Question Rettroband - are they worth it?

[Richpatty]

I am pretty sure that the price of the Rettrobands includes removing the tires, putting the Rettroband on and putting the tires back on. Or am I missing what you are asking?

 

[bowpulpit]

So how does that work? I get a discount price through FMC and have my tires installed. Then I go to NIRVC and have them take the tires back off, mount the devise, and remount my tires. Pretty sure they're not going to do that for nothing.

See Rich, the problem here is that I've already taken it in the rear from the wonderful owner of NIRVC. (Story to be broadcast soon) so I have -0- belief that NIRVC has my best interests in mind.

I thought this discussion was about the merits of steer tire blowout protection.

 

[bowpulpit]

I am pretty sure that the price of the Rettrobands includes removing the tires, putting the Rettroband on and putting the tires back on. Or am I missing what you are asking?

It does

 

[Jim]

I am pretty sure that the price of the Rettrobands includes removing the tires, putting the Rettroband on and putting the tires back on. Or am I missing what you are asking?

But I already own the Rettrobands, Rich, they're currently installed on my coach.

I'm getting ready to buy new tires through a FMC discount provider. So after the new tires are installed, what do I do? Drive 130 miles to the nearest NIRVC, drop off my coach and go home. Wait until they get time to work on my coach, and when my lucky number comes up, I get to pay them to remove my already mounted/balanced tires, install the Rettrobands, and then reinstall my tires?

And then I get to drive another 130 miles (both ways) to pick up my coach. That's 260 miles each time, total of 520 miles and a bunch of money paid to NIRVC? That doesn't appeal to me.

And at the end of the day, NIRVC subs out the tire removal/install anyway. Or at least, that's what they told me earlier in the year.

 

[Richpatty]

Yea...I suspect that is what will need to be done. I am having my 2 new tires shipped there and the Rettrobands will be installed with my new tires. And I suspect I will have to repeat the process when I replace the tires again (5-7 years)...

 

[Jim]

I thought this discussion was about the merits of steer tire blowout protection.

I believe you are correct sir. And everything else that goes along with the purchase, installation, maintenance and costs that go along with the product that is being referenced.

 

[Jim]

Yea...I suspect that is what will need to be done. I am having my 2 new tires shipped there and the Rettrobands will be installed with my new tires. And I suspect I will have to repeat the process when I replace the tires again (5-7 years)...

Again, it doesn't take long to see the benefit to NIRVC on that deal.

 

[Jim]

I'm not arguing the benefit of having the Rettrobands guys, I'm just not a fan of NIRVC. At the end of the day, if you have a blow out and the product saves your family, you're probably not going to complain about the process, who has to install them, or what they cost.

 

[Joe Hogan]

NIRVC had a problem with shops installing the Rettrobands incorrectly early on which caused some failures of the V1 units. After that experience, causing a redesign to V2. NIRVC, in an effort to improve Quality Control, required installation of the V2 to be done at their shops.

Some of the V1 failures also happened to be installed by NIRVC shops. The President wants to not only insure the installation is done correctly, but has made an significant effort to train all their locations on the proper installation techniques.

NIRVC owns the design and the liability. Their reputation is on the line with this product. News of One major accident with Rettrobands installed will travel the Net quickly and doom, what in my opinion, a very useful safety product.

 

[Neal]

Anyone seen a video of how they are installed? I'd love to see an installation and what's involved. Were the v1 failures install errors or product defects? We won't really know. I can't imagine it's that hard. People build RV's, cars, airplanes, houses, whatever. They can probably install something like a rettroband. So again, show me the process, educate us.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Installation starts around 9:00 minutes in. RettroBand® |

 

[bowpulpit]

Anyone seen a video of how they are installed? I'd love to see an installation and what's involved. Were the v1 failures install errors or product defects? We won't really know. I can't imagine it's that hard. People build RV's, cars, airplanes, houses, whatever. They can probably install something like a rettroband. So again, show me the process, educate us.

There is a 20 minute or so video on YouTube where towards the end they have a NIRVC technician install Rettrobands. Very informative.

 

[Richpatty]

NIRVC had a problem with shops installing the Rettrobands incorrectly early on which caused some failures of the V1 units. After that experience, causing a redesign to V2. NIRVC, in an effort to improve Quality Control, required installation of the V2 to be done at their shops.

Some of the V1 failures also happened to be installed by NIRVC shops. The President wants to not only insure the installation is done correctly, but has made an significant effort to train all their locations on the proper installation techniques.

NIRVC owns the design and the liability. Their reputation is on the line with this product. News of One major accident with Rettrobands installed will travel the Net quickly and doom, what in my opinion, a very useful safety product.

And more to this point, I found this quote from Brett Davis that was in an article by the RVGeeks when he was asked what to do when you you need to replace the tire due to blowout or otherwise…and why he requires folks to come to his locations for reinstallation:

“At this point we’ve had a few dozen Rettroband customers who have had blowouts. No customer has ever had any difficulty in removing the Rettroband. Remember, the tire is shot. No mechanic has had a problem turning the two 3/8” nuts counterclockwise to loosen the Rettroband, and then remove it. Unfortunately, they will have to come to an NIRVC to have the reinstall done. The reason for this is, we guarantee the product for life. We want to know about every blowout, and replace the old band and gearboxes with brand new ones, simply because we don’t know if the integrity was compromised at all during the blowout and subsequent driving. I’d rather be safe than sorry. We’ve tested, plus had dozens of blowouts at this point, and the product works as advertised. However, we have never tested the reuse of a Rettroband after it has been through a blowout. I never saw the point, because every blowout is different. Reusing a Rettroband after a particularly bad blowout seemed too risky to me.”

 

[sheridany]

They had a video back in the beginning where you could watch them do the install. That video has since been removed.

 

[RKins]

Installation starts around 9:00 minutes in. RettroBand® |

Seems they took the video down?

 

[RKins]

Impact guns. I think I remember reading that people were installing the bands with impact guns (nobody installs stuff without one today) and were over torquing which did something to the bands - even their own people were using the impact guns and ruined some.

 

[bowpulpit]

Seems they took the video down?

The video is available. Click on Joe Rogans link above. The install is 9 minutes in.

 

[Neal]

At this point we’ve had a few dozen Rettroband customers who have had blowouts.

Well, we've all wondered if there have been any blowouts using RettroBands (v2). Is there a gallery somewhere showing the customers' RV so we can see the success stories? Yeah, I've seen the controlled test with Brett driving an Entegra. Let's see the others.

Unfortunately, they will have to come to an NIRVC to have the reinstall done. The reason for this is, we guarantee the product for life. We want to know about every blowout, and replace the old band and gearboxes with brand new ones, simply because we don’t know if the integrity was compromised at all during the blowout and subsequent driving

Simple resolution: Send us your used RettroBand and we'll send you a replacement at no charge.

 

[Joe Hogan]

I’ve searched for Rettroband experience and was able to find one on video. Clearly there have been others according to statements by NIRVC.
here is one

Motorhome Front Tire Blowout | RV Texas Yall

One of the biggest fears of RV owners happened to us... one of our Class A motorhome's front steer tires had a sidewall blowout. Here's what happened.

rvtexasyall.com

 

[turbopilot]

I am going to put it on my new NA. Run flat technology really is a no brainer for the steer wheels in this application.