Goodyear pulled a fast one on me. Load rating rant.

[intheburbs]

I was just reading a thread about tires, and decided to go out and check the date code on my tires, to see when they were manufactured. I bought them last November from the local Goodyear store. Goodyear Duratracs, LT245-75-16. They've been great tires and they did well on our trip down to Alabama in late December.

Well, I go outside to look at the date code, and I notice next to the date code this nugget: Load Rating C :E

The Duratrac is marketed to commercial snowplow fleets. I didn't even know they made it in a "C" load rating. So I look up the specs - max load 2205 lbs @ 50 PSI. Well, the door tag on the Suburban says 50 PSI front and 71 PSI rear. On top of that, my rear axle weight on the Alabama trip was 5200 lbs. So I drove 2000 miles with overloaded, overinflated tires. I'm so mad I can barely type.

Yes, it may have been an honest mistake, but that wouldn't have mattered if we had a blowout doing 65 through the hills of TN or KY. I inadvertently put my entire family in danger.

I'll be going to the Goodyear store tomorrow to get a new set of tires for no charge.

Check your tires. Make sure they are the correct load rating.

[Dadoffourgirls]

And since there has been this discussion, I had helped a friend shop for a used 2500HD. He found a D/A at a dealer used, and they stressed how they put new tires on the truck.

I looked and asked them why they put Load Range C on a truck that needed E. He admitted that they were new tires!

So when buying used vehicles, look for the same thing.

[Me_Again]

intheburbs wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Question for the OP.

Did the dealer only offer this one set of tires, or did they give two or three different tires to chose from?

If given a choice was part of the decision based on price, not the cheapest and not the most expensive?

I always buy the best tire i can get, I figure out a way to afford it.

:S
Leaving the post as "What was I thinking of!" after posting, I went back and read ALL of the POST and saw that it was a mistake on the dealer/salesman part.
The OP did the right thing to offer $100 for the correct set, mounting and balance should have been free.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm super anal-retentive and over analyze and research things. After scouring the internet, reviews, etc (BTW, Tire Rack is a great resource), I decided that I wanted Goodyear Duratracs.

The Goodyear dealer is a mile down the road. I walked in, told them I wanted Duratracs (were not in inventory, had to be ordered from the warehouse), and they put them on the truck. I honestly don't recall if we talked about load ratings. I just assumed E tires were standard/required for a 3/4 ton truck. End of story. Or so I thought.

The new tires are on the truck, and my additional cost was only $100. The previous C tires were never able to be balanced just right, I'd get a slight shimmy at 70-75. Had them balanced four times (the last time from a Firestone place) and this was the best it got. The new tires are smooth as glass. I took it out last night on a rural stretch of highway and let her run - smooth at all speeds. All in all, I'm satisfied.

I am glad it all worked out well for you! Chris

[intheburbs]

rhagfo wrote:
Question for the OP.

Did the dealer only offer this one set of tires, or did they give two or three different tires to chose from?

If given a choice was part of the decision based on price, not the cheapest and not the most expensive?

I always buy the best tire i can get, I figure out a way to afford it.

:S
Leaving the post as "What was I thinking of!" after posting, I went back and read ALL of the POST and saw that it was a mistake on the dealer/salesman part.
The OP did the right thing to offer $100 for the correct set, mounting and balance should have been free.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm super anal-retentive and over analyze and research things. After scouring the internet, reviews, etc (BTW, Tire Rack is a great resource), I decided that I wanted Goodyear Duratracs.

The Goodyear dealer is a mile down the road. I walked in, told them I wanted Duratracs (were not in inventory, had to be ordered from the warehouse), and they put them on the truck. I honestly don't recall if we talked about load ratings. I just assumed E tires were standard/required for a 3/4 ton truck. End of story. Or so I thought.

The new tires are on the truck, and my additional cost was only $100. The previous C tires were never able to be balanced just right, I'd get a slight shimmy at 70-75. Had them balanced four times (the last time from a Firestone place) and this was the best it got. The new tires are smooth as glass. I took it out last night on a rural stretch of highway and let her run - smooth at all speeds. All in all, I'm satisfied.

[rhagfo]

intheburbs wrote:
I was just reading a thread about tires, and decided to go out and check the date code on my tires, to see when they were manufactured. I bought them last November from the local Goodyear store. Goodyear Duratracs, LT245-75-16. They've been great tires and they did well on our trip down to Alabama in late December.

Well, I go outside to look at the date code, and I notice next to the date code this nugget: Load Rating C :E

The Duratrac is marketed to commercial snowplow fleets. I didn't even know they made it in a "C" load rating. So I look up the specs - max load 2205 lbs @ 50 PSI. Well, the door tag on the Suburban says 50 PSI front and 71 PSI rear. On top of that, my rear axle weight on the Alabama trip was 5200 lbs. So I drove 2000 miles with overloaded, overinflated tires. I'm so mad I can barely type.

Yes, it may have been an honest mistake, but that wouldn't have mattered if we had a blowout doing 65 through the hills of TN or KY. I inadvertently put my entire family in danger.

I'll be going to the Goodyear store tomorrow to get a new set of tires for no charge.

Check your tires. Make sure they are the correct load rating.

Question for the OP.

Did the dealer only offer this one set of tires, or did they give two or three different tires to chose from?

If given a choice was part of the decision based on price, not the cheapest and not the most expensive?

I always buy the best tire i can get, I figure out a way to afford it.

:S
Leaving the post as "What was I thinking of!" after posting, I went back and read ALL of the POST and saw that it was a mistake on the dealer/salesman part.
The OP did the right thing to offer $100 for the correct set, mounting and balance should have been free.

[Me_Again]

jspence1 wrote:

Actually I think it's completely irreverent what stock number is on his receipt, someone at the tire dealer made a mistake and they should fix it. That's exactly what happened so even the dealer acknowledged it, the only person who feels that the consumer should know the stock number of the tires is you. So unless you don't understand the meaning of the word critical that is exactly what you are being no matter how many times to say you are not.

LOOK, the OP said ***"The invoice says nothing about load rating"***

I looked at the invoice that the OP posted and saw the STK# 312-017 -027, went to a couple sites including GY's and the stock number relates to the LRC tire.

So I posted that so that the OP would know that they charged him for what they installed. And then you get in my face, why?????

To deal with problems, sometimes the consumer needs to arm themselves with the facts surrounding the issue. I just provided additional facts based on the invoice that the OP posted. Somehow you see that as a problem????

I never got in the OP face like some others!

Chris

[jspence1]

Me Again wrote:

jspence1 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
As I pointed out, not trying to be critical of the OP, they invoiced for what was installed! Chris

I'm glad you know the stock numbers of the tires you buy, I would never know it. When I go in they have this little computer thingy they enter my make and model into it and it spits out the tires that fit my vehicle. I've always been inclined to follow their recommendations they are supposed to be experts. I don't see how telling us all twice that he got what he paid for isn't being critical of him.

So if I looked the numbers up on the invoice and found that they billed him for the LRE tires what would you think? Get a life! Chris

Actually I think it's completely irreverent what stock number is on his receipt, someone at the tire dealer made a mistake and they should fix it. That's exactly what happened so even the dealer acknowledged it, the only person who feels that the consumer should know the stock number of the tires is you. So unless you don't understand the meaning of the word critical that is exactly what you are being no matter how many times to say you are not.

[Me_Again]

jspence1 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
As I pointed out, not trying to be critical of the OP, they invoiced for what was installed! Chris

I'm glad you know the stock numbers of the tires you buy, I would never know it. When I go in they have this little computer thingy they enter my make and model into it and it spits out the tires that fit my vehicle. I've always been inclined to follow their recommendations they are supposed to be experts. I don't see how telling us all twice that he got what he paid for isn't being critical of him.

So if I looked the numbers up on the invoice and found that they billed him for the LRE tires what would you think? Get a life! Chris

[45Ricochet]

MM49 wrote:

I believe that you have legal standing in this case. The tire dealer is not permitted to install tire that don't meet the minimum requirements.
I think that you will find that the dealer will do back flips for you. Most likely you will get free tires an upgrade also. This is serious for a tire dealer.
MM49

Maybe and maybe not MM. I believe Chris bought his RV tires ( Bridgestone R250) from a certain Company :W over the internet. How could that dealer even know the GAWR of the vehicle? I understand, not really apples to apples in this case but in another case of ME.
I had the same tires shipped to me from the same Company ( no ad time here Marty :W) and had them mounted here at Les's store. Yes the manager had a little talk with me about my 7k lb axles and the tires I wanted installed. Very aware manager who I'd hire in a heartbeat.
I proceeded to show him my true axle scale weights, actually I showed him 5 different weights at different dates from CAT scales. He agreed with my assessment of falling within the R250 weight ratings for my axles. He did say that was his job, to not let folks install the wrong tires.
Again I'd hire the guy in a heartbeat but I'm sure he ain't leaving the PNW for So Cali :B

Your right though, dealer should have known better IMO.

[Kordog]

Load range C or D tires are for 1/2 ton and smaller trucks. I only install E ties on 3/4 ton and larger, that is what they are specd for and that is what they take, period.

[MM49]

intheburbs wrote:
I was just reading a thread about tires, and decided to go out and check the date code on my tires, to see when they were manufactured. I bought them last November from the local Goodyear store. Goodyear Duratracs, LT245-75-16. They've been great tires and they did well on our trip down to Alabama in late December.

Well, I go outside to look at the date code, and I notice next to the date code this nugget: Load Rating C :E

The Duratrac is marketed to commercial snowplow fleets. I didn't even know they made it in a "C" load rating. So I look up the specs - max load 2205 lbs @ 50 PSI. Well, the door tag on the Suburban says 50 PSI front and 71 PSI rear. On top of that, my rear axle weight on the Alabama trip was 5200 lbs. So I drove 2000 miles with overloaded, overinflated tires. I'm so mad I can barely type.

Yes, it may have been an honest mistake, but that wouldn't have mattered if we had a blowout doing 65 through the hills of TN or KY. I inadvertently put my entire family in danger.

I'll be going to the Goodyear store tomorrow to get a new set of tires for no charge.

Check your tires. Make sure they are the correct load rating.

I believe that you have legal standing in this case. The tire dealer is not permitted to install tire that don't meet the minimum requirements.
I think that you will find that the dealer will do back flips for you. Most likely you will get free tires an upgrade also. This is serious for a tire dealer.
MM49

[jspence1]

Me Again wrote:
As I pointed out, not trying to be critical of the OP, they invoiced for what was installed! Chris

I'm glad you know the stock numbers of the tires you buy, I would never know it. When I go in they have this little computer thingy they enter my make and model into it and it spits out the tires that fit my vehicle. I've always been inclined to follow their recommendations they are supposed to be experts. I don't see how telling us all twice that he got what he paid for isn't being critical of him.

[Me_Again]

As I pointed out, not trying to be critical of the OP, they invoiced for what was installed! Chris

[RandACampin]

Sounds like you pulled a fast one on yourself. You left the dealer without checking. Man up and take some responsibility.

[sh410]

I wonder if the installer just pulled the wrong tires. It could be a mistake and they should replace the tires. In addition, they could have been liable for replacing the tires with the wrong fitment, putting you at risk.

[intheburbs]

Me Again wrote:
LT245/75R16 312017027 Q 108 C

312 017 027 is the ^ stock number on the invoice!

LRE_____________v

LT245/75R16 312249027 Q 120 E

And why would I have any reason to check the stock number? Again, I had no idea these tires were available in any load range besides E.

They were the correct size, Goodyear Duratracs. I was confident that I had the right product.