Tire Rating

[Fred Mc]

 I have a friend who lives in a 1990 Toyota 21 'motorhome and she needs 6 new tires.She tells me the size is 185-14  8 ply.
Is there a rating system for tires so I know what I'm looking for?
Id like to help her out because I think the tire people she is talking to are trying to take advantage of her. She was quoted $3000 Cnd.

Regards
Fred.

[richard5933]

If you mean conversion between ply rating and the letter system, try this:

https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/tire-ply-rating

I tried looking up tires, but there is a missing number on the tire size.

[chessie4905]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hkook-VanTRa-LT-RA18-185R14-102-100R-D-Tire/401349831

[hogi6123]

The shop I got my bus tires from didn't know how to help me.  I don't think they were trying to take advantage of me, just didn't know how to compare prices or something like that.  They gave me a price.  I had to ask "What would I pay for Toyo tires?"  They said "It will be xx ($1000 cheaper than the first number), and oh! we even have them in stock"

The shop I use for my non bus tires I feel really knows how to help.  They say "What's your size?  Do you have a brand preference? ... Does tire X sound good?  It's not quite the cheapest but it's made by a reputable company."  Prices are great and I have been content with all of their recommendations.

185r14 looks incomplete but is apparently a complete size:
https://tiresize.com/tiresizes/185R14.htm

You can do an internet search on specific tires but you may not find much.

You should call a few other shops, see if you can find one more knowledgeable and helpful.

[richard5933]

I went to a few commercial tire shops before buying the new tires for my bus last year. The dealer I settled on (Pomps - New Berlin, WI) did like you were saying. They helped me compare the options, laid out the various prices, and took the time to explain why each was/wan't the best option for me based on how I used the bus.

[hogi6123]

That reminds me of getting a recommendation of Pomp's from a RV dealership.

You could call some place local like a RV dealer that uses a lot of tires similar to your friend's and ask them where they get their tires from.

[chessie4905]

https://www.tires-easy.com/185-14/hankook-tires/vantra-lt-ra18/tirecode/2001939

read specs and info.

[luvrbus]

I have a friend who lives in a 1990 Toyota 21 'motorhome and she needs 6 new tires.She tells me the size is 185-14  8 ply.
Is there a rating system for tires so I know what I'm looking for?
Id like to help her out because I think the tire people she is talking to are trying to take advantage of her. She was quoted $3000 Cnd.

Regards
Fred.

What is that in US dollars ? sounds high I paid $3200.00 out the door taxes,mounting and balanced for 6 Toyos 295/80/22.5/16 ply  for 6 new Michelins I can see a couple of grand I just paid almost 1500 bucks for 4 on the SUV 

[chessie4905]

$2274.88

[windtrader]

I have a friend who lives in a 1990 Toyota 21 'motorhome and she needs 6 new tires.She tells me the size is 185-14  8 ply.
Is there a rating system for tires so I know what I'm looking for?
Id like to help her out because I think the tire people she is talking to are trying to take advantage of her. She was quoted $3000 Cnd.

Regards
Fred.

Given the vehicle is 30 years old, who knows if the current tire is the correct size. Research the vehicle's weight, front and rear. Find an OEM document showing the recommended tire size(s), maybe a sticker inside the glove box. Those two should determine the proper size and weight rating for that specific vehicle.

[chessie4905]

http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?/topic/7-tires-for-8990-dolphin/

looks like the correct tire. you can verify by checking the mfg. tire  spec on the placard location indicated. You may want to get it weighed to make sure they are still sufficient. Someone may have added a clawfoot cast iron bathtub...

[RJ]

I have a friend who lives in a 1990 Toyota 21 'motorhome and she needs 6 new tires.She tells me the size is 185-14  8 ply.
Is there a rating system for tires so I know what I'm looking for?
Id like to help her out because I think the tire people she is talking to are trying to take advantage of her. She was quoted $3000 Cnd.

Fred -

That size on your friend's Toyota is a LT or "Light Truck" tire, aka nowadays known as a "185R14D." The D indicates the load range.

Tire Rack has a Yokohama Y356 in that size and load range for $125.24ea, or $751.44 for a set of six. ($990 Cdn)

They also have that same Yokohama in the next size up (LT195/75R14 D) for $130.60ea, or $783.60 for six. ($1033 Cdn)

Personally, I'd spend the extra bucks for the slightly larger tire and additional load carrying capacity.

That's just an example using one vendor.  But now that you know what you're looking for, you can go shopping more intelligently, eh?

HTH. . . 

[Fred Mc]

Thanks RJ.

[luvrbus]

You need to watch the internet tire sales,I ordered some tires from Tire Rack 13" for Sonja's Triumph convertible  and got a good buy but the Dunlap tires were dated coded 5 years ago,it was a hassle to get newer tires from that outfit took me almost 3 months plus they wanted me to pay shipping to return the tires

[chessie4905]

like beer and soda. have a sale to move older tires.