Tire shopping

dtcerrato · March 14, 2020, 07:42:36 AM

We're running good ole' Dunlop all position. Anywhere from one to seven years old. Excellent tread wear with a brand new one behind the front bumper and two Florida - Alaska - Florida round trips under all their belts plus many more trips on the older ones. They serve us well.

dtcerrato · March 14, 2020, 07:45:22 AM

PS. Paul S - nice website!

muldoonman · March 15, 2020, 07:29:37 AM

Just put the Firestone 561's (

(12R 22.5's) on mine last fall and they ride and handle like a dream. Ran Bridgestones on steers and Samson on rear and they were fine also. They just timed out (7 years) never had a problem with them either.

richard5933 · March 15, 2020, 07:48:58 AM

Quote from: muldoonman on March 15, 2020, 07:29:37 AM
Just put the Firestone 561's ( (12R 22.5's) on mine last fall and they ride and handle like a dream. Ran Bridgestones on steers and Samson on rear and they were fine also. They just timed out (7 years) never had a problem with them either.

Nice to hear that. Going Tuesday to get mine installed.

TomC · March 16, 2020, 01:25:28 PM

My tire man for the past 42 years won't carry Dunlop anymore since it is made by Goodyear-of which he won't carry either. Michelin, Hankook, Toyo. Good Luck, TomC

dtcerrato · March 16, 2020, 07:29:54 PM

The last Dunlop I recently purchased - the tire guy told me they were discontinued so he gave me the Goodyear tire model that uses the same mold that was making the Dunlops I run. When I had the bus aligned at Josam in Orlando they said Dunlop is a real good tire but the main drawback is they are a bitch to balance. They took one tire loose from the rim and rotated it to keep from having to put excessive weight in one place. Other than that they have served us well.

windtrader · March 16, 2020, 08:16:05 PM

What's the experience using balance beads inside the tire or weight balance? Just wondering what is best way to ensure tires are as balanced as possible after mounting.

Getting three different thoughts.
1) no need to balance new tires,
2) typical balance using weights,
3) put stuff inside tire that self balances.

dtcerrato · March 16, 2020, 08:38:26 PM

We use a 4th thought you don't have listed:
4) Centramatic balancers - at least on the rear duals. The front requires special order haven't gotten around to. Initially they cost but done forever after installing.

luvrbus · March 17, 2020, 05:32:36 AM

I don't balance good tires never had a set that needed it ,most of the time if running the 2 piece welded steel wheels it is the wheel that needs the balance

Dave5Cs · March 17, 2020, 08:11:26 AM

never had ours balanced and they run great.

richard5933 · March 17, 2020, 11:12:46 AM

Got my FS561 tires installed today. There was a $35/tire rebate right now for this area, and the balancing was only $30/tire, so I went ahead and had all 7 balanced. Should be good for quite a while now.

I'll report back after I've put some miles on them.

They do look better on the bus - the 315s always looked like the bus was wearing his big brothers hand-me-down shoes which were slightly too big. These look like they belong on the bus. Probably because they do.

chessie4905 · March 17, 2020, 03:12:42 PM

If oil prices stay depressed, look for tires and motor oil to drop as well.

dtcerrato · March 17, 2020, 06:48:50 PM

For what the fuel prices are doing we wish we were going to AK this summer but won't happen this year...

Jim Eh. · March 17, 2020, 09:04:37 PM

Although I am a firm believer in balancing what I have found with our Coats balancer is to ensure the tire runs true. Confirm the rim has as close to zero runout as possible, even before mounting a tire, then mount the tire on the CLEAN rim with lots of lube and make sure it seats 100%. Inflate and check runout. If the runout is off, deflate rotate the tire on the rim and try again. Rinse and repeat as they say. a little time here will go a long way in tire life. And don't let anyone tell you "it'll settle in". Total BS.
BTW, every ounce out of balance is equal to 6 lbs hitting the pavement at highway speed.

windtrader · March 17, 2020, 09:51:42 PM

Jim,
Confirm the rim has as close to zero runout as possible, even before mounting a tire, then mount the tire on the CLEAN rim with lots of lube and make sure it seats 100%. Inflate and check runout. If the runout is off, deflate rotate the tire on the rim and try again.

How do you ensure the tire monkey does this steps and reports back before completing the job? Like Richard notes, it is an exception if you are able to stand where the work is being done.

Was going to get tires today but looks like tomorrow now.