Anyone have experience with Sampson Tires? Good Bad or ugly

[amanda_h]

Further searching around the net led to the following article which is a good thing, I guess, regarding EPA smartway approval. This has to do with the model and correct size that I'd assume a motorhome would use:

Tire Review - Samson, Advance Gain Spots on SmartWay List


It also sort of confirms that it is a Chinese tire made by Guizhou Tyre Corp.

Guizhou Tyre Corp. has a North American distributor located in Canton Ohio which goes by the name of GTC North America Inc. clicky

[Dogpatch]

Originally Posted by 4Knights

We're still working folks with kids at home, so we don't spend lots of miles on the road. Thought about Michelins but way too expensive to sit in the yard or at the lake or small 1000 mile trips.
Looking for any experience with any of the Sampson brand tires- G load rating. Got a quote locally for 6 mounted/balanced $1455.00.
Don't want to waste the money if they are going to fall apart. My current tires are date code 03 and sidewall cracks apparent. (thanks Cliff)
Thanks in advance for suggestions
Ron

What size are you looking for Ron?

[Bowser]

Everyone has their own ideas, I guess. I'm buying 4 winter tires for my Class B. I priced them where I usually get tires, they came in at $810, mounted, balanced, etc. A special deal, they said.

I looked around the web, found this place. Their price includes shipping to an installer. The tires came to $580, free shipping, installation $80, total $660. I called the installer they said they'd be glad to do it.

The company is tirebuyer.com. Worked for me for smaller tires, don't know if they'd be any good for larger.

[Dogpatch]

Have you looked at Toyo Ron?

[amanda_h]

I'm not going to get into the "buy only Michelin or Goodyear argument" as we've had problems with Michelins (XRV blowouts) and our close friends have had their headaches with the Goodyear rivering and flat spot problems. So personally, we're open to exploring other brands, specifically the Japanese and South Korean brands. Sure, we'd prefer to buy American or at least a tire that is made in the USA but other factors will play into our next decision on tire purchases especially for the motorhome. The last set of car tires we purchased were Generals that have stamped "made in U.S.A." on them but we've also had several sets of tires that were made in Japan which we were very happy with.

Below is a thread in another forum about Samson. Read what the OP says in his opening post and in a subsequent post in the thread. It coincides with what a relative of ours who is in the tire business told us once about Chinese Tires and how truckers love them for their value (low price and longevity). They've actually come a long ways since they had so many problems some years back:

Samson 8R19.5 Tire Question


.

[4Knights]

My MH is sitting in the drive for the winter, we bought the pool instead of tires. Will have to get the tires this spring.

[Midniteoyl]

Originally Posted by amanda_h

Further searching around the net led to the following article which is a good thing, I guess, regarding EPA smartway approval. This has to do with the model and correct size that I'd assume a motorhome would use:

Tire Review - Samson, Advance Gain Spots on SmartWay List


It also sort of confirms that it is a Chinese tire made by Guizhou Tyre Corp.

Guizhou Tyre Corp. has a North American distributor located in Canton Ohio which goes by the name of GTC North America Inc. clicky

Must be a fairly new thing then cause the DOT codes on many Samson tires show an Israeli origin.. Who knows, so many things have been moved to China..

[Midniteoyl]

Originally Posted by amanda_h

I'm not going to get into the "buy only Michelin or Goodyear argument" as we've had problems with Michelins (XRV blowouts) and our close friends have had their headaches with the Goodyear rivering and flat spot problems. So personally, we're open to exploring other brands, specifically the Japanese and South Korean brands. Sure, we'd prefer to buy American or at least a tire that is made in the USA but other factors will play into our next decision on tire purchases especially for the motorhome. The last set of car tires we purchased were Generals that have stamped "made in U.S.A." on them but we've also had several sets of tires that were made in Japan which we were very happy with.

Below is a thread in another forum about Samson. Read what the OP says in his opening post and in a subsequent post in the thread. It coincides with what a relative of ours who is in the tire business told us once about Chinese Tires and how truckers love them for their value (low price and longevity). They've actually come a long ways since they had so many problems some years back:

Samson 8R19.5 Tire Question


.

So after doing some more research on Samson tires, their distributor company is out of Ohio, Great Lakes Tire Company. Advance Tire is also made by Samson, or vice versa. The tires are made to stringent quality control...and by the way, they are ultimately owned by Michelin...go figure...who also owns Uniroyal, etc. Turns out that Advance Tires and Samson tires used to be made in Isreal. Now they are made in China.

Ta-Da...


BTW, Double-Coin use to make Michelin Truck tires, and will again soon.. In fact, Double-Coin had to slightly modify thier tread desighn because it was exactly the same as Michelin.. 'cause it was made on their machines Double-Coin kept in the divorce!

[BobThompson]

I have been running retreads on my Comm. truck for years. The retreaders will not use a casing that is not in perfect shape, and the new retreading process is far superior to the way it used to be done. You can save serious money. As always, inflating is the key to long life. Bob

[Dr Skully]

I just put 6 new Samson 295/75 R22.5's on my 2004 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom, 400 ISC, Allison, and drove about 4000 miles so far. They have worked very well and kept their pressure, and driving was just fine. I also contemplated the cost of the Michelins, almost twice as much, and I am now full timing it. The tire guy explained that any tire is going to check after any time outdoors or in the sun. I replaced Michelins with only 13k miles.....cost about $2600 for all 6.

Enjoy your coach...and I liked all the other replies...got some useful information regarding maintenance.