Stardate: 6 years and 4 months post in-service (June 2017). Some DOT dates are probably a year older. 59,300 miles.
Today the baby got new shoes. I'm happy to report all went well at Colony Tire in Richmond, VA. I bought 8 x Toyo M144 (305/70R22.5) with 6 installed (valves, spin balance, customer supplied centramatics installed on all axles) and 2 in the back of my pickup to go to NIRVC "Washington DC" Nov 15th for RettroBands and current fronts will move to Tag. Prior fronts went to tag as the tag had cupping issues, not sure the cause, but we'll see if centramatics prevent it this time around.
I asked for the tire pressures to be set at my prior values of 105 front 90 rears but I noticed as my TST TPMS immediately alarmed all new tires were at 120. I dropped them to 110 as I wanted to keep pressure high while they seat, if even a concern, but who knows, no expert here. After noticing my keys were not in the ignition I went in to get them and the installer mentioned to me that the Toyo's are rated for higher loads and I should consider higher pressures to keep sidewalls from overheating from underinflation, etc. So I need to get into the charts soon based on my most recent 4-corner weighing at FL Gaffney but as he mentioned, if the ride is good at 110, consider leaving them there.
The Toyo's look like monsters, I am impressed. The photo below looks like me, an aged out ole Michelin with not much tread left compared to a young spunky monster tire, the Toyo, but it is interesting to see what looks like a solid mean tire vs. the Michelin.
The ride was great, a little vibration starting at 62 mph so I emailed my rep to make sure they were in fact balanced but I don't know how good to expect a truck tire at highway speeds. The tread depth is twice that left on the Michelin.
And no, I couldn't get the two new tires in the back of the Colorado on my own, these things are heavy! But the guy that helped me showed me the trick, not like I'm taking them out of there and putting them back in.
Day 1 - impressed with the Toyo's, pleased with this decision. Final price for 8 tires, 6 installed, with a military discount I discovered when browsing their website was $5670! Probably half of what Michelin's would have cost me. So we got quarters left in the piggy bank for RettroBands and when all said and done probably under the Michelin cost which I estimated to be around 10K, not counting RettroBands.
I dropped off the coach around 8 AM, they were done around lunch time but I went got a nice Korean lunch and picked up around 2 PM. As
@GlampDaddy said I have to show up for Newmar Hoots presentable that means she needed a bath now! So I stopped by the RV wash below that my storage lot owner owns, it's a touchless wash. Not expensive, and I was pleased with the service. If you're passing through Ashland, VA on I-95 and want a bath, consider stopping at this place. It is also a Harvest Host.
Edit: Yes, they smell like a cow pasture!
Automatic RV Wash & 24/7 Car Wash in Ashland, VA. Truck wash, car polish, self serve car wash bays, and free vacuums. Accepting fleet cards!
megawashva.com
