Need help with Big Time Tire Blues - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Sherry · RV-Dreams Family Member

Need help with Big Time Tire Blues

Team Murc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry,
Boy I feel your pain! I have been trying to buy a set of truck tires for nearly two months with NO luck hmm

. I am told I need to match the rear tires or replace all four. Unfortunately what I need is out of stock and no idea when or if they will be available at all. Some references to a rubber shortage bleh

. The worst part is I will be selling the truck in three weeks when my new tow vehicle arrives. I sure do not want to replace all four.

Good luck.
Mike

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

This likely won't help but my truck uses 225 X 70 19.5 (not the same size but close?) I got 4010 dated tires at my local Ford dealer. They were cheaper than any tire shop too. I got Continentals but they had new Goodyears as well. My point is...look in unconventional places.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm guessing due to the cost of the Michelin vs. other tires is the reason they hang around the warehouses for a long time.

You may want to look at the next best tire indicated on the forums. One that I keep seeing pop up is Maxxus, but I don't know if they have your size.

A lot of the truckers use Toyo tires.

I've had good luck with Dunlops on two different tow vehicles.

-- Edited by The Bear II on Monday 7th of March 2011 05:41:05 PM

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry, I'll let you know how I make out later this week. I ordered new Michelin tires (same size as yours) and they're supposed to arrive at the tire store tomorrow. You can bet I'll be checking those dates before they're put on the RV!

Sherry · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ron,

If they come in and they are 3 months old or less, tell me where you are and I'll just come there and get my tires.

FD5 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I bought my 19.5's from Rickson Wheels. http://www.ricksontruckwheels.com/tires-24570R195.php

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry wrote:
Ron,
If they come in and they are 3 months old or less, tell me where you are and I'll just come there and get my tires.

Sherry, I just drove the motorhome back home with the new tires installed. biggrin

Maybe I got lucky, but the tires are all DOT dated showing manufacture dates of the 3rd and 4th weeks in January 2011. I'm tickled pink that they are only a little over a month old so I get the maximum time out of them.

We bought the tires from Tire Kingdom here in Florida and unfortunately they don't have any stores in Virginia. However they are affiliated with NTB which I see does have a bunch of stores in VA. Maybe you'd have some luck with them? I have their store directory so PM me if you need the phone number of a store near you.

Sherry · RV-Dreams Family Member

WOW Ron that is great. Are the XRVs?

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry wrote:

WOW Ron that is great. Are the XRVs?

Yup... Michelin XRV's. Same size as you've been searching for. They really do exist... I'm sure you can find them somewhere!

jb · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hard to believe you are having such a rough time. It is possible that someone who does not normally do RV tires could order them for you- like a truck dealership or farm equipment dealer. You are right not to accept 2008 tires. I have seen and even sold tires that were stored in less than optimal conditions.

Sherry · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm into 10 weeks of hunting for these tires within 120 miles of my house. So far no luck so I may have to switch to XZE's though I'm hesitant to do so. I'd rather stick with what was original on the rig.

Thanks for your encouragement. I'm glad I know at least 2 folks who very recently have been able to get tires with dates less than a month old. Hope I can soon become the 3rd.

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would suggest that you google Wingfoot http://www.wingfootct.com/ and see if there is a store within a reasonable distance from you. They are one of the largest commercial tire distributors in the US. Commercial meaning for trucks, RVs, 18 wheelers, etc. It is their business to know bigger tires. They do not keep tires in stock that are more than one year from DOT manufacturer date.

I would not be so concerned with a replacement for the Michelin tire as long as it meets the same load rating (which is basically a ply issue). Your concern about that issue should be discussed with a knowledgeable service rep at a Wingfoot store. Also discuss alternative balancing techniques which is one of the things they also do.

This past summer I replaced six Michelin tires on my MH with General/Kelly tires of the same size. Those are bigger tires than what you are looking for, two more than what you are looking for, and cost me $100 less than what you intend to spend.

Sherry · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks TXRVr for the tip. I checked and the closest Wingfoot is 150 miles from us.
We'd have to drive 300 miles round trip to Baltimore Maryland.

Perhaps I misspoke if you thought I was only looking for 4 tires. We are replacing all 6 and have had a quote of $2400 for 7 month old tires which is the best we've been able to find and which I think we'll have no choice but to take. 4 from Week 29 2010 and 2 from week 47 2010.

We've spent 3 months looking just to find these. I was and am flabbergasted at the difficulty.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I personally wouldn't have a problem with 7 month old tires.5 years is pretty much a ball park figure anyway in my opinion.

Sherry · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Racer Guy. Since they've been in the warehouse that's what David says too. So that's what we are doing.