Thinking about new tires

[Pete]

I am starting to get quotes on new tires, and in doing so, I have gotten prices on Michelin (need to take up bank robbing to buy a set of them) Bridgestone, and Continental keeps coming up. Anyone have any experience with Continental? I see them on some high end European cars, and they seem to have a good reputation. Continental has a reasonable price, and warranty, just wondering if anyone on the site has any experience with them. I have used Bridgestone in the past and have had good luck with them.

[michaeldterry]

I bought the Firestone FS400's when I replaced my tires last spring and have been very satisfied with the ride and the wear. I also found the Michelins to be uncomfortably high priced. They certainly are proud of their tires!

[BillhymerMD]

Mine need to be replaced as well. I currently have Toyo on the coach that are beginning to crack after several years.... Does anyone have an opinion on Toyo?

[ajducote]

Pete,

Would you mind posting the cost of the tires you have had quoted?

I am also looking to replace my steer tires and the Michelin quote from a local truck place fro 2 tires mounted and balanced and new valve stems was $1700.00

[TG Transport]

I've been running the Toyo tires now for several years. They were on the bus when I bought it and I have just rotated replacements in as needed. I find them to be reasonably priced, smooth riding, and durable.

[truk4u]

If anyone is near Atlanta and needs tires, contact me, I can get you a discounted POG price on mosts brands including Michelin. I have partnered up with a good friend who owns Action Tire and they have 37 location's around Atlanta. I will be helping Action with Lifeline Batteries and in return we will have a tire source for POG members.

If you have no intentions of going to the Atlanta area for tires, please don't bother with a price quote, I don't want to waste their time.

[Pete]

Andre, Just a scattering of prices I have gotten thus far.....Prevost Michelin $897.51 including FET...does not have labor, mount, and balance in the price. Firestone 607.93 includes mount, balance. Toyo 562.00 includes mount and equal. Bridgestone 692.52 includes mount and balance. Continental 556.58 includes equal. All prices except Michelin include mount and balance or equal, and taxes.

I am still waiting for quotes from other suppliers, and will post as soon as I get them. As best as I can tell, the brand preferences are as scattered as the prices. Some claim good service, and some claim bad service on all brands. I just have difficulty paying almost twice the price for the Michelin tires, when few of us put a limited number of miles on our coaches, and have to replace tires based on age rather than miles.

[Sid Tuls]

Mark what part of small did I miss 205 tractors? Just joking. I bet you had your hands full. The boys have 35 cattle trucks and all I hear them complain about is I can't wait to just get sub- haulers. That's all they run is Michelin on their trucks. They used to run retreads on the trailers but quit doing that a couple of years ago.

[GDeen]

Pete,
Not specific to truck tires, but I did just replace the high dollar performance tires on my Audi. Went with the Continental version due to excellent reviews and less price. Very pleased so far - quiet, good grip and about 1/3rd less cost.

I know some folks are going Chinese, but I have too much experience with poor QC on chinese oilfield equipment.

[Mark3101]

Mark what part of small did I miss 205 tractors? Just joking. I bet you had your hands full. The boys have 35 cattle trucks and all I hear them complain about is I can't wait to just get sub- haulers. That's all they run is Michelin on their trucks. They used to run retreads on the trailers but quit doing that a couple of years ago.

I guess I was comparing to the big guys like JB Hunt and the likes. Yes, we did have our hands full much of the time! We had four shops and did ALL our own maint./repair/tire work. We used the Michelin retreads and they performed very well and we used them on drive axles and trailers. You had to really look to even tell that the Michelin was a retread...they looked identical to the new tire. We routinely got 10 years out of a Michelin casing! Lots of time we could cap 3 times and get good life. Michelin just keeps getting better all the time.

I can see where the price could chase people away from Michelin if they are priced as high as what some have posted here. Our buses won't usually get the kind of miles or wear and tear that a truck gets, so maybe another brand could work for some people, but I plan on sticking with what I know is a good product....even if it costs a little more than the others.

I have not yet priced tires for the bus, but I am sure I can get a good deal from the dealer we used when it is time.