Tire replacement - new to me options ("DIY" to save $$$)

[WhatExit?]

Knowing how important tire life/safety is especially here in the AZ heat, I decided to replace all 5 tires (4 + spare) on my 3120RL. I did my research and determined I'd stay with the Sailun tires. Sailun All Steel Radial Tire S637. Sailun G-Rated tires ST235/80R16G on the 16 x 6 rims.

I searched around including calling a number of local RV shops. Two places came back with pricing just over $1700 for 5 tires, balanced and mounted, disposal, tax, etc. One was $347.68 + tax per tire, installed x 5 = $1,738.00

During my search I found www.Giga-Tires.com which is where I ended up buying from. 5 tires at $653.15 ($130.63 each) + Shipping Cost: $141.75 + Handling Fee $24.50 + FET Amount Tax: $227.40 = $846.80 total.

OK, so what about installation? Easy peezy. I went to my local Discount Tire. I brought in the Sailun tires and they dismounted & mounted, balanced, and discarded 5 tires for $183.95

Total cost for 5 brand new Sailun tires $1,032.75 - a savings of $705.25 (40% of the quoted $1738 total).

Note that I checked the date codes and they all were the same and made a few months ago so they are new - this is something I was concerned about buying from anyone especially an online company I wasn't familiar with.

 

[PSFORD99]

Did the same ,bought my 5 Sailuns from Walmart . Delivered to my door step ,took the tires off my fifth wheel, took the whole works to a local tire shop ,and had them mounted ,and balanced .

 

[WhatExit?]

Did the same ,bought my 5 Sailuns from Walmart . Delivered to my door step ,took the tires off my fifth wheel, took the whole works to a local tire shop ,and had them mounted ,and balanced .

Yup, Walmart was another purchase option for the Sailuns. I work with Discount Tire so my preference was working with them due to their service, availability, and price.

 

[NCFischers]

Bought tires from Giga-Tires also and had the same positive experience.

 

[RMcNeal]

That sounds great. I have had great luck with Simple Tire too.

 

[WhatExit?]

Knowing how important tire life/safety is especially here in the AZ heat, I decided to replace all 5 tires (4 + spare) on my 3120RL. I did my research and determined I'd stay with the Sailun tires. Sailun All Steel Radial Tire S637. Sailun G-Rated tires ST235/80R16G on the 16 x 6 rims.

I searched around including calling a number of local RV shops. Two places came back with pricing just over $1700 for 5 tires, balanced and mounted, disposal, tax, etc. One was $347.68 + tax per tire, installed x 5 = $1,738.00

During my search I found www.Giga-Tires.com which is where I ended up buying from. 5 tires at $653.15 ($130.63 each) + Shipping Cost: $141.75 + Handling Fee $24.50 + FET Amount Tax: $227.40 = $846.80 total.

OK, so what about installation? Easy peezy. I went to my local Discount Tire. I brought in the Sailun tires and they dismounted & mounted, balanced, and discarded 5 tires for $183.95

Total cost for 5 brand new Sailun tires $1,032.75 - a savings of $705.25 (40% of the quoted $1738 total).

Note that I checked the date codes and they all were the same and made a few months ago so they are new - this is something I was concerned about buying from anyone especially an online company I wasn't familiar with.

A couple additional notes:
1. The Sailuns I received were manufactured in Vietnam
2. They're 14-ply, G-rated tires
I have great confidence in these tires

 

[rpc2325]

Dummy question. Did you use the leveling jacks to get the tires off the ground? Or other jacks? What is recommended? I should know this if I get a flat. Hasn't happened yet...

I have Morryde independent suspension on a 3231CK. Does this present additional problem?

I like the idea of using Discount Tire.

 

[Kfinnert]

I replaced all 5 of my tires last year through Discount Tire in Lake Havasu, AZ. I upgraded to G-Rated tires with high pressure rims. I am so glad that I had.

I too have IS from MorRyde. I am not certain the rams of the leveling jacks will lift the IS off the ground; I have motor driven lifts, not the hydraulic. I have had to change out tires on my RV several times. The IS creates a bit of work whereas the Dexter Axle was very easy to lift. The IS, by design, drops as the trailer is lifted.

My son drives tow truck, and he recommends the Hydraulic/Air lift bottle jacks for the IS. I do have an air compressor on my truck, and plan to go this route. Currently, I have a floor jack that is barely adequate!

One last word of caution, be certain to avoid the grease fittings on the IS. I had one crushed by Discount Tire.

 

[rpc2325]

I replaced all 5 of my tires last year through Discount Tire in Lake Havasu, AZ. I upgraded to G-Rated tires with high pressure rims. I am so glad that I had.

I too have IS from MorRyde. I am not certain the rams of the leveling jacks will lift the IS off the ground; I have motor driven lifts, not the hydraulic. I have had to change out tires on my RV several times. The IS creates a bit of work whereas the Dexter Axle was very easy to lift. The IS, by design, drops as the trailer is lifted.

My son drives tow truck, and he recommends the Hydraulic/Air lift bottle jacks for the IS. I do have an air compressor on my truck, and plan to go this route. Currently, I have a floor jack that is barely adequate!

One last word of caution, be certain to avoid the grease fittings on the IS. I had one crushed by Discount Tire.

Yes, good point on the grease fittings. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[LeftOverParts]

Did you use the leveling jacks to get the tires off the ground?

Don’t have IS but the hydraulic jacks work fine to lift the tires off the ground. Also use wood blocks to reduce rear jack extension and jack stands on blocks (under the frame) for safety. (Note the Lippert manual says not to use the jacks). I take the tires off myself as it seems regular tire shops want to jack the axles at the u-bolts to lift the tires.

One tip I learned here was to use a crow bar or tire iron on top of a block as a lever to help lift the tires back on.

I use Discount/Americas Tire to balance the tires and remind them not to stack the stick-on weights bc of the caliper/rim clearance.

 

[BiggarView]

Keystone hydraulic jacks more than adequate to lift off the ground with IS. Sailuns are great tires.

 

[PSFORD99]

Don’t have IS but the hydraulic jacks work fine to lift the tires off the ground. Also use wood blocks to reduce rear jack extension and jack stands on blocks (under the frame) for safety. (Note the Lippert manual says not to use the jacks). I take the tires off myself as it seems regular tire shops want to jack the axles at the u-bolts to lift the tires.

One tip I learned here was to use a crow bar or tire iron on top of a block as a lever to help lift the tires back on.

I use Discount/Americas Tire to balance the tires and remind them not to stack the stick-on weights bc of the caliper/rim clearance.

Although I do the same , raise the fifth wheel with the level up to remove tires ,pack wheel bearings etc. But before level up , I always raised a tire with a hydraulic jack ,directly under the U-bolts . Not on the tube itself ,have never in my 20 years with a fifth wheel have I had a problem jacking up a tire off the U-bolts without hydraulic level up .

 

[LeftOverParts]

We had a travel trailer before the Monti and a shop lifted the wheels at the u-bolts and there were no problems. (I realize there are differing thoughts on this method).

But that reminds me of another tip learned here. After lifting the wheels with level-up or jacks under the frame, I copied Daryles’ tool (thank you) to lift by the spring for changing bushings or wet bolts. Since we have disc brakes, have also used a hockey puck on a floor jack under the disc to do the same changes..

 

[PSFORD99]

We had a travel trailer before the Monti and a shop lifted the wheels at the u-bolts and there were no problems. (I realize there are differing thoughts on this method).

But that reminds me of another tip learned here. After lifting the wheels with level-up or jacks under the frame, I copied Daryles’ tool (thank you) to lift by the spring for changing bushings or wet bolts. Since we have disc brakes, have also used a hockey puck on a floor jack under the disc to do the same changes..

View attachment 1326303

Did not know there were differing opinions on lifting the axle under the u-bolts . Not sure how many different trailers I’ve done it that way for at least 50 years , from boat , utility , travel trailers to the fifth wheel.

You’re not lifting the trailer , just compressing the springs , the shackles are flexing , takes very little to get the tire off the ground.

To realize what little effort or pressure there is on that u-bolt , a friend recently broke a hanger bracket. Jacked up the tire on the u- bolt , removed the tire to have ready for the welder here at this RV park we are at , released the jack let the axle hang , watched the welder actually lift the axle by placing a two by four under the wheel hub to position it to tack back in place , granted it had some flex in the shackles to do this also .

To add to this , one just needs to realize in order to do any damage to the axle tube , which is the only concern , first it needs to either bend the u-bolt or at the least flex it enough to dent or deform the axle tube , and it does neither.

 

[LeftOverParts]

Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned the u-bolts. I joined the thread about using the leveling jacks to lift. We haven’t had problems lifting at the bolts as others have not. The spring perch on the other side does carry part of the trailer load and the u-bolts in our unit are flattened in the radius so they would distribute the load on them - meaning the axle tube is strong enough. Personally and just my opinion, I don’t want to lift on a fastener.

 

[foldbak]

We had a travel trailer before the Monti and a shop lifted the wheels at the u-bolts and there were no problems. (I realize there are differing thoughts on this method).

But that reminds me of another tip learned here. After lifting the wheels with level-up or jacks under the frame, I copied Daryles’ tool (thank you) to lift by the spring for changing bushings or wet bolts. Since we have disc brakes, have also used a hockey puck on a floor jack under the disc to do the same changes..

View attachment 1326303

 

[foldbak]

That's some redneck...... I mean plumber crap right there! I love it. Must have been left over parts.

 

[Todd & Mary]

10pm I90 Eastbound in the middle of nowhere Wyoming. Fast leak on the drivers side of the rig. The tire had a 3/8 bolt stuck in the tread. Luckily there was a parking area 1 mile, we pulled off and I manually lifted the rig with the hydraulic levelers, then placed an 8 ton hydraulic jack under the axle to lift the tire. I didn't believe there was enough weight to worry about deforming it as the rig was supported by the leveling system and the jack was only exerting enough force to lift the axle. I guess when its cold and dark of night I was only trying to get it done safely and quickly. Be safe out there!