TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Topic: TIRES!!! YIKERS! (Read 2750 times) previous topic - next topic

TIRES!!! YIKERS!

April 15, 2011, 01:28:10 pm

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?

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #1 – April 15, 2011, 01:38:00 pm

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.

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #2 – April 15, 2011, 01:46:12 pm

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 !!

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #3 – April 15, 2011, 01:57:05 pm

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.

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #4 – April 15, 2011, 02:18:29 pm

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.

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #5 – April 15, 2011, 02:32:11 pm

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.

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #6 – April 15, 2011, 04:54:49 pm

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.

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #7 – April 15, 2011, 05:29:49 pm

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

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #8 – April 15, 2011, 05:38:34 pm

Go ahead and get the tires and then sell your old ones.

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #9 – April 15, 2011, 06:03:57 pm

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

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #10 – April 15, 2011, 06:26:15 pm

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....

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #11 – April 15, 2011, 06:52:25 pm

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.

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #12 – April 15, 2011, 06:58:59 pm

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

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #13 – April 15, 2011, 08:57:56 pm

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).

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #14 – April 15, 2011, 10:06:17 pm

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

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #15 – April 15, 2011, 10:12:52 pm

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

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #16 – April 15, 2011, 11:42:31 pm

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

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #17 – April 16, 2011, 03:05:22 am

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,

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #18 – April 16, 2011, 08:50:40 am

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – April 15, 2011, 11:42:31 pm

I run 100 lbs in the rears and 110 lbs in the fronts on my 40' single slide U-320 (Michelin tires).

Tim

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?

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #19 – April 16, 2011, 02:20:06 pm

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

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #20 – April 16, 2011, 02:35:32 pm

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.

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #21 – April 16, 2011, 03:49:35 pm

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.

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #22 – April 16, 2011, 05:10:29 pm

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

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #23 – April 16, 2011, 08:13:09 pm

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,

Re: TIRES!!! YIKERS!

Reply #24 – April 17, 2011, 01:02:50 am

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

Found out later he was correct, no humor at all

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