FMCA tire program

Just had 6 new Michelin 255/80R22.5 XRV tires installed on the coach yesterday. We used the FMCA program and saved about $50 per tire. The manufacture date was 3113.The old tires were dated 5003 and had 77,000+ miles on them. They have never had any problems.
The coach is stored inside when we aren't using it and the tires and wheels are removed at least every two years for inspection and a good scrubbing with soap & water and two coats of 303 protectant. I also check the tire pressure every morning before we pull out of our campsite when we are traveling.
I know that most owners replace their tires @ 5 to 7 years, I try to take good care of ours and am very vigilant with the preventative maintenance.
Why would I ever buy anything else except Michelins when my family's life is dependent on them? A few dollars less for other brand tires isn't worth the gamble.
Just my opinion.
Good Luck,
Journey Indiana

imgoin4it wrote:
BUT BE CAREFUL. You also need to compare capacity of the tires. I priced Hankook tires to replace my 275/70R 22.5 Michelins and found the Hankooks not rated the same as the Michelins. Two different tire dealers told me no problem just air them up to 130 pounds for the weight of my coach. I believe that is about 10 pounds over the max for the wheels. I have new Michelins thru the FMCA advantage program.

:h
Not sure when they changed spec's. but both only offer 1 tire in that size.

From Michelins site:
Dual weight\PSI 6,940/130
Single weight\PSI 6,395/120


Hankooks:
Dual weight\PSI 6,945/131
Single weight\PSI 6,395/131

The wheels on my rig are the aluminum Freightliner Factory wheels, not sure who really makes them, but they are stamped, MAX 130 PSI, so both tires will work for me, I am no where near the max weight rating per the CAT Scales at only need 105 PSI. I don't see any difference in the weight other that the Hankook's on duals can carry a whopping 5 pounds more.

Anybody in the SF Bay area in California looking for a good dealer who works with the FMCA program let me recommend the following:

Tehama Tire
2152A O'Toole Ave
San Jose, Ca 95131

We bought a set of Michelins back in March from another dealer, and last month we had the sidewall on the left rear inner dual blow out. Our original dealer recommended the above dealer because he was closer to us and when we called them we talked to a guy who called himself "Junior". He worked with us, got the Michelin rep involved, and kept us updated as we were waiting for the rep to make it out here.

We were running on a used tire that the CoachNet driver brought out to us and today we swapped it out for a brand new tire - date code 1513. He said that when the Michelin rep showed the photo of our tire to their engineering people, they were quite concerned and asked to have the tire shipped back to them for review. It wasn't your typical "zipper" failure - there was a softball-sized hole in the sidewall. We don't know if Michelin will give us anything on the tire, but the above-mentioned dealer ordered us the new tire, and installed it. He said we'll be getting the invoice for the tire through FMCA and we only paid $53 for mounting, balancing, disposal, taxes, etc.

So, if you're looking for a tire place in San Jose give Tehama Tire a try - they're great people to work with!

If you shop and compare prices of different brands with the cost of Michelins and the FMCA program you can find other brands for less cost. BUT BE CAREFUL. You also need to compare capacity of the tires. I priced Hankook tires to replace my 275/70R 22.5 Michelins and found the Hankooks not rated the same as the Michelins. Two different tire dealers told me no problem just air them up to 130 pounds for the weight of my coach. I believe that is about 10 pounds over the max for the wheels. I have new Michelins thru the FMCA advantage program. When you do replace them have the dealer put on solid valve extenders on the rear duals and the stabilizers for them where they go thru the outside dual. You will be glad you did.

JohnnyT wrote:
I am not understanding the wide variance in tire prices... I thought that there was a single FMCA price on each tire model and size.

The amount does fluctuate widely, and you also have to take into account the FMCA price when you call in for the quote does not include mounting, balancing, and sales taxes.
The tires on my rig will need to be replaced next year and I was looking at the FMCA Program. The FMCA Michelin price for 275/70R22.5 is $609 per tire out the door ($495 tire, mount $35, balance 25, sales tax $54). I can get Hankook's for $445 out the door. For 6 tires the Hankook's are $984 less than the FMCA Program is. Other brands will save you also, Sumitomo's $1,164, and Firestone's will save $91.
I would shop around. The Goodyears, Bridgstone, and Continental's were higher priced.

I am not understanding the wide variance in tire prices... I thought that there was a single FMCA price on each tire model and size.

I bought 6 Michelin XRV Tires they were 235/80/22.5 (1st week in June 2013 date stamp) and I paid $378.00 per tire ($2268.00) after the Michelin Rebate. Everything else electronic balancing, tire disposal, mounting and dismounting, new tire stems etc. taxes was around $650.00.

I bought two 315/80/22.5 Michelins for the front..OTD- $638.00/ea installed and balanced.....Dennis

Also went through the FMCA Michelin program. Total price including the $400 credit for my take-off's, balancing and installation was $6,100 (762.50 each) for 295/80R/22.5.

MM.

Saved over $500 with the FMCA Program vs the best price that I could work on my own