Picking up a new to me Class C!! - Questions on Pick Up

[Baja_Man]

So, after much research, asking questions here on this very helpful forum, looking at several Class C's on RV lots and RV Trader private party units..........I have purchased a Class C! I previously had TTs and 5ers. I will pick up 350 miles (one way) from my home.

My new to me Class C:

2005 Monaco Esquire 31PBS
25K miles
Garage kept
Original owner

Very excited about my new rig and can't wait to continue our family journeys in a Class C! Now I can tow my boat!!!

QUESTIONS:

One tire (front driver's side) is 6 years old. Other front tire was replaced under warranty and is two years old.

Rear tires are 2 years old. Rear tires are of an off brand and appear to have an aggressive tread pattern; almost like an AT tire. Owner had to have the rears replaced on the road during a trip and the tire shop only had these off brand ones in stock at the time.

I would like to get the rig home and replace all 6 tires with Michelin LTX MS2 at a local tire dealer in my neighborhood. This will provide me with FREE tire rotations and balancing for life of tire and I like to support my local businesses.

1. Is it a large risk driving home 350 miles with the one six year old tire? Should I replace the one tire with a cheap one just to get home? A cheap one is probably around $100 installed.

2. Any things I should do prior to my trip home other than obvious things like oil, coolant, trans fluid)? I already did an inspection a few weeks ago when I went to see it originally (roof, refer, genny, AC, look for leaks, etc.

Thanks!

[Baja_Man]

Thanks everyone. Will check out all things as mentioned. Purchased from private property, so no way to spend night at a dealership.

Will look into FMCA and see if my local dealer participates.

[TyroneandGladys]

all of the above but in addition drive in the early morning. Temperature is a tire killer the cooler it is the better and keep your speed down.

[CharlesinGA]

Just make sure the off brand tires are the proper size and LT tires properly rated for the vehicle. If they are, and are not crazy noisy, I'd just run them and replace the steer tires. The dealer might give you a few bucks credit on the nearly new 2 yo tire, if they keep used tires in stock, which most do.

I have no experience at all with the FMCA Michelin tire deal but it sounds like great pricing that will justify the membership several times over. Apparently many people join just to get the tire deal. Follow the link to read about the deal.

http://www.fmca.com/benefits/michelin-advantage.html

Charles

[Matt_Colie]

Baja Man,

I have one word that you should take to heart: FMCA
Family Motor Coach Association

Read about it and then join. They have a road service plan, but near to your heart should be the Michelin Tire Program. Ask you local guy if he will work it. You will probably save the price of membership on the first tire.

I hope your trip home is intensely boring. (Sometime excitement is just not good.)

Matt

[Gene_in_NE]

Baja Man - You've gotten near unanimous response to drive home on the tries you purchased with the rig. Do make sure you have a useable spare and the tools (jack and wrench) to change a tire.

That does not mean you have to change it yourself, some good samaritan would be able to help you if you have the jack, wrench, and tire.

Since you mention the rig is 350 miles from home, I would plan on spending that first night at the RV dealer. We learned there was a small water leak at a side window when we stayed overnight and it rained. That first night you can test all the bells and whistles and have the dealer fix them the next day if needed.

Still have time to drive home the next day.

[Bordercollie]

If there are cracks in sidewalls of tires, have them inspected at a reputable tire shop. If rig was kept in a garage, there may be no sidewall cracks. Tires that are not driven frequently and exposed to a sun can develop sidewall cracks that can cause tire failure with damage to underside plumbing, holding tanks and wiring and possible loss of control. I have had tires fail on hot days driving on cupped concrete highway surfaces, expensive, disruptive and dangerous. BTW have brakes checked and brake fluid replaced if not done recently. Brake fluid collects water over time and leads to brake fade on grades.

[lhenry8113]

One thing not mentioned--look for any cracking or separation between the treads, even hairline cracks. If you see any replace the tire. Otherwise--go with your gut feeling--remember "Murphy's Law" and Good Luck, Lars

[The_Logans]

VERY carefully check for dry rot in the old tire. Go with the Michelin's... What I found when looking for tires is that the "off-brand" tires tend to weigh less. So you have to ask yourself, whats missing? Less rubber, less steel, thinner belts, who knows?

If you see cracks in the side walls, that's dry rot, and can result in a catastrophic failure.

Be safe and enjoy the new baby!

[toedtoes]

I agree - drive home with the existing tires. Do a simple check on the pressure, temperature, and wear each day on the trip home - if you see any separation, low pressure, excess heat, etc., then you know you have a problem and can fix it before continuing. None of those issues, then you're fine.

Boat towing - you might want to invest in a front hitch. It can come in real handy at some boat launches and even campsites to be able to push the boat from in front, then trying to maneuver backwards. Don't know anyone who got one who doesn't love it.

[ksg5000]

Yes you can drive home on a six year old tire - and why would you want to spend money on replacing 2 year old tires? If you have questions about your tires then take the rig into a tire expert/shop --- have them dismount the tires and inspect (RV tires can rot from the inside). I have owned Michelin tires - currently using Toyo's which cost less and ride just the same.

[DrewE]

I also would use the existing tire for the drive home provided it looked safe. Most tire companies suggest that you have tires professionally inspected annually after five to seven years, and only replaced outright after ten years or if the inspection shows problems. Many (but not necessarily all) six year old tires are perfectly safe to use. Do check the pressure in all the tires (preferably including the spare) and correct as necessary before heading off.

I'd also probably leave the off-brand tires alone, at least until I saw how they performed and rode. Spending $700 or whatever to replace perfectly functional tires seems silly to me.

By the way, a great many class C owners do not rotate their tires ever, since there's typically no real need to exact the maximum possible tread life out of the tire (they usually time out long before the tread is gone) and duallies tend to complicate the tire rotation schedule for various reasons. It's best for the paired tires in the back to have the same sort of wear, since having one be a slightly different diameter than its partner will inevitably lead to some amount of scrubbing while driving. Also, if there are any special valve stems or similar, they're often tied to a tire location.

[korbe]

If the tread looks fine, I would not worry about it. I would always make sure a spare is ready to go. And then I would slowly enjoy the journey home and get as much campin' in as possible.