Truck Driving Jobs

deep dixie blue · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 32 Location: Georgia

The truck and trailer I bought in March both had mostly recaps on them (except for steers, of course, and a couple of virgins on trailer).

Didn't realize then what a big deal it would be.

The second week on the road I had one recap drive tire just start spitting chunks.

After that I had two trailer caps start splitting away from the casing. In a moment of weakness I bought two more recaps to replace them, since many have told me that they've had good luck running recaps on their trailer. Well those two new recaps lasted less than three weeks before they started to split. I returned them to the recap seller who replaced them no charge, even though he told me it was probably my fault for running over something (a contention I don't buy because the two tires, which were mounted together, split in different areas). Well, two weeks later and one of those is already splitting.

In addition, two more drive tires and one other trailer tire are also splitting.

BTW, I check the air pressure on all the tires every week.

Now I've got to start the process of replacing all these dern recaps with virgins. I'll probably have to do one axle at a time.

So, finally to the point of this thread, has anybody come across any good tire deals lately? Both my truck and trailer take 22.5 lo pros.

I'm leaning towards using an all position type of tire on both the truck drives and trailer.

And I'm going to need a total of 14 of them eventually. The local truck stop is trying to sell me these $400 tires, I'm not sure they're worth it. I recall Gman and others saying they have had good service out of lesser priced Chinese tires, for instance, but I have been unable to find any.

Best price I've found so far is from a small tire shop nearby: $250 ea for some Remingtons (plus installation). But I don't know anything about them and I know there is more to a good value than a cheap price.

I'd love to get some advice before I plunge into a major purchase.

BTW, I live and haul in the Southeast so deals in Rhode Island or Texas, etc, won't do me any good.

Thanks ahead of time for any constructive feedback.

Rev.Vassago · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject:

If the reason you are replacing your recaps is because of quality, why would you even consider going with a cheaper virgin tire?

FWIW, I'm very satisfied with the Bridgestone M726's that I have on my drives. I had Bridgestone R280's on my steers, and got 130,000 miles out of them, even though they were wearing irregularly due to a bad shock.

solo379 · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 3156

Quote: Atlanta Commercial Tire in Doraville -- They don't install them -- but if you set up a Commercial account, you'll save a LOT of $$$
I've copied that from OOIDA forum, might want to check em out.
For steers, or if you want it all the way around, I'd suggest Yoko RY617, good fuel efficient tire. Not expensive. :roll:

NotSteve · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject:

You may know this already but I'll repeat it. You can't replace just one tire on any set of tandems. You have to replace both. When you replace just one it tends to be a little larger diameter because it's new. This causes the other tire to skim the ground and will be bald in less than 3,000 miles.

deep dixie blue · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 32 Location: Georgia

solo379 wrote: Quote: Atlanta Commercial Tire in Doraville -- They don't install them -- but if you set up a Commercial account, you'll save a LOT of $$$
I've copied that from OOIDA forum, might want to check em out.
For steers, or if you want it all the way around, I'd suggest Yoko RY617, good fuel efficient tire. Not expensive. :roll:

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. I will call them Monday. And they are not that far away. I'm in Atlanta at least twice a week.

Not Steve: I mentioned above that I am planning to do one axle at a time.

Rev: I'm just looking for the best value. A cheap price does not make a product a good buy, nor does an expensive product necessarily mean it is the highest quality. That's why I'm asking for experiences of others.

GMAN · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 9771 Location: Tennessee

deep dixie blue wrote: The truck and trailer I bought in March both had mostly recaps on them (except for steers, of course, and a couple of virgins on trailer).

Didn't realize then what a big deal it would be.

The second week on the road I had one recap drive tire just start spitting chunks.

After that I had two trailer caps start splitting away from the casing. In a moment of weakness I bought two more recaps to replace them, since many have told me that they've had good luck running recaps on their trailer. Well those two new recaps lasted less than three weeks before they started to split. I returned them to the recap seller who replaced them no charge, even though he told me it was probably my fault for running over something (a contention I don't buy because the two tires, which were mounted together, split in different areas). Well, two weeks later and one of those is already splitting.

In addition, two more drive tires and one other trailer tire are also splitting.

BTW, I check the air pressure on all the tires every week.

Now I've got to start the process of replacing all these dern recaps with virgins. I'll probably have to do one axle at a time.

So, finally to the point of this thread, has anybody come across any good tire deals lately? Both my truck and trailer take 22.5 lo pros.

I'm leaning towards using an all position type of tire on both the truck drives and trailer.

And I'm going to need a total of 14 of them eventually. The local truck stop is trying to sell me these $400 tires, I'm not sure they're worth it. I recall Gman and others saying they have had good service out of lesser priced Chinese tires, for instance, but I have been unable to find any.

Best price I've found so far is from a small tire shop nearby: $250 ea for some Remingtons (plus installation). But I don't know anything about them and I know there is more to a good value than a cheap price.

I'd love to get some advice before I plunge into a major purchase.

BTW, I live and haul in the Southeast so deals in Rhode Island or Texas, etc, won't do me any good.

Thanks ahead of time for any constructive feedback.

I bought a tire for my trailer a couple of days ago for $190. I also had to buy another steer which cost me $270 including FET and sales tax. The steer was Double Coin. I have had excellent wear out of them. International is now using them on their new trucks. I have had Double Coin on my drives on my International for about 2 years. They have worn very well. I have a local tire distributor that I have done business with for several years and gives me a very good deal on my tires. I have only had a problem with one tire (not Double Coin) and they took care of it without any problems. Diprima Tire 706-891-5000. They are at the Tennessee/Georgia line near I-75. They actually have a Georgia address but are only about 3 blocks from the Tennessee line. They will ship anywhere in the U.S. if you buy 8 tires. Ask for Ron.

deep dixie blue · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 32 Location: Georgia

Gman, I talked to Ron this am and he quoted me $229 on double coin trailer tires (RT 606, he says its a premium tire, better for my spread axle) and $249 for Sentaida drives.

I've got a load on my deck now that I am taking to Chattanooga so I will try to get unloaded this afternoon and check them out.

Thanks

SoCal79 · Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 123

I second the vote for Double coin, I have had good luck with them. I have also noticed that on caps it is the old caseings that tend to throw the tread for me. I cap alot of tires being a dump trucker that is in the dirt alot getting all kinds of weird stuff stuck in my tires and have found that old (3 yrs.+) cases tend not to cap well. Double coins take a beating though.

GMAN · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 9771 Location: Tennessee

deep dixie blue wrote: Gman, I talked to Ron this am and he quoted me $229 on double coin trailer tires (RT 606, he says its a premium tire, better for my spread axle) and $249 for Sentaida drives.

I've got a load on my deck now that I am taking to Chattanooga so I will try to get unloaded this afternoon and check them out.

Thanks

I am glad you were able to get in touch with Ron. He has done well by me since I have been doing business with them. I had to buy a Bridgestone tire on national account last week. I had already blown one tire that same day and used my spare. I believe the tire cost $259 plus tax and mounting. The total price was $347, as I recall. I come out much better buying locally. I prefer doing business with Ron when I can.
I don't know if Ron gave you directions, but it is very easy to access from I-75. Let me know if you need directions.

deep dixie blue · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 32 Location: Georgia

Gman, I bought six trailer tires from Ron @ $229 ea and four drives @ $245, and that includes FET. Since I am domiciled in Georgia and have a sales tax number I was exempt from paying the sales tax. That alone saved me about $180 on ten tires.

The icing on the cake was that they had a local guy who came over and installed the tires for $15 each, less than half what I normally have to pay.

Adding a valve stem to each, my installed price was $250 for trailer tires and $266 for drives.

The price was definitely right, now lets see how they stand up.

Thanks for the tip.

allan5oh · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:08 am Post subject:

You guys seriously need to stop buying cheap tires that are on sale.

One tire talked about here is the bridgestone m726.

It's the absolutely 100% worst tire to buy. It totally kills your fuel mileage. It has 70% more rolling resistance then a good efficient tire.

Just punched it in to michelins fuel savings calculator, and get this, it costs you NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR over an efficient tire, like michelins XDA energy. That's a lot of gallons.

Double coin rlb400? $8400 per year.

Seriously, leave those cheap junk tires on the rack, and buy some good american tires, like MICHELIN.

At todays fuel prices, you can't afford not to.

no_worries · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 856

Michelin is French :lol:

GMAN · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 9771 Location: Tennessee

I used to only buy American made tires. Most of them won't stand behind them if something happens to them. I have had excellent service out of Double Coin. By the way, Double Coin is designed just like the Michelin. The only difference is the name on the tire and where it was manufactured. Navistar is putting Double Coin on their new trucks. So far I have had better service out of Double Coin than I have out of Goodyear or Kelly. The great part is that I pay much less for the tire. I have had Double Coin drives on my International for about 2 years now and they still have plenty of tread left. I don't have anything against Michelin other than the price. I can buy Michelin on national account, but can still buy Double Coin or other brands for less that do as well. I still get good fuel mileage with them.

deep dixie blue · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 32 Location: Georgia

I believe Michelin is actually the majority owner of Double Coin, so just take a wild guess where they get most of their engineering.

As for the rolling resistance calculator, can Michelin back these claims up with any independent testing results?

I'm sorry, but I am more than a little skeptical of their claims.

solo379 · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 3156

deep dixie blue wrote:

I'm sorry, but I am more than a little skeptical of their claims.

They actually, claim nothing! Some other brands, according to their calculator, has the same, or even lower rolling resistance, then Michelin.
So, it seems credible to me... :roll:

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