Author Topic: Penny-wise and pound-foolish  (Read 14387 times)

Offline sdc53

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #15 on: October 29, 2013, 10:29:51 PM »
FWIW I had a horrible experience with the Kumho garbage korean tires that came on my S&S class C from the factory.  Had a rear blowout, boy that'll get your attention.  Over the following months had to replace a couple more due to bubbling, etc - and they didn't stand by the warranty on the tires, which was complicated by the fact that when they failed, we weren't dealing with a retailer that actually sold the damn things. Not many choices when you are on the side of the road or in the boonies. They'll never get another dime from me, or hopefully anyone I know.
Scott
Gladstone, OR
1969 PD4107

Offline wg4t50

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #16 on: October 29, 2013, 11:44:24 PM »
We all have choices, I have run a few brand names, Toyo, Bridgestone and Michelin, No problem with any of them, I just replaced all 6 on my coach, the michelin XZE-3+ 275/80R22.5 LRH cost thru the FMCA $531.00 + FET each, plus $435.00 for all six Road Balance, new stems and mounting.  Not cheap, but I have other things to worry about.
I learned to only use "all position" tires, once I used a lug type on the drive, within about 30,000 miles they looked like a sawtooth, very steep leading edge with the heals worn way down, guess due to a heavy foot and lots of hp, anyway I stayed with the all position type, they just wear smooth & round & quiet.
MCI7 20+ Yrs
Foretravel w/ISM500
WG4T CW for ever.
Central Virginia

Offline Jon

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #17 on: October 30, 2013, 04:37:34 AM »
We all hate to pay for tires. They cost a fortune and we rarely wear them out before they age out. But one thing to consider is that if one fails, the money we saved by trying to nurse them beyond their natural life or by buying the cheapest we can find could prove to be false economy.

I cannot get the recent 8 fatality bus crash out of my mind which was attributed to a left front tire blowout. But I am also aware of at least two coaches I personally know that had substantial and expensive damage as a result in both cases of a drive or tag axle failure. The one with the drive axle failure took out the upper wheel well liner, did damage to the interior of the coach, destroyed an air bag, and a brake chamber air line. The second was a tag axle failure and it damaged the muffler, the wheel well, and did some body damage to the tune of $15,000. Tires are a big deal.
Jon

Current coach 2006 Prevost, Liberty conversion
Knoxville, TN

Offline belfert

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #18 on: October 30, 2013, 05:43:51 AM »
I decided to buy Cooper Roadmaster RM185 tires for both steer and drives.  They are made in China, but they are at least made by a major brand.  I was thinking about Firestone FS560 Plus tires, but I was told they are made in China now too.  I found out just recently that the Firestones are still made in the USA.  I most likely would have purchased the Firestones if I knew they were still made in the USA.
Brian Elfert - 1995 Dina Viaggio 1000 Series 60/B500 - 75% done but usable - Minneapolis, MN

Offline luvrbus

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #19 on: October 30, 2013, 06:09:34 AM »
Here the Casinos buses are using Double Coin or something like that they are having good luck with the tire here in Aug the heat separates the boys from the girls I lost a new Michelin yesterday from a sidewall blow out on the van   
Life is short drink the good wine first

Offline robertglines1

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #20 on: October 30, 2013, 06:11:48 AM »
I had a 3yr old Goodyear explode with proper air on right front-- no road hazzard.   FWIW   Still upset about that one!   So who makes what?? And what does name brand mean anymore???
Bob@Judy  98 XLE prevost with 3 slides --Home done---last one! SW INdiana

Offline luvrbus

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #21 on: October 30, 2013, 06:39:28 AM »
According to all the truckers and carriers reports the new 315/80 from Goodyear is the best tire on the market for wear,handling and ride but they cost more than a Michelin with the same rating,none of the tires have a warranty worth a crap the Michelin I lost yesterday was my fault as I knew they would say lol
Life is short drink the good wine first

Offline TexasBorderDude

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #22 on: October 30, 2013, 06:47:08 AM »
Well we all know the old saying "the buck stops here."  Well with most, it don't stop for long, just keeps going out.  But great news, we're (the over 65 crowd) gonna get $19/mo COLA from Uncle Sugar 'cause everyone knows there's been only slight inflation, yet the Firestone FS 560's I bought in '08 for $330 per copy are $545 now.  Ever so slight!
A curmudgeon's reputation for malevolence is undeserved. They're neither warped nor evil at heart. They don't hate mankind, just mankind's absurdities. They're just as sensitive and soft-hearted as the next guy, but they hide their vulnerability beneath a crust of misanthropy.

Offline B_K

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #23 on: October 30, 2013, 12:40:01 PM »
IMHO Michelin's are a waste of $.
Yes they ride smooth, but they wear out faster than any other brand tire we've EVER run!
I have run many other brands and find most of them to be pretty comparable in quality.
;D  BK  ;D

Offline Eagle Andy

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #24 on: October 30, 2013, 02:48:18 PM »
Doyle I just decided to change my 10 year old tires and i found Firestones 11r 24.5 for 480.00 mounted I think there FS 507
1968 Model 05 Eagle # 7481 Miles City MT

Offline TexasBorderDude

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #25 on: October 30, 2013, 03:43:49 PM »
Doyle I just decided to change my 10 year old tires and i found Firestones 11r 24.5 for 480.00 mounted I think there FS 507

I've got probably 10 year old FS 507's on the bogie and 6 year old FS 560's on the drives... will be looking for some Firestones as I travel about.
A curmudgeon's reputation for malevolence is undeserved. They're neither warped nor evil at heart. They don't hate mankind, just mankind's absurdities. They're just as sensitive and soft-hearted as the next guy, but they hide their vulnerability beneath a crust of misanthropy.

Offline pabusnut

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #26 on: October 31, 2013, 01:53:27 PM »
Doyle,

Be thankful you aren't one of Uncle's employees w/no raise for 3 yrs, and a 3% pay cut this year due to Sequestration & Gov't shutdown!  More to come next year, since the kicked can is still rolling down the road!

Steve
Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

Offline belfert

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #27 on: October 31, 2013, 03:40:37 PM »
I work for a private employer and didn't get a raise for 5 years with a 2% raise this year.  I am grateful I still have a job since more than 50% of the employees in my department got laid off.
Brian Elfert - 1995 Dina Viaggio 1000 Series 60/B500 - 75% done but usable - Minneapolis, MN

Offline Dave5Cs

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #28 on: October 31, 2013, 04:12:04 PM »
Yep Brian you beat me to it. They can join us in a private sector job or like me self employed. I took a 100% pay cut in 2009 and 2010 in the construction industry and still no raise!...and hope to live on the Bus again soon.

Dave5Cs
"Perfect Frequency"1979 MCI MC5Cs 6V-71,644MT Allison.
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 60th Anniversary edition.
1998 Jeep TJ ,(Gone)
 Somewhere in the USA fulltiming.

Offline TexasBorderDude

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Re: Penny-wise and pound-foolish
« Reply #29 on: October 31, 2013, 05:55:32 PM »
.... I took a 100% pay cut in 2009 and 2010...

How does the math work on that one?  Man the grass is always greener and the helmet is always browner! I don't know anyone who's cutting a fat hog, as the saying goes.
A curmudgeon's reputation for malevolence is undeserved. They're neither warped nor evil at heart. They don't hate mankind, just mankind's absurdities. They're just as sensitive and soft-hearted as the next guy, but they hide their vulnerability beneath a crust of misanthropy.

 

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