Uh oh question on tires

Topic: Uh oh question on tires (Read 2283 times) previous topic - next topic

Uh oh question on tires

January 15, 2018, 11:28:57 am

Hey friends, we just pulled into Lakeland FL and discovered this on the sidewall of our driver's side outside rear tire. I'd love any advice on where to get this looked at and if I should drive it to wherever to fix it or if that is not recommended.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #1 – January 15, 2018, 11:34:11 am

The only fix for that is get a new tire and if your other tires are the same age replace them also.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #2 – January 15, 2018, 11:47:52 am

Do you know of a good place around here to get that done? And is it drivable to get it to that place?

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #3 – January 15, 2018, 11:54:34 am

Trent you will let likely need new tiresj lots of commercial tire places in the Lakeland area just start calling.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #4 – January 15, 2018, 12:04:15 pm

Is the tire losing air? Is it at the proper inflation pressure? Fortunately, it is a rear tire. As this is your home and your family's well being is in jeopardy, replace it and all other tires that are either out of date/showing that level of deterioration. I would not continue driving until I had a tire shop located. Have the shop inspect all to make an informed decision. I'm certain there is a place in Lakeland that can help you out.

Bob

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #5 – January 15, 2018, 01:57:21 pm

Are those three pictures all of the same tire, and what are the date codes on your tires Trent?

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #6 – January 15, 2018, 02:21:31 pm

Consider a 295/75-22.5 in a Toyo, Bridgestone, Firestone, etc if you replace all six. Same diameter but slightly wider. Easier to find this size also. This is the size we have on our U300. A lot of other Foretravels also use this size.

I would not think twice about driving to a tire shop, especially since it's winter with cool temperatures. But it's not my decision.

Pierce

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #7 – January 15, 2018, 02:51:36 pm

Ordered a set of toyo's. Ironman's came in(made by hercules/Cooper. Had them put on @ $1491.50 incl tax. Don't go very far so maybe they will last? They used to be made in Findley, OH. but now Taiwan...

Jim

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #8 – January 15, 2018, 03:05:05 pm

Okay...we are going to take it to a shop here in Lakeland and get them to inspect all of the tires. Our Michelins in the front (XZA3) are 5 years old and look okay, but we will definitely get them inspected, but I think we will need to replace all four back tires, which are all Continental. They don't even have a DOT code on them so I have no idea how old they are. I thought JOR had said they had all been replaced not too long before we bought the coach a couple of years ago, but I could be remembering incorrectly.

My question to you guys now is should I get the exact same tires that we have on the front of the coach or could I do with less expensive Michelins on the back. FMCA sent me a whole list of Michelin tires in our size that are part of their discount program and the ones we have on front are one of the more pricey ones. We want good tires, but we don't want to put unnecessarily high-priced tires if there is a difference between what is needed on the back versus the front. We have never replaced our tires so we don't know what's typical, I guess.
Thank you all for all your help!

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #9 – January 15, 2018, 03:06:09 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – January 15, 2018, 02:21:31 pm

Consider a 295/75-22.5 in a Toyo, Bridgestone, Firestone, etc if you replace all six. Same diameter but slightly wider. Easier to find this size also. This is the size we have on our U300. A lot of other Foretravels also use this size.

I would not think twice about driving to a tire shop, especially since it's winter with cool temperatures. But it's not my decision.

Pierce

Is there a benefit to the slightly wider tire? Sorry...we know nothing about tires...lol.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #10 – January 15, 2018, 03:12:47 pm

Quote from: Travelin' Man – January 15, 2018, 01:57:21 pm

Are those three pictures all of the same tire, and what are the date codes on your tires Trent?

Can't find any DOT code, which makes us wonder how old these tires really are. Only info I can find online is that older (pre-2000's) tires didn't have a DOT code. But that doesn't make sense as far as what we thought we had back there. We were under the impression that they were fairly young tires. Either way, they don't look good, so we don't have high hopes that they will pass an inspection at the tire shop and we expect to be replacing all four back tires.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #11 – January 15, 2018, 03:13:57 pm

The date code is only on one side of the tire. Yours might be on the inside.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #12 – January 15, 2018, 03:23:58 pm

Quote from: craneman – January 15, 2018, 03:13:57 pm

The date code is only on one side of the tire. Yours might be on the inside.

Ah....that could be the case...Then there's probably no way to know until they take the tire off then?

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #13 – January 15, 2018, 03:29:41 pm

Quote from: Walkerfam7 – January 15, 2018, 03:06:09 pm

Is there a benefit to the slightly wider tire? Sorry...we know nothing about tires...lol.

Looking around at cars today, you can see they have a lot more tread width on the ground compared to even 20 years ago. The more rubber on the ground, the better the vehicle corners and stops. The diameter difference is only one revolution per mile so essentially, no difference. The width is only about 3/4" wider so not much difference either.

The 295/75s are very common and can be quickly located if a road gator strikes.

The front tires are the most important. Sure, if a rear blew out, it could cause some body damage but it's buddy is next to it. In the front, a blowout may be much more serious. It's usually the place to put new tires if just two are replaced.

Bridgestone has an excellent tire carcass longevity reputation but may cost a bit more. Toyo tires are excellent as others have posted but read all posts for comments as I don't think there are any really bad tires on the market.

Probably all position tires are the best choice. Traction tires are not necessary and usually have a noise penalty.

Crawl under the coach and read the date code. It will be somewhere on every tire.

Pierce

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #14 – January 15, 2018, 03:32:07 pm

I would imagine JOR had the coach weighed on all fours at one time, but checking paperwork would be suggested, and probably re-weigh given all the toys you must carry to support your team.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #15 – January 15, 2018, 03:35:06 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – January 15, 2018, 03:29:41 pm

Looking around at cars today, you can see they have a lot more tread width on the ground compared to even 20 years ago. The more rubber on the ground, the better the vehicle corners and stops. The diameter difference is only one revolution per mile so essentially, no difference. The width is only about 3/4" wider so not much difference either.

The 295/75s are very common and can be quickly located if a road gator strikes.

The front tires are the most important. Sure, if a rear blew out, it could cause some body damage but it's buddy is next to it. In the front, a blowout may be much more serious. It's usually the place to put new tires if just two are replaced.

Bridgestone has an excellent tire carcass longevity reputation but may cost a bit more. Toyo tires are excellent as others have posted but read all posts for comments as I don't think there are any really bad tires on the market.

Probably all position tires are the best choice. Traction tires are not necessary and usually have a noise penalty.

Crawl under the coach and read the date code. It will be somewhere on every tire.

Pierce

Good info, thanks!

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #16 – January 15, 2018, 03:37:16 pm

Be aware that FMCA has a fleet discount program with Continental as well as Michelin. I would check/price both.

And, just looking at the tire in the picture, it is OLD. And irrespective of age, you don't want to risk your family's life on it/them.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #17 – January 15, 2018, 03:39:26 pm

If the other tires look similar as far as the small cracks (not just the big crack in pic #1), don't bother getting them inspected, just replace them.
The size that Pierce mentioned is more common and gives you more choices.
There is no reason to match the front and rear tires other than if you have OCD issues.
Good Luck

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #18 – January 15, 2018, 03:46:51 pm

I am curious about the date codes because I have Continentals that are now about two years old and I'm hoping that I can get 12 - 15 years out of them. LOL

I think Uniroyals are made by Michelin and a lot less money. Rudy was the first to mention them IIRC.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #19 – January 15, 2018, 03:50:24 pm

Quote from: mike leary – January 15, 2018, 03:32:07 pm

I would imagine JOR had the coach weighed on all fours at one time, but checking paperwork would be suggested, and probably re-weigh given all the toys you must carry to support your team.

Like a race car with different springs, the amount of air each set of bags has will cause a different weight at other wheel positions. The ride height adjustment at each corner position on our coaches will cause this difference. As an example, changing the tire clearance to the top of the wheel well on the driver's rear will change the weight at other positions. When weighing each corner, the sway bar (if you have one) should be disconnected.

Pierce

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #20 – January 15, 2018, 04:13:19 pm

Minor correction on air bags/ride height valves.

There are only THREE ride height valves on these coaches-- two on the rear (one for each side) and ONE in front. So, check rear ride height first, then set fronts so they "average" correct ride height.

And, absolutely, out of adjust WILL transfer weight.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #21 – January 15, 2018, 04:48:02 pm

I stand corrected. Quite correct Brett!

P

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #22 – January 15, 2018, 04:56:49 pm

Not thinking about height valves, I was thinking about weighing the coach to set pressures of new tires, especially if the tread width and type are changed. Is this not a good reason to weigh all around?

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #23 – January 15, 2018, 05:04:38 pm

Mike,

BOTH issues are important.

Ride height, particularly on an air suspension coach are much more likely to get out of adjustment (ride height valve control rod bent, etc) than your torsilastic suspension. On the torsilastic, check every year or so, or when you add your rock collection to the coach.

And, yes, individual wheel position weight is important. The ride height issue is that when out of adjustment, it can shift a LOT of weight form side to side/corner to corner. Consider how many of your really strong friends it would take to raise the right rear corner of your coach even 1"! Probably cost more than a case of beer just for labor.

Re: Uh oh question on tires

Reply #24 – January 16, 2018, 06:09:42 am

Probe that sidewall split. If you can feel the belt(it will feel rough), don't drive the coach. Have a mobile service change the one tire before you move the coach to have the rest replaced. If you haven't been looking at the inside of all tires, do so. You'll find the DOT codes, plus maybe more splits. I once found a 4" split on the inside of an outside dual. That's why I do my own chassis lubes. It forces me to crawl under the coach every six months. I carry a flashlight and check every tire on the backside.

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