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12-22-2015, 09:06 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 183
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Tires and shocks
Had a guy from a Diesel n Tire company tell me, after looking at and feeling the surface of my passenger side front tire, that I needed new shocks. The tire, when you run your hand along the tread surface has a bit of a rounded surface. This is unlike the other tires where it feels flat on the tread.
He said the tire will do this when new shocks are needed. Is this accurate?
I just bought this coach (2004 Newmar DS) and not well versed in this. As a woman I'm leary of being taken advantage of.
Drives ok but no expert in how it might feel to drive otherwise.
Thanks.
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Trish & the pack
2004 Newmar Dutch Star 4025
2005 Jeep Liberty Limited Trail Ready
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12-22-2015, 10:23 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,103
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If it drives and handles well for you I think I'd leave it alone until you can get a few more opinions from other sources.
You don't say where you are located so I can't make any recommendations of who to go to.
If you'll give us your general location perhaps somebody who lives in your area could recommend an honest dealer.
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2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
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12-23-2015, 06:57 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,965
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GN2ZDGS
Had a guy from a Diesel n Tire company tell me, after looking at and feeling the surface of my passenger side front tire, that I needed new shocks. The tire, when you run your hand along the tread surface has a bit of a rounded surface. This is unlike the other tires where it feels flat on the tread.
He said the tire will do this when new shocks are needed. Is this accurate?
I just bought this coach (2004 Newmar DS) and not well versed in this. As a woman I'm leary of being taken advantage of.
Drives ok but no expert in how it might feel to drive otherwise.
Thanks.
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If the inner edge is smooth, but rounded it's more likely the coach needs a front end alignment. If the inner edge is scalloped it could be either a shock absorber or a tire out of balance.
Check the shock itself to see if there's any signs of damage or leaks. If there's any damage or leaks they should be replaced. Be sure to check the rubber bushings at the top and bottom of the shock. If they are deteriorated it cold be time to replace them. If it's only 1 tire it's more likely a balance problem.
Shocks should last to at least 75,000 miles without problems. They are generally replaced as a set for an axle. I say a "set" because while most vehicles have 2 shock absorbers per axle some have 4.
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Hikerdogs
2013 Adventurer 32H
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12-23-2015, 07:34 AM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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I would be skeptical. Worn shocks can let the tire bounce a lot, which causes something called "cupping", round or oval spots where the tread is more worn that the surrounding tire surface. There will be multiple of these shallow spots around the circumference of the tire. It does NOT cause a uniform "rounded" effect. If the tire is rounded, meaning higher in the center than both edges, that indicates over-inflation. If only one edge is lower than the rest, it indicates a front end alignment problem.
These pictures and brief explanations may help:
Tire Tread Wear Patterns: Pictures | Causes
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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12-23-2015, 08:53 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland
If it drives and handles well for you I think I'd leave it alone until you can get a few more opinions from other sources.
You don't say where you are located so I can't make any recommendations of who to go to.
If you'll give us your general location perhaps somebody who lives in your area could recommend an honest dealer.
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It drives okay but I'm brand new at it and didn't feel anything weird. Just drove it from CO to TX a week or so ago.
I'm located near McKinney TX (north of Dallas about 50 miles) Thanks for any suggestions!
__________________
Trish & the pack
2004 Newmar Dutch Star 4025
2005 Jeep Liberty Limited Trail Ready
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12-23-2015, 08:57 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hikerdogs
If the inner edge is smooth, but rounded it's more likely the coach needs a front end alignment. If the inner edge is scalloped it could be either a shock absorber or a tire out of balance.
Check the shock itself to see if there's any signs of damage or leaks. If there's any damage or leaks they should be replaced. Be sure to check the rubber bushings at the top and bottom of the shock. If they are deteriorated it cold be time to replace them. If it's only 1 tire it's more likely a balance problem.
Shocks should last to at least 75,000 miles without problems. They are generally replaced as a set for an axle. I say a "set" because while most vehicles have 2 shock absorbers per axle some have 4.
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The shocks are original and the coach has about 76k miles on it. I'm in touch with the great guy I bought it from to ask about when he may have last had an alignment done. But it doesn't track to one side or the other when I drive it.
Its been at 100lbs psi and is a 120max psi tire. So not over inflated.
Its in storage so I have some time to sort this out before hitting the road in earnest.
__________________
Trish & the pack
2004 Newmar Dutch Star 4025
2005 Jeep Liberty Limited Trail Ready
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12-23-2015, 09:00 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer
I would be skeptical. Worn shocks can let the tire bounce a lot, which causes something called "cupping", round or oval spots where the tread is more worn that the surrounding tire surface. There will be multiple of these shallow spots around the circumference of the tire. It does NOT cause a uniform "rounded" effect. If the tire is rounded, meaning higher in the center than both edges, that indicates over-inflation. If only one edge is lower than the rest, it indicates a front end alignment problem.
These pictures and brief explanations may help:
Tire Tread Wear Patterns: Pictures | Causes
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Thanks - overall the tires are in great shape, but I will have them carefully inspected. Its kept at 100lbs psi and max for this brand of tire is 120psi.
I may need to find a reputable company. There is a Michelin dealer near me - maybe they can analyze for me?
__________________
Trish & the pack
2004 Newmar Dutch Star 4025
2005 Jeep Liberty Limited Trail Ready
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12-23-2015, 09:18 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 8,886
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Great looking dogs you have.
How old are the tires? What brand? Can you see the date code when the tire was made? As a rule of thumb, motorhome tires need to be replaced around 10 years of life. Michelin indicates 10 years, and Goodyear indicated to inspect tires every year after 5 years old. I had a tire "expert" tell me that as tires age they can wear in unusual ways. On my Goodyear tires I am seeing what they call "Rivering" and I am planning to replace them very soon due to this condition and age.
http://www.michelinrvtires.com/asset...ireArticle.pdf (forth paragraph)
http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/tire-care-guide.pdf
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Good Luck, Be Safe and Above All, Don't Forget To Have Fun
Pete
Central Kentucky
2006 Fleetwood Discovery 35H, 2014 Honda CR-V, M&G Engineering Braking System
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12-23-2015, 03:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 183
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The tires at nearly 8 yrs old and are Michelin
275.80 R (Radial) XZA3 load range H.
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Trish & the pack
2004 Newmar Dutch Star 4025
2005 Jeep Liberty Limited Trail Ready
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12-23-2015, 06:24 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,708
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8?
replace
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Newmar Ventana 3933 | Miata close behind
1,060 Watts of Solar | 8 T-105 RE Batteries | Outback controls
HR 38 Endeavor
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12-23-2015, 06:58 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo2013
8?
replace
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You're not familiar with Michelin then ....
__________________
Trish & the pack
2004 Newmar Dutch Star 4025
2005 Jeep Liberty Limited Trail Ready
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12-23-2015, 07:55 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,772
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Tires and shocks
An 8 yr old mh tire is considered 'used up' no matter how much mileage (or little) they have on them. There has been significant discussion lately about Michelin tires and side wall cracking. My tires, the same as yours, required replacing after 5 1/2 years. They looked almost new tread wise but the infamous cracking problem was occurring. And I took care of my tires. I would feel uneasy driving on 8 yr old Michelins.
Btw, I replaced my Michelins with Bridgestones.
Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum
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Terry & Alice
2006 Bounder 38L DP
2012 GMC Terrain
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12-23-2015, 10:43 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 313
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Thoughts for free ( I paid a lot to learn though). At 8 years replacing tires is a good idea. At 76,000 miles (a good thing really) definitely consider new shocks and wheel service (bearings and brakes and probably alignment). Do find a good, trustworthy service provider for trucks. Sounds scary but really is important. Michelins are one choice but there are many good choices and most are less expensive, some a lot less expensive. (Don't buy the motorhome tire propaganda, good quality truck tires in the right size and fresh are just fine.)
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12-23-2015, 10:57 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 804
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Here are some pictorial examples of tire issues and potential causes:
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2015 Newmar Dutch Star - 4018 (ISL 450hp)
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited
Cody (Australian Shepherd puppy)
Zoey and Shelby (Pembroke Welsh Corgis)
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