[VAC] Re: Cooper tires

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Bob, 

Over the years (40), I've used Goodyears, Carlisles and Coopers (ST radials
for trailers or 7.00x15 for light trucks) and kept them inflated to the
maximum. Never had a problem with any of them.  Always bought new ones at
the 5 year age mark - period.

On Airstreams with aluminum wheels, I retighten the lug nuts as soon as I
get home from the tire dealer and again after the first 100 miles. If one
lug nut has even a hint of not being as tight as the others, I tighten all
again and check all a third time after the next 100 miles.  If I'm feeling
compulsive, I may check them additional times.

I don't need a perfectly good tire coming loose and rolling down the street
alongside me. Nor do I need to scour the continent (again) for Airstream hub
studs just because the loose wheel buggered them before breaking off and
allowing my wheel to go for a stroll into a mucky swamp filled with
mosquitoes and snakes (it took three hours, 26 mosquito bites and 5 snake
scares before I found that #&%$#* stray wheel).

All our Airstreams are given a yearly workout (last year 15,000 miles on the
'77 31' and 6,000 miles on the '67 22').  The previous year, our '86 32'
Airstream piled up 11,000 miles. When I sold it last month, it had five new
tires on five aluminum wheels.

When it comes to buying new tires, I only buy them at a tire dealer I trust
and know will stand behind the warranty on his tires (and who used to give
our 5 year old daughter "Tootsie Rolls" when she came to his store with me).

Also, I always buy the type that will fit into the wheel well - if (when) -
I have to change it at the most inconvenient time and place that I can
imagine.  I "made" a two foot long by two inches wide "tire shoe horn" from
thin scrap lumber - just for the tight fitting wheel wells on our '67 22'.
The horn looks like a skinny  piece of kindling wood.

Second, I check the air pressure on each tire two days before I plan to
roll, no matter how often I roll in a month.  The sound I get when hitting
the tires with a baseball bat provides me with an accurate ball park
indication of air pressure (after 100 thumps for practice).  I even carry a
20 gallon air pressure tank in my truck as insurance when boondocking.
 
Third, I replace the tires every 5-6 years and start with a fresh team.

Fourth, I weigh our Airstream after it is fully loaded for the longest trip.
"A Weigh We Go" provides this service at many Airstream Rallies. I know my
weight safety margin and realize it shrinks in direct proportion to how fast
I tow the trailer and how hot my tires become.  I try to know where that
fine line is between safety and catastrophe.

Perhaps in the mind's of some folks, one or two of these suggestions are
overkill, foolish or wrong. So be it. It won't change my decision to
continue doing what has consistently worked for me.  I even adjust my
baseball cap before pitching a baseball.  <grin>

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@mac.com