Question Rettroband - are they worth it?

[bowpulpit]

Here is what I consider to be a flaw in the logic that they are not worth the cost: regardless of how new your steer tires are, how you have a tpms, how you check your tire pressures every morning, how you cover your tires, how you always drive with both hands on the wheel and every other argument you can think of…, you cannot be sure that your new tire does not have a manufactures defect, you cannot guarantee that next pothole will not damage your tire leading to a blowout, you can not always navigate around road debris, and on and on.
It’s risk management folks that’s it. It’s no different than life insurance or health insurance, something that those who argue against Retrobands I sure they have. I have them on my coach and it gives me peace of mind. I also have Skymed, life and health insurance none of which is a waste of resources as it protects my biggest investment…. my family.

 

[Richpatty]

Here is what I consider to be a flaw in the logic that they are not worth the cost: regardless of how new your steer tires are, how you have a tpms, how you check your tire pressures every morning, how you cover your tires, how you always drive with both hands on the wheel and every other argument you can think of…, you cannot be sure that your new tire does not have a manufactures defect, you cannot guarantee that next pothole will not damage your tire leading to a blowout, you can not always navigate around road debris, and on and on.
It’s risk management folks that’s it. It’s no different than life insurance or health insurance, something that those who argue against Retrobands I sure they have. I have them on my coach and it gives me peace of mind. I also have Skymed, life and health insurance none of which is a waste of resources as it protects my biggest investment…. my family.

I 100% agree. I take many steps to take care of my tires including 303 UV coating, parking on rubber matts, covering them when parked, driving them every 30 days and keep my speed down, but I still arrived home with a bubble in my tire which could have easily resulted in a blowout and severe damage or worse.

I see Rettrobands as insurance against the almost inevitable tire issue…

 

[Joe Hogan]

Being a retired “Risk Manager”, I’ve come to terms with reducing risk where possible.
I am installing Retroband on the new DSDP as I was able to negotiate them to be added to the RV at our negotiated price of the new coach.
Over the trips we made over the last 4.3 years of ownership of the last coach, there were times it would have been very difficult to manage a tire problem without significant damage and potential injury.
One time taking the main road north out of Sedona, not a smart move on my part, a blowout would have been catastrophic.
So I am happy to have them on the RV.

 

[Jim]

I have them and I feel good about it.

I live in the mountains, so I drive a lot in the mountains. I love my 1,950 foot lbs. of torque, and even more, my engine brakes.

It's common for me to be in the middle of a long line of truckers running 3 mph slower than what I want to travel. I am unable to pass them until they start up the next incline, but when they do, I put the hammer down.

They are slowing down as we go up the mountain and I'm accelerating at max speed. I start to pass them one-by-one, and I'm neck and neck with the lead truck when we crest the top of the mountain.

I'm hauling the mail, but I know I have to continue the gain to stay ahead of the lead truck as we start down the other side. If I don't, I'll have to decelerate to let them all by, and take my place at the rear of the group.

And it's at this time when I wonder what kind of mess I'm going to make when my 55K lb. RV crashes and disintegrates on the way down the hill.

So while my mind is calculating a million scenarios per second, I gather a bit of comfort knowing that a blowout on the front has been thoroughly thought through and that I stand a reasonable chance of survival if I lose a tire.

But that's just me.

 

[Stuart W]

Neal, add in that not all tire shops are equipped to service wheels and tires that have bands installed.

 

[Neemer]

I have them and I feel good about it.

I live in the mountains, so I drive a lot in the mountains. I love my 1,950 foot lbs. of torque, and even more, my engine brakes.

It's common for me to be in the middle of a long line of truckers running 3 mph slower than what I want to travel. I am unable to pass them until they start up the next incline, but when they do, I put the hammer down.

They are slowing down as we go up the mountain and I'm accelerating at max speed. I start to pass them one-by-one, and I'm neck and neck with the lead truck when we crest the top of the mountain.

I'm hauling the mail, but I know I have to continue the gain to stay ahead of the lead truck as we start down the other side. If I don't, I'll have to decelerate to let them all by, and take my place at the rear of the group.

And it's at this time when I wonder what kind of mess I'm going to make when my 55K lb. RV crashes and disintegrates on the way down the hill.

So while my mind is calculating a million scenarios per second, I gather a bit of comfort knowing that a blowout on the front has been thoroughly thought through and that I stand a reasonable chance of survival if I lose a tire.

But that's just me.

I just drove through KY, WV, and western VA. I had the exact same thoughts. There are places, hundreds of them, that if a blowout occurred, it could plunge you to certain death if you departed asphalt. It is comforting to know you have a fighting chance to keep the greasy side down and over asphalt.

 

[bowpulpit]

Neal, add in that not all tire shops are equipped to service wheels and tires that have bands installed.

True….. but if a blow out occurs any tire shop can remove the Retrobands and put on a new tire toget you to the next NIRVC location for a new re-install. This a downside that IMHO doesn’t even come close to all the upsides of having Retrobands.

 

[osuallen]

True….. but if a blow out occurs any tire shop can remove the Retrobands and put on a new tire toget you to the next NIRVC location for a new re-install. This a downside that IMHO doesn’t even come close to all the upsides of having Retrobands.

Disassembly is pretty straightforward. Also NIRVC gives you an instruction sheet to give to the tire guy if needed.

 

[Richpatty]

Disassembly is pretty straightforward. Also NIRVC gives you an instruction sheet to give to the tire guy if needed.

Good to know as I will have them installed in a month….

 

[osuallen]

Good to know as I will have them installed in a month….

If they forget, just remind them.