Forum Discussion

Fifty4F100's avatar
Fifty4F100
Explorer
May 28, 2013

New tires

I know this has been done to death in here, but I'll start it up again. My wife to our Holiday Rambler with her mother and brother to visit grandmother this holiday weekend. I knew I was living on borrowed time (kinda) with the tires, but they did lose an interior rear tire on the way back home. Our spare is as old as 1999 and the roadside attendant said it looked brand new, so its probably going back on as the spare. My wife wants to buy 5 new Goodyears to match the spare and try to depend on the best 6 yr. old Wanli as a spare, but my vote will be to buy 6 new tires.

My local tire guy is suggesting some Toyo tires that he states are made in the USA (which is a desire of mine) and has a good price. Unless I hear from many "in here" that's probably what I will so. He quoted some Wanli's for about $1000 less and Michelin's for about $1000 more.

Suggestions?
Class A
  • KazooTom's avatar
    KazooTom
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    If you haven't already done so, consider getting a price through FMCA on their Michelin Advantage Plan. I just had 6 new XRV's (less than 6b weeks old) installed today for $100 per tire less than the dealer could sell them directly. A savings of over $260 per tire over the best Goodyear estimate I could find. Estimates for Toyo and Hankook couldn't come close either. Well worth the cost of my membership. You can go to the FMCA web site and look at a sample price sheet to get an idea of possible savings.
  • brirene's avatar
    brirene
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    I haven't had good luck with several sets of Michelins. I've had excellent service from BFG's, however.
    I am usually in the minority on the Michelins though.
  • 2chiefsRus's avatar
    2chiefsRus
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    Second the idea to check out the FMCA Michelin program. As to your wife wanting to only buy 5, that is a VERY bad idea. The question I would ask her is - if you aren't going to replace a 1999 tire in 2013, when does she want to replace it? One more year, two more years? Also you would have to put the 1999 tire on the FRONT since you only want to put matched tires together on each side in the back.

    Show her the picture of the motorhome that went through the houses in UTAH this past weekend due to a blowout on one of the front tires.
  • Chaz98's avatar
    Chaz98
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    I also did the FMCA Michelin program last month and saved. I did call Toyo corporate as I previously had them on from PO, but the Toyo rep on phone said they really don't make an RV tire, even though some may fit on rig (was curious as I didn't see "RV" on their web site). With FMCA pgm, price came close to the Toyos anyway.
    May also want to check out polishing service/sandblasting of rims if offered at tire place...was well worth it and rims look great.

    Chaz
    Good Sam Life member
    FMCA
  • wny_pat1's avatar
    wny_pat1
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    Toyo, Hankook, Bridgestone, Continental, and even Firestone are all good today!
  • wny_pat1's avatar
    wny_pat1
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    Chaz98 wrote:
    May also want to check out polishing service/sandblasting of rims if offered at tire place...was well worth it and rims look great.

    Please, don't sandblast the (rims) wheels! Sandblasting weaken them!!!
  • Fifty4F100's avatar
    Fifty4F100
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    I have steel rims with chrome simulators. I don't plan on sandblasting them and I doubt the tire store will.
  • Chaz98's avatar
    Chaz98
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    wny_pat wrote:
    Chaz98 wrote:
    May also want to check out polishing service/sandblasting of rims if offered at tire place...was well worth it and rims look great.

    Please, don't sandblast the (rims) wheels! Sandblasting weaken them!!!


    Source on weakening rims please? BTW, I talking about the inner wheel on the rear duals or any steel wheel for that matter.

    The 4 Alcoa Aluminums were polished.

    Most reputable truck tire places in the US offer this service and many farm out to others.
  • Mr_Mark1's avatar
    Mr_Mark1
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    To the OP... It wouldn't hurt to check with FMCA for prices. Hopefully you will be able to find a reputable service center.

    I ordered my new Michelins 5 weeks ago at the cost of about $680 a tire plus tax and mounting.

    I had everything planned and organized to have my FMCA tires put on today. I arrived at the service center just before 8 AM for my 8:30 appt. I asked the manager to check the date codes and two of the 8 tires were from December 2012 and other other 6 were from Feb. 2013. I specifically asked for all "NEW" tires, I was madder than a wet cat. I refused all the tires.

    Maybe my 7 yrs. old Michelins will get me through another year. I'm sick of service people who will tell you one thing and do another. I'm not a happy camper.

    I'm in California and will start back to Tennessee in two weeks, I just may check there for new tires.

    MM.

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