Tires (Yet Again) April 12, 2012, 04:42:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129792As we are about to set out on a cross-country trip to D.C., it was time to stop procrastinating and get new tires. Our '06TK's original Michelin LTX's had plenty of tread, but the sidewalls had mucho alligatoring going on after six years (but only 36k miles). Taking a cue from Larry W's experience, I inquired at our nearest Costco (Culver City, CA) and found that, although the rig wouldn't fit in their bays, they would do the job outside using floor jacks as long as I would agree to show up at 6 a.m. so they could finish the job before the store opened. Fine by me. I ordered 6 LTX M/S replacements at $222 each; some unexplained CA tire fee of $1.75 each; CA disposal fee at $1 each; mounting and balance at $14 each (includes a road hazard warranty, lifetime air/inspection services and, of course, the magic nitrogen inflation!); and 8.75% CA tax of $117; grand total: $1,549.51. The work was done with great care by the manager himself, and included installing a set of The Tireman extended valves which I supplied. He followed the provided instructions to a "T," including proper torquing of the retainer nuts. Costco also has a policy of hand-tightening the lugnuts to the proper torque (140 ft-lbs); their air guns are set to max out at 50 ft-lbs, so there's no danger of using them to overtighten. I'll go back next week after driving 50 miles or so and they'll recheck the torque. After my old tires were off and he was getting set to mount the new, I asked whether my alligatoring was merely cosmetic or cause for true concern. To me they looked spidery and not particularly deep, but were extensive. He said without hesitation that my tires were shot and that it was definitely time to replace them. I know this subject has been raised here before, but I guess it bears repetition: forget the still new-looking tread: age and alligatoring are the keys. All in all, I found the Costco service excellent. They require a special appointment, as noted above, for RV's, and I recommend talking with the manager to set it up rather than a random counter person. As YMMV, whether the Costco price is appropriate is up to you. I thought it was a fair deal.
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #1 – April 12, 2012, 06:04:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129793--- In lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com, "hounjonlon1" I know this subject has been raised here before, but I guess it bears repetition: forget the still new-looking tread: age and alligatoring are the keys. --- Yes, this has been said many times, but, yes, the advice is well worth recycling - over and over! ;-) RV tires' *sidewalls* are far more vulnerable to heat, exposure to sun and atmospheric pollutants, and stresses due to weight (often *overweight* conditions) and inflation issues (usually due to *underinflation* for the load) than *tread*. Of course, tread should be checked regularly for damage, unusual wear patterns (most often indicative of mis-alignment, but *overinflation* can cause tread-center "balding"), and embedded nails, screws, rocks, whatever, too, but checking the sidewalls for cracks, alligatoring, deep "scuffs", missing chunks, bulges, and anything else suspicious should be part of every RVer's regular routine. Don't forget the inside dual!And, on tire care, YMMV doesn't apply. ;-)Joan
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #2 – April 12, 2012, 07:06:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129796I too was at my local Costco last week to have my tires balanced. Showed up prior to opening but they said I should have made an appointment and that they do RVs
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #3 – April 12, 2012, 07:15:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129798One other thing to keep in mind on this general subject is a point-of-view most clearly expressed by my friend and former neighbor Neil LeKander, who is the resident tire expert for the Escapees RV Club, and a retired Goodyear Tire company engineer. Neil reminds us that RV's are at particular risk from tire failure because they are the just about the only vehicles on the road that are loaded at 100% (and often greater) of load capacity 100% of the time. RV tires are continuously under maximum stress, and a failure can be catastrophic for the vehicle owners and their property. Tread condition aside, sidewall failure is simply too serious for RVers to risk. Tires are certainly not cheap, but the cost of new tires represents but a fraction of what a failure might cost you, not even taking personal safety into consideration. Of course, keeping your tires, whatever their condition, properly inflated, and checking that inflation often (most experienced RVers check them every morning before starting out for the day) is obviously important.LarryLawrence D. Latham 45120 Highway 79, #916 Aguanga, CA 92536-9706 951-234-4253
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #4 – April 12, 2012, 07:54:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129799Satisfactory!--***James A Jackson*mobile: 909 553-4768home: 951 769-7665 ** ** **[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #5 – April 13, 2012, 01:41:50 am Yahoo Message Number: 129803Quote I too was at my local Costco last week They brought out three floor jacks, two small for the front, one large for the rear, to jack the whole thing up at once. They were going to raise the rear by jacking up under the differential housing, which is prohibited by the owner's manual. I pointed this out and the tech somewhat reluctantly obliged and used the recommended jacking points on each side of the axle. YIKES! I didn't even think about jacking points. They did use only a single jack in the rear, so it must have (gulp) been on the differential. Other than a pool of fluid, what should I be watching (or listening) for? -- Jon
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #6 – April 13, 2012, 02:51:14 am Yahoo Message Number: 129804"They did use only a single jack in the rear, so it must have (gulp) been on the differential. Other than a pool of fluid, what should I be watching (or listening) for?"JonOdds are they picked up the rear end up one side at a time. A floor jack capable of lifting the entire rear axle would be very large (and not a very safe thing to do. It must have been a day for tires, our LD is now wearing a new set of Michelin LTX M/S's ($1493 @ America's Tire). Glad I was watching as the tech started lifting the driver's side rear wheels without blocking the the other tires. He was working outside where the pavement had a visible slope. I yelled at him to stop and then had to explain why the parking brake, and having the transmission in park, would not stop the RV from rolling. Few have heard of or remember driveshaft-mounted parking brakes and fewer understand what that means.Also changed the steering damper which was blown (64,000 miles). Replaced it with a bigger than stock Monroe Magnum, Part # SC2955. http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-SC2955-Magnum-Steering-Damper/dp/B000C59SCE>. Two day delivery with Amazon prime...love it.Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #7 – April 13, 2012, 01:47:21 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129812-Quote YIKES! I didn't even think about jacking points. They did use only a single jack in the rear, so it must have (gulp) been on the differential. Other than a pool of fluid, what should I be watching (or listening) for? -- Jon The prohibition on jacking the rear end by using the underside of the differential is clearly stated in the owners manual. Our '04 was lifted in this manner EVEN AFTER I gave verbal instructions not to do this. It resulted in a leak developing on the rear access plate of the pumpkin. Ford to their credit repaired this under warranty. I have yet to have had any service department I have engaged (with the exception of the Tireman)know the proper procedure. I now go for service with the owners manual in hand, point out the reference page to the service writer, have it noted in the service writeup and watch the tech jack my rig.John '12 24FD
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #8 – April 13, 2012, 05:31:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129819Jon, I had my tires changed at Costco as well and although they used a single floor jack they lifted only one side of the axle at a time. I think that is SOP. Just trying to put your mind at ease! Steve
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #9 – April 13, 2012, 06:50:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129822While we're talking about tires, don't forget to pull your spare out and inspect both sidewalls periodically. On my 1st rig, I figured I was fine since it looked good and held air. When I needed it, we discovered it had a baseball size bubble on the side against the rig. It was a real slow trip 20 miles to the nearest tire shop to replace it.Just sayin' Lori Y Godzilla
Re: Tires (Yet Again) {a little off topic} Reply #10 – April 13, 2012, 07:15:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129824I live
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #11 – April 13, 2012, 07:57:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129825"L Youngs " wrote: While we're talking about tires, don't forget to pull your spare out and inspect both sidewalls periodically. --- Very good advice! And, I suggest keeping the spare aired to full capacity, i.e., 80 lbs; much easier to let air out than to put air in when one needs the spare!Joan
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #12 – April 14, 2012, 10:39:40 am Yahoo Message Number: 129832Jon,I had just had a leak
Re: Tires (Yet Again) Reply #13 – April 18, 2012, 12:38:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 129953With all this talk about tires and lifting points, I saw a 26' Brown and Tan LD getting tires at America's Tires in Huntington Beach, CA this morning. It was lifted up on one side. Anyone from the group? If so, how was the service and what did you get?Ramon
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Topic: Tires (Yet Again) (Read 7 times)
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