Hello, I'm a new member to the forum(San Jose, California). Got a used 2008 Freelander 21QB(Chevy workhorse chassis) that had 30K miles, and am enjoying it!(made three trips so far).On the last trip(in Utah), the left front tire blew out and Geico sent out someone to put the spare(brand new) one on.I'm trying to find a professional installer who can put on a comparable new tire for the right front side; but strangely none of the tire service centers appear to be interested in dealing with RVs(called walmart, and went to the local tire shops).Can someone recommend a tire service installer who can install, balance the tires for my RV?A commercial tire installer in Sunnyvale quoted $500(cost + labor + taxes) out the door for a single tire. Is that reasonable?Thanks in advance!

I got 6 new tires mounted and balanced for $600+.I know everything in CA is over priced.Best to buy your front tires as a set. Must be some truck tire shops somewhere.

I replaced all 7 tires 2 months ago at the Goodyear dealer, each tire with a new valve stem and balanced and installed with the correct torque was $185,00 per tire, my tires were replaced in 2007, check the date of manufacture of the remaining tires and always check the tire pressure before every trip.I think that you are being swindled by those individuals.navegator

Tire size and brand?We use GCR at our business and I see one near you. Any tire shop CAN do this, it sounds like you've encountered some lazy ones. They only want vehicles that fit their lift. Don't want to use a jack.Keep shopping and look for shops that do commercial vehicles.

I don't know if you're new to RVing or not, but I'd check the date code on the "new" spare that just went on. It could be an original, never used tire, that possibly is seven or eight years old and be of questionable value.I'd suggest checking the date codes on all your tires. If they are all original to the coach, it would be a very good idea to replace all of them. As for price, I think $100 or so per tire is at the low end, while $500 per tire (assuming you have the normal 225 75 16s) is in the totally absurd range.

Someone quoting $500 doesn't want the job. The most expensive tires you can buy in the size used for vans and van cutaways should be under $300 installed and you might find cheap tires close to half that. In your area there are tens of thousands of vans and small commercial vehicles using the same tires, so there must be tire dealers that service them. This work is often done outside, places like Walmart, Sears etc often have a policy of not working on anything that can't be brought in and put on a lift. A Chevrolet or Ford TRUCK dealership will do the job, but maybe not at the lowest price. I like to buy my tires through an alignment shop that does medium duty trucks, because an alignment check (but not realignment) and brake inspection in included with tire installation. I pay about 10% over Tire Rack wholesale, which is a bit under Tire Rack retail Internet prices, for the tires, mounting, balancing, and the inspection freebies.No specific recommendations for San Jose, but I know what kind of place to look for, anywhere. It will usually be along the highway or near a truck route through town, or in a light industrial zone, not in strip mall or shopping center annex.

New member(class C) + question about tire change

ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2015
I have yet to buy new tires for our 8 year old rig. My plan is to buy fronts first as we practiced with our first motor home. So far we have no cracking or other degradation. The rig is stored indoors, concrete floor, dark, cool in summer, warm in winter. The RV is lighter as well, so the psi is never more than 70 on any tires. As long as there is good thread and sidewalls, I'll keep using them.

I feel that lack of outdoor exposure helps immensely.
j-d
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2015
Glad the front tires are back in service. Did they inspect the rears? Do you have a spare? There seem to be several tire purchase strategies.

Two at a Time like your Fronts

Three at a Time, Fronts and a Spare

Four at a Time, new set of Rears

Six at a Time, or Seven for a new Spare

I just replaced Seven because two were failing, four were 7 years old and the unused spare was 12 years old. Unless something happens, I'll rotate the Spare with the Fronts and leave the Rears right where they are for their lives, probably 5-7 years. Certainly neither 3 nor 10.
WinMinnie02
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
Buy good tires and have them installed properly. I replaced all 6 tires, Firestone Transforce, for $1300 at the Ford dealership.
ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2015
Welcome bitsrider!

Glad you are all set with the front tires.

If I were raising our family of four again on a tight budget and wanted a motorhome to accommodate all, I would have purchased a used 21QB. They are not known for quality, but can serve well with regular inspections of seam work. It's all about rain water getting inside. Especially watch the cab-over bed area for leaks. Take no leakage lightly. Use a caulk gun as necessary and you'll do just fine.

Happy travels!
Cousin_Eddie93
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
Best to call around and find someone reputable, you'll know by how much they are charging you. My guy, a local auto shop did all six of mine for $800. The typical good years and fire stones etc all wanted 250 plus labor per tire, that tells you they don't want the job. Plenty of little shops out there would love the work.
bitsrider
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
Thanks everyone!
This morning I took it out to the local Big O tires(Parkmoor) and the service was great(I took it there because I saw them working on a larger class C). It costed me $430 OTD for putting on 2 new front tires(IronMan brand) - installed and balanced. The tires cost $150 each.
And yes, the 4 digit code indicates the date of manufacture. 3314 = 33rd week of 2014.
Happy trails!
PS:Didn't think Costco would do it. Will be sure to check them out when I'm there next.
Mich_F
Explorer
Jul 25, 2015
TyroneandGladys wrote:
Mich F wrote:
Bea PA wrote:
If they are original tires, they are at least 7 yrs old and if the chassis sat at the factory, they may be 8 years old. Change all the tires, RV tires age out from sitting. The recall on Michelin was from Jan 2010 thru June
2012 so wouldn't apply to you.

The OP doesn't know the age of his tires. They might or might not be original. I'm not sure how you would know how old they are, or when or if the original tires were replaced. :B

Tires made after 2000 have a four-digit DOT code. The first two numbers represent the week in which the tire was made. The second two represent the year. A tire with a DOT code of 1109 was made in the 11th week of 2009. Tires with a three-digit code were made prior to 2000 and need to be replaced.

Why did you quote my post which was in response to BeaPA telling the OP that his tires wouldn't be involved in the Michelin recall, since BeaPA has no idea how old or even what brand the tires are ? :h
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Jul 25, 2015
Mich F wrote:
Bea PA wrote:
If they are original tires, they are at least 7 yrs old and if the chassis sat at the factory, they may be 8 years old. Change all the tires, RV tires age out from sitting. The recall on Michelin was from Jan 2010 thru June
2012 so wouldn't apply to you.

The OP doesn't know the age of his tires. They might or might not be original. I'm not sure how you would know how old they are, or when or if the original tires were replaced. :B

Tires made after 2000 have a four-digit DOT code. The first two numbers represent the week in which the tire was made. The second two represent the year. A tire with a DOT code of 1109 was made in the 11th week of 2009. Tires with a three-digit code were made prior to 2000 and need to be replaced.
klutchdust
Explorer II
Jul 25, 2015
America's tire matched tire rack.com price. They will do Rv's. Those that choose not to service a class c are lazy.
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 25, 2015
Costco and Discount tire around here will not work on class A motor homes.