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Baby Needs New Shoes

Yahoo Message Number: 100793
I'm sure there's already a thread for this; but I donno how to search this forum (Yahoo, Grrrrrrr).

Soon, I will need 8 tires.  I now have 4 1/2-year-old Michelin XZA2's which are 315/80x22.5.

I'm a FMCA member and have read their Michelin Advantage page.  Clear as mud to me.  So, I have to find a dealer of Michelin Truck tires.  Google didn't help.  If any of our DFW Metromess members have put tires on this or last year, where did you buy them?

I first need help on  places to buy this size tire.  So, before we all hijack the thread into a Ford-Chevrolet contest over best brand, please answer my first question.

Eventually, however, i will have to decide on brand.  A good friend of mine says he's getting Continentals on his CC Inspire next time.  I have no brand loyalty; but I'd really appreciate your recommendations of your opinion of the best to put on a Country Coach.  It would be really neat if your buying research was recent, like a year or two.  There's been such turmoil (sic. quality control and change of specs) in the truck tire industry over the laat few years that I'm not sure whether anyone's experience buying tires as late as 2010, or so, is very helpful.

FWIW, my 2008 CC Allire is 38' but one of the rate RV"s of short length with a tag.  For reasons cool but too long a story for here, it also has IFS and 315 mm wide tires.

Jerry Lewis

31611  McKinney TX

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100794
Jerry,

I got my Michelin XZA-3 tires from Graham Truck Center in Anna. Anna is about 15 miles north of you on hwy 75.
RJ

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100798
we bought B F Goodrich ST230's Load Range H (different size) 6 years ago and have been very happy with them.  We bought them from Pat Reid at Pro Tire in Denton TX.

HE WILL COME TO YOUR LOCATION (that was very convenient),  remove the old tires, put the new ones on, balance, computerized laser align and check ride height.

He used to do tires for Buddy Gregg and put tires on Country Coaches and Prevost RV's.  When we called him we told him we had Toyos on our RV and he said "you have a Country Coach don't you?" -- so Lonny realized he knew about RV tires.  He's very fast, professional and reasonable priced.  We asked him about Michelins and he's the one that recommended B F Goodrich.  B F Goodrich is owned by Michelin and the tires are made in the USA.  They were a lot less expensive than Michelins.  We have put over 65,000 miles on them in 6 years.
He also sells Bridgestone. Not sure what other brands. He does sell Michelins if you want those again.

Pat Reid at Pro Tire in Denton TX.  Tell him Lonny Livingston from Tampa FL referred you to him. I called him today to make sure he was still doing tires in the area.  I don't know if he has a shop.  We never asked. Once he said he would come to us, that sealed it for us! Pat's number is
940-367-0830

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100805
Jerry,

I had Michelins put on a couple of years ago at TCI in Fort Worth. There are several TCI locations in the DFW area (one in Denton would be closer to you). As I understand it TCI's are Michelin company stores and the guy in Fort Worth had good knowledge of the FMCA program and stated immediately that it was the best deal for me. He also checked and found recent date code tires and had them sent for installation. I used 315's on the front. I haven't had any issues with the tires so haven't had any other contact with them for after installation service but I think a benefit of using TCI is that they have locations throughout the country and should be well prepared to handle warranty work. By the way, according to the TCI guy the 315's are easy to get. Although he had some in stock, he said the 12R size is more of a problem to find (I used 12R's on the rear duals).
 Don't have any input on other brands. I decided relatively early on in my search that I was going to put on Michelins so my search was mainly limited to getting quotes on them from a couple of local dealers. In every case the dealers stated that the FMCA deal was better than I could get otherwise.

Dan

2000 Magna #5788
Dan Siedschlag
2000 Magna #5788

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100809
Jerry,

I just read your post.. We too are researching tires.. We currently have the same MIchelin's you are running.
Question, ON these tires, we have Not been able to locate the date stamp (when the tires were manuf).. Could you please tell me where it's located on yours and what we need to look for.
We bought our gently used CC last year from the original owner in Phoeniz, AZ.
We are thinking we will stay with the same Tires new. I will be most interested to see what your findings are.

Happy travels,

Carol and Steve Guittar

1997 Country Coach Magna #5545
Jacksonville, Florida

Cobraem@... designerproperty@...

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100811
Carol & Steve:

For Michelins, the FMCA promotion is the only way to go. With it you get about a 40% discount from MSRP. We just used the FMCA orogram and put 315's on drive and tag. FET varies widely depending on size: for example a 315 ends up costing less than a 295. Go figure.

Coriwelsh

Intrigue 12314

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100815
Corina,

Where in this beautiful US OF A did u get 315's for less than $295?

Dave
07  Country Coach Allure 430 #31495
12 Jeep GC Toad
Mountains of So Cal and
Henderson, Nev
Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100816
Thanks, everybody!  Just exactly what I need.  Makes me glad I'm a member of this forum.  Guess I'll pay my $600 forum registration fee again this year.
 Is there a way to find out what the FMCA discount is before you actually buy the tires?
 I'll call Pro Tire and see if he's a participant.  I have a Cummins shop in McKinney who uses Pro Tire to do alignments.  I should have remembered him.  I'll also call TCI and Graham.  Will post results when I eventually do the deed.
 Here's another hijack do my own thread; but instead of a general discussion, let's apply it to my specific tires.  The build date says 4 yrs, 9 mos ago.  The coach was used by the PO who put them on about 4 mos of the year, mostly out west.  Rest of time it was stored in a barn out of UV's and snow and ice.  I've had it about 9 mos and have only driven it about 1,000 miles.  The tires look okay but I have no idea what their real condition is.  I'm pretty confident the UV's haven't got them.  However, I am worried that the little chemicals that are supposed to be mixed around in the rubber by driving haven't been.
 Any advice about when to replace them, or how to deter, one if they need replacing.  I know that can't be determined by looking at them.  What are some other objective tests?

Jerry

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100818
How can I get a set of those michelin for $295? The only tires I could find in that price range was tires out of china and believe me you don't want those. Seriously $295? I just bought continental tires last year and they cost around $600 a piece installed; michelins closer to $8-900 installed. Maybe the tire size makes a difference, but wow that much.

Alex Ritchey

2000 affinity 42' tag B&B


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Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100819
Hi We live in the McKinney area and used Plano Tire with the FMCA discount plan in case you can't find someone else in the area.

D Nixon
99 Intrigue
#10836

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100825
Tire makers are required to put the date built on every tire.  However, they are not required to put it on both sides.  If you can't find it on the outside, try crawling under until you can find the back side of a tire with the letters DOT showing where you can see it.  The date built follows in 4 numbers.

Jerry

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100826
read her post again guys a size 295 tire not 295.00 dollars

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100827
D Nixon,

Did you ever calculate the percentage of discount off their regular price because of the FMCA plan?  If so, of course, what was it?

Jerry Lewis
31611

2008 Allure 38' tag

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100834
Alex,

Reading through the thread I think they are referring to the Tire size 315 v. 295. Could be wrong, gut that is the way I read it.

Best,
Chris 

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100835
Most of us have the tires installed with DOT date on the outside when we get new tires!!

Vick Welsh

99 Intrigue 10714

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100838
If you go to the FMCA website, log in, click on the Michelin Advantage Program box,  then click on the link to the Michelin Program Instructions.  Then select Michelin RV (Commercial Truck) tire link.

There you will find a list of tires, sizes, base price (retail), invoice price (with discount), and FET.
There is also a sample list of RV prices, dated Dec 2014.

Looks like the discount is about 14%.

On the same page the instructions for purchasing the tires. Step by step.

There is a link to dealers that participate in the program where you can search by zip code.

Note: The BF Goodrich ST230's are also part of the program and much cheaper than the Michelins.

Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 100847
Dave, Read carefully! 315 Michelins cost less than 295 Michelins under the FMCA program, mainly due to the FET DIFFERENCE.S

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101001
I just received my invoice from Michelin for 6-12R XZE's. Tax and FET included $757. That came out to about 7 % better than what this dealer quoted me or about $300 for the deal. Add another $60 for mounting, tire disposal, balance brings the cost over $800 for each tire. The reason I stayed with Michelin is the last set ran over 100,000 miles with some of the wear strips just starting to show. Tires in Florida rot out quicker here so their age of 8 years was another factor. Sure, I could have got another year out of them, but I didn't want be on the news, squeezing out the emergency window from a burning bus.

Ed McManus....'02 Intrigue......11361

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101188
I just had XZA2's by Michelin installed on my 2000 Intrigue, I used the FMCA program. Michelin will give you the name of dealers that participate in the FMCA program. I've been very satisfied with the original Toyo tires that came with my coach from CC factory and then with the Goodyears that replaced them. Had zero problems. Went with Michelin due to FMCA Advantage program. Six tires were $4700 installed and balanced including taxes.

Ray

2000 Intrigue 11040

Baby Needs New Shoes

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101004
I had Michelin 12R XZ2's on the rear. The sidewalls started cracking within 4 years. After 7 years you could stick your fingers in the cracks. I had Michelin I believe, XZA1 315's on the front. they were cracked to hell after 5 years. Dangerous. Every dealer I have spoken to in the southwest tells me they have more UV cracking with Michelin than any other major brand of tire. About 3 years ago I replaced the fronts with XZA 2 Energy's.  So far after 3 years they seem to be resisting cracking better than my other Michelins, but one of them was badly out of round. It was finally replaced along with its brother. I have no interest in Tire that start cracking after 45 years. I recently replaced the rears, both duals and tag with Bridgestone R 250's. The dealer assures me they have no cracking problems with these tires. they are made in America look very well made, have a good warranty, and while I have only driven a couple of hundred miles, they ride much smoother over expansion joints than the Michelins I had on the rear. For 12Rs they cost me five hundred twelve dollars per tire.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101006
Rich,

Why did you drop down from 315mm on the rears?

My coach came with 315's x 8 from the factory.  I'm not sure I need them on the rear.

I did a safety certified weigh in at an FMCA rally and learned I'm way under what I could carry on board.  Plus, with my tires and the weights of my coach, the recommended psi's were BELOW the chart.  So, they recommended I carry 90si in the 6 rears and 100 in the steers, anyway.  However, since I'm below their charts, they suggested I do the chalk tests to see if I have cupping.  If so, even though the charts don't say so, I will add more air.

With that, plus the fact I have a tag to support more weight than a single, I'm thinking I can get away with 275/12 R22.5 on the 6 rears.  The load capability per tire will be less but still well within what I need.  Might save me money and cut a little weight off the total, tire weight.

ON THE OTHER HAND, I read somewhere in this thread 315mm are selling cheaper than 275's.  I'll check that out.

Jerry Lewis

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101007
Older Magnas and Affinities had 12 R on the rear and don't have the clearance for 315 tires.  TWI 2004 intrigue 11731

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101010
Rich....Dangerous! I think that is a gross understatement!! At what point did you stop driving on them? Half a finger crack? I'm not sure what 12R XZ2's are. Do you mean 12R XZE of which I just bought a set of 6 for $5000. I wish I knew this before. Now I'm really worried!

Ed McManus....02' Intrigue.....11361
MrEd #11361 '02 Intrigue 400ISL

Re: Baby Needs New Shoes,J.C.Lewis109@yahoo.com,designerproperty@aol

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101011
Another comment on Michelin. Had a full set on my ¾ ton, live in AZ. Cracked like an egg within 18 months. When I heard they were prone to this, ripped them off and changed brands. Made the decision never to put them on the MH. May be fine in wetter climates . . . but certainly not a Southwest tire by any stretch.

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