Forum Discussion

Tkotis5's avatar
Tkotis5
Explorer
Aug 17, 2015

New tires

We just bought a used 2006 forest River gts with only 5217 miles on it but original tires we want to get new ones where and what would you get its are first time owning an kind of camper and help would be appreciated

18 Replies

  • I get all my tires at Discount Tire. They can work on large vehicles. I backed my 5th wheel partially into the work bay and had them put new tires on.
  • I use Michelin LTX MS2 on our 24 foot Class C. We're on our 2nd set with our 9 year old rig.

    I went a size larger than stock with the 2nd set, so I had to buy 7 of them to make the spare the new size.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer III
    I'd get whatever decent new tires I could find at a reasonable price that are of the right size and load rating. Others here would of disagree with this and insist on getting one or a few tire brands. I may be a bit naive, but so far it's worked out fine for me--I've never had tire woes due to defective tires, only due to defective roads or driving.

    When I got my tires replaced recently, a local tire shop did it for $160 per, mounted and balanced and installed. They're not a well-known brand, but so far seem to do the trick just fine.

    Some shops don't like to work on larger vehicles. I found it useful to use the tirerack.com website's "find an installer" option and looking at the information provided by local area shops; most that have restrictions on vehicle types put that information in their comments. (This is incidentally also a good way to get a feel for tire prices, though do bear in mind if actually ordering through them that you'll be paying for shipping the tires, which adds up. It might be a better deal overall to get them through a local shop even if the base price is more.)

    For most people, motorhome tires never wear out in the sense of the tread becoming too thin, but rather need replacement due to aging. As such, unless you'll be criss-crossing the country multiple times, it really doesn't matter much what the mileage rating of the tires is.
  • What you have really is a medium duty TRUCK.
    See an independent truck tire dealer.....if there is one nearby.

    I recently replaced mine of about the same age when one threw a tread.
    Got Kelly brand for $150 each, installed.

    You can pay up to twice that much but I personally don't think it's worth it......unless maybe you will be on the road pretty much full time.

    Don't forget the spare too.
  • Old rig or newer rig, based on my 40 years in the tire industry and considering the dependabiity and longivity of the product, I only run Michelins on everything.

    They introduced the radial to the world in 1948 and have spend more money than any other tire company continuously improving the radial concept ever since.
    MY OPINION ! ! ! !
  • Welcome to the forum. You're making a wise decision to replace the tires.

    A RV dealer would not be my first choice to buy tires, unless you know and trust the dealership.

    Find a tire store you trust.
    Replace your tires with the same size and load rating. A good tire store will tell you if you need a different tire.

    The make of tire is your decision. Some on the forum will tell you Michelin is a good choice.
    I like Hankook, I've used them for years with good results.

    Check and see what tires are available in your area, then post it on the forum, You'll get several opinions on each make.
    Don't buy tires based on price alone.
    And, check the date code on the tires when you purchase them, you don't want to buy old tires.

    Enjoy your travels.