Penny-wise and pound-foolish

[sdc53]

FWIW I had a horrible experience with the Kumho garbage korean tires that came on my S&S class C from the factory.  Had a rear blowout, boy that'll get your attention.  Over the following months had to replace a couple more due to bubbling, etc - and they didn't stand by the warranty on the tires, which was complicated by the fact that when they failed, we weren't dealing with a retailer that actually sold the damn things. Not many choices when you are on the side of the road or in the boonies. They'll never get another dime from me, or hopefully anyone I know.

[wg4t50]

We all have choices, I have run a few brand names, Toyo, Bridgestone and Michelin, No problem with any of them, I just replaced all 6 on my coach, the michelin XZE-3+ 275/80R22.5 LRH cost thru the FMCA $531.00 + FET each, plus $435.00 for all six Road Balance, new stems and mounting.  Not cheap, but I have other things to worry about.
I learned to only use "all position" tires, once I used a lug type on the drive, within about 30,000 miles they looked like a sawtooth, very steep leading edge with the heals worn way down, guess due to a heavy foot and lots of hp, anyway I stayed with the all position type, they just wear smooth & round & quiet.

[Jon]

We all hate to pay for tires. They cost a fortune and we rarely wear them out before they age out. But one thing to consider is that if one fails, the money we saved by trying to nurse them beyond their natural life or by buying the cheapest we can find could prove to be false economy.

I cannot get the recent 8 fatality bus crash out of my mind which was attributed to a left front tire blowout. But I am also aware of at least two coaches I personally know that had substantial and expensive damage as a result in both cases of a drive or tag axle failure. The one with the drive axle failure took out the upper wheel well liner, did damage to the interior of the coach, destroyed an air bag, and a brake chamber air line. The second was a tag axle failure and it damaged the muffler, the wheel well, and did some body damage to the tune of $15,000. Tires are a big deal.

[belfert]

I decided to buy Cooper Roadmaster RM185 tires for both steer and drives.  They are made in China, but they are at least made by a major brand.  I was thinking about Firestone FS560 Plus tires, but I was told they are made in China now too.  I found out just recently that the Firestones are still made in the USA.  I most likely would have purchased the Firestones if I knew they were still made in the USA.

[luvrbus]

Here the Casinos buses are using Double Coin or something like that they are having good luck with the tire here in Aug the heat separates the boys from the girls I lost a new Michelin yesterday from a sidewall blow out on the van   

[robertglines1]

I had a 3yr old Goodyear explode with proper air on right front-- no road hazzard.   FWIW   Still upset about that one!   So who makes what?? And what does name brand mean anymore???

[luvrbus]

According to all the truckers and carriers reports the new 315/80 from Goodyear is the best tire on the market for wear,handling and ride but they cost more than a Michelin with the same rating,none of the tires have a warranty worth a crap the Michelin I lost yesterday was my fault as I knew they would say lol

[TexasBorderDude]

Well we all know the old saying "the buck stops here."  Well with most, it don't stop for long, just keeps going out.  But great news, we're (the over 65 crowd) gonna get $19/mo COLA from Uncle Sugar 'cause everyone knows there's been only slight inflation, yet the Firestone FS 560's I bought in '08 for $330 per copy are $545 now.  Ever so slight!

[B_K]

IMHO Michelin's are a waste of $.
Yes they ride smooth, but they wear out faster than any other brand tire we've EVER run!
I have run many other brands and find most of them to be pretty comparable in quality.
  BK 

[Eagle Andy]

Doyle I just decided to change my 10 year old tires and i found Firestones 11r 24.5 for 480.00 mounted I think there FS 507

[TexasBorderDude]

Doyle I just decided to change my 10 year old tires and i found Firestones 11r 24.5 for 480.00 mounted I think there FS 507

I've got probably 10 year old FS 507's on the bogie and 6 year old FS 560's on the drives... will be looking for some Firestones as I travel about.

[pabusnut]

Doyle,

Be thankful you aren't one of Uncle's employees w/no raise for 3 yrs, and a 3% pay cut this year due to Sequestration & Gov't shutdown!  More to come next year, since the kicked can is still rolling down the road!

Steve

[belfert]

I work for a private employer and didn't get a raise for 5 years with a 2% raise this year.  I am grateful I still have a job since more than 50% of the employees in my department got laid off.

[Dave5Cs]

Yep Brian you beat me to it. They can join us in a private sector job or like me self employed. I took a 100% pay cut in 2009 and 2010 in the construction industry and still no raise!...and hope to live on the Bus again soon.

Dave5Cs

[TexasBorderDude]

.... I took a 100% pay cut in 2009 and 2010...

How does the math work on that one?  Man the grass is always greener and the helmet is always browner! I don't know anyone who's cutting a fat hog, as the saying goes.