I was chatting with my tire guy who gets me my tires on all my other vehicles and he told me that he can get me Coopers. I forget the specific model. Of course I've heard of Cooper but don't know the quality, are they good, bad or in between?
In general what does it cost to replace 8 tires on a bus? Although I have an account with these guys I'm thinking I'll be doing it in pairs over time while I do other the work since I'm not a rich man.
Should I go 11 x 22.5 or stay with 12 x 22.5? The 11's are significantly cheaper!
-Dave
stay with 12rx22.5 they are a larger tire and carry more weight.i have never used Cooper but see them on a lot of buses
I was going to buy Cooper tires. I typed Cooper tires in the search bar.
They have the most recalls and lawsuits of all the manufacturers!!
I went with a Dayton 11R 24.5
Wow, I'm glad I asked!
I'm doing more research right now too.
Yes definitly go with 12R 22.5 or 11R 24.5 to keep the sixe to keep the bus off the ground more. Jerry
jjrbus, not trying to be arguementative...however...did the site that told you about the lawsuits and recalls compare types of Coopers or numbers of tires compared to number of recalls and suites?
In other words, if you are looking for information on complaints on hamburger chains you will probably find McDonalds with the most...however they are also the biggest too.
Just food for thought.
JAck
PS...most folks I know running Copers on trucks love them.
jjrbus
I cut a 12R 24.5 tire and it was 650.00 for a new one the tire shop offered two brand new take offs 11R 24.5 for 360.00 plus service call I'm like you changing in pairs as I get the money.
LarryH
Jack, it was a unscientific web search by tire name, not a consumer orientated site. When I typed in tire names I would expect the big manufacturers to have the most issues.
Why stay with 12R22.5 if 11R22.5 tires can handle the weight? Rim width would be the only other issue I can think of. 11R22.5 or 11R22.5 tires will be easier to find than the 12R versions.
My bus has 11R24.5 tires and I paid $365 each out the door. Mine are Firestone FS590 Plus tires.
Dax,this debate comes up often about the price and size of tires some say you can not find 12r X 22.5 and the price is outrageous but i have used them on every bus i have had and never had a problem finding them at a decent price. i run 16 ply Toyos and don't pay as much as Brain pays for his 11r x 24.5 and the 11r X22.5 will not carry the same weight as the 12rx22.5 but you have to buy what suits your need and price
Is the 24.5 the rim size? I have a set of 22.5 rims. My mc9 has 12r 22.5. I need new tires and will go with the 12r unless the 24.5 will fit the 22.5 rims.
Thanks, tomas
Ahoy, BusCons,
I have Cooper tires on my -01 Eagle. 11:00x24.5 size. About 34,000 miles.
They run smooth, look fine, no cupping, no balance problems.
I'll buy them again when these run out of years.
Enjoy /s/ Bob
Quote from: ttomas
Is the 24.5 the rim size? I have a set of 22.5 rims. My mc9 has 12r 22.5. I need new tires and will go with the 12r unless the 24.5 will fit the 22.5 rims.
Thanks, tomas
Tomas,
yes 22.5 & 22.5 refer to the size of the rim/wheel! So with that said please don't waste your time try'n to make 24.5 tires fit on 22.5 rims! You'll only be extremely upset at the tire guys laffing at you, while making the young tire shop rookie and look terribly dumb for trying!
Quote from: luvrbus
i have used them on every bus i have had and never had a problem finding them at a decent price. i run 16 ply Toyos and don't pay as much as Brain pays for his 11r x 24.5
luvrbus,
Might I ask where you get your tires? I am always looking to find quality tires at a good price, and have yet been able to find a better price than what I get on Kumho 315/80R22.5 's thru my local tire guy! But I am still interested in seeing what else is available, if the price is right!
BK, i get mine from Lewis Bros Tire in Baker City OR when i am out that way no sales tax, no mounting fee,no disposal fee just 10.00 a wheel for the balance plus if the tire has no cracks in the sidewall they buy it from you if your are ever out that way check them out
Quote from: luvrbus on October 21, 2007, 11:39:57 AM
BK, i get mine from Lewis Bros Tire in Baker City OR when i am out that way no sales tax, no mounting fee,no disposal fee just 10.00 a wheel for the balance plus if the tire has no cracks in the sidewall they buy it from you if your are ever out that way check them out
Thanks I will check them out as I have friends/relatives out that way and even some old truck'n buddies that run up that way!
;D BK ;D
If you put all new tires on your conversion, it is highly unlikely that you will ever have to find a replacement tire until they age out and you are replacing them all again.
BK, thanks, is the tire size you use- 315/80R22.5 comparable in height to the 12 22.5? How much less if any do they cost compaired to the 12 22.5/ Thanks , Tomas
David,
I am with the camp that says you will never wear out your tires. The will dry rot first.
Get the best deal! Get them balanced!
Oh yeah, I bought the 12r22.5's, put the best old one in my spare compartment, taller and ride better...
In the US you can get anything you need in 24 hours, it may cost a little more, but how often?
Cliff
last I shopped Cooper did not make 12r22.5 in an appropriate tread.
I like them on my F250 though...third set of coopers I have owned.
cheap, good traction and wear
We changed the 12R22.5's to 11R22.5's on the 4107. With a light bus, weight was not the issue, and I don't plan on any off-roading, so the minor change in ride height won't be a problem. With a little arthritis, I don't even notice that the first step is any lower than it was before.
We ended up with six 11R Firestones (FS 590, I think - I"m in Oregon and the bus and paperwork are in Dallas-so I'm going by memory. The cost savings let me put all six 11R's on for the price of five, 12R's. Had the fronts dynamically balanced, and the total bill (in Dallas, TX) was about $2,250.
Here's the thread that helped me finally make the decision. I"ll try to put it in as a hyperlink, hopefully someone else will fix it if I fail.
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=4713.msg43680#msg43680
Arthur
For what it's worth, Cooper differs from the other tire manufacturers. They do not furnish tires to the vehicle manufacturers, but instead focus on the aftermarket/replacement business segment. You won't see a new Buick or F150 rolling off the assembly line wearing Coopers. Rather, they make tires for tire dealers and auto parts stores. In addition to the Cooper brand name, they make countless other brand names as well.
Here in the U.S, they have their HQ in Findlay, OH, with additional major plants in Texarkana, AR; Tupelo, MS; and Albany, GA. (and I have been inside everyone of them) However, these plants only manufacture passenger car and light truck tires. Truck and bus tire manufacturing was moved offshore a few years ago. So if you buy Cooper tires for your bus, they will likely be coming from China. (haven't been there)