Free 3 yr old tires

[max49]

I can get 6 OEM (Ford) Continental tires dated the 14th week of '08 with about 25,000 miles. These are from a truck we drive at work every day, so I know them.
My OEM Michelins have 33,000 miles and slightly more tread but are 6 years old.
I'm debating whether the free tires would be worth the cost to mount and balance them for my MH.
Opinions ?

Also I rotated my MH tires this past weekend because the fronts were wearing a little extra on the inside. The rears looked great on the tread and side wall but obviously I must have gotten a rock wedged between the driver side duals and it apparently dug into the side walls pretty good, that find did not make me happy; but could happen even on brand new tires.

[JohnRR]

If the "digging" did not go into the plies and with out seeing them in person I'd be more inclined to keep the Michelin's.

I'm not a confirmed believer in replacing tires by date alone.

Did you leave the tires with the sidewall issues in the rear?

[max49]

Yes I put one each of the sidewall issue tires on each side in the rear.

[RJay]

Max,
If you go with the newer tires and can make the change for less than $375 then it's worth going with the newer tires.


What your doing when purchasing the newer tires is putting off the purchase of 6 new tires for two years, from 5 years to 7 years in the future. This is assuming you can get 10 years of life from your tires as Michelin claims. If you assume that 6 tires today costs $3000 that same purchase would cost $3650 due to inflation 5 year from now. So if you can save $3650 for two years at 5% interest your realized interest would be $375, the break even point. Your actual savings would be the difference between the interest gained from the money minus the cost to change over your tires...$375 – change over costs. You have to decide if it's worth the aggravation.

The difference in tire wear is negligible and not a consideration.

[max49]

It's a tough decision for me. $2000+ for a set of tires is not what I want to do now. However my Michelins that came on the MH have more tread left but are dated the 0904, which put them over 7 yrs, 3 mo. old compared to the less tread left Continentals which are 1408, 3yrs & a month old. They are a truck tire with a higher max psi (110 lbs compared to 95psi max for the Michelins) I'm surpised the tread did'nt last that long on them. They have about 5 MM tread left.

[RJay]

Max,
I think I missed the part about having to pay $2000 for the work tires. That throws a different light on my post. I was under the impression you were getting the tires for free.

5 MM is about 1/4 inch. If the tires you have now look good and doesn't have any severe sidewall cracking I would keep them unless you can get them to reduce the price.

[max49]

No, I can get the used ones for free. $2000 for a brand new set.

[W4RLR]

Go with the free ones.

[depchief]

I would opt for the free set. The originals are at the limit in my opinion. I have replaced the rear tires on my coach and have the same chassis as you. Keep a close eye on the front end as it can get out of line quickly. I wiped a tire after hitting a pot hole on the PA. turnpike. Look up the manufacturer and get the load rating and tire pressures for your axle weights and adjust the pressures.
Do you know the Rating? F-G etc.

[max49]

I only got 4 free tires, they wanted to keep 2 for spares. They are G rated and a max psi of 110 vs the 95 psi F rated. I only installed 3 of them for $25 each mounting and balance.
I had two of my best tires from the rear compromised because apparently a rock got wedged between them and rode in there long enough to damage the side walls. After 32,650 miles my front tires were both wearing on the inside edge. The MH handles great (with no wind) and drives straight so I 'm not anxicious to let someone mess with the alignment. I should have rotated the tires sooner.
I also put my brand new 7 yr old spare XRV on the front along with my next best Michelin.
It's odd that it seems like we RV owners are the only ones worried or concerned about the age of tires. 2 different tire shops told me my Michelins looked fine until I showed them the side walls. They don't even look at the date code.
Anyway I feel I shoud be ok with tires for another year or two and $25 per tire to mount them is not bad. It would have been a much harder decision to make if it was not for the side wall damage, My old XRVs still had pretty good tread.

[RJay]

Max,
For what it's worth, I think you made the right decision.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by max49 I only got 4 free tires, they wanted to keep 2 for spares. They are G rated and a max psi of 110 vs the 95 psi F rated. I only installed 3 of them for $25 each mounting and balance..

Max, If spring doesn't come along soon for you guys you might also consider having a set of snow tires.

[iRV4FUN]

Obviously I'm not a tire expert... My Michelins are 8 years old and have no cracks. But, I store my rig indoors and the sun is a big factor for sidewall cracking. At least that's what Michelin says.

The best price I have found for 19.5 XRV $375.00. Should have bought in February at $335.00

Does it make any sense to change up the fronts with new? Seems like a front blow-out would be harder to deal with then a rear blowout. Does this make any sense?


'03 Damon Daybreak, '02 P-32 Workhorse

[bachler]

If you are going to use the free ones to burn your stump pile go for them ; Don't put them on your RV unless you are letting your neighbor that you don't like;. You don't want to be standing next to a crached Motorhome saying wah I should have ,,,,