ryoung99
Sacramento, CA
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Joined: 08/20/2003
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Over the past few days I did alot of forum searching to find out as much as I could about tire options.
Given that I needed new tires; I ended up with Sumitomo's
I was quoted the following per tire by different Sacaramento area tire stores; (load range H)
Hercules $294.00 ea
Michelin $565.00 ea (another place quoted me $660.00 for the same tire)
G Star $342.00 (Les Schwab tire)
Firestone $408.46
Bridgestone $705.65
Hankook $418.49
Yokohama $469.00
Sumitomo $399.00
When I searched Hercules, I found varied levels of satisfaction, so I stayed away. G Star, I believe is the same tire under a different brand name, altough I am not 100% sure of that.
Of the moderate priced tires, I could not find a single negative post about Sumitomo tires, so I went with them. My father was a truck driver for some 50 years, and he also though they were find tires.
Last week I bought 6 for my 39' Newmar DP and I am ever happy with them. Out the door including mounting, balancing and taxes it was a steep bill of $3148.21. But worth every penny. I was replacing my original Michelin's and suffice to say the Sumiotomo ride was far superior to the Michelins.
We put about 600 miles on them this weekend over a stretch of highway that we know well. My wife commented on how smooth the RV was. Her and the kids normally do not sit in back due to the noise and rough ride, they spent the whole night Friday watching movies on the bed in the back.
I was amazed at how much better the ride was. They only downside, was the RV felt a bit twitchy with the new tires. On I5 north of Redding, the road is pretty windy. Normally I could run the canyon up there at 60-70. With these tires, I slowed down by 10mph. It seemed to feel like there was an understeer that I do not remember before. In the end, it is a good thing, my wife alway felt I drove that road too fast anyways.
Hope someone finds this post useful. It was difficult to find comprehensive reports on tires in this size.
Best wishes,
Rick
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hottubkid
SCHAUMBURG,IL
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Joined: 12/29/2004
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I put them on last summer but couldn't remember how to spell them. I have been from chicago to yuma and back and love them. I bought 6 of them for $2200.00 last summer out the door. I still feel it was a great buy. Say i have about 3000 miles on them. great tire. Remember things cost more in CA
hottubkid60193@yahoo.com
2004 SOUTHWIND 36E Tow 2003 CRV
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lj2654
weeki wachee, florida
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Joined: 01/26/2012
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I put 6 new Toyo on and it was a total of $3200 in Florida about 3 months ago! Happy with them too, had Goodyear before......
2001 Beaver Contessa Naples 40
2005 Honda CRV Toad
retired AirForce
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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"They only downside, was the RV felt a bit twitchy" You may have too much air in them as this will make a new tire not handle right. Many truck tire places put the max amount of air in them which is fine for a semi but not a MH. After you put a 1000 miles on them the higher pressure does not make as big a difference.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
04 Monaco Dynasty 42' quad slide
Where am I?
How I tow.
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Don Don
Pleasant Grove, AL {Suburb of Birmingham}
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Joined: 05/21/2005
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Once again I have never understood why people want to go cheap on the single most important thing on your RV. Your life rides on your tires and everybody thinks cheap is best. Not me mister, I value my life and my families way more. You pay for what you get.
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Marty & Mary
Half Moon Bay, CA
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Joined: 04/18/2005
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I'm looking for the same tires in Sacramento and having trouble finding this size. Can you tell me where you got your quotes.
Marty & Mary
2006 Bounder Diesel 38N
2005 Honda CRV SE
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Lobstah
Northeast
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Joined: 06/28/2005
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Don Don wrote:Once again I have never understood why people want to go cheap on the single most important thing on your RV. Your life rides on your tires and everybody thinks cheap is best. Not me mister, I value my life and my families way more. You pay for what you get.
Don,
I've never understood why paying more makes people think they have a better product. I bought my Sumi's from a local, family-run truck shop. These people have been putting Sumi's on trucks for years, and have had no trouble with them, and they not only take pride in their reputation, they DEPEND on their reputation as a locally-owned small shop.
My Michelins were an odd size that was difficult to find, and they were expensive by 2X the price of the Sumis.
I'm very happy with my decision.
Jim
2005 Pace Arrow 36D
Very Understanding Wife
2 Boxers
4 Cats
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hottubkid
SCHAUMBURG,IL
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I didn't go cheap. I went with the best quality I could find at the cheapest price I could find. In this case I believe Sumitomo. This is also what my Workhorse repair shop recomended
Don Don wrote:Once again I have never understood why people want to go cheap on the single most important thing on your RV. Your life rides on your tires and everybody thinks cheap is best. Not me mister, I value my life and my families way more. You pay for what you get.
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Mikeeg
Freehold New Jersey
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Joined: 04/25/2007
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Put on six a year ago and love the ride, I had Goodyears and they rode much harder no matter what you did with the PSI. I have 75LB. in them and I'm at 20,500 LB.and love the ride. I purchased them in Jax Fla. at Tire Kingdom and got a great price after checking with my local Guy in N.J. who I have dealt with for 30 yrs. and he did not have a bad word to say about them. They have been used on buses for yrs.so how bad can they be. I won't pull that kind of mileage in a life time. GOOD CHOICE!!!Quailty tire at the right price.
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ryoung99
Sacramento, CA
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Joined: 08/20/2003
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Marty,
I bought them from East Bay Tire. Call and talk to Robert. They got me in and out very quick.
Don,
As Goodyear has proven there is not a quarralation between cost and quality. It is not like we are putting retreads on the steer tires. I am with others, it is about getting the best quality for the best price. Made in Asia does not mean bad. There are also sub par products made in the USA.
Please find me someone who has had a bad experience with Sumitomo's and I will find you 10x's that number who have had issues with Goodyear and Michelins.
Rick
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