Repair or replace flat tire?

[littlec]

Hello everyone!

Was walking around our 2005 MADP when I saw that the passenger-side tire on the tag axle was flat. Not low, but flat! Don't think I ran over anything, b/c we're up on jacks. Now we're trying to decide whether to replace single tire or both tires on the tag, or repair the flat tire and limp to a tire dealer for replacement tires.

Tire is Michelin 295/80 R22.5. Local shop charging ~$850/tire, plus $85/hour to come out to replace.

Leaning toward replacing w/ equivalent Toyo or Goodyear tire, both of which are getting better reviews, and are less expensive.

Looking for advice from fellow Newmar owners on pros and cons of temporary repair vs. immediate replacement of unhappy tire.

Thanks in advance!
littlec

[kalynzoo]

Why is/was it flat? If the tire is good (tread, in date, good wear) then why replace it if you can patch it. Perhaps the valve stem is bad, not the tire. I would at least find out what the problem may be.
If you can, call around for the tire price, it sounds high.
Good luck whatever you decide.

[littlec]

Don't know why it was flat--no obvious clues... (Well, nothing obvious to me, anyway!)

[ottffss]

On the tag you can safely replace just the one tire - the differing tread depths (new vs used) will make no difference there.

As far as repair/replace that is your call. If it was just a valve stem leak - repair, just a nail - repair. If it leaked from bead seal you got a dismount to do anyway. If it was due to a cut/abrasion/other I'd seriously consider - replace. The damage from a failing tire is far too costly.

[littlec]

I'm having a truck from the tire shop come out in the morning. I'd rather not have them sell me a tire I don't really need. Any recommendations on what I should check (or ask them to check)?

[ottffss]

On the Michelin look at the FMCA Michelin pricing.

Your 295s are pricing at XZA2 ENERGY 295/80R22.5 H 76807 $40.92 $638.53

Michelin discount thru FMCA?

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlec Leaning toward replacing w/ equivalent Toyo or Goodyear tire, both of which are getting better reviews, and are less expensive.

Not really! Have you been looking at the GoodYear "rivering" problems? If not you've missed a bunch of posts!
As another poster said: check the FMCA pricing on Michelin tires.

[Arch Hoagland]

I had a valve stem extension leak on my right front Michelin and found it totally flat one morning while on a cross country trip. Got my air pump out and pumped that baby up, which took about an hour, with my little compressor.
Replaced the extension and never had another problem.

[Perry White]

Hey, I have a left front Michelin tyre "rivering". Just noticed. 315-80-22.5

[Iron Man]

I would put air in the tire and see if I can see were it is leaking. How long has the coach been sitting?

[njs42]

Had an inside dual go down on me qhile I was on my jacks---I aired it up and it held enough air pressure long enough to drive slowly to the repair facility; they found a small bolt through the tread, they patched it and all is well years later.

[littlec]

Thank you all for your advice! I had a service company come out, new replacement tire on one side of their truck, used replacement tire (40% wear) on the other side. I lifted the back end on leveling jacks, then he jacked up the rear a little more, so he could remove the unhappy tire.

Turned out it had good reason to be unhappy, as there was a rusted nail in the tread, broken in two pieces, causing a slow bleed. He removed the nail, buffed the inside of the tire, cleaned it out, and patched it. Total cost, around $150. I'll be replacing several tires in the near future anyway, but I'll be doing it at a national dealer, with negotiated prices, rather than from a local shop in extremis! So $150 is a lot easier on the wallet than the $850 + labor quoted.

Thanks for all the rapid feedback! I'll look forward to seeing you down the road!