For the OP:
abc40kids wrote:
...but who's getting the dealer to change them to save the deal without raising the cost of the unit.
After reading everything, everyone responded to about your question, I think the conclusion is, only a couple folks who responded actually has "first hand experience" negotiating with the dealer for upgraded tires, and then...they had to pay the difference in the price for them.
So I think your final answer, based upon everyone's response is "no.! Dealers will not negotiate upgraded tires unless you pay the difference, somewhere bundled into the overall cost of the RV. You will pay.
Sorry, I was curious also.
Personally, I've had 3 TT. Dutchmen Sport lite, had it for a little over 3 years and traded. It still had the original tires that came with the camper.
Second camper was a Keystone Springdale. Had it for 8 years. Year 5 the original tires were showing signs of dry rot. Although they probbly had life left in the, we got the changed for Carliles. When we traded the camper, the Carliles were still on the trailer.
Third camper is a Keystone Outback... original tires still. We've had the camper for almost 1 year now. We've traveled from Indiana to Florida, and all over Indiana this summer. I don't track miles, but we've probably put 7000-8000 miles on those tires. I check them every trip diligently only because they are the original tires. And so far there is absolutely no hint of anything funky going on.
Point to be made, if your original tires are inflated properly (all three of my campers were/are inflated to 50 pounds) I have an air compressor and check that regularly too. I cover the tires with tire covers, and when backing up, I attempt to avoid sharp, 90 degree type turns in back up so there is minimal side twisting of the tires. And VERY seldom do I ever tow over 60 mph, and am now NOT driving interstates just so I don't have to drive that fast causing the danger of exceeding the speed rating for the trailer tires. Perhaps these 4 simple user maintenance items have been the key to my success with original tires.
Am I planning on changing my original tires on my current Outback? No.
Am I taking chances, a risk, a danger?
No. I don't think so. Why?
Because I understand the limitations of the tires, and try to use them in compliance with common sense and knowm manufacturer recommendations.
I have always said, if you use a product in the way it was intended to be, in compliance with the dealer/manufacture guidelines, and with moderate care and maintenance, any product is a good product. Some chairs are designed to support a 500 pound person, some are designed to support a 35 pound child. Let the 500 pound person sit on the child chair, and you cannot blame the manufacturer for a faulty chair.
Perhaps manufacturers ARE installing the incorrect tire on the incorrect RV. I understand that. But I'm sure the manufacturers have done their home work, research and development, and have determined tires that are installed on RV are "ADEQUATE" for what they are designed for. They have to juggle the fine ballance between quality and cost and profit, and battle the amount customers are willing to pay for their product. We complain about "cheap campers, cheep tires, Cheep trailer frames... that's because the customer complains so much about the PRICE when a stronger, more durable one is used.
So in order for the tire to be successful (last 5 years or more, or last 50,000 miles, the responsibility to USE the tire in accordance within the limitations of the tire is essential. But I think a lot of original chineese tire failure is the result of consumers over extending the design parameters of the tire. ... Speed, turning radius, over-under inflation, UV protection, tire alignment, ect.....
Just my 2 cents.... but I know there are a LOT of people who will BOLDLY challenge me on my comments here, but in MY opinion .... I THINK your final choice should be to take the camper as is, use it for a few trips, evaluate the tires before and after each trip, and when or if you begin to see potential failure (dry rot, uneven tread, loss of tread, not holding pressure, etc.) then consider getting different tires. You just might get 5 years or more and 20,000 miles out of them before you feel you have to change.
These are just my thoughts, and I do understand the arguments against them already. Just remember .... There is some owner responsibility too! You can't lay EVERYTHING on manufacturer. Trailer manufacturers have chosen specific tires to reduce costs for everyone and yield the highest profit margin for them. That's just how it works with any product you buy. But I don't think the manufacturers deliberately install inferior tires with the intention of the consumer having a road mishap the could cost lives. So there is some consumer responsibility.
Bottom line and I'll quite rambling:
Your responsibility is to care for the tires on your RV with at least moderate attention. If you feel the tires are inferior, you have the responsibility to correct that. (I absolutely agree)...
However, you cannot expect the dealer to make the tire change at HIS expense. It just won't happen. Their "people" have determined the tire that comes with the camper is "adequate" and are assuming the consumer will act accordingly.
I'll shut up now. Hey ... Good luck. Hope you ARE successful. But please, if you do feel passionate about this subject, the PLEASE negotiate with your dealer and see what happens. The most they can say is "no" and you haven't lost anything.
