Tires & DOT

[SH]

So...been dealing with tires and tire posts for many years and have a plethora of experience with them.

However I have a new challenge. Dealers seldom carry my tire in stock and they must be ordered either from the local tire guy or online. The issue is, they all say they have no say regarding DOT Date Codes when their suppliers send the tires. They are legal to sell as "new" up to four years after they are dated.

Ordering online is easy, reasonably priced and free shipping however...if they arrive with a four-year old date code I have to pay shipping to return which is very pricey on four Goodyear 614's.

I replace these tires every five years per DOT Code. I have been lucky over the past two purchases and got tires dated within a few months of install but I was able to select the tires onsite. This no longer seems possible.

What is the consensus regarding DOT Date versus "put in service" date on the integrity of a new tire?

Many thanks!

[cummins2014]

fj12ryder wrote:
While I agree that newer tires are better, I also wonder about the obsession would cause a person would pay more money for tires that are only incrementally newer. I managed for nearly 70 years to survive without knowing how old my tires were. I just bought them. Just an observation mind you.

I never looked for a DOT until l started towing fifth wheels , and started reading tire threads . With that being said it sure won’t hurt getting the freshest tire possible . Not too concerned with truck tires , I wear them a bit quicker, but these fifth wheel tires that’s another story . It’s bad enough having to replace an RV tire that’s no where near worn out , but aged out .

[fj12ryder]

While I agree that newer tires are better, I also wonder about the obsession would cause a person would pay more money for tires that are only incrementally newer. I managed for nearly 70 years to survive without knowing how old my tires were. I just bought them. Just an observation mind you.

[cummins2014]

Really, you know some of these tire stores got a bunch of young guys rattling those lug nuts tight, great if you have been so lucky, or have to stand over them to get them to do it right . I prefer to do it it myself. There will come a day I will not ,but that day has not come yet.

[cummins2014]

pcm1959 wrote:

pcm1959 wrote:
I can get 4 Sailun 17.5 inch tires from Amazon Prime, free delivery, taxes, etc., for $635 then take them to Discount Tire for mounting. However, there is no way to know the DOT until they arrive. A current Ebay listing has them with a DOT code of 2019 but no month. Annoys me the merchant would but the year and not the month.

Just got an email for this guy on eBay this morning. His Sailuns are 2119 so coming up on a year old.

The first set of five I ordered were from SimpleTire, and they were a bit newer then 2119, but still older then I wanted, so they went back. I was okay with six months old from Walmart.

Have you gave a local merchant a shot at getting a set of them. This set I got from Walmart was the first tires I have ever ordered online ,and had delivered. I won't do that again . Took two sets to get a newer tire. I'll pay a little extra ,and go local next time. Although returning the first set to SimpleTire was not a big deal. I could of done it two different ways, had them picked up from my home ,or take them to Fedex . I chose to just take them to Fedex ,and get it done.

[pcm1959]

pcm1959 wrote:
I can get 4 Sailun 17.5 inch tires from Amazon Prime, free delivery, taxes, etc., for $635 then take them to Discount Tire for mounting. However, there is no way to know the DOT until they arrive. A current Ebay listing has them with a DOT code of 2019 but no month. Annoys me the merchant would but the year and not the month.

Just got an email for this guy on eBay this morning. His Sailuns are 2119 so coming up on a year old.

[cummins2014]

mtofell1 wrote:

pcm1959 wrote:
My neighbor took delivery of the tires so was not correct on the DOT code. Here's the scoop. Two are made in China with dates 10-19 and 11-19. Two were made in Vietnam with dates 09-19 and 10-17.
I already have return authorization for them and will drop them off tomorrow at my local Walmart.
I'm not installing a tire that is 2.5 years old.
There are two places an hour from me that are authorized Sailun dealers. One has prices comparable to Walmart but an awful reputation and I don't do business of any sort with nasty people.
The other is a heavy truck equipment place and their prices are much higher.
I will not buy tires of any brand again until the DOT code can be verified.

I had the same experience with Walmart. Dates spanning about 2 years. Kind of gave me the idea Walmart buys up things others don't want. Can't really figure how they could wind up with such a variance. This is even more strange - tires from two countries.

As for the mounting thing - I removed my wheels and just took them in rather than hauling my trailer to the tire store and trying to thread it through the tight parking lot.

I guess I got lucky all 5 tires same week 4519 from Walmart.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I have watched Costco and Discount torque many times, always done correctly. Les Schwann, rattle rattle etc the click click etc. never turning the lug nut with the TQ wrench.

No doubt any tire store you have dealt with does it right . Others may vary .

[mtofell1]

pcm1959 wrote:
My neighbor took delivery of the tires so was not correct on the DOT code. Here's the scoop. Two are made in China with dates 10-19 and 11-19. Two were made in Vietnam with dates 09-19 and 10-17.
I already have return authorization for them and will drop them off tomorrow at my local Walmart.
I'm not installing a tire that is 2.5 years old.
There are two places an hour from me that are authorized Sailun dealers. One has prices comparable to Walmart but an awful reputation and I don't do business of any sort with nasty people.
The other is a heavy truck equipment place and their prices are much higher.
I will not buy tires of any brand again until the DOT code can be verified.

I had the same experience with Walmart. Dates spanning about 2 years. Kind of gave me the idea Walmart buys up things others don't want. Can't really figure how they could wind up with such a variance. This is even more strange - tires from two countries.

As for the mounting thing - I removed my wheels and just took them in rather than hauling my trailer to the tire store and trying to thread it through the tight parking lot.

[pcm1959]

My neighbor took delivery of the tires so was not correct on the DOT code. Here's the scoop. Two are made in China with dates 10-19 and 11-19. Two were made in Vietnam with dates 09-19 and 10-17.
I already have return authorization for them and will drop them off tomorrow at my local Walmart.
I'm not installing a tire that is 2.5 years old.
There are two places an hour from me that are authorized Sailun dealers. One has prices comparable to Walmart but an awful reputation and I don't do business of any sort with nasty people.
The other is a heavy truck equipment place and their prices are much higher.
I will not buy tires of any brand again until the DOT code can be verified.

[Cummins12V98]

I have watched Costco and Discount torque many times, always done correctly. Les Schwann, rattle rattle etc the click click etc. never turning the lug nut with the TQ wrench.

[cummins2014]

pcm1959 wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

pcm1959 wrote:
My Sailun 17.5 637 tires that I ordered on Thursday from Wal Mart arrived today via FedEx. Their DOT code is Nov 19.
Some have complained of not being able to find the DOT code on Sailun tire. Their website tells you exactly how to do so and allows your to register them for the 6 year warranty.
The DOT code on the 637 tire is only on one side and the 4 number code is an a small oval just after "DOT".

So the date code on them were what around 4219 on them ?? 42 would put them pretty close to mid Nov or possibly they had 4319 or 4419 putting them later in Nov 2019 ??

Correct

Mine from Walmart were 4519

[pcm1959]

cummins2014 wrote:

pcm1959 wrote:
My Sailun 17.5 637 tires that I ordered on Thursday from Wal Mart arrived today via FedEx. Their DOT code is Nov 19.
Some have complained of not being able to find the DOT code on Sailun tire. Their website tells you exactly how to do so and allows your to register them for the 6 year warranty.
The DOT code on the 637 tire is only on one side and the 4 number code is an a small oval just after "DOT".

So the date code on them were what around 4219 on them ?? 42 would put them pretty close to mid Nov or possibly they had 4319 or 4419 putting them later in Nov 2019 ??

Correct

[cummins2014]

cummins2014 wrote:

pcm1959 wrote:
My Sailun 17.5 637 tires that I ordered on Thursday from Wal Mart arrived today via FedEx. Their DOT code is Nov 19.
Some have complained of not being able to find the DOT code on Sailun tire. Their website tells you exactly how to do so and allows your to register them for the 6 year warranty.
The DOT code on the 637 tire is only on one side and the 4 number code is an a small oval just after "DOT".

So the date code on them were what around 4219 on them ?? 45 would put them pretty close to mid Nov or possibly they 4619 or 4719 putting them later in Nov 2019 ??

[cummins2014]

SH wrote:

pcm1959 wrote:
This will only be the 2nd time for new tires on my fiver. Its kept on a driveway at home so I just lift the tires off the ground with the Big Foot and remove the tires and take them wherever. I don't mind doing it this way compared to hitching up and driving into town.
I have never used Discount Tire but once for a car tire and they seemed very customer service driven. I have not inquired as of yet if they will mount the new 17.5 tires and as to whether they have high pressure metal valve stems. The stems that came on the rig are bit longer than I prefer especially with the TST monitor.

Since there is no service center that can sell and install my tires in close proximity...I am with you. No big deal to remove and drive the wheels a mile down the road for mounting and balance.

Same here, personally prefer to install myself ,and know they are torqued correctly, and not overtightened with a air impact.

[SH]

pcm1959 wrote:
This will only be the 2nd time for new tires on my fiver. Its kept on a driveway at home so I just lift the tires off the ground with the Big Foot and remove the tires and take them wherever. I don't mind doing it this way compared to hitching up and driving into town.
I have never used Discount Tire but once for a car tire and they seemed very customer service driven. I have not inquired as of yet if they will mount the new 17.5 tires and as to whether they have high pressure metal valve stems. The stems that came on the rig are bit longer than I prefer especially with the TST monitor.

Since there is no service center that can sell and install my tires in close proximity...I am with you. No big deal to remove and drive the wheels a mile down the road for mounting and balance.