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Best deals on tires?


Roamer

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I'll soon need to buy new tires for my tow vehicle and would like to stick with a major-brand heavy load-rated tire, i.e. Michelin, BFG, etc. Can anyone recommend a good time of year when such tires typically go on sale, or any other tricks to obtain a good deal? Such as, can I score a discount with any of the RV membership groups? Should I go to a big-box store? Is it worth signing up for a credit card if it brings me a discount on tires?

 

Thx in advance. :D

Lodestar Knife & Tool

Dozens of vintage and custom knives for sale!

2008 Ford Ranger 4x4, 2014 Scamp 13

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Doubt they will ever go on sale. Popular tires go sale. Not special order. Anytime I have gotten tires for 5ther were ordered. No one stocks them. They stock cheap tires for trailers.

2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1

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If you are traveling, consider going to a state that has no sales tax to buy them. We do see tire sales from time to time, but I don't think that it is very predictable and the sale usually is only for specific size and model of tire. I'd price them at a large number of different stores in the area where you plan to buy as you will usually find a significant variation in price, particularly if you get the price with the tires mounted and balanced. You may also want to consider putting "road hazard" coverage into those prices.

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

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If you are traveling, consider going to a state that has no sales tax to buy them. We do see tire sales from time to time, but I don't think that it is very predictable and the sale usually is only for specific size and model of tire. I'd price them at a large number of different stores in the area where you plan to buy as you will usually find a significant variation in price, particularly if you get the price with the tires mounted and balanced. You may also want to consider putting "road hazard" coverage into those prices.

And also make sure the tires aren't dated a long time ago. I bought my last 5er tires through Discount Tire they had about the best deal I could find and their Road Hazard for the 1st two years they will fix or replace any tire at any of their dealerships free of charge.

Jim Spence

2000 Dodge 3500 1 ton QC 4x4 dually 5.9 diesel LB

BD exhaust brake, 6 spd manual trans

34CKTS Cedar Creek 5er, Trail-Air hitch

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I forget the model I put them on in 2010 and not a lick of trouble with them and I have been packing a full load ever since. I will look in the morning for the brand. I just replaced the ones on my 5er they were starting to crack in the sidewalls and two of those I kind of ate up when my springs on one side collapsed and let the two tires come together.That kind of made the smoke fly. So now I have five leaf springs instead of four leaf and four new tires for when I hit the road again in Feb. I will check the mileage on the PU also so you will have an idea of mileage.

 

Did you chip your 5.9 ?

I did mine and love it EDGE EZ 20-40-60 increased HP and improved my fuel mileage 2-4 MPG

Jim Spence

2000 Dodge 3500 1 ton QC 4x4 dually 5.9 diesel LB

BD exhaust brake, 6 spd manual trans

34CKTS Cedar Creek 5er, Trail-Air hitch

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Jim: Thanks for the response. Let me know what model those Coopers are. I'm leaning towards Michelin but (of course) would love to save some money and still get a reliable/robust tire.

 

I have not chipped my Cummins yet, but I'm thinking about it. Good input on the EDGE EZ. I see they run about $400. Do you feel it is worth that investment?

Lodestar Knife & Tool

Dozens of vintage and custom knives for sale!

2008 Ford Ranger 4x4, 2014 Scamp 13

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Jim: Thanks for the response. Let me know what model those Coopers are. I'm leaning towards Michelin but (of course) would love to save some money and still get a reliable/robust tire.

 

I have not chipped my Cummins yet, but I'm thinking about it. Good input on the EDGE EZ. I see they run about $400. Do you feel it is worth that investment?

They are COOPER DISCOVERER ATR

Yes ! That chip helped me a tremendous amount my PU has the 4:10 gears and trying to hold my speed down to 55 was working the engine and any head wind or uphill grade had me shifting down to 5th. The added power is unbelievable I just set it in the 60HP mode fastened the controller under the hood and thats where it stays. In my short tripping around I average right at 16MPG.

 

I havent found the reciept yet from when I bought those tires so cant give you miles on them but after 5 yrs I am quite happy with them and will be replacing them again with same thing. They ride smooth of course I have a lot of weight in that dually to hold it down. I dont hear any road noise of course with a 5.9 you probably understand that..lol

 

I also added the BD exhaust brake worth its weight in gold for towing. Those older Dodges eat up brake lining.

Jim Spence

2000 Dodge 3500 1 ton QC 4x4 dually 5.9 diesel LB

BD exhaust brake, 6 spd manual trans

34CKTS Cedar Creek 5er, Trail-Air hitch

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Well heck. I just noticed Pep Boys is doing a pretty good sale on tires. 15% off two or buy three and get the fourth free. But both deals expire tomorrow. Can't make that happen now so reckon I'll have to keep on the lookout.

 

Jim: Thx for the info. It looks like your tire model may be discontinued by Cooper. Can't find it on their website anymore. But good to know the brand is solid. And thanks for the followup on the tuner chip. I want an easy plug-in deal like that, if I do it, so that may be the one.

Lodestar Knife & Tool

Dozens of vintage and custom knives for sale!

2008 Ford Ranger 4x4, 2014 Scamp 13

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Last year, I replaced all six 8R19.5 after looking online at Tirerack.com and Tires-easy.com. I compared online/delivered/installed tire prices with area tire dealer prices and bought Hankook AH12s from Tires-easy.com and had them delivered to my local truck tire dealer who balanced and installed them. The new tires were 1 to 3 months old. The old tires were Michelin, 6 years old, with 30,000 miles and looked barely used.

 

One year prior to this, I replaced my auto tires using the same process with tirerack.com delivered to my house. Had the local Walmart install the Hankooks with the lifetime balance option.

 

Jon

92 Ultrastar

5.9 Cummins, MC16-FD Oshkosh

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Roamer I am a member of SAM's club got a great deal on my Michelins there also I chipped my cummins with the E Z Edge about 5 yrs ago put a cold air K & N filter also 5 in exhaust I have been getting 17.9 pulling my Out Back Sidney 30fter most of the time.

17.9 This had to be downhill :P with a tail wind By the way Ken & Jo ANN welcome to the forum. Question is was this an actual test or just glancing at the overhead to see what it's doing. I love to look at mine when it shows 99 But fill it up with diesel and go up and down hills all day and then see what the average MPG is.

 

Roamer I have 25K on my COOPERS and I figure another 5K until time to replace. But do remember I am packing a heavy load in the PU and when I hook the 5er on things get heavier yet.

 

I am sure that 5" exhaust helped almost as much as the chip. I think if I unloaded my 5er and had real good smooth road ( nowhere in CA ) I just might be able to squeeze 16 MPG but that would be cruise set about 60 and perfectly flat. Thats with 4:10 gears

Jim Spence

2000 Dodge 3500 1 ton QC 4x4 dually 5.9 diesel LB

BD exhaust brake, 6 spd manual trans

34CKTS Cedar Creek 5er, Trail-Air hitch

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In 2000ish, I know in 2001, a 2500 quad cab Dodge with ta Cummins and auto tranny with a little bit of aftermarket stuff would get 27-29mpg empty on the highway. I had one with the basic mods to it. Air in, Exhaust out, enough fuel, and they ran well all day long.

 

I towed heavy with mine, 15-16k boats and trailers that also had as much frontage as a 5th wheel and I got 14-15 at 65mph going south on I-95 (maybe thats downhill!). In the 2006 DOdge pulling the same load I got 11mpg. So the old Cummins could get mileage, just had no torque...

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

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Thanks for the followups. You're right, the early Dodges are reknowned for their mileage. I see 22 mpg easy (hand calculated) on my 2001 traveling unloaded without really doing anything special. Motor is stock, but I do have an aftermarket 4" exhaust and run synthetic oil. That's with a 4:10 rear end.

 

I have the factory optional 265 tires on mine and I'm thinking about going down a size (245) as I don't expect to tow at full capacity. But that tire will be smaller diameter, which may hurt mpg a bit. On the other hand, it may also be less rolling resistance, so it could be a wash.

Lodestar Knife & Tool

Dozens of vintage and custom knives for sale!

2008 Ford Ranger 4x4, 2014 Scamp 13

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Husband shops online, usually Tire Rack has been the lowest, goes to a local guy and gets them to match the price and they get the business on the mounting and balancing besides, and everyone is happy. As mentioned, always tell them you want FRESH tires, so understand the numbering system for the week/year manufactured.

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