Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Tires - really check warranty and DOTs before buying

February 03, 2019, 03:37:10 pm

Hi,
I wanted to pass this info along to others as I found out some surprising info while tire shopping.

I talked to Firestone (we have an older rig and they offer the Transforce HT that many people buy).

I asked for a recent DOT (not more than a couple months) having read on LDO about people buying tires with old DOTs and that LD tires should be swapped out at the 5 year DOT mark. 

I also asked about getting a refund on the tires we had (we hit our 5 year from DOT, but while discussing I realized they were likely bought with old DOTs).

I was told (over a couple calls - they checked some info out before calling back): 
--The shop had 4 tires in stock and the boss would never order tires with newer DOTs when he had ones at the shop.

--There were a thousand tires across the stores and another thousand at the warehouse and they all had a DOT of early 2018 (one year old).  Note:  I had called several other local Firestones nobody had these tires in stock before I was referred to this shop which focused on truck/rv tires - but obviously I was being told expect old DOTs on any tires I bought from them.

-- No discounts because the tires sold had old DOTs.

-- THIS ONE CONCERNED ME a lot:  They only cover UV caused problems for 4 years (not 5 years) from DOT.  So if I buy tires with a year old DOT, I am getting 3 years of UV protection (the cracks from sun damage and age are why most RVers get new tires at that 5 year DOT mark).

-- No hazard or other coverage with the tires.  Firestone makes the determination if the tires look like UV damage vs manufacturing damage (which they cover longer).

We have an older rig that takes an unusual size wheel - 8.75r 16.5 lt, so these tires are not made often.  Big O said likely Firestone make these tires about once a year  (sounds like less than that).

However, Big O has a Power King tire, same basis specs (both are 115), BUT Power King covers UV for 5 years after purchase (not DOT). 

While we intend to put tire covers on the tires (they are on order), I am very disappointing in what Firestone covers, with them knowing this is an RV tire.
I have never bought a tire from Firestone, likely because when I checked them out (before we started buying tires at Costco), I got answers that made me uncomfortable.  We bought tires pre-costco at Big O and Discount Tires and were happy with their service.

FYI, Walmart also offers the Power King tires at a slightly lower price, we chose to buy from Big O for the service.

Re: Tires - really check warrenty and DOTs before buying

Reply #2 – February 03, 2019, 04:36:40 pm

I generally start the conversation with the tire rep at the front desk with the brand and size of tire and I will NOT buy or accept any tire  with a DOT date over 6 months.   I ask for a bid on those specs.  If they can't deliver then I move to the next tire shop.    It's been my experience that most all tire folk know and understand the issue.  Frankly if they don't then I wonder what other things they don't understand about tires.