| Author | Message | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 24.92.121.67 Rating: N/A |
Well when I bought my bus, I looked at the mileage on the tires. All looked good. Wear seemed consistent with the mileage stated. Around 5,000 miles... butt, they are almost 10 years old and starting to show some hairline cracks and checking. Replacing 6 of 8 Firestones will run around $2,800... the local dealer said I could safely run these on the bogie. My question is, when a tire fails will it happen suddenly or can I keep an eye on them for now? Any telltale signs of eminent failure? Or does an abundance of caution say bite the bullet now? The local El Paso dealer has plus, plus services for tires, disposal fee, mounting, balance, alum valves etc. etc. What's the best way to get the best buy? Are Michelin XZA-1's about the same money? Thanks as ever! dg ps Anyone know why avitars don't show? I uploaded mine. (Message edited by TexasBorderDude on March 09, 2007) | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin)
Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 977 Registered: 7-1997 Posted From: 64.187.39.62 Rating: N/A |
Magic! Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 96 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.214.91 Rating: N/A |
DG...I am In Las Cruces. Did you purchase a local coach? Many will not agree with me, but depending on (mostly) how you drive, you may or may not have problems. From my point of view,proper inflation and driving speed are key. I usually drive 55-65 under any condition, but have also driven to a family funeral (Dallas) at the legal on I-10. Return trip was as stated above. Have also found we enjoy the "trip" more at such speeds. My Michelins and Firstone Steers are at least 8 years old and I would not hesitate to drive the coach anywhere. I do keep them covered, however. From the figure you quoted,....my guess....you can beat that substantially. FWIW  RCB '64 Crown Supercoach ( HWC) | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 10 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 24.92.121.67 Rating: N/A |
R.C. I bought it from a great guy, Charlie Brown in Laughlin Nv. I really intend to drive under 65 (to maximize the 6.2867934 mpg and maybe slower on secondary roads. Just don't want a steerer to throw an "asphalt alligator" some day! | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 468 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.117.21 Rating: N/A |
They'll most likely be significantly more and they are considered by many as THE tire to have. Premium and expensive compared to some of the ones others use, and I'm sure you will get a lot of opinions on this one.They're the only ones I will use.Need to shop around for the best price. ( Sam's Club can get them....approx 460 each past December) Just my opinion though.Some believe that you shouldn't buy that expensive of a tire if you don't drive many miles a year. Also,a while back, someone mentioned that you could purchase used takeoffs from charter busses that still had most of their tread left. Apparently some companies change to new ones every year or two. Maybe that Bus nut will chime in. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 97 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.214.91 Rating: N/A |
DG...Frequent Fueler...the Flying J Magazine shows prices on many different brands....might check with the one in EP for what they offer. AIRC they were pretty competitive. RCB | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 232 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.82 Rating: N/A |
Re: "-almost 10 years old and starting to show some hairline cracks and checking. -My question is, when a tire fails will it happen suddenly or can I keep an eye on them for now? Any telltale signs of eminent failure? " Man, there's a whole ton of worry about tires being "too old".... Most recapped tires are on old casings, and tires have been re grooved and used, in spite of "hairline cracks"... If a tire is going to "fail", it's going to do so without fanfare; "BANG", "flop-flop-flop" - and it's a done deal. I've driven buses with those tiny cracks on the sidewall, and questioned the barn mechanic about it... "No fear", he said (I never had a blowout on any bus). I -have- had blowouts on automobiles, but the bubble on the sidewall or thread surface was always the tip-off... never from some checking or hairline cracking... If it twir me? I bought "take-offs" for the rears and put the partially bald tires on the tags. The tags or bogies are going to wear real quick, so I wouldn't wa$te ca$h for what's going to last a fraction of the time any other tire (position) will. Any failure can be dealt with en route, without much adodoie. They move new, worn tires to the duals, and move the real worn dual tires to the tags. It's kinda' like bedding.... You flip the dirty sheets over, then later, use 'em as fitted tablecloths.... then... cut 'em up for handkerchiefs.... | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 98 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.214.91 Rating: N/A |
....right on , John. RCB | ||
| Christy Hicks (Christyhicks)
Registered Member Username: Christyhicks Post Number: 22 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 65.77.66.1 Rating: N/A |
Well, I guess I'll take the beating here, but in this girl's very humble opinion, driving on old tires is a bad thing. We purchased our latest bus, in Florida, last Feb, a GMC 4107, and the tires looked really, really good on it. Unfortunately, it turns out that the fronts were like 9 years old, and yes, we blew one, going about 60 mph, about 1/2 way between Nashville and Memphis. We were cruising along and he said, "Hmmm, I just felt a little vibration, so I'm going to pull over and check the tires. . " and BAM! It was loud and it was rough riding. It takes a while to pull over under those circumstances, and the whole time you could hear the loud banging from the rubber ripping loose. As soon as I knew he had the bus under control, I unbelted and grabbed a fire extinquisher, perching in the stair well ready to jump out and put out a fire once we got stopped. Luckily, that was not necessary. The hubby says that he hopes to @&^#*)^&$# that's the last tire he every blows on anything. It took all he had to keep her straight and safe as he got pulled over, and we've got Shepherd power steering on it. He says he can't imagine what would have happened if it had been manual steering. As it was, that night and most of the next day, he had a large knot between his shoulder blades from wrassling that thing over. As it was, we only tore up a simulator and knocked the hold-down brackets off the battery compartment door, but there's no doubt it could have been a bad, bad thing. Needless to say, we replaced both front tires that day, and before we took the bus out on another trip, we replaced the rears too. Sure, it was a lot of money. . .about $400 a piece, but as compared to how much we've got in the bus, well, hey, it's just not that much money in order to be safe. Sure, you can drive on old tires and if they blow, maybe they'll give you warning first. . maybe. Maybe they won't tear up much stuff. . . maybe. Christy Hicks P.S. Don't even ASK how much those shiny Alcoas added to the bill. How he turned that one damaged simulator into a whole set of aluminum wheels. . .well, it's beyond me! | ||
| Linda & Kirby Karlsson (Linda4104fl)
Registered Member Username: Linda4104fl Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 68.30.135.193 Rating: N/A |
Christy's absolutly right, IMO. We had 10 year old rear tires this past summer... "had" being the operative word. Spent an unanticipated Sunday in Boise, Idaho waiting for the tire place to open on Monday after one of the rears blew out at 55 mph on Saturday evening. But that's okay, 'cause we needed the extra time to repair the water line the tire took out when it blew. See? It all works out! LOL Linda-4104-FL | ||
| Ray Drummond (Ray_d)
Registered Member Username: Ray_d Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2006 Posted From: 68.124.102.118 Rating: N/A |
You need to see the video on how to handle a blowout. http://www.michelinrvtires.com/michelinrvtires/other/RvVideos.jsp Ray D | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 233 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.82 Rating: N/A |
(egads..... the votes are in! The feminists have it ????) runner ups: "don't run with scissors" "eat your broccoli" "Don't sit in a draft" "If you keep doing that, you'll go blind" (Message edited by john_mc9 on March 09, 2007) | ||
| Jerome Dusenberry (Jerry32)
Registered Member Username: Jerry32 Post Number: 9 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 148.78.243.51 Rating: N/A |
I had an old Michelin burst on the tread ripping the steel belts apart and sounded l;ike a cannon going off. If you feel a vibration before it lets go then it was probably overheated and came apart gradully letting the air out. I believe in those tire monitors for peace of mind while cruising down the road. Jerry | ||
| Tim Hoskinson (Tdh37514151)
Registered Member Username: Tdh37514151 Post Number: 211 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 4.252.76.157 Rating: N/A |
I just wanted to add one fact here . Yes old tires can blow out and the older the more likely. However please don't think now we have new tires we are perfectly safe. New tires blow out as well and not just from a once in a while imperfection in the manufcturing but for a multitude reasons. Impacts with something in the road, running the tire underinflated or overloading as well as others. Its nice to have newer tires and they are probably safer than older ones but the fact is you can bad luck with any tire 10 years old or even brand new. Just something to keep in mind. | ||
| david anderson (Davidanderson)
Registered Member Username: Davidanderson Post Number: 198 Registered: 2-2004 Posted From: 66.90.200.16 Rating: N/A |
Doyle, Did you buy Charlie Brown's Eagle 05? It was a January 2000 BCM centerfold. I toured his bus once, very nice inside. David | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 18 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.52.29 Rating: N/A |
doyle,if you are traveling and go through oregon you can save a few hundred bucks just on sales tax Les Schwab Tire has a sale the month of june did you get the wooded indian with the bus i am glad charlies bus has a good home | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 765 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
everybody has their own opinions....steer tires should be perfect | ||
| Craig (Ceieio)
Registered Member Username: Ceieio Post Number: 285 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 206.212.230.165 Rating: N/A |
upload a 150px by 150px jpeg format picture and it will appear shortly. Anything else, and it is no-show! Craig - MC7 Oregon | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 11 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 24.92.121.67 Rating: N/A |
David... yes one and the same. It has quite a "provenance" or as we say here on the border, "quite a story." Probably 8 years in the making, a real low mileage shell (380k miles) from Hausman Bus in L.A. Charlie spent probably 3,000 hours on the interior alone. The "Magic Bus" of numerous Harley Davidson Rallies in California and Nevada. It's quite a "chick magnet" (I'm told )... gosh I just had a thought.... wonder if all those girls who made Charlie's Wall of Shame by flashing, knew how dangerous those tires were???? Craig... thanks for the info... reformatted my jpeg... we'll "see" shortly!~ (Message edited by TexasBorderDude on March 10, 2007) (Message edited by TexasBorderDude on March 10, 2007) | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin)
Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 978 Registered: 7-1997 Posted From: 64.187.39.62 Rating: N/A |
Doyle, I had already done that for you. You would have seen your picture appear if you had "Refreshed/Reloaded" this page. Your original picture was 151 pixels wide and so it wouldn't show. Now you're showing at least a 3rd generation photo of your beautiful bus. If you'd like to send me this picture in it's original size, I'll upload a nice clear shot of it. Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| Robert H. (Ultimarv)
Registered Member Username: Ultimarv Post Number: 9 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 83.208.52.10 Rating: N/A |
As mentioned, many opinions on this topic and especially critical the steering tires. Then again, my personal opinion would be always to replace out-of-date tires if you personally do not have first-hand history. We took our own advice and replaced ours with new Michelin XZE 12R 22.5 16-ply tires. There are some good bargains, but we took a bit of a hit because of time constraints in getting them mounted. Tire Price: $527.00 Real Cost: $651.87 - Florida sales tax - Florida special tire tax - Dismounting - Disposal - Aluminium valve stems - Mounting And we know it is a debatable luxury, but tire pressure sensors were important to us. We put on PressurePro since we also tow a car hauler, although they do not sense heat. | ||
| Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa)
Registered Member Username: Kristinsgrandpa Post Number: 297 Registered: 2-2003 Posted From: 64.24.209.88 Rating: N/A |
I've kept this website in my address book to refer to when I need tires. http://www.tireauditor.com/ As of today 3/10/07 he advertises XZA 1+B's, in a 11R 24.5, for $339 ea. If you buy 8 or more tires the shipping is free. I have no relationship with this outfit and have never dealt with them, but I intend to some day. Ed | ||
| Arthur N.Gaudet (Runcutter)
Registered Member Username: Runcutter Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 76.185.242.7 Rating: N/A |
Doyle, there's a tire shop right around the corner from the Sun Metro office at Union Station. If you're walking from Sun Metro to the Camino Real hotel, it's on your left at the first corner. I was doing some work with Sun Metro last year, and every time I walked by, thought they might be a good source - I need a full set for my 4107. Since I'm in Dallas, I wouldn't save anything by driving to El Paso for tires, though. Christy, that's one of the major reasons I'm shopping for someone to put Shepard steering on my 4107 before our next major trip. Thanks for the story. Arthur | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 12 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 24.92.121.67 Rating: N/A |
Runcutter... Yeah, I think it's Tire Pros 306 Santa Fe St El Paso, Tx 79901 (915) 533-6231 actually just down the street from my home! (I actually live across IH-10 from the Union Station!!!!) I'd forgotten about them... ya gotta go to the internet to find something next door! Thanks! dg | ||
| Ross Carlisle (Rrc62)
Registered Member Username: Rrc62 Post Number: 174 Registered: 5-2005 Posted From: 67.142.130.43 Rating: N/A |
I did new tires all the way around before I started doing any real traveling with the bus. I see it as preventative maintenance. I went with Sumotomo tires. They are real popular up north. Cheaper than the big name brands, but still a good tire. Ross | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 295 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.4.181.66 Rating: N/A |
If the age of a tire didn't matter, then why do they have the date of manufacture in the sidewall? Here's an idea, follow the tire manufacturer's recommendation for age replacement. They have spent millions developing tires & if they had a tire that would safely & reliably last 10 years, you just know they would advertise it since the casing could be capped a bunch in 10 years. The hauler I used to move a couple of buses uses up a set of tires in a year. The tires on my bus have 90% tread & are over 6 years old. They hold air, but I'm not going far before I replace them. My reason is that the risk isn't worth the gamble. A blow out can cause more damage than a set of tires cost. At any rate, like was suggested earlier, put the best tires you can on the front. For no more than most use their bus, any major brand should work, especially if the truckers are repeat customers. Best of luck. (Message edited by kyle4501 on March 10, 2007) | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 99 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.213.200 Rating: N/A |
Interesting thread with lots of opinions; rightly so, but one thing that might differ from Mfgr's recommendations is that we ( bus hobby folks) do not usually travel the many miles in short periods of time that the tire is built for, ergo, seems that it might be a roll of the dice as to how one replaces what. Steer tires are most vulnerable to almost anything ,especially road hazzard. The rears do most of the work, it would seem, with engine/transmission forces, braking, road hazards, etc. A blow out on the rears is not as " hazardous" as would be a steer, perhaps. I punctured the side wall of both rears on the door side....didn't feel a thing, but knew that "something was wrong". (happened as I was turning a corner under a bridge...going slow, but entering a freeway.) No problems taking the coach 15 miles down the road at 55 or so to pull into a Flying J. As someone pointed out, new tires are not 100 per cent. My bottom line is that for short trips, I'll just watch it. For a trip to Alaska, Nova Scotia or Argentina, I will probably put new rubber all the way around....then again....maybe not... FWIW. RCB | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 44 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
If you don't have trucks, run new tires 3 or 4 years and trade them back to the tire shop or to a trucker who can run them out so you get some money back. Buy the best ones you can find and Japanese tires are hard to beat. A tire like Bridgestone that comes new on Peterbilt and Kenworth will always have a buyer in the used market. If you buy a $400 tire and put 25000 miles on it in 3 or 4 years you should get at least $150 trade on new. Your cost to always have new tires would be around $700 a year | ||
| Christy Hicks (Christyhicks)
Registered Member Username: Christyhicks Post Number: 23 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 65.77.66.1 Rating: N/A |
I would like to add a couple of notes about our situation w/tires. When we blew the front tire, Larry had checked the pressures and they were fine, so if someone is thinking it blew because it ran low on air or something like that, this is simply not the case. . .it blew becase it was old. When we put the new tires on the rears, since our existing tires had looked just perfect, we asked if they gave any credit on trade-in, and they said they don't take tires that are 4 or more years old, because of blow-out concerns due to age. I'd be interested to find out if others were able to receive credit on 4 yr or older tires. We kept the take-offs, figuring we could put them on a trailer or truck that is just used on our place. I sure learned a lot about tires during this whole episode, calling about every tire shop in the OKC area for info, and we ended up with Firestone FS560's all the way around, for about $400 a tire mounted. It hurt our feelings, sure, but so did the $1,000 worth of tile we laid down, the new camera system, the Alcoas, the satellite system. . .etc. . . none of us exactly LIKES to spend a bunch of money on our rig, but for us, well, I guess the things that keep us safe are just a little more important than the things that are cool or pretty. Christy Hicks | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 238 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.114 Rating: N/A |
Kyle - "If the age of a tire didn't matter, then why do they have the date of manufacture in the sidewall? " ??.... because a tire's chemical components are designed to be released when a tire is rolled, keeping it flexible. A tire that's not sold before it's expiration date, should be tossed out. If it's been rolling during it's "life", it'd be too worn to use, by the time it reaches it's "expiration date". I wouldn't worry about a 6 yr old tire that's been rolling off some miles frequently. (btw, I love yer Classic Scenic, Kyle!) Larry - "If you buy a $400 tire and put 25000 miles on it in 3 or 4 years you should get at least $150 trade on new. Your cost to always have new tires would be around $700 a year" I'd sooner buy a 75% used truck tire, than any used, bus conversion tire that's likely sat more than it's rolled... And as far as "cost effectiveness"? At 25,000 per year, the coach will have to roll at least 70 mi per day, or 2,083 per month. At 5 mi per gallon, and a $2.50 per gallon price, that equates to $12,500 for fuel alone. That's quite a bit of cash to spend to insure you'll get your money out of your new tires! Yeah, I know.... If I can't afford the fuel or new tires, I should forget about converting a bus... To each, their own... | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 239 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.98 Rating: N/A |
It should be worth noting, that when we buy a used bus, "they" aren't selling it to us with decent tires. I was fortunate, the bus I bought was in service until the day I bought it, and the operator gave me two fairly new take-offs to replace two worn rears. Most operators will put any old tire on the rig, just to get it sold and out of the yard. They use the good tires on their buses in service. It's fairly common to get a decent deal on a bus, and find every tire a different size, or in a dried out condition.. Non-use will kill the tire, long before the road miles will wear 'em out. It's something that should be considered, prior to spending the big $$$. | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 45 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
John. It wasn't 25000 a year it was 25000 total in 3 or 4 years. I didn't run to the east coast this last year. I did use my bus alot though by my standards. Almost 8000 mi exactly. I do have an advantage by being in the trucking business that allows me to keep as new a set of Bridgestones best on my busses all of the time. If I have a flat on the busses, they don't get a flat repair, they get a new tire. The repaired tire, (casing open to water and rust issues) gets matched to a truck on drive position to be ran out.I don't run recaps on my truck fleet as they are not cost effective in my opinion.(One cap thru the side of a load of gasoline in a lifetime is enough for me.) When I wear out these tires I normally recieve $90 to $100 for the casings from my tire dealer. That led me to say that an 20% used tire (Bridgestone) at 3 years would get you about a $150 credit from a reputable tire dealer. I am able to run all my tires out in my fleet so my bus tire costs are somewhat lower than my $700 per year example I used above. I was simply trying to show an example of how not to get caught with 10 year old casings with 70% rubber you or no one else can ever use. Also my tires don't have expiration dates like food. They have DOT mandated week and year of manufacture stampings. 1004 code is 3 years old. In my experience you could find several different brands of tires on a used bus, but it would be rare to find every tire a different size. New tires are cheap. Tire problems are very expensive. I don't run a big operation, but I do have over 500 truck/bus tires on the road every day and I have been at this stand for 31 years. | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member Username: Sffess Post Number: 692 Registered: 1-2002 Posted From: 67.142.130.46 Rating: N/A |
Shop Canada for better tire prices on the same American made Michelin XZAs. After that trade in every 5 years and it will cost you about the same per year as buying new every 7 years but you will have newer tires. I go to Niagra Tire and Battery, Niagra area, Ontario. Maybe there is a good Mexican source. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 103 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.213.103 Rating: N/A |
Larry...thanx for the insight from an owner operator. 500 tire units is very significant and certainly something to count as credible. I had not approached the purchase of tires for our coach that way, but, as I re-read your post( a couple of times now) I can sure see where you are coming from. RCB | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 14 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 24.92.121.67 Rating: N/A |
Soooo, I'm the average bus nut and my 8 new XZA's land in at 4 beans total with FET, dismounting, mounting, balance, valve stems, disposal fee, lipstick and sour cream... and they ought to last at least 5 years.... isn't that $100/year/tire for us non-fleet managers? | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 243 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.219 Rating: N/A |
Larry - No insult was intended, nor is an insult intended now: Doyle makes a great point... A fleet operator has the benefit of a big account... many, many tires being sold to you, with a damned decent return for your used ones. A perk, to insure you remain a customer? For us peons, getting rid of our used tires can be a bit more of a problem. The end result for us, is a higher cost per tire, per mile, and very little return (if any), for the casing. I tossed my old ones in the storage facility dumpster, rather than pay the tire dealer for disposal. And all I needed was to have decent used ones mounted. There was no offer to buy, just an offer to charge me for disposal. I suppose "mileage will vary", but a fleet operator has an advantage that we hobbyists do not. For the amount of travel we had planned, used "take-offs" were the way to go. | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 46 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Guys, I think tires should be all about service and fair treatment. First if you are still running 1200 rubber, there is no option for another user unless you work something out with one of your local bus companys and I don't see alot of tires that size anymore. If you run 1100 rubber you should buy from a dealer that will tell you up front what kind of deal he will give you to trade 2 year old tires with no miles for new, or 3 year old tires for new, (less credit). If you want to know what local dealer has the newest stock and probably sells the most volume call around and see who stocks your tire. Then ask or look for the DOT date code. I normally recieve tires and run them within 15 weeks of the DOT code.(Don't buy a 2 year old new tire). Every new tire dealer I deal with sells used tires. I would look for a dealer that would work with you on your used tires and that understood the importance of buying the most recent DOT date possible as well as trading before the tire is to old for resale. That all being said, even real old virgins will go a long ways at 90 lbs if they don't have internal damage. I can find 75% used Japanese tires under 2 years old for $125 installed, no balance, thank you. To reference Christy Hicks statement above "We were going about 60 mph and felt a little vibration and boom". It is my position that a 5 oz wheel weight is of no consequence on a tire carrying 5000 lbs. If some one puts a tire on my equiptment and it "vibrates", they will take it right back off because that tire is ready to fail.If you buy used take offs, don't accept a tire that even has a patch in it.(There are plenty that don't).I'm sure I could shop my local dealer over a couple months and put togather a full set of matched used Bridgestone or Toyo tires less than 2 years old for $1000. My dealer mounts free (Les Schaub) for all customers and I have never paid to dispose of a tire. If I ran those tires 4 years and threw them away, I'd feel pretty safe and be spending $250 a year on tires for 1 bus. Another word about service and this dealer. Tire rotation and flat repair are free for all customers, used tire buyers included, and yes they also sell those French tires with the wimpy ply liners. John, I know no insult was intended, I never even thought about that. I'm just having some fun with this board and throwing out some ideas. My wife doesn't listen to me, my kids don't listen to me and my employees all know a lot more than I do about everything! Take what I say with a grain of salt, everyone else does! | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 106 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.234.224 Rating: N/A |
Thanx again, Larry...more grub for thought! The outfit you refer to is not in our part of the country far as I know, but the important thing is the approach. I for one really appreciate your input. I am quite sure many others do too. RCB | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 15 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 24.92.121.67 Rating: N/A |
Wow! Some real expertise and goodwill here and I don't even see the "Make a donation" button... I thought I was doing the right thing when I decided to get a bus, but now I know I have. I haven't even hit the road and I feel like I've made a number of new friends. Look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Would it be out of line to post a Travel Thread to get input on future destinations and perhaps meet any interested parties? dg (Message edited by TexasBorderDude on March 12, 2007) (Message edited by TexasBorderDude on March 13, 2007) | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 245 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.205 Rating: N/A |
Larry - "I'm sure I could shop my local dealer over a couple months and put togather a full set of matched used Bridgestone or Toyo tires less than 2 years old for $1000. " Yeah man! That's what I was after.... So many people here seem to think that only a brand new tires will suffice, when there's plenty of decent used tires available at a fraction of the cost. I'm glad you helped point that out! | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 527 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.1.180.218 Rating: N/A |
"I haven't even hit the road and I feel like I've made a number of new friends. Look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Would it be out of line to post a Travel Thread to get input on future destinations and perhaps hook-up with any interested parties?" Post away Doyle. If you make it to Florida, be sure to let us know. We have several RV hook-ups at our place and enjoy visiting with fellow busnuts. Jack | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 16 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 24.92.121.67 Rating: N/A |
Jack (and all members!) I'm red faced!!! I meant "perhaps meet you". I just realized "hook-up" sounds like Uncle Doyle inviting himself for the summer! Thanks for the reply and I'll edit my post right away... dg | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 767 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
I'd like to add a little,mabe somebody will get something out of it.. BUY the very best tires for the steer axle...the others you need to get at truck stops or tire shops ...they are used,fresh,virgin tires with about 30% tred left on them,they normally cost 100.00 mounted....you will not wear them out before they get too old,this is if you have to watch your money... If you are very well off,buy all brand new ones. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 246 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.218 Rating: N/A |
I was well off.... once.... before I bought a bus.... | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 154 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 71.125.61.116 Rating: N/A |
well, i was off, so i bought a bus | ||
| Ricky D. West (Gg04)
Registered Member Username: Gg04 Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 74.241.193.228 Rating: N/A |
Just a question. having been driving since blowouts were just considered part of owning a car...Or truck... Our old next door neighbor did destructive testing for firestone until he retired in the early 70's. heard all of his war stories growing up... All thier vehicles were reinforced on the front wheel wells..thats where you ran the tire you were going to run until it popped..so since the early 60's i have always ran my best tires on the rear...cause in thier words...You can't steer the rears, pop one and it will go where it wants to...whats changed...???? | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 769 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
WRONG | ||
| Don Evans (Doninwa)
Registered Member Username: Doninwa Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 65.61.96.82 Rating: N/A |
Back in the bad old days I blew a tire or two on cars. A rear tire can be more exciting than a front in some vehicles/conditions. Would not want to try a rear in a FWD rig, but then I'm not a FWD fan. Losing a rear tire would be my second choice in the bus. My first choice would be losing none. Remember you have at least 4 tires back there. Losing one suddenly should not be a major control problem. If one takes out the other or the brake lines it might get more interesting. Losing a front at the wrong time could be hard on the nerves. There is a reason that DOT frowns on caps and such on the steer axle. | ||
| Jim Rink (Fakeguy)
Registered Member Username: Fakeguy Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 24.33.85.105 Rating: N/A |
I have never blown a tire on my bus and will do anything I can to avoid...for me, peace of mind far outweighs the price of new tires. Reason..during the same short trip, I blew three tires on my motorhome I bought with dry rotted tires...that was enough for me | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 44 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
I am so confused about sizes..Let me try it.. 12R only are on buses. 11R on on most trucks. I can use 22.5 or 24( or is it 24.5) with wheel switch as long as I have all 8 the same diameter. Can I get a 11 x 22.5 cheaper. I don't have much weight on board. What about the metric. I read the one common size has more load capacity so it costs more. I just looked and my tag are about shot....and one is a 12rx22.5 and one is a 315/80/22.5. Isn't this kind of a no no..or is it the same size. Probably doesn't matter too much on the tag since when aired up it moves to set pressure. I think the tag airbag goes to 30psi....I will have to look it up to be sure. I know they bleed/blow off it over pressures on a curb or something. So if one tire was an inch taller...the tag bags would just end up with more air in the one at the shorter tire. Wouldn't they both be pressing on the ground the same pressure...PHYSICS help wanted. I am trying to figure it out. The 12R tag says bandag on the side of tread so I assume it is a retread. The 315 is more elusive..not sure...it says regroovable on it sidewall though. The 12 looks good other than the tread being almost bald. Maybe I can get it recapped or trade it in on a recapp. Thanks for any advice. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 251 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.165 Rating: N/A |
Rick - "You can't steer the rears, pop one and it will go where it wants to...whats changed...????" Nuttin'. But that's for a 4 wheel vehicle. With rear duals, having a single tire blow-out isn't going to spin the vehicle around. Cameron - My MC9 came with 8 315/80/22.5 . The load capacity is greater, not that I planned to carry as much weight as an in-service coach... But it's nice to know the tires are made to carry more than I planned to... The 315s are more difficult to find, but they're out there. Your rim size (width) should match the tire size.... I'm not too sure if all mine do or not... I'm not worried about it.... Two truck tire shops, and the local bus garage didn't see any big problem using any 22.5 rim with 315/80.. (I'm certain I will soon hear otherwise here) Mixing sizes on the duals is NG (the tire pressure balance and weight carrying capacity of the duals won't be the same), but using whatever you have on the tags/bogies is fairly common practice, I'm told... | ||
| Ricky D. West (Gg04)
Registered Member Username: Gg04 Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 74.241.193.228 Rating: N/A |
Always love posting here....Best on front is semi guessing from the otr crowd... your bus is not articulated..blow a dual on your bus and it can be real exciting...the pieces are easily and commonly trapped by the body under the bus...tons of research was done on this 30 years ago....best by good year for trailways...gg04 | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 252 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.46 Rating: N/A |
"blow a dual on your bus and it can be real exciting...the pieces are easily and commonly trapped by the body under the bus..." Yeah Ricky, but that wasn't the question. Having one tire (on the dual wheel) blow-out, isn't going to have the same effect as it would on a non-dual rear wheel. It will not have a tendency to force the bus into a spin, as it would on a car or light truck. It won't put the bus into a tough to manage situation (like skidding on ice), as it would on a car or light truck. Will there be a real mess under the bus? It all depends on the speed travelled at, and how well the driver manages to get the bus off the roadway before the tire falls apart. Stomping on the brakes will do more damage than gradually bringing the bus to a halt. A blow-out on the front can cause a driver to lose control of the steering, if he didn't have a decent grip on the wheel at the time of the blow-out. Kinda' like hitting a curb with the front wheel during a slow speed turn; it can spin that steering wheel with enough force to lift you from that seat (power steering helps). The "bus studies" take into consideration that the bus driver may not hear a tire blow out over the noise inside the bus. The driver may not feel the absence of one tire of two, on the dual assembly. Continuing to drive with a flat tire on the dual assembly will cause further and more intensive and extensive damage, as the tire heats and falls apart. But "real exciting"?? A single rear dual tire failure, caught quickly, is usually a fairly uneventful event; pull over, change the tire. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 469 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.117.21 Rating: N/A |
I think the best deal for piece of mind is to trade your coach every 5 years for a new bus conversion, which will come with new tires.That way, you can worry about important things like- how to keep bugs off the front end or what color of indoor-outdoor carpet to place under your awning. Has anyone found the past post in the archives about buying year old takeoffs from one of the premium bus charter companies? |