Goodyear G159's

[bdub]

We finally found and bought our dream GMC motorhome. It's a '76 Palm Beach
and is in great mechanical condition from what I can tell so far. I'm even
starting to like the louvered cabinets!

The 8.75x16.5 goodyear Tracker (Load Range D) rear tires have about 5,000
miles on them. On the 250 mile trip home with it the left rear tire blew
out damaging the center panel. Just my luck. We (previous owner and I)
neglected to be sure there was a lug wrench left in it when he took out his
belongings. There wasn't. Took 3 hours to get back under way after
driving 75 miles to borrow tools 10:30 at night. That won't happen again!

I mentioned to my wife that it probably wouldn't have happened if they'd
been the Load Range E tires. Now shs says "I ain't goin nowhere in that
thang til you get the right tires on it!" Well, I might've spoke too soon.
I can't find any G159 8.75x16.5 E anywhere. One place told me that even
if we waited the 2 years that they are backordered they would cost me over
$200 each.

Do any of ya'll have a source for these tires?

On another note, the owner was showing me the specs on the all wheel
alignment he'd had done. The toe in is set at 0. Now, the wind was
blowing quite a bit harder than normal the night we drove it home and that
might be all it was but it seems to wander around the road with me.

What do ya'll know about toe in angles on your front end alignments and
does your coach seem to wander or drive straight and true with little effort?

I'll put some pictures of our GMC on my web site as soon as I get a chance.
I'm proud as a peach of it.

Gotta try out my new sig.

********************************************************************
bdub Billy Massey
Life in th' Slow Lane bmassey
Lake Brownwood, Texas http://www.web-access.net/~bmassey/
--'76 Palm Beach-- http://wwp.mirabilis.com/202333
********************************************************************

 

[bdub]

>
>> I can't find any G159 8.75x16.5 E anywhere. One place told me that even
>> if we waited the 2 years that they are backordered they would cost me over
>> $200 each.
>Billy,
> If I may suggest, last summer I got Bridgestone R265 all-weather tires for
>the rears, and M273 mud/snow rated for the front. The R265s were in stock at
>my Denver Bridgestone dealer, the M773s took a week or so to order. I got
>9.50R16.5s for $127 each, 8.75s should be less. Just my .02.

Might you be talking about the R260s? I can't find R265s in 8.75x16.5.

R260 http://www.trucktires.com/glamourpages/BSR220+.htm

R265 http://www.trucktires.com/glamourpages/BS%20R230+.htm

I think I get the picture though. Goal is to get a quality steel belted
radial tire, rated at 10 ply/load range E. From what I've found in my
first day's search, I'm gonna have to settle for a tire without the steel
sidewall which might be better since word is that they provide a smoother
ride. Firestone/Bridgestone dealer here just quoted me $155 per tire
(260s). Guess I'm gonna have to go to Fort Worth to get a deal.

Thanks for your advise


********************************************************************
bdub Billy Massey
Life in th' Slow Lane bmassey
Lake Brownwood, Texas http://www.web-access.net/~bmassey/
--'76 Palm Beach-- http://wwp.mirabilis.com/202333
********************************************************************

 

[chuck will]

Hi Bill, this is Chuck. I paid about 1000.00 for six Michelins here in Ca. That
included mounting and balancing. I do get a military discount but that is not a
great amount. I kept my 7th Michelin that was still in pretty good shape for the
Spare. I still rotate the 7 tire rotation. Chuck

> >
> >> I can't find any G159 8.75x16.5 E anywhere. One place told me that even
> >> if we waited the 2 years that they are backordered they would cost me over
> >> $200 each.
> >Billy,
> > If I may suggest, last summer I got Bridgestone R265 all-weather tires for
> >the rears, and M273 mud/snow rated for the front. The R265s were in stock at
> >my Denver Bridgestone dealer, the M773s took a week or so to order. I got
> >9.50R16.5s for $127 each, 8.75s should be less. Just my .02.
>
> Might you be talking about the R260s? I can't find R265s in 8.75x16.5.
>
> R260 http://www.trucktires.com/glamourpages/BSR220+.htm
>
> R265 http://www.trucktires.com/glamourpages/BS%20R230+.htm
>
> I think I get the picture though. Goal is to get a quality steel belted
> radial tire, rated at 10 ply/load range E. From what I've found in my
> first day's search, I'm gonna have to settle for a tire without the steel
> sidewall which might be better since word is that they provide a smoother
> ride. Firestone/Bridgestone dealer here just quoted me $155 per tire
> (260s). Guess I'm gonna have to go to Fort Worth to get a deal.
>
> Thanks for your advise
>
> ********************************************************************
> bdub Billy Massey
> Life in th' Slow Lane bmassey
> Lake Brownwood, Texas http://www.web-access.net/~bmassey/
> --'76 Palm Beach-- http://wwp.mirabilis.com/202333
> ********************************************************************

 

[bartz paul]

Billy:

At the recent GMCMI Marion Rally, Chuck Stoddard mentioned in his
seminar that he recommends castor 04 3 deg; camber of 0 -1/2 +; and tow
of + 1/8.

Paul Bartz

From: Billy Massey [mailto:bmassey]
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 1998 4:23 PM
Subject: GMC: Goodyear G159's

On another note, the owner was showing me the specs on the all wheel
alignment he'd had done. The toe in is set at 0. Now, the wind was
blowing quite a bit harder than normal the night we drove it home and
that might be all it was but it seems to wander around the road with me.

What do ya'll know about toe in angles on your front end alignments and
does your coach seem to wander or drive straight and true with little
effort?

 

[bdub]

>Billy:
>
>At the recent GMCMI Marion Rally, Chuck Stoddard mentioned in his
>seminar that he recommends castor 04 3 deg; camber of 0 -1/2 +; and tow
>of + 1/8.

Thanks Paul. I'll check it out as soon as it dries up around here.