Tires

[HamboneTHW]

Has anyone replaced tires recently? What brand and model did you go with? What was pricing?

I'm shopping currently (need to replace in September at 7 year mark) and I'm not in love with the pricing around here. I have a trip coming up in July that I could stop somewhere between Memphis, Birmingham, Atlanta and Charleston if the pricing would warrant.

Thanks in advance.

[RVPioneer]

TN has a high sales tax. Lower or no tax can help a bit, so maybe going to a neighboring state would be wise. We have Yokohama’s, many are happy with Toyos as well. Both are usually priced lower than Michelin, even with any group discount that may be offered.

See if a tire shop will negotiate and check to see if they will give you a credit for the used tires. Some will offer $100/ea because they can sell them to a trucker.

[Notayurt]

Many people will tell you that tires made in China are "bombs" waiting to destroy your trip, your coach, and possibly your life. It's nonsense.
I have replaced my tires on two different coaches with Sampson tires. Reasonably priced, an essentially identical tread pattern as higher priced name brands, and rated by NHTSA for tread wear, traction, and temperature right up there with the higher priced options.

Shop around and look for highly rated tires that will meet your needs. Will you drive for 60,000 miles in two years? Then go for a tire rated for that. If you drive 4,000 miles a year and store your RV out of the sun when not in use, maybe you can do better with lower rated options.

Personally, I believe that you don't own an RV to save money! Tires are one of the most important fixtures on your coach, so don't do anything that you feel uncomfortable with. Buy the best tires you can find if cost is not a consideration for tires. Otherwise, weigh options and take advice from our fellow RVers on this site. Good luck and maybe I'll see you down the road.

[Old Scout]

Consider Bridgestone too but never Good Year and look at size 11R vs 295 80R. 11Rs are almost exactly the same diameter but have a slightly small foot print[less width]. 80R is often used for RVs so manufacturers and dealers often see you coming... 11Rs have a little less carry weight but still ok and truckers like them. Don't be tempted by cheaper load range G, range H provides a greater safety margin for our Alpines....

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by Notayurt

Many people will tell you that tires made in China are "bombs" waiting to destroy your trip, your coach, and possibly your life. It's nonsense.
I have replaced my tires on two different coaches with Sampson tires. Reasonably priced, an essentially identical tread pattern as higher priced name brands, and rated by NHTSA for tread wear, traction, and temperature right up there with the higher priced options.

Shop around and look for highly rated tires that will meet your needs. Will you drive for 60,000 miles in two years? Then go for a tire rated for that. If you drive 4,000 miles a year and store your RV out of the sun when not in use, maybe you can do better with lower rated options.

Personally, I believe that you don't own an RV to save money! Tires are one of the most important fixtures on your coach, so don't do anything that you feel uncomfortable with. Buy the best tires you can find if cost is not a consideration for tires. Otherwise, weigh options and take advice from our fellow RVers on this site. Good luck and maybe I'll see you down the road.

I don’t own an RV to save money, but the less I spend, the more I can actually use it. With that said, I’m looking for the best tire for the money. I’m not going to put my family at risk by cheating out on tires, but I’m not going to spend stupid money for the name Michelin.

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by Old Scout

Consider Bridgestone too but never Good Year and look at size 11R vs 295 80R. 11Rs are almost exactly the same diameter but have a slightly small foot print[less width]. 80R is often used for RVs so manufacturers and dealers often see you coming... 11Rs have a little less carry weight but still ok and truckers like them. Don't be tempted by cheaper load range G, range H provides a greater safety margin for our Alpines....

Out of what I have had quoted, Sumitomo and Firestone are both cheaper than Toyos. Just checking to see what everyone is running and what a reasonable price is. The quotes I currently have are $2800 for Sumitomos, $3100 for Firestones and $3300 for Toyos, all H rated.

[Tom and Patty]

Take a look at the FMCA tire program. I purchased BFG ST 230 taking off Bridgestones. They have served me well. It is narrower by 20mm (nearly one inch) than the 295’s I replaced. You may be running the tall rubber.....11’s. Can’t see that from my iPhone. In that case no difference in size.
I would also consider F/S in the tier two tires. As are Toyo, BFG.
Continental now has a program with FMCA too.

[gmcgene]

I bought Hankook AH12 at a far better price than the FMCA discounted Michelins.

Sold the new looking but aged out Goodyear's to a local trucker for $150 each.

Hankook's ride and drive fine.

[Rich and Cork]

A few years back, my neighbor put Toyo M144s (load range H) on his Country Coach. He is a builder of large specialty trucks, so I figured he knew what he was doing, so I did the same.

[wildtoad]

What brand do you have now? I wouldn’t be in a hurry to swap them. Much has been written about the 7 year myth about changing out perfectly good tires. Have them inspected. Michelin says you can run their tires for up to, not to exceed 10. Goodyear has similar statements.

[wildtoad]

What brand do you have now? I wouldn’t be in a hurry to swap them. Much has been written about the 7 year myth about changing out perfectly good tires. Have them inspected. Michelin says you can run their tires for up to, not to exceed 10. Goodyear has similar statements.

[Old Scout]

….yup--ten years until you look at the fine print and see that these manufacturers "require" you to break down the tires and have it inspected internally the last three years. Seven years of intermittent use is probably a pretty good "return on investment." Besides, your family is riding on this decision--the peace of mind will be priceless.

[RVPioneer]

The PO had the Yokohama’s installed 6 months prior to our purchase, so coming up on 3 years ago. They were $425/ea, about $2750 mounted and balanced, before tax.

[RVPioneer]

Originally Posted by Notayurt

Many people will tell you that tires made in China are "bombs" waiting to destroy your trip, your coach, and possibly your life. It's nonsense.
I have replaced my tires on two different coaches with Sampson tires. Reasonably priced, an essentially identical tread pattern as higher priced name brands, and rated by NHTSA for tread wear, traction, and temperature right up there with the higher priced options.

Shop around and look for highly rated tires that will meet your needs. Will you drive for 60,000 miles in two years? Then go for a tire rated for that. If you drive 4,000 miles a year and store your RV out of the sun when not in use, maybe you can do better with lower rated options.

Personally, I believe that you don't own an RV to save money! Tires are one of the most important fixtures on your coach, so don't do anything that you feel uncomfortable with. Buy the best tires you can find if cost is not a consideration for tires. Otherwise, weigh options and take advice from our fellow RVers on this site. Good luck and maybe I'll see you down the road.

I agree that a tire manufactured in China is not likely to disintegrate on the first trip. A few reasons that I choose to avoid Chinese products where danger may be involved are listed below.

1) Two years ago we purchased a used vehicle to use as a toad. It was in great condition but pulled a bit to the right. I asked the dealer to have an alignment performed. There was not much improvement so I asked them to pay for an alignment at a shop of my choice, they agreed. The problem persisted and my shop said there may be an issue with the tires. At this point I realized that there were 2 new, off brand Chinese tires and 2, 4 year old Goodyears, one of each on
each axle. I put the 2 new tires on the front and the car still pulled right. Putting the 2, 4 year old tires on the front solved the problem. An immediate trip to the tire shop to dispose of 2, 3 month old tires was the next step.

2) I am a cyclist and one of my riding buddies is a test pilot/consultant for a manufacturer of high end carbon fiber frames and components. He informed me that many manufacturers are moving production to Vietnam because factory workers in China will follow protocol when company representatives or inspectors are present and immediately disregard those procedures when they are not present.

3) My career sometimes involves installing heavy objects over actors, performers and mere mortals. We are required to attend seminars and classes in order to be allowed to do this work. One of the rules we are trained to follow is to never use a component that is marked with the word “China”. In the event of a failure, we would have no recourse.

It’s a personal choice. I wouldn’t put Chinese tires on my coach if they were free.