Tire-man appears to be permanently closed. I ordered the Borg valve stems instead.
Tireman died several years ago.
Tireman died several years ago.
Oh wow, I find so many recomendations for his valve stems and the website is up still but no post mentioning his passing. The email on the site bounced and then I tried calling, and local listings said closed.
I found Borg folks to be VERY helpful after I needed to replace one of the stems from the Tireman (thank you Discount Tire for snapping it).....
I found Borg folks to be VERY helpful after I needed to replace one of the stems from the Tireman (thank you Discount Tire for snapping it).....
Discount broke one of ours too and paid for new one, after a weeks wait.
A spare long one is now carried as a spare.
Larry
The Borg Duallyvalve stems have been working perfectly for us for 2 years. Make sure you order the corrext set for your rim size and type!
Les Schwab installed ours - cost 1 hour of labor.
Pete
While we are on the subject, do the tires need to be rebalanced and some places might not able to because of the long stems?
The Borg Duallyvalve stems have been working perfectly for us for 2 years. Make sure you order the corrext set for your rim size and type!
Les Schwab installed ours - cost 1 hour of labor.
Pete
I have one year using the Borg dually extender stems with no problems/complaints. I had the Tire man stems originally for two sets of tires but decided to go with new ones on the third set. Bought them from Allen Tire who also installed them. They were a little cheaper than the Tire Man’s product.
While we are on the subject, do the tires need to be rebalanced and some places might not able to because of the long stems?
A good tire shop can balance the wheels with longer stems.
When the tires are replaced, make sure the installer checks the condition of the stem’s rubber washers, they are replaceable.
Larry
When the tires are replaced, make sure the installer checks the condition of the stem’s rubber washers, they are replaceable.
And make sure they don't try to throw them away! We had a run-in with a tire shop when we were getting new tires because they didn't want to reinstall "used" tire stems! We insisted, but on the invoice, they wrote a disclaimer about how the customer wanted the old tire stems reinstalled!
" We had a run-in with a tire shop when we were getting new tires because they didn't want to reinstall "used" tire stems! We insisted, but on the invoice, they wrote a disclaimer about how the customer wanted the old tire stems reinstalled!"
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Linda, why did the tire shop remove the valves/stems at all? Tires can be replaced without removing the long valves; the shop I use has done this per my request each time I've replaced the tires. It's true that a shop may not want to remove the valves because they don't want to take the extra care to avoid snapping them off when the guy is slam-banging the wheel on and off the machine, but they can, and should, be able to remove an old tire and re-seat the new one without breaking the valves.
To go with Linda's story, I had a strange encounter in March when getting new tires. They have new employees, I think 'wet behind the ears' is appropriate here. The company has a written procedure that they HAVE to follow. The employees I was involved with didn't have the experience level yet, to know that motorhomes aren't just another passenger car when it comes to stems, etc. I carry Tywraps with me to hold the flex extensions in place without the simulators present. I leave those at home. More tywraps for the wheel balancer to keep the hose from flying around. Tied to a wheel hole near where it would be when mounted to the simulator.
Years ago I put a lot of effort having clamp-in metal stems put in all of my wheels. (I removed and replaced my wheels by myself) and took them in pairs or separately to a nearby tire shop. They broke the beads, replaced with the stem that I provided, and reinflated the tires for a $5 tip each tire. One at the objection of a supervisor who insisted that plastic stems were what I should be putting in! (You know what they say about stupidvisors).
Another place another time some 'clown' tried to remove those same metal clamp in stems with a special plier that pulls the plastic stems out of the wheel so they can be replaced. He mangled one stem pretty good. Lucky that I had a new spare one, with me, in the motorhome. Adventures! Got to keep a close eye on what is going on. RonB
Linda, why did the tire shop remove the valves/stems at all?
I'm not sure they were actually ever removed, but they WANTED to remove them and replace them with new stems...which, of course, would not have been the specialty stems we had from the Tireman.
WANTED to remove them and replace them with new stems...which, of course, would not have been the specialty stems we had from the Tireman.
I would have been "sure, are they like mine so I can get to them easily? No, what kind of mickey mouse shop is this?"
Over the years, I've dealt with several tire shops for my cars and RVs, both chain shops and independents; most were unsatisfactory. Indifferent customer service, including insisting that a customer's tire requests/requirements could not be met, lack of tire "savvy", high employee turnover/poorly trained and untrained installers, sloppy, careless work, yada yada.
I have worked with a local shop for some years now; the shop owner is very knowledgeable, committed to customer service and satisfaction (including accommodating the requests of starchy old women! ;) ), employs trained, skilled workers (at least two who have been there for many years), offers fair prices, and stands behind the shop's work. This shop is the kind of place that is more rare than it should be, but the kind that will get my business every time.
YMMV, as always.
On the topic of tires, we are looking for replacements for the Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires as they have been discontinued. Any information would be appreciated. We are picking up our 2007 LD in Seattle a couple of weeks from now. Thanks in advance.
On the topic of tires, we are looking for replacements for the Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires as they have been discontinued. Any information would be appreciated. We are picking up our 2007 LD in Seattle a couple of weeks from now. Thanks in advance.
Michelin Agilis Crossclimate appears to be the replacement. Ron and I both had them installed recently. Check out this thread:
New Tires And Extended Valves Question (https://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=34795.msg214719#msg214719)
Scroll way down and you'll find some discussion of the Crossclimate.
What model LD are you buying?
Chris
Yes I've had my Michelin Agilis Crossclimate tires since March, not many miles yet. Quiet and got a good testing in light to heavy rain, along with mostly dry roads. Not really significant, but maybe a little better gas mileage. RonB
I don't have the receipt for buying the Agilis tires on our LD. I think it was about a year and a half ago. I have only been on a few trips but found the tires to be quieter and to have a nicer ride (same air pressure). I changed the tires due to age. There was still a lot of tread on the Defenders so I attribute the difference to updated rubber compound and tread design. Though user feel is hardly a real test. I remember looking at the receipt and noticing that I paid about the same as I did for the MS2 which were recalled and replaced with the Defenders. That price point was somewhat impressive as I purchased the MS2 in 2012 or so.
When I was having the tire I had the front end work to replace worn bushings, added new Koni FSB shocks, and got an alignment. This might have been the first front end alignment dating to when the truck was new. The first owner might have done an alignment just after buying the RV but there were no other receipts for one.
John
07 Green MB
Thanks for the tire info and opinions. We're going to check out the Michelin Agillis. We're getting a 2007 LD Mid Bath 26.5. Can't wait!
We had 6 Michelin Agilis Crossclimate tires put on last Fall at our local Discount Tire shop. We had to return once to have the tires rebalanced (no charge), but otherwise no problems including reinstallation of our 10 year old Tire Man valve stems.. We just returned from a 2600 mile trip to Denver and back from our home in eastern Washington. According to the Ford dashboard mileage gauge, we got 10.9 mpg for the trip which I am quite sure is the highest mpg we have ever gotten on a trip. We carry ebikes on back but do not tow.
Paul H.
We had 6 Michelin Agilis Crossclimate tires put on last Fall at our local Discount Tire shop. We had to return once to have the tires rebalanced (no charge), but otherwise no problems including reinstallation of our 10 year old Tire Man valve stems.. We just returned from a 2600 mile trip to Denver and back from our home in eastern Washington. According to the Ford dashboard mileage gauge, we got 10.9 mpg for the trip which I am quite sure is the highest mpg we have ever gotten on a trip. We carry ebikes on back but do not tow.
Paul H.
Paul and other Agilis Crossclimate users, are you hearing any speed-synced hum or any other noise coming from the Crossclimates - any different sound that wasn't there with previous Michelin iterations?
Chris
We have had Michelin tires on our MB since it was new. We have had no problems with any of them. The current Agilis Crossclimate tires are no more noisy than our previous two sets of Michelin tires.
Paul H.
Chris, the ones on our MidBath are very quiet.
Hi Chris; My Cross climates do seem quieter than before, and may be getting slightly better gas mileage also. Could it be that the older noisier tires were covering up a sound somewhere else that you can hear now?
My theory is that the newer tire tread surface is softer and quieter, and as it weathers and/or wears away, gets stiffer and noisier, to provide better tread wear, but you won't notice the slow change. I got new tires for my PU truck about a year ago, not Michelin, and noticed that they were quieter also. The old tires were 8+ years old, and the tread surface rubber seemed much harder. Timed out, not worn away. I haven't put many miles on the new tires yet. (CV19) RonB
I've been pleased with my new CrossClimates (the directional version). I almost bought Toyos in order to save some money, but after 1000 miles, I don't regret spending the extra.
..not sure how useful that is, since the Toyos probably would have been fine too...
Rich
Hi Chris; My Cross climates do seem quieter than before, and may be getting slightly better gas mileage also. Could it be that the older noisier tires were covering up a sound somewhere else that you can hear now?
My theory is that the newer tire tread surface is softer and quieter, and as it weathers and/or wears away, gets stiffer and noisier, to provide better tread wear, but you won't notice the slow change. I got new tires for my PU truck about a year ago, not Michelin, and noticed that they were quieter also. The old tires were 8+ years old, and the tread surface rubber seemed much harder. Timed out, not worn away. I haven't put many miles on the new tires yet. (CV19) RonB
"Hi Chris; My Cross climates do seem quieter than before, and may be getting slightly better gas mileage also. Could it be that the older noisier tires were covering up a sound somewhere else that you can hear now?"Could be, Ron. That's why I asked the question. Actually I was hoping everyone would say, "Yes, I'm getting a little hum from the Crossclimates." ;) It might be drive train/differential noise. Since we have beat that to death here on there forum, there are lots of things to check. I've bookmarked all the conversations.Thanks for your responses, guys.Chris
I found Borg folks to be VERY helpful after I needed to replace one of the stems from the Tireman (thank you Discount Tire for snapping it).....
I found one of my stems is missing. You mentioned Borg as having replacement stems. Can I get the contact information for Borg from you?
Les Widerynski
lesrun1@yahoo.com
Here you go. Your Tire Shop Supply | Supplies for Tire Shops (https://yourtireshopsupply.com/)
Give them a call and tell them your situation. They do deliver. Good luck.
Kent
I found Borg folks to be VERY helpful after I needed to replace one of the stems from the Tireman (thank you Discount Tire for snapping it).....
What is the contact information for Borg?
What is the contact information for Borg?
I didn't go through Borg, these are the ones I ordered.
DL1ECFR Chrome Duallyvalve Kit with Front Stems (https://yourtireshopsupply.com/product/7192/dl1ecfr-chrome-duallyvalve-with-front-stems-dl1ecfr)
I will be getting them installed in the next few weeks.
"I didn't go through Borg..."
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Borg Equipment and Supply, Inc. is the parent company of "Your Tire Shop Supply". ;)
Do any of you have photos of the rear tires with the Borg Valve stems installed? Or, a suggestion where I can look, so I can see what I would be using to air the tires?
Perhaps the part numbers to order. I currently have a rubber valve extension on the inner tires, and a standard straight valve on the outer dual and front tires.
I am looking for a valve installation that allows me to check tire pressures often, and doing so with a dual chuck is not problem. Would prefer to do so with a single straight air chuck with enough valve length for my old stiff hands.
I noticed that some of the single valves on the inside dual tires were curved and allowed a single straight chuck to be used.
Just want it simple, straightforward and reliable.
Every suggestion I have taken from this Forum has been extremely helpful.
Most respectfully,
Tony R (aka-codefour)
This is the dual valve kit needed for your 2010:
DL1F Brass Duallyvalve Kit (https://yourtireshopsupply.com/product/272/dl1f-brass-duallyvalve-dl1f)
The valves for both the inner and outer duals present to the outside of the wheel; this is the reason that one can check tire pressure and air the tires using a "standard" straight gauge and chuck. I use this gauge; it's inexpensive, accurate, and easy to use:
Amazon.com: Accutire MS-4021B Digital Tire Pressure Gauge: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/Accutire-MS-4021B-Digital-Pressure-Gauge/dp/B00080QHMM/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3AT90RYRLO12H&dchild=1&keywords=accutire+pressure+gauge&qid=1597415264&sprefix=accutire%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-3)
Be sure to read the installation instructions that come with the valve kit so that you,as well as the installer, will understand the process, and make sure that the installer also reads them; some installers don't pay attention to the instructions and leave parts, particularly the rubber support grommets, in the box! Before taking your rig to have the valves installed, remove the wheel covers. Do inspect the job before accepting the work.
The long/configured valves are the only way to go, IMO.