tire question

[David Anderson]

I just replaced two Dunlop steer tires on my Eagle.  They had 41k miles on them and they were 7 years old.  They originally were on my front end, but of the 41k, the last 12k miles were on the bogie axles.   I always put new tires on the front and rotate the old ones around the coach. 

What concerns me is the tread wear.  The outer two treads were worn so bad I could see some cords.  It seems like the wheels were severely out of line to do that.   The Khumho tires that I bought two years ago for the front and were just moved to the bogies today still look like new.   I put two Toyos on the front today.  the Dunlops were scrapped.   The Dunlops did have some outer wear two years ago, but not the extent I saw today.   I'm not sure what caused this.  The bus was aligned back in 2003 and rechecked in 2004 and found to be properly set, and it tracks great down the road. 

I paid $852.60 for the two Toyos which included one new valve stem, two balances, and two swaps to the bogie axles.  Wow, they have gone up in two years.

David

[luvrbus]

David, when you had the bus aligned did you do the bogies if you hit curbs with the bogies they can be knocked out of alignment and the average shops do not have the tapered spacer to align them.By the way I have used Toyos on the front of my Eagle for years you will love that tire on a Eagle

[Busted Knuckle]

And I have used Kumho's for years, and love 'm so much I named my big ol lazy black dawg after 'm! Great tires, even better dog! FWIW   BK 

[David Anderson]

I didn't have the bogies aligned.  The OEM toe in is zero on the bogies.  That could be the cause.  I measured the tread on the Kumhos that I moved to the bogies.  It is at 15/32 all the way across.  I'll keep an eye on the wear.   I have bought 2 tires every two years since 2000 and have made the first full rotation on the coach.   This spreads the pain out a bit and keeps the steering tires fresh.  I took a real hard look at my tires after that bus crash a couple of weeks ago.   I know that had recaps, but nonetheless, it makes you look, anyway.   The date code on the Toyos was 1908, so they are pretty fresh from the store shelf. 

David

[makemineatwostroke]

David, after Jefferson or who ever he uses screwed my Eagle up I followed the advice of another on this board and when I was in Oregon this summer Kaiser Wheel in Eugene did a three axle alignment on my 15 and you would not believe the difference.PS while in Oregon I replaced all my tires with Toyo's no sales tax like Texas

[David Anderson]

David, after Jefferson or who ever he uses screwed my Eagle up I followed the advice of another on this board and when I was in Oregon this summer Kaiser Wheel in Eugene did a three axle alignment on my 15 and you would not believe the difference.PS while in Oregon I replaced all my tires with Toyo's no sales tax like Texas

Wow, I thought Jefferson was the go to place for eagle related suspension stuff.  That is disappointing to hear.  I wonder if Chris Hanloh at Eagle in Brownsville could bring all this back up to new specs?

David

[makemineatwostroke]

Jefferson is the place for parts and some service but not for alignments and I have never saw a alignment pit or ramps at Craig's place, always get you a 3 axle alignment saves you money for the long run in fuel and tire wear. 

Beeline at Kingsbury does a good job on Eagle 3 axle alignments he has one of the laser alignment machines in case you don't know where Kingsbury is it between Zorn and Geronimo on highway 123 Texas Custom Coaches uses them after they get  finished with a conversion never heard of a problem.   # 1-830-303-0813  but any thing is possible
   

[Busted Knuckle]

Jefferson is the place for parts and some service but not for alignments and I have never saw a alignment pit or ramps at Craig's place, always get you a 3 axle alignment saves you money for the long run in fuel and tire wear. 

Beeline at Kingsbury does a good job on Eagle 3 axle alignments he has one of the laser alignment machines in case you don't know where Kingsbury is it between Zorn and Geronimo on highway 123 Texas Custom Coaches uses them after they get  finished with a conversion never heard of a problem.   # 1-830-303-0813  but any thing is possible

I agree a 3 axle alignment is the only way to go! And If yer on or near I-%% in Cape Girardeau, MO or on or near Paduach/Calvert City, KY I can reccomend to great places! FWIW   BK 

[luvrbus]

David, if you ever change the index setting on your bogies with out having a alignment done on the 2 you are going to be way off

[David Anderson]

Jefferson is the place for parts and some service but not for alignments and I have never saw a alignment pit or ramps at Craig's place, always get you a 3 axle alignment saves you money for the long run in fuel and tire wear. 

Beeline at Kingsbury does a good job on Eagle 3 axle alignments he has one of the laser alignment machines in case you don't know where Kingsbury is it between Zorn and Geronimo on highway 123 Texas Custom Coaches uses them after they get  finished with a conversion never heard of a problem.   # 1-830-303-0813  but any thing is possible
   

Small world,  That is where I took it to have it checked in 2004, but I don't remember if he checked the bogies.

David