Not sure how many of your remember my Michelin tire woes but they've become impossible. We've been trying to buy new 245/R70 19.5 tires for the past two months and can find no one around us within 125 miles who can get us any with dates newer than 2008.
We've called Michelin and they have been as helpful as a cold sore. The warehouses don't have any they claim and they don't know when the slow boat from France will get here OR if it will have any of that size on it OR if they will be any newer than 2008 which the law allows them to sell as new.
So I really need for you all to tell me some great tire stories of other tires you've had and which you have loved and gotten great use from. ESPECIALLY if you happen to use the same size tire as we are unsuccessfully trying to find.
How in the world can it be so hard to spend $2500 to buy new tires?
Team Murc said
12:31 PM Mar 7, 2011
Sherry, Boy I feel your pain! I have been trying to buy a set of truck tires for nearly two months with NO luck . I am told I need to match the rear tires or replace all four. Unfortunately what I need is out of stock and no idea when or if they will be available at all. Some references to a rubber shortage . The worst part is I will be selling the truck in three weeks when my new tow vehicle arrives. I sure do not want to replace all four.
Good luck. Mike
igotjam said
04:05 PM Mar 7, 2011
This likely won't help but my truck uses 225 X 70 19.5 (not the same size but close?) I got 4010 dated tires at my local Ford dealer. They were cheaper than any tire shop too. I got Continentals but they had new Goodyears as well. My point is...look in unconventional places.
The Bear II said
05:39 PM Mar 7, 2011
I'm guessing due to the cost of the Michelin vs. other tires is the reason they hang around the warehouses for a long time.
You may want to look at the next best tire indicated on the forums. One that I keep seeing pop up is Maxxus, but I don't know if they have your size.
A lot of the truckers use Toyo tires.
I've had good luck with Dunlops on two different tow vehicles.
-- Edited by The Bear II on Monday 7th of March 2011 05:41:05 PM
RVRon said
06:14 PM Mar 8, 2011
Sherry, I'll let you know how I make out later this week. I ordered new Michelin tires (same size as yours) and they're supposed to arrive at the tire store tomorrow. You can bet I'll be checking those dates before they're put on the RV!
Sherry said
06:53 PM Mar 8, 2011
Ron,
If they come in and they are 3 months old or less, tell me where you are and I'll just come there and get my tires.
FD5 said
08:56 PM Mar 8, 2011
I bought my 19.5's from Rickson Wheels. http://www.ricksontruckwheels.com/tires-24570R195.php
RVRon said
07:17 PM Mar 11, 2011
Sherry wrote:Ron,
If they come in and they are 3 months old or less, tell me where you are and I'll just come there and get my tires.
Sherry, I just drove the motorhome back home with the new tires installed. Maybe I got lucky, but the tires are all DOT dated showing manufacture dates of the 3rd and 4th weeks in January 2011. I'm tickled pink that they are only a little over a month old so I get the maximum time out of them.
We bought the tires from Tire Kingdom here in Florida and unfortunately they don't have any stores in Virginia. However they are affiliated with NTB which I see does have a bunch of stores in VA. Maybe you'd have some luck with them? I have their store directory so PM me if you need the phone number of a store near you.
Sherry said
08:03 PM Mar 11, 2011
WOW Ron that is great. Are the XRVs?
RVRon said
10:30 PM Mar 11, 2011
Sherry wrote:
WOW Ron that is great. Are the XRVs?
Yup... Michelin XRV's. Same size as you've been searching for. They really do exist... I'm sure you can find them somewhere!
jb said
06:02 AM Mar 12, 2011
Hard to believe you are having such a rough time. It is possible that someone who does not normally do RV tires could order them for you- like a truck dealership or farm equipment dealer. You are right not to accept 2008 tires. I have seen and even sold tires that were stored in less than optimal conditions.
Sherry said
08:15 AM Mar 12, 2011
I'm into 10 weeks of hunting for these tires within 120 miles of my house. So far no luck so I may have to switch to XZE's though I'm hesitant to do so. I'd rather stick with what was original on the rig.
Thanks for your encouragement. I'm glad I know at least 2 folks who very recently have been able to get tires with dates less than a month old. Hope I can soon become the 3rd.
TXRVr said
05:41 PM Mar 15, 2011
I would suggest that you google Wingfoot http://www.wingfootct.com/ and see if there is a store within a reasonable distance from you. They are one of the largest commercial tire distributors in the US. Commercial meaning for trucks, RVs, 18 wheelers, etc. It is their business to know bigger tires. They do not keep tires in stock that are more than one year from DOT manufacturer date.
I would not be so concerned with a replacement for the Michelin tire as long as it meets the same load rating (which is basically a ply issue). Your concern about that issue should be discussed with a knowledgeable service rep at a Wingfoot store. Also discuss alternative balancing techniques which is one of the things they also do.
This past summer I replaced six Michelin tires on my MH with General/Kelly tires of the same size. Those are bigger tires than what you are looking for, two more than what you are looking for, and cost me $100 less than what you intend to spend.
Sherry said
05:53 PM Mar 15, 2011
Thanks TXRVr for the tip. I checked and the closest Wingfoot is 150 miles from us. We'd have to drive 300 miles round trip to Baltimore Maryland.
Perhaps I misspoke if you thought I was only looking for 4 tires. We are replacing all 6 and have had a quote of $2400 for 7 month old tires which is the best we've been able to find and which I think we'll have no choice but to take. 4 from Week 29 2010 and 2 from week 47 2010.
We've spent 3 months looking just to find these. I was and am flabbergasted at the difficulty.
Racerguy said
06:21 PM Mar 15, 2011
I personally wouldn't have a problem with 7 month old tires.5 years is pretty much a ball park figure anyway in my opinion.
Sherry said
08:14 PM Mar 15, 2011
Thanks Racer Guy. Since they've been in the warehouse that's what David says too. So that's what we are doing.
We've called Michelin and they have been as helpful as a cold sore. The warehouses don't have any they claim and they don't know when the slow boat from France will get here OR if it will have any of that size on it OR if they will be any newer than 2008 which the law allows them to sell as new.
So I really need for you all to tell me some great tire stories of other tires you've had and which you have loved and gotten great use from.
ESPECIALLY if you happen to use the same size tire as we are unsuccessfully trying to find.
How in the world can it be so hard to spend $2500 to buy new tires?
Boy I feel your pain! I have been trying to buy a set of truck tires for nearly two months with NO luck
Good luck.
Mike
You may want to look at the next best tire indicated on the forums. One that I keep seeing pop up is Maxxus, but I don't know if they have your size.
A lot of the truckers use Toyo tires.
I've had good luck with Dunlops on two different tow vehicles.
-- Edited by The Bear II on Monday 7th of March 2011 05:41:05 PM
Ron,
If they come in and they are 3 months old or less, tell me where you are and I'll just come there and get my tires.
We bought the tires from Tire Kingdom here in Florida and unfortunately they don't have any stores in Virginia. However they are affiliated with NTB which I see does have a bunch of stores in VA. Maybe you'd have some luck with them? I have their store directory so PM me if you need the phone number of a store near you.
Thanks for your encouragement. I'm glad I know at least 2 folks who very recently have been able to get tires with dates less than a month old. Hope I can soon become the 3rd.
I would not be so concerned with a replacement for the Michelin tire as long as it meets the same load rating (which is basically a ply issue). Your concern about that issue should be discussed with a knowledgeable service rep at a Wingfoot store. Also discuss alternative balancing techniques which is one of the things they also do.
This past summer I replaced six Michelin tires on my MH with General/Kelly tires of the same size. Those are bigger tires than what you are looking for, two more than what you are looking for, and cost me $100 less than what you intend to spend.
We'd have to drive 300 miles round trip to Baltimore Maryland.
Perhaps I misspoke if you thought I was only looking for 4 tires. We are replacing all 6 and have had a quote of $2400 for 7 month old tires which is the best we've been able to find and which I think we'll have no choice but to take. 4 from Week 29 2010 and 2 from week 47 2010.
We've spent 3 months looking just to find these. I was and am flabbergasted at the difficulty.