FredNewell Posted August 1, 2018 Share Posted August 1, 2018 Well, It has been a while since logging in... Probably tire time again because I plan to keep the Dolphin going for a few more trips. My Sears Tire receipt from October 2010 shows seven of the RA08 tires @ 97.81 each plus fees etc and balancing. 38,000 miles and the tread is still deep. Never had problems. I did keep the pressure checks up. So is this still the "go to" tire? Any better tires or amazing deals? Man... 8 years already, and total reliability truck wise. The coach... sticks and staples... but no leaks due to handyman level maintenance. No complaints. Thanks! Fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted August 1, 2018 Share Posted August 1, 2018 The replacement RA18 seems to be the new 'King of the Hill' since the Yokohama Y356 got some bad press about failures. https://www.amazon.com/Hankook-Vantra-RA18-185R14-102R/dp/B01G2BX64W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neubie Posted August 1, 2018 Share Posted August 1, 2018 Yup. Was told Hankook no longer makes RA08 and that RA18 is the replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredNewell Posted August 1, 2018 Author Share Posted August 1, 2018 Orkey Dorkey. Thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted August 1, 2018 Share Posted August 1, 2018 A slightly irrelevant thought The worse thing you can do to a tire is just let it sit in the sun. As you drive the tire heat causes the oils in the rubber to move and refresh the rubber. So your 8 year old tires are probably in better shape than the same tire thats 5 years old and has 5,000 mi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredNewell Posted September 2, 2018 Author Share Posted September 2, 2018 WME - not that irrelevant, but the feeling of freeway driving at 65-70 mph with new tires is WAY better than 8 year old tires. I had a set of 5 year old Michelins from Costco fail... 3 of 4 tires with sidewall rot. I pulled into a gas station in Rock Springs WY and saw one was low. I filled it, then the other side was low. Returning to the first side, the tire I had just filled was already loosing air. I cancelled my Marriot reservations in SL City, and stayed at the local motel, then limped one block on flat tires to an American Tire Store. Several hundred bucks later, I was back on my way. First and only experience like that. I confess, I was driving close to 80 mph on I-80 westbound just before Rock Springs. The car had just been through a couple of Wisconsin winters and I was bringing it back home to sunny CA. Acura Legend, it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredNewell Posted September 2, 2018 Author Share Posted September 2, 2018 Just ordered a set of 6 from Amazon using the link provided above. 86 bucks each no tax free shipping. I'll update later. Fastlane Tire is the retailer on Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredNewell Posted September 11, 2018 Author Share Posted September 11, 2018 UPDATE: JUST REC'D TIRES. TODAY IS 9/11, DELIVERY TOOK 9 DAYS TO NORTH CALIFORNIA. TIRE DATE 3217. 32ND WEEK IN 2017 IF I AM INTERPRETING CORRECTLY. ALL TIRES CAME NOT BOXED, BUT STRAPPED IN PAIRS (THREE PAIRS) VIA FEDEX. Load Range D. All is ok for me. But if I were being picky, I'd want newer tires if available. sorry about the all caps... Love you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredNewell Posted September 18, 2018 Author Share Posted September 18, 2018 6x$15 for installation, plus $5 each for disposal. But I did save sales tax and other fees. The twenty dollar bill has become the new five. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86Dolphino Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Jet.com just quoted me 78.18 a tire for the RA18 185R14 LRD 8 Ply Hankook Vantra LT RA18 18514 185 14 R14 Tires 336.48 after tax and free shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredNewell Posted October 3, 2018 Author Share Posted October 3, 2018 FWIW, I called a local brick and mortar store. Les Schwab. They quoted 20 per tire plus 16 for balance. 36x6=forget it. Just thought I'd check their prices. They were apologetic but really don't think it will grow their business. I guess online tire purchase has hit them in the wallet. I have another store who is happy do the install. Les Schwab has long been my go-to store. Spent 3600 on six tires a while back, plus all brake and alignment work there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86Dolphino Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 20 bucks a tire that doesn't sound right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Les Schwab here has some serious issues. I had my ball joints replaced and figured I should get a wheel alignment. Les Schwab told me they couldn't do duallies because it wouldn't fit on the rack. Well I ran into a guy at Walmart with a huge lifted dually Ford truck. Bigger than my rig in everyway. With his lumber rack it was even taller. I asked him where he got his alignments done and low and behold, Les Schwab. They don't want your business unless your buying the tires there too. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjrbus Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 11 minutes ago, linda s said: Les Schwab here has some serious issues. I had my ball joints replaced and figured I should get a wheel alignment. Les Schwab told me they couldn't do duallies because it wouldn't fit on the rack. Well I ran into a guy at Walmart with a huge lifted dually Ford truck. Bigger than my rig in everyway. With his lumber rack it was even taller. I asked him where he got his alignments done and low and behold, Les Schwab. They don't want your business unless your buying the tires there too. Linda S I got my alignment done at an old school alignment shop, West Coast alignments in Ft Myers FL. Toy would not fit on their rack, so they aligned it in the parking lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredNewell Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 (edited) 30 minutes and the install is done. I love watching someone else work on my truck. $120 including disposal of old tires. Hummel Tire, Fortuna CA. They are in town, just off of the 101. Next time I would get a quote for tires from them, to support local business. Anyway... When I take the trip next week, I'll be gone a month plus. I won't be concerned with the age of my tires. Rig is ready! Feels good like a kid with new shoes. Edited October 4, 2018 by FredNewell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Have an exhaust place you like. I need mine replaced Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredNewell Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 Leon's muffler in Eureka. They are a full service auto shop. You get what you pay for. They have a good reputation with the locals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 Yes they were recommended by someone else. Very expensive but going to have to go Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredNewell Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 I uploaded some photos in the gallery section, but did it poorly. Moderator, please feel free to delete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 Don't know what you mean by 'poorly'. I see nothing wrong with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akwcanoe Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 As always tires are a tough search. The Hankooks are difficult to find or non-existent. Has anyone tried the Nokian cLine from Kal tire. 185/nulR14 102S for $111.00 each. Cheaper and I think a better match than the Michelins. Looks like the right load rating and size. Nokian have a great reputation for their winter tires. These are an all season commercial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akwcanoe Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 More on the Nokian cLine.nokian-cline-van-tyre-more-kilometres-better-safety-and-stability-nokian-tyres-press-release-390-english-europe.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 1 hour ago, akwcanoe said: Has anyone tried the Nokian cLine from Kal tire. Kal tire has them available in 185R14 102/100? Finding tires in Canada is always challenging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akwcanoe Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 3 hours ago, Derek up North said: Kal tire has them available in 185R14 102/100? Finding tires in Canada is always challenging! Thanks Derek. There is a Kal tire place near us. I will drop by and see what they say about availability. Haven't seen any mention of them on the various Toyo sites. Be nice to know if anyone had actually used them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 I just came up with this on their website:- I'll be curious to hear if they actually have any of them available. I've been down this rabbit hole many times before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Well there's nothing wrong with the Continental Vanco's either and they say they have them in stock. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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