Time for a set of tires, please help, I have no idea what I'm doing!

[earlmarsden]

1998 National Tropi-Cal 36' with one slide-out.

Wife and I are currently full-timers in Melbourne, FL . Our plan was to wait until early spring to buy tires and hit the road. However, the snowbirds have arrived with their year old reservations and it's causing us to want to go sooner. We prefer less people, more nature.
This brings us back to the original issue. Tires, and this rig has eight with the tag axle.
Have any of you used memberships to get discounts? If so, which ones?
I've gotten one estimate of $2300.00, but that wasn't even Michelins! I know that while they have the tires off, there'll be inspecting the brakes, suspension and other things. I don't want to be up-sold for things I don't need, but want to be safe. Anybody out there bought a complete set of tires for their motorhome? Would love to hear! Thanks for all your help!
Earl in Florida

[Slice]

toyos cheaper than michelins

[FormerBoater]

Hankook!

[Gary RVRoamer]

What size tires are they? And what brand for that $2300 price? Some sizes cost a lot more than others, and bigger always costs more. If I could get 8 tires for my rig for under $4000, I would be ecstatic!

Did that price come from an RV dealer or a tire shop? Odds are you can do much better at a tire shop - use one that handles larger truck tires and large vehicles.

Did the dealer promise an "inspection" of brakes and such, or are you just assuming it? Few shops do that, and those that do probably just have the tire change guy eyeball it. Hardly a mechanical inspection.

As others have said, Toyo, Hankook, Firestone,, etc. all have excellent tires at decent prices. IMO, Michelin is more about hype than superior quality.

[George Schweikle]

Hi Earl, Welcome to the forum.

RV tires is one of the most-discussed topics, and everyone has an opinion. With the concept of replacing tires by date rather than wear, we are confronted with the challenge of discarding tires with plenty of tread left, and this makes it hard to justify top brand tires. Michelins are likely the most expensive and, while I prefer these, there are other reputable brands available for less. Some people have already suggested other brands, and I will mention that Cooper has been used by people posting on the Safari Trek forum and they are pleased with the tires.

There are very low price tires available, usually brands that no one has ever heard of, and I suggest staying away from these (sometimes called "China Bombs").

You can use the SEARCH function to read many tire comments on this forum.

Edit: FMCA has a Michelin discount program, and I recently heard that this may either be changed to or include another brand.

[CarlAda]

Originally Posted by George Schweikle

Edit: FMCA has a Michelin discount program, and I recently heard that this may either be changed to or include another brand.

FMCA's discount program includes Michelin, B.F. Goodrich, and soon Continental. You must be a member of FMCA to use this program and you will definitely save on those tire brands.

[FLYING BUTCH]

I have ran them ALL! Last time I decided to go ahead and try a less expensive set. Sure glad I did. They ride as well as any of them. Just put 11,000 miles on this past summer. Now at 20,000 miles and NO complaints at all. Price was less than HALF of the other "brand names". Hercules is the brand I went with. Local tire dealer installs a lotion RVs.. Just my two cents

safe travels

[August West]

Originally Posted by FLYING BUTCH

. Hercules is the brand I went with.

I have had Hercules on many medium and light duty trucks. They are awesome for the price and I believe they are made by Cooper.

[Kurt Averill]

I just put new steers on - I went with BFG and got a slightly lower price from my local truck tire dealer than I would have gotten through FMCA.

[Mudfrog]

I believe the OP's are 245/70x19.5. If so, it sounds like the he may be getting a real good deal for 8 tires. I replaced 6 of the smaller 225/70x19.5 tires last year and paid about the same price.

[beenthere]

if you are getting 8 22.5" tires for $2300 and you are comfortable with the brand i dont think you will find any cheaper...i think i bough the lowest price american tire the General HS and cost $2800 for 6..

[Mac99]

X2 on the FMCA Michelin tire program. Big savings.
Many will argue the cheap versus expensive issue.
Nobody will argue that Michelin makes very good quality
tires. You get what you pay for in most things in life.....
As to Hercules, if you are comfortable putting your
life on the line with Made In China tirebombs, go ahead.
Lots of opinions for sure...........

[Brad Felmey]

I went from new Yokohamas that failed to Michelin XPS RIB that didn't. The Yoko were $1,200, the Michelins $3,000. I'll take the ones that don't endanger my life any day.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by macandphyl

X2 on the FMCA Michelin tire program. Big savings.

macandphyl
That is NOT necessary true.

In 2011 the Michelin XZE tires for my coach where less expensive at Sam's Club than through the FMCA Michelin Advantage program.
(It pays to shop around).