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JRMEDPHYS · 06-17-2013, 08:34 AM

Had a blowout the other day. A local truck tire guy who I know and trust is recommending Concours LT235/85R16 with 120Q rating. They are 10 ply tires. Price is cheap. Looking to buy 2...1 for the blowout and 1 to replace the retread on my rear driver side inner. Balance of the tires are Michelin Rib.

Anyone put them on? Rear or front? Thoughts are welcome but no opinions please about cheap Chinese tires...I know Caveat Emptor. He's a real jerk sometimes.

And even though I trust this guy, I am asking the question because I trust your collective experience more.

Thanks in advance

Jeff

deandec · 06-17-2013, 09:33 AM

For even tire wear, I have always replaced all tires on the steer axle.

In our fleets we would attempt to match the depth of used tire treads on one side of a dual wheel rig. The theory being that the taller tread would carry all the weight on that side and fail quickly.

This might be a consideration for your rear tire situation and require two new tires there?

JRMEDPHYS · 06-17-2013, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

For even tire wear, I have always replaced all tires on the steer axle.

In our fleets we would attempt to match the depth of used tire treads on one side of a dual wheel rig. The theory being that the taller tread would carry all the weight on that side and fail quickly.

This might be a consideration for your rear tire situation and require two new tires there?

That's a good point and having shopped around in the last couple of hours I am leaning towards buying two new steer tires (leading contenders right now are Dunlop or BF Goodrich based on price alone around $400 for 2 out the door) and putting my 4 good Michelin tires on the rear dually. All 4 Michelins have similar wear and age and putting them all on the rear makes sense.

Thanks!

Rockwood27 · 06-17-2013, 07:35 PM

I bought Firestone Transforce HT for the steer axle on my MH like these:

Firestone*Transforce HT

They have gotten good reviews on RV forums.

Fran

JRMEDPHYS · 06-17-2013, 08:32 PM

Options (out the door price for 2):

Concours A/S - $250 (local truck tire guy likes them a lot, has lots of happy fleet customers running big trucks with lots of weight and big miles on them with no complaints. I even called a few of them myself to confirm.)
Dunlop Rover H/T - $370 (another local truck tire guy I know who is a Goodyear shop trying to get me best price on what he has that is not Goodyear)
BF Goodrich Commercial T/A All Season - $400
Goodyear Wrangler HT - $430
Firestone Transforce AT - $449

I am really struggling for a reason to NOT buy the Concours. Some good reviews on the Duramax forums (for the A/T version tire) and the local guy here who I trust and does a lot of fleet work says I will not be disappointed. That price is tempting. Load Range E 10 ply speed rating R...same as my Michelin XPS Rib.

Or do I pay more just for a name...

Tough one...

Thoughts?

deandec · 06-18-2013, 09:59 AM

I remember posts a few years ago about Hankook tires which were quite cheap by comparison but not popular with the RV folks.

Now they are almost mainstream pricing competing with the major brands.

Your decision obviously, but I would think the $250 tire is not a huge gamble.

JRMEDPHYS · 06-19-2013, 12:13 PM

Well, after a lot of soul searching, I have decided to go with the Firestone Transforce HT on the steer axle and put the best 4 Michelin on the rear. The date stamp on the Michelin tell me they need to be replaced next spring. I may consider the cheaper tire for the rear at that time but couldn't get past putting a North American made tire on the steer axle.

Thanks to those who replied. Your help is appreciated! 👍