Tire Time

[Floridakamper]

I've always been interested in the tire threads here because it is a significant expense we all face at some time. On our last rig I replaced all six tires after a blow out on an inside rear that did some body panel damage when the tires were 6 years old. My present tires on this coach are approaching 6 years old but I was hopinng for a couple of more years.
Before this time out when airing up the tires I noticed some sidewall cracks about an inch from the rim, in a front tire. Close inspection of the others show less pronounced cracking in others. I do not want to deal with another blowout if it can be avoided so I'm checking tire options and prices. We're in Cleremount Florida area for another week and live in the Jacksonville area. I've been checking prices on Michelin XRV 235/80/22.5 and after reading oemy's tire decision, Sumitomo ST718 245/80/22.5.
So far the best price I've been quoted is $2800 for the XRV and $2400 for ST718. That's out the door with lead balancing and 4 inch stems on the rear inside duals. Toyo's seem to be in short supply. No one seems interested in giving any credit for the existing tires. My question for those more knowlegeable than I are: Is the lead balancing significantly better or worse than bead or powder? When I tell them I want 4 inch stems on the rear inside duals is that specific enough or do I need to give them more detail on what I want. I was hoping for more than a $400 difference between the XRV's and the ST718's. I think oemy paid $600 less than that. The prices seem better here in Orlando than in Jacksonville. Does anyone know of a place in Jax that I should get a quote from? Any other advice appreciated. Sorry for the long post. Bob

[tims52ford]

I purchased the same sumitumo tire for 1800.00, that was mounted and beads balanced. I could not see spending 500.00 per tire for Michelins or crappy goodyears. that's right I said crappy Goodyears. Just make sure that you check the DOT number for the date of manufacture.
PS, I also, found a web site the tells you the country of origin,seems that not all american made tires are not made in the good old USA.

[Bigdaddy]

I just replaced my XRV with XRV's. Mine were 9 years old and I never had a problem with them. In my way of thinking, if the XRV's lasted 9 years, why not go back with them? I keep them covered while at home. I also installed the Counteract balance glass beads. I am very happy with the ride. My tire dealer recommended them. (I have NO connection with Counteract). Also, I sold my old tires to a local farmer.

[Max Hubrich]

Bob,

Some of the guys here (on this forum) swear by this tire valve solution.
Since your going to remount new tires anyway, this would be the time to do it. I would order a set of these and present them to the tire installer, at the time or tire replacement.

I have had my share of tire blowout's and other failures. I have Michelins now that I inflate the rear axle, seasonally, to the max (cold) psi on the side wall. Yes, I had all the corners, front axle, and rear axle weighed. The designers of my rig put much of the weight on the rear axle (IE: bedroom slide out, generator, batteries, mounted spare tire, storage bays, etc). Because of roads and highways having slight "crowns" on them, the resultant stress on the right, rear inner dual is excessive, causing sidewall "zipper" blowout's- That's been my story- three times in 3 years. Since I've inflated the rear axle to the cold max psi, no more problems.

I have Equal (and their special Shrader valves) in all the tires, but next time I'll use the plastic/ceramic beads. I pulled all the TST tire sensors off when I took it in for the brake recall, as requested, last October. When I drove it to the shop, about 6 miles, my left front tire was 3/4 flat- Another new Michelin required- ugh- I blame this on the Equal power.

Good luck on your choices,

[Floridakamper]

Thanks for the input. I've been working this for a few days. For the difference of $400 I probably would have went with the Michelin's. The price oemy and tims52ford found kept me looking and dickering. I finally matched that deal in Jacksonville Florida and just ordered and paid for the tires a moment ago. I spoke to the Sumitormo distributor both in Jacksonville and Orlando and neither one has the tires in stock. The Jax distributor told he can get them. Hopefully that means fresh DOT dates. I'll take a look at the tire valve solution. Thanks for that info Max. All the best. Bob

[JohnRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridakamper Hopefully that means fresh DOT dates.

Or they came out of the black hole of Calcutta and are older than both of us! I'm sure you stressed to the tire dealer that these dates were important to you.

[Floridakamper]

It's Lou Webber Tire in Jacksonville Florida. Lou told me they would be less than six months old. He said if they came in older he'd send them back. Lou Webber has been in business for 30+ years. The Sumitomo distributor for the Jacksonville area told me Lou is a straight shooter. We should be back in Jacksonville in a week or so and I hope I'll be reporting the same professional installation Dale reported. Carol Tire is the wholesale distributor that serves both Jacksonville and Orlando. They were helpful in finding dealers that carry the Sumitomo's.

[JohnRR]

It does not come as a surprise that you had the situation well in hand.

[Floridakamper]

Thanks John but if I was that squared away I wouldn't need all the help I get here.

[Floridakamper]

I'm scheduled to have my tires installed on Monday. I drove out to the tire dealer this morning to personally check the date of birth on the tires and scope out the route and where I'll be pulling in to his place of business. I was disappointed when the only tire I checked was 2610 (I'm sorry I didn't check them all). I'll have to talk to the owner Monday morning about the age of the tires. The facts are: I've already paid for the tires by credit card while I was out of town to have him order them. While I was there today, I saw a sign that said there was a 20% restocking fee but that was never mentioned when I ordered over the phone. I specifically discussed that I wanted fresh dates. The owner told me they would probably be late 2010 or early 2011 and that he wouldn't sell me old tires. I've talked to the Sumitomo wholesale distributor in Orlando who told me he didn't think he could even get them. The Jackonville distributor told me they were in short supply but he could get them and he obviously did. He also helped me get a good price at Lou Webber Tire. The dates are not real fresh and manuevering on his lot is very tight but they said it won't be a problem. I guess the choices are refuse the tires and hope for a full refund, accept them as they are or ask for a $ concession. Am I being too picky on the DOT dates?

[JohnRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridakamper It's Lou Webber Tire in Jacksonville Florida. Lou told me they would be less than six months old. He said if they came in older he'd send them back. Lou Webber has been in business for 30+ years. The Sumitomo distributor for the Jacksonville area told me Lou is a straight shooter.

If your that concerned about the dates then could you fall back on the above with NO restocking fee?

Now that said and you have to do what makes you feel comfortable I'll just say I'm not of the school that says replace tires by date if there is nothing wrong with them except the dates.

[JayGee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRR I'll just say I'm not of the school that says replace tires by date if there is nothing wrong with them except the dates.

That's what I keep wondering about. My tires are a little over 6 years old but show no cracking at all. One day I decide to buy, the next day I ask myself why. But, one blowout could cause more damage than the price of the tires. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

[UK Gordo]

We have been talking about pressure monitors and a dynamic balancing system on another thread on this site .......... look up threads under TPMS

good luck with your new tires

[Floridakamper]

JohnRR, thanks for your comments. I'm leaning towards accepting the 9 month old tires. They are a good price, from a reputable dealer and the tires are in short supply. I sometimes bite my nose to spite my face and I'm trying to give up that behavior for lent.