. Best behaved children that I have ever seen. They told us Michelin would not do anything. I think Tiffin replaced them however. Michelin has always been our choice, BUT we are considering something else now. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #61 – July 19, 2011, 10:40:55 am Quote from: Jim/Sandy Black – July 19, 2011, 10:28:41 amWe just met a young couple at Lazydays in Tampa with a brand new Tiffin that just had two blowouts on brand new Michelins. One front tire and one back tire. They told us Michelin would not do anything. Even new tires can blow if the sidewall was weakened due to curb damage, overloading, or under inflation. Many new RVers (and some RV manufacturers) overlook the latter 2; just because you have the room doesn't mean you have the carrying capacity. Without knowing all the details, it's impossible to say if the tires alone were the problem.-M Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #62 – July 19, 2011, 10:51:40 am Quote from: Steve & Michelle – July 19, 2011, 10:40:55 amQuote from: Jim/Sandy Black – July 19, 2011, 10:28:41 amWe just met a young couple at Lazydays in Tampa with a brand new Tiffin that just had two blowouts on brand new Michelins. One front tire and one back tire. They told us Michelin would not do anything. Even new tires can blow if the sidewall was weakened due to curb damage, overloading, or under inflation. Many new RVers (and some RV manufacturers) overlook the latter 2; just because you have the room doesn't mean you have the carrying capacity. Without knowing all the details, it's impossible to say if the tires alone were the problem.-MJust get a big rock stuck between the rear duals and driving that way, and see what happens. You will end up having to buy, not just one new tire, but two of them. Don't ask me how I know about this, lets just call it experience talking. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #63 – July 19, 2011, 11:06:05 am What would the tuffest tire that could be used,considering the suspension system on FT can absorb a lot of punishment? jc Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #64 – July 19, 2011, 11:15:24 am JC, That opens a wide area, for the tuffest tires, you would not want them on your coach, they are only good for sharp rocks, not a happy highway tire.Of course EVERYONE has an expert opinion on this one, so I will just shut up and stick to the old dumb Michelin set that has been good to me. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #65 – July 19, 2011, 06:51:54 pm I can just share what my local truck tire dealer said. Michelins blow out the most but last a long time if they don't. Bridgestones wear out the fastest but seldom blow out. BFG's have the best overall performance. He had no info on Cooper or Toyo or the other less popular brands. He was a Michelin dealer but handled all the brands. I chose the BFG's on my U225. FWIW!!!By the way, I have Michelins, all steering tires, on my U300 because that's what came on the coach. I just keep them fully inflated at 105 as recommended by that dealer. So far, so good but only 7,500 miles on them. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #66 – July 19, 2011, 08:43:42 pm Michelins do have a very flexible sidewall. Nice ride but I had a front driver's side blow out on my MBZ 406D van with an almost new set on. No warning, just a funny noise for a second and then a big noise. Going 70 and it really took off toward the side of the road. All MBZ S Class come with at least V (149 mph sustained) rated tires (Michelin for all our dealer cars) in Europe. They are really a heavy tire and very stiff. Drove them flat out most of the time (unless heavy traffic) without a single problem. So, a lot of different Michelins with different specifications. Our U300 came with Coopers. We also had them on all fire apparatus and cars. I remember a guy swiped the chief's car and took the city cops on a 100 mph plus chase. ALL the city cop cars had blow outs. Took the highway patrol to catch him.Coopers have a stiff sidewall so a little harder ride but never heard of one blowing out. 20K on them now. The seller ruined one the day we bought it and another got a bad cut but the other four are wearing well. Worked for a Citroen dealer after school when I was a kid in the late 50's. They had 16" wheels with Michelin X stop tread. What a great tire (and car). Stuck like glue and lasted forever. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #67 – September 09, 2011, 12:36:47 pm Quote from: Barry & Cindy – July 08, 2011, 11:17:12 pmOur tires were manufactured on May 10 2011 between 1pm & 10pm. Barry & CindyBarry - I understand the week of May 10th, 2011, but was it a bit tongue-in-cheek to say specifically May 10, 2011 between 1PM & 10PM"?? Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #68 – September 09, 2011, 10:31:41 pm In this case, the manufacture time of day of our new Michelin's was posted for general info, not for humor. Time of day was taken from stickers on the tread of each tire, which I always peel off myself and hold on to. Quote Selected
Re: New Michelin tires Reply #69 – September 11, 2011, 01:09:12 pm I sure am glad they make chocolate AND vanilla ice cream. Quote Selected
Topic: New Michelin tires