Don & Linda wrote: OP quote: "I found the tires but still haven't found a shop"
I'd recommend you buy the tires at a shop that sell them.
Buying tires on-line is kind of like, buying a steak at the grocery store and trying to find a restaurant to cook it for you.
A good tire shop tries to average between $25-$50 profit p/tire installed,(tire markup and labor) depending on size and trouble/time of installation and offer's a higher install/bal price on tires bought elsewhere.
Generally buying tires on-line will only get you poor customer service and a higher price for installation. So, where is the savings?
A good tire shop will help you choose the right stem for your needs and help you in times of tire troubles.
JMHO/ "prior shop owner" , Don
Should have said I found the tire on the BFGoodrich website, found several places that sell them but didn't know if a regular shop or a truck shop was needed.
SoCalDesertRider wrote: I fully agree with taking the truck to a common local tire shop, buy the tires there and have them install them. If they don't stock the tires you want, they can certainly order them and have them there in a matter of days, then call you when the tires come in. I have done that a few times.
Yes, you can take your dually pickup to any regular local tire shop and they will be able to work on it. The only trucks most local tire shops who cater to autos and light trucks don't want to work on are ones that use 19.5, 22.5 and 24.5 commercial type tires and wheels. They are quite happy to work on your one-ton dually with 16" or 17" light truck wheels and tires.
On my dually, I bought a set of very easy to access valve stems. The inside one is very long and straight and pokes through the outside wheel hand hole. It is a straight shot to access it with a normal tire gauge, even a big dial type gauge can get on it. The outside tire stem is bent backwards about 45* and also pokes through the outside tire's hand hole. It is also very easy to access.
The stems are brass and bolt on. The tire must be removed from the wheel to install them.
I can't for the life of me remember what company makes them or where I got them, but I ordered them on the internet and I got the link from here on this forum. Maybe someone here will remember what I'm talking about and give you the link.
They were expensive, about $100 for the set of 4, but well worth it, in my opinion.
Well, this is getting a bit expensive. It's almost like I'm going to have to take a second mortgage to get 4 tires for this truck. I ran across a tire shop that sell used tires. They are less than a year old, have over 80 to 85 percent of their tread left. Price is good too, looking at $300 to $400 for a set of 4. Only bad thing is he doesn't have the valve stems, I'm going to have to reuse whats on the truck already. Am I asking for trouble going with a used tire?
schwartzworld wrote: Well, this is getting a bit expensive. It's almost like I'm going to have to take a second mortgage to get 4 tires for this truck. I ran across a tire shop that sell used tires. They are less than a year old, have over 80 to 85 percent of their tread left. Price is good too, looking at $300 to $400 for a set of 4. Only bad thing is he doesn't have the valve stems, I'm going to have to reuse whats on the truck already. Am I asking for trouble going with a used tire?
Thanks
Fred
If they are in good condition and balance properly, they should be fine. I used to run used tires and even re-treads on my vehicles when money was tight(er). Most didn't have any problems.
SoCalDesertRider wrote: I forgot about the valve issue.
On my dually, I bought a set of very easy to access valve stems. The inside one is very long and straight and pokes through the outside wheel hand hole. It is a straight shot to access it with a normal tire gauge, even a big dial type gauge can get on it. The outside tire stem is bent backwards about 45* and also pokes through the outside tire's hand hole. It is also very easy to access.
The stems are brass and bolt on. The tire must be removed from the wheel to install them.
I can't for the life of me remember what company makes them or where I got them, but I ordered them on the internet and I got the link from here on this forum. Maybe someone here will remember what I'm talking about and give you the link.
They were expensive, about $100 for the set of 4, but well worth it, in my opinion.
There are a couple of brands but I got the Alcoa's. A few different lengths and some with different angels. The bad photo I posted earlier shows the inner at 3 o'clock. Yes they are not cheap.
SoCalDesertRider wrote: Ok, I did a search and found the ones I bought, which were from Borg Tire Supply, in Tujunga, CA.
This is the LINK to the page with the dually valve kits.
I found them the other day and called them. They don't have a kit for the 17 inch Ford wheels. 16, 16.5 and 19 are no problem. What's up with the 17 inch wheels. Even the tire shop I decided on said thats an expensive wheel to get tires for.
Yeah, the 17" wheels are just becoming more popular now. Ford started using 17" and 18" wheels in '05 but Dodge and GM didn't go to 17's until later, so the tire makers and wheel accessory makers are a little behind on 17" stuff. The other sizes 15", 16", 19.5", have been around for years and years, so plenty of aftermarket support.
I notice now too 14's are harder to get truck tires for than they used to be. All the smaller trucks have gone to 15" and 16" now.
I wonder where it will stop? The wheels keep getting bigger and bigger, 20", 22", 24"... Soon we'll be driving around on 32" diameter wheels with rubber bands wrapped around them!
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