What Tires???????

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I have always used Michelin, and just replaced my steers. When I return from TX I am replacing my drives because they have aged out.

The question is are the Michelins which are now quoted at $614 (unmounted) twice as good as five rib DICO at $295? It is improbable I will wear either of them out, and since the drive axle is the easiest on tires I'm trying to find the downside to saving $1200.

Don't be shy. Tell me of your experience or facts. Except for making me feel warm and toasty I cannot think of another reason to justify the Michelins.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Jon years back I quit putting Mich. and Bridge. on the steers primarily because I got aggrivated having to remount them 2 or 3 times, every time, because of a smimmy that didn't previously exzist.

The off brands last just as long for a fraction of the cost and almost never have balance trouble.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Jon, Never heard of dico? My tire guy says the local charter co's. are using Kumho 315-80 $365 installed. He'll get um next day.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

The tire guy gave me more info. They are Dynatrak tires, made in China under the name Double Coin.

I'm going to chase down Kumbo. Any other ideas?

[truk4u]

Yep, stick with Mich

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Hey Truk, I'm trying to save a little money here.

Actually a lot of money. At one time the savings in cost between brand M, and the cheap one was the price of the tire. I bought brand M many moons ago for about $300 a tire. The were 12R22.5 but now the price of Michelin far exceeds anything else.

[Petervs]

Jon,
I would rather drive on 10 year old Michelin tires than new Chinese copy junk cheapo tires.

I am surprised you have bought into this crazy business of replacing perfectly good tires after x number of years in the first place. I have never seen any technical evidence to support the need. It is a great marketing ploy on the part of manufacturers though because they get to sell more tires, and it does tend to reduce their liability exposure I suppose. I contend that if you buy the right tire for the load, keep them properly inflated, and do not park them in direct sun all the time, then the life is not limited to 5 or 7 years, or even 10.


Sure, there have been plenty of plastic coaches with wheels and tires underrated and overloaded that have had failures. But caused by age alone? Does it depend on where the tires are used and stored maybe a little? Do they live longer in a garage in Idaho say than parked outside in Yuma?

Do you replace your airplane tires based on age?

If you are really concerned, just replace the steering tires, a failure in any other position would be merely an inconvenience at worst. Save the money to buy more diesel.

My $0.02

Peter vS
94 Marathon XLV