RoadLux Tires

[Stormcloud]

I need to replace steer tires, and these are available at a decent price.

Anyone here using them? Any issues with them?

Thanks

Mark

[luvrbus]

I'll let you I just bought 2 about 3 weeks ago they ride better than the Michelins that were replaced with that brand I can tell you.The warranty is good so it reads

[Dave5Cs]

Hi Mark. It says on their site that they are made in China but in Collaboration with Dunlap in the UK!.. FWIW  
Dave5Cs

[DoubleEagle]

Check the recent thread on Double Coin tires, which are also Chinese.

[TomC]

There is a real good reason Michelin makes over 50 different models of commercial tires. There is quite of bit of research into rubber compounds, tread patterns, structural plies, etc. Making a tire specific for the job it has to do will make the difference between stopping in time or skidding into the vehicle in front of you. Chinese tires are me too tires. They look good on the outside but who knows how they are constructed inside. Using the best tire compared to a me to tire can make a big hit on fuel mileage (sometimes as much as 1mpg!), traction and handling. Personally, I'll stick to my Michelins (since Michelin invents new models-Michelin invented the super single). Good Luck, TomC

[DoubleEagle]

You get what you pay for applies to tires as well. Trucking companies can be very frugal (I have worked for a few of them), but you will find many of them putting Michelin's on the steer axle and other brands or recaps on the rears. Take a walk down the rows of trucks at any truckstop, how many name brands virgin rubber are on the steer axle? You will not see too many Chinese brands or recaps on the front.

[digesterman]

I would never run recaps on my semis steer tires, in fact I thought it illegal but maybe not

[luvrbus]

I would never run recaps on my semis steer tires, in fact I thought it illegal but maybe not

Nope only a bus hauling passengers for hire are recaps illegal to run on the steers,Fedx and Brown both run caps here local

[Oonrahnjay]

I would never run recaps on my semis steer tires, in fact I thought it illegal but maybe not 

       I don't think I want to run recaps on my steers.  I'm not an expert, I've never driven a semi a mile, I've never worked in a tire shop ... but if I'm going to do this bus life, I'm going to run new-type, good quality, checked by somebody who knows, "in date time" steer tires.
      My feeling and opinion - I don't think everybody else has to feel the same way and I'm not going to disagree with somebody else who feels differently but it's going to be my choice. 

[luvrbus]

Bruce I want new tires on the steers too,but the technology on caps today if push came to shove I wouldn't be to afraid of a cap.I had a chance to watch tests at Ft Stockton Tx what Bridgestone did to caps it was amazing 

[TomC]

I saw the Bandag bus one time, they were running recaps all around. On top of that, they were inflated on the soft side to improve ride. The number one distroyer of tires is heat caused by under inflation. Have a wireless tire inflation system to worn you of low tires. Believe it or not, 50% of tires that you see on the road blown up are new virgin tires. Good Luck, TomC

[Oonrahnjay]

Bruce I want new tires on the steers too,but the technology on caps today if push came to shove I wouldn't be to afraid of a cap.I had a chance to watch tests at Ft Stockton Tx what Bridgestone did to caps it was amazing  

      Yes, I have seen a number of reports on tests and in-field studies that bears that out but ... it will just make me feel better to have new tires on the steers.  As I said, I understand that recaps are good and there is a cost-equation for big fleet operators and it may be a waste of $$$ for a private coach but it just feels like a little bit of insurance that I want for my vehicle (and for my peace of mind).  (Also, there's the factor that my bus is light -- I only have weights after I stripped out the seats and interior partitions and I will re-weigh it when I'm finished with the re-engine and interior, but empty and stripped, it was a few pounds less than 18,000 pounds.  But I like being conservative in all things ...)

[DoubleEagle]

I had good luck with caps (Bandag) back in the eighties with heavy loads and slower speeds. But, I also recall one that was just installed on my tractor-trailer a few years ago in Columbus, Ohio that blew-up catastrophically just 25-30 miles away from the terminal when I got up to Interstate speed (65) in a empty truck. It did not just go flat, it shredded itself beyond recognition on I 71. The quality of a cap, in my opinion, is dependent on the skill of the people approving the casing, and then applying the new tread correctly. Caps should not be used in situations where a failure could lead to loss of control. I do not know, but I wonder if they recap super-singles (on trucks)? That would be asking for trouble. 

[luvrbus]

The super single caps seem to hold up I have a friend with 6  tri axle trucks and 4 axle trailers he hauls slurry with into Nev he been running super single caps for 5 years on all axles but the steering he has had no problems I know of 

[DoubleEagle]

The super single caps seem to hold up I have a friend with 6  tri axle trucks and 4 axle trailers he hauls slurry with into Nev he been running super single caps for 5 years on all axles but the steering he has had no problems I know of 

Well, that is good to know, but I would prefer good old duals which give you something to run on if one goes.