Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Check Your Tires!
| Check Your Tires! [message #281847] |
Fri, 10 July 2015 18:48  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Yesterday I took my coach down to my mechanic friend to have some work done (more on that later) and we got to discussing tires. I mentioned that I hoped to get another trip or two out of my three remaining rear BFG tires. We checked the date codes and found them to be 4509, making them almost six years old. Ron (the mechanic) said he wouldn't take a chance on a mid summer trip on those tires and he had me just about convinced it would be best to replace them before our trip in two weeks. I then drove the coach a few blocks to my office to pick up a few things before heading home, and when I got out of the coach, there was a noticeable bulge in the tread on the right rear. I was now convinced
My son came by this afternoon and helped me take the wheels off since I had wrist surgery about 6 weeks ago and am still on a weight restriction. When we removed the left mid wheel, we discovered this:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/misc-gmc/p58406-check-your-tires.html
I don't know how long it had a bubble on the inside sidewall, but it was long enough to wear against something on the rear suspension and then split wide open.
The other tire has a bulge in the tread (slipped belt):
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/misc-gmc/p58409-check-your-tires.html
It's a little hard to see, but obvious on the left side of the tread in the photo.
To think, I was planning to drive 400 miles on these tires from Tucson, AZ. to Silver City, NM, I would have been lucky to make it across town to the freeway!
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Check Your Tires! [message #281852 is a reply to message #281847] |
Fri, 10 July 2015 22:11  |
bobby5832708
Messages: 237
Registered: November 2006
Location: Winter Springs FL
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Carl,
On my trip last month two of the Goodrich Comm TA's date 4611 (or was it 4511) and purchased new in spring 2012 did exactly what the tire in your second photo did, the tread started bulging. Both tires within about 50 miles of each other. Didn't lose the tread, still held air, but the ride was really bad! 100 miles of THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
So far the Chinese replacements from Walmart still hold air, are round, and ride smoothly. If the Walmarts last for 3 years I will be very happy as that's all I got out of the much-more-expensive American-made Goodriches. And the Goodriches had about 2/3 of their tread still remaining.
Bob Heller
2017 Winnebago 29VE
Winter Springs FL
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| Re: Check Your Tires! [message #281856 is a reply to message #281852] |
Sat, 11 July 2015 00:20 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Now you tell me! I just bought 4 new BFG tires thinking I would buy American made for a change. This makes me want to remount the removed Korean / Chinese Kumho tires which served me so well.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Check Your Tires! [message #281857 is a reply to message #281856] |
Sat, 11 July 2015 00:31 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Ken Burton wrote on Fri, 10 July 2015 22:20Now you tell me! I just bought 4 new BFG tires thinking I would buy American made for a change. This makes me want to remount the removed Korean / Chinese Kumho tires which served me so well.
Yeah Ken you should have gotten those babies recapped
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Check Your Tires! [message #281866 is a reply to message #281847] |
Sat, 11 July 2015 09:13 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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I think Goodyear and Cooper are the last 2 choices for USA but varies with tire model and size as to country of origin.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Check Your Tires! [message #281867 is a reply to message #281856] |
Sat, 11 July 2015 09:46 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Ken Burton wrote on Fri, 10 July 2015 22:20Now you tell me! I just bought 4 new BFG tires thinking I would buy American made for a change. This makes me want to remount the removed Korean / Chinese Kumho tires which served me so well.
Ken, I had two of the previous (PO installed) Kumhos develop a tread separation just like the BFGs did at about the same age. I'm guessing it is the excessive UV exposure and heat they were subjected to in Southern AZ. Your tires will probably last a lot longer in Indiana, especially with inside storage.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Check Your Tires! [message #281873 is a reply to message #281847] |
Sat, 11 July 2015 13:20 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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My Firestone Transforce were purchased about a year and a half ago. I was looking for Made in USA, and all of my research indicated that our size was made in USA. When the tires arrived I found that they were made by my good friends to the North in Canada.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: [GMCnet] Check Your Tires! [message #281882 is a reply to message #281873] |
Sat, 11 July 2015 18:45 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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I say Canadians are not Communists so I'm all for them. Chinese are a real
threat.
They have more military than we do.
Anyone that patternise Harbor Freight should be ashamed of them self.
On Sat, Jul 11, 2015 at 11:20 AM, Steve Adams wrote:
> My Firestone Transforce were purchased about a year and a half ago. I was
> looking for Made in USA, and all of my research indicated that our size was
> made in USA. When the tires arrived I found that they were made by my
> good friends to the North in Canada.
>
>
> --
> 1978 GMC Royal
> Eastern Pennslyvania
> 1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
> 1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
> 1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
> 1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Check Your Tires! [message #281899 is a reply to message #281847] |
Sat, 11 July 2015 20:26 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Carl,
Hoolee Doolee!
I agree 100% you are fortunate that tire didn't let go when you were at highway speed!
For those of you that don't know what the date code 4509 means:
45 = forty fifth week (November)
of
09 = 2009
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
-----Original Message-----
From: Carl Stouffer
Yesterday I took my coach down to my mechanic friend to have some work done (more on that later) and we got to discussing tires. I
mentioned that I hoped to get another trip or two out of my three remaining rear BFG tires. We checked the date codes and found
them to be 4509, making them almost six years old. Ron (the mechanic) said he wouldn't take a chance on a mid summer trip on those
tires and he had me just about convinced it would be best to replace them before our trip in two weeks. I then drove the coach a
few blocks to my office to pick up a few things before heading home, and when I got out of the coach, there was a noticeable bulge
in the tread on the right rear. I was now convinced
My son came by this afternoon and helped me take the wheels off since I had wrist surgery about 6 weeks ago and am still on a weight
restriction. When we removed the left mid wheel, we discovered this:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/misc-gmc/p58406-check-your-tires.html
I don't know how long it had a bubble on the inside sidewall, but it was long enough to wear against something on the rear
suspension and then split wide open.
The other tire has a bulge in the tread (slipped belt):
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/misc-gmc/p58409-check-your-tires.html
It's a little hard to see, but obvious on the left side of the tread in the photo.
To think, I was planning to drive 400 miles on these tires from Tucson, AZ. to Silver City, NM, I would have been lucky to make it
across town to the freeway!
--
Carl
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: Check Your Tires! [message #281902 is a reply to message #281847] |
Sat, 11 July 2015 20:51 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I hate to tell you this but my new BFG tires say "Made in the USA" molded in the side of them.
I almost got burned on some Micheline tires that I bought in Alberta one time. I check one on display and it said "Made in the USA". So I bought them knowing that US Customs could not bill me when I went home. After they mounted them at Canadian Tire I noticed the ones I got said "Made in Canada" on them. So I got Canadian Tire to write me two receipts for two tires each. I then drove them of about 2000 miles in Canada and covered two of them with mud. When I got to the border they looked at my receipt for 2 tires and that was below the $400 limit. So they let me go on through with out a duty paid. So much for NAFTA.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Check Your Tires! [message #281937 is a reply to message #281856] |
Sun, 12 July 2015 14:38 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Ken Burton wrote on Fri, 10 July 2015 23:20Now you tell me! I just bought 4 new BFG tires thinking I would buy American made for a change. This makes me want to remount the removed Korean / Chinese Kumho tires which served me so well.
Ken--I just returned from an 800 mile trip in 110 degree temps on my 5-6 year old BFG's and they show no signs of deterioration--in fact they have never been re balanced and are still dead smooth.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Check Your Tires! [message #281941 is a reply to message #281937] |
Sun, 12 July 2015 15:21 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Bob de Kruyff wrote on Sun, 12 July 2015 12:38Ken Burton wrote on Fri, 10 July 2015 23:20Now you tell me! I just bought 4 new BFG tires thinking I would buy American made for a change. This makes me want to remount the removed Korean / Chinese Kumho tires which served me so well.
Ken--I just returned from an 800 mile trip in 110 degree temps on my 5-6 year old BFG's and they show no signs of deterioration--in fact they have never been re balanced and are still dead smooth.
Bob,
That's exactly what I would have said about my four remaining rear BFG Commercial TA tires a week ago. The last trip we took in April, although only 150 miles, there were no indications of any kind of problem.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Check Your Tires! [message #281968 is a reply to message #281944] |
Sun, 12 July 2015 22:25 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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USAussie wrote on Sun, 12 July 2015 15:17Bob,
They are probably not Monday or Friday tires? 
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob de Kruyff
Ken--I just returned from an 800 mile trip in 110 degree temps on my 5-6 year old BFG's and they show no signs of deterioration--in
fact they have never been re balanced and are still dead smooth.
--
Bob
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Yes--it is tough to brand any tire as good or bad based on feedback of one or two. I do feel that any Michelin product is as good as it gets--that includes BFG and Uniroyal of all things.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Check Your Tires! [message #281988 is a reply to message #281898] |
Mon, 13 July 2015 08:28 |
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thesmith
Messages: 589
Registered: February 2015
Location: Cary, NC
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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The Chinese are effectively communist in name only. The country is far more like the US so called "Gilded Age" where industry was King.
They sell us cheap crap because that is what we buy. Without regulation to guarantee quality there is no way for a high quality vendor to survive
other than in niche markets.
Its got almost to the point where there is nothing else but cheap crap to buy because the big retailers like Walmart constantly force suppliers to cut prices
each year....so in order to stay in business they first moved manufacturing to Mexico and now to China and now even China is seen as too expensive.
Oh in terms of real military power they are not even close to that of the US let alone the US plus likely allies.
http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=United-States-of-America
USAussie wrote on Sat, 11 July 2015 21:20Jim,
I'm sorry but I disagree with you.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Kanomata
I say Canadians are not Communists so I'm all for them. Chinese are a real threat.
They have more military than we do.
Anyone that patternise Harbor Freight should be ashamed of them self.
Jim Kanomata
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Cary, NC
1978 Center Kitchen Royale.
[Updated on: Mon, 13 July 2015 08:39] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Check Your Tires! [message #282034 is a reply to message #281988] |
Mon, 13 July 2015 18:25 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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thesmith wrote on Mon, 13 July 2015 06:28The Chinese are effectively communist in name only. The country is far more like the US so called "Gilded Age" where industry was King.
They sell us cheap crap because that is what we buy. Without regulation to guarantee quality there is no way for a high quality vendor to survive
other than in niche markets.
Its got almost to the point where there is nothing else but cheap crap to buy because the big retailers like Walmart constantly force suppliers to cut prices
each year....so in order to stay in business they first moved manufacturing to Mexico and now to China and now even China is seen as too expensive.
Oh in terms of real military power they are not even close to that of the US let alone the US plus likely allies.
http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=United-States-of-America
USAussie wrote on Sat, 11 July 2015 21:20Jim,
I'm sorry but I disagree with you.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Kanomata
I say Canadians are not Communists so I'm all for them. Chinese are a real threat.
They have more military than we do.
Anyone that patternise Harbor Freight should be ashamed of them self.
Jim Kanomata
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
We have a hijack going on here. This thread wasn't meant to bring back "Tire Wars" or start a discussion of different political viewpoints. The intention was just to warn people to keep an eye on aging tires.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Check Your Tires! [message #282050 is a reply to message #282034] |
Mon, 13 July 2015 20:16 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Carl S. wrote on Mon, 13 July 2015 17:25thesmith wrote on Mon, 13 July 2015 06:28The Chinese are effectively communist in name only. The country is far more like the US so called "Gilded Age" where industry was King.
They sell us cheap crap because that is what we buy. Without regulation to guarantee quality there is no way for a high quality vendor to survive
other than in niche markets.
Its got almost to the point where there is nothing else but cheap crap to buy because the big retailers like Walmart constantly force suppliers to cut prices
each year....so in order to stay in business they first moved manufacturing to Mexico and now to China and now even China is seen as too expensive.
Oh in terms of real military power they are not even close to that of the US let alone the US plus likely allies.
http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=United-States-of-America
USAussie wrote on Sat, 11 July 2015 21:20Jim,
I'm sorry but I disagree with you.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Kanomata
I say Canadians are not Communists so I'm all for them. Chinese are a real threat.
They have more military than we do.
Anyone that patternise Harbor Freight should be ashamed of them self.
Jim Kanomata
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
We have a hijack going on here. This thread wasn't meant to bring back "Tire Wars" or start a discussion of different political viewpoints. The intention was just to warn people to keep an eye on aging tires.
Carl-I found your post very interesting in that I have the same tires and about the same age. I looked them over closely before my last trip in 110 temps. Tires were my biggest concern, but they don't look anything like yours. I don't have any explanation since I am in the same hot weather you are, although my parking is covered so no direct sun on the tires.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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