Community Forums

Rv artisan · 09-19-2013, 08:52 PM

After getting 6 new tires for my 2006 Hurricane,(tire rot from sitting before I bought it,had only 9k miles) I had a problem as I was traveling thru the Midwest.Turns out the the reputable tire dealer that sold me the Continentals,never bothered to replace the old stems.I found that out after the first time I checked the air pressure.An hour later and some desperate moments trying to reach a garage,I was told by the mechanic the stems were in bad shape.He was amazed that the stems weren't replaced after paying 2400$ for new tires.He fixed the cores for free and I walked out knowing I wouldn't be checking the air any more unless it was in font of a tire dealership.I ended up watching the tires,not using the tire gauge for the next 70000 miles across the country.,waiting to return to the scene of the crime,the place I where I bought them..This happened after finally checking the tires at my storage space.Once again a flat tire a day after using a tire gauge.The tire people ,instead of apologizing ,gave me some lame excuse for their mistake.They put in steel stems and showed me the flimsy rubber stems that were leaking.Is this standard?rubber stems?They charged me 40$.and never charged me for the 2 hours it took to put them on.Sometimes It pays to be assertive and quietly threatening.

Mr_D · 09-19-2013, 09:10 PM

Stems should ALWAYS be replaced when tires are, the rubber in them ages just like the tires do. Even metal ones should have new gaskets.

Skip426 · 09-19-2013, 09:15 PM

Rubber valves aren't really recommended for tires that run over 60 psi.
Too many times the whole valve will blow out as the pressure builds up.
Strange they were on the rims in the first place, let alone not replaced with the tires.

TheArnolds · 09-20-2013, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rv artisan

After getting 6 new tires for my 2006 Hurricane,(tire rot from sitting before I bought it,had only 9k miles) I had a problem as I was traveling thru the Midwest.Turns out the the reputable tire dealer that sold me the Continentals,never bothered to replace the old stems.I found that out after the first time I checked the air pressure.An hour later and some desperate moments trying to reach a garage,I was told by the mechanic the stems were in bad shape.He was amazed that the stems weren't replaced after paying 2400$ for new tires.He fixed the cores for free and I walked out knowing I wouldn't be checking the air any more unless it was in font of a tire dealership.I ended up watching the tires,not using the tire gauge for the next 70000 miles across the country.,waiting to return to the scene of the crime,the place I where I bought them..This happened after finally checking the tires at my storage space.Once again a flat tire a day after using a tire gauge.The tire people ,instead of apologizing ,gave me some lame excuse for their mistake.They put in steel stems and showed me the flimsy rubber stems that were leaking.Is this standard?rubber stems?They charged me 40$.and never charged me for the 2 hours it took to put them on.Sometimes It pays to be assertive and quietly threatening.

I am very sorry you got poor service at some tire dealer but I do not understand why you titled this post " Thor tire stems"? What did Thor have to do with your problem? Regardless if they were original they should have been changed and the dealership knew this and failed to point it out when you purchased the tires. If you wanted to ding some company then you should of named the dealership where you purchased your tires so others can be aware.

Safe travels!

Rv artisan · 09-20-2013, 06:13 AM

The name of the tire company was Lyons tire in Waltham Ma.I only wanted to point out that the plastic stems are totally inferior to the steel stems.Im very happy with Thor,though I think they cut too many corners using plastic over steel.

TheArnolds · 09-20-2013, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rv artisan

The name of the tire company was Lyons tire in Waltham Ma.I only wanted to point out that the plastic stems are totally inferior to the steel stems.Im very happy with Thor,though I think they cut too many corners using plastic over steel.

Thanks for the explaination!

CampDaven · 09-20-2013, 06:44 AM

I think the original valve stems would be chosen my the chassis maker.

flaggship1 · 09-20-2013, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

I think the original valve stems would be chosen my the chassis maker.

I agree. RV manufactures, to my knowledge receive rolling stock. They don't add the tires later when building the box. Unless Thor specified, and we don't know that they did, you received what the chassis manufacturer shipped.

Glad no one got hurt.

Rv artisan · 09-20-2013, 08:53 AM

Your probably right that Ford should be held responsiblle.Don't forget the tire company that sold it to Ford,they share some of the blame.The bottom line though,is that Thor is selling the final product.If you had something to sell wouldn't you be watching what went into making it before selling it.As Ive said, I am appreciative that Thor made an affordable RV that is perfect for me.I posted this thread to warn others of this problem,so they'll be aware of if deciding on a used Thor,even if it has low mileage .

Hikerdogs · 09-20-2013, 09:21 AM

Why would you think Ford should bare any "responsibility" for valve stems that have deteriorated after 7 years of use? They lasted as long as the tires and should have been replaced at the same time.

Rv artisan · 09-20-2013, 11:57 AM

Really,9000 miles and you need to change valves?I don't think so.For a few dollars more I'd go with a steel valve.

H3OHIO · 09-20-2013, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rv artisan

Really,9000 miles and you need to change valves?I don't think so.For a few dollars more I'd go with a steel valve.

LOL... Trying to figure out what mileage has to do with anything? You said in your first post you had to buy new tires because of tire rot from sitting, but you think the original valve stems should have been perfectly fine since it only has 9000 miles on it?

By the way my new Thor came with metal valve stems.

Redridge · 09-20-2013, 03:33 PM

+1... changing oil = changing filter = changing tires = changing valve stems.

Rv artisan · 09-20-2013, 03:53 PM

I've been informed that the rubber stems can only handle 60 psi.They never should have been used for an rv.Also,as Ive said,the tires had tire rot from sitting,with only 9000 miles.When the tires were changed, new stems should have been put in, especially since the tire people who sold them to me must know about the psi, and should have informed me before replacing the tires.This is standard procedure as Ive been told now by every tire shop Ive asked since I had this problem..Still,to get back to my first question.Why were inferior stems that would not be able to handle the psi put in the original tires of an rv that initially cost 70-80 k?