GT Radials

[chaperon]

I just bought and mounted 8 new LT235/85R16 Adventuro GT Radial tires on our 98 Newmar Mountainair.
It was a hard fought decision as I believe you get what you pay for and prefer a North American product, but for the $100.00 per tire price difference from the Michelins I replaced them with, I gave in.
As we hardly put 2K a year on the coach, and after talking to many tire professionals, the consensus was to give them a try as they have a one year road hazard warranty as well as a five year manufacturers warranty. There is no way I will ever get close to the tread depth limitations.
So far they look great, I can't notice any handling difference and am very happy.
I will endeavour to keep updating their condition, I had a hard time finding info or unbiased reviews of Chinese made tires when doing my research. Hopefully all will go well and someone else can save a few bucks as well.

[amanda_h]

I have been hearing more positive comments pertaining to Chinese tires. A lot of us keep thinking that everything out of China is junk but I'm not sure if that really is the case. Chinese tires are still trying to shake that perception from a decade or so ago that all tires out of China are susceptible to blowouts and failures. That's not really the case. Believe it or not, there are quality Chinese tires.

I too would love to buy only products produced in the U.S. or at least north America. But let's face it, it's now a global economy and going forward, we will be seeing even more things imported from the Far East. Products from China will eventually have better quality, I'm sure. They'll have to be in order to compete. Those of us old enough to remember things made in Japan were once junk. Now, things made in Japan represent quality. Same with South Korea ...remember the poor quality of Hyundais when they first were offered here in the U.S.? Now they're very reliable. Even South Korean tires didn't have the best reputation when first imported here. Now, they're some of the best out there. Japanese and Korean tires have great reputations. I know some of you are avid Michelin fans but there are alternatives.

But anyway, I guess we shouldn't be getting in to editorializing the global economy. I hope those tires will work out for you. I'm not sure if I'm ready to buy Chinese tires yet but in a few years, who knows. Decades ago, I wouldn't have though I'd ever buy Japanese tires but I actually did put Yokohamas on one of my cars a few years ago and am considering Toyos for the motorhome. A friend of mine who is vehemently against buying imported stuff --or so I thought-- actually gave in an put Hankook tires on his Ford Taurus ...that really surprised me as he gives me a hard time when I buy a German or Japanese vehicle.

For me, I buy what I consider is the best bang for my buck and if it has the features I want. Some will refrain from doing that in order to buy something made in the U.S. And some things we have no choice but to buy things made in another country.

I hope those tires give you years of dependable service.

-harry

[Mac99]

Good luck when one of them blows and you get the
full Chinese experience.