Purchasing tires at WalMart...

[Vern]

I had my first ever OEM (Trail Express Load Range C) tire blowout on my Windjammer last week. The blowout occurred along a divided highway about 80 miles into a 290 mile trip. My TireTraker TPMS did not register any tire pressure or temperature issues in advance of the blowout, which was a sudden catastrophic sidewall failure. In fact, the sudden failure actually destroyed the sensor on the tire, and the folks in customer service at TireTraker promptly replaced that one for me when I called. Fortunately, a fellow traveler pulled alongside to waive us over before the tire could actually come apart and damage the TT. I had a spare with air and Good Sam Roadside Assistance took prompt action when called, and we were back on the road in an hour with no damage.

I'm happy to have been able to get 3 1/2 summers and about 7100 miles out of my OEM tires. I picked up a Goodyear Marathon Load Range D replacement for the blown tire at a WalMart while on the road, and made it back home with the four remaining OEM tires. Now I am arranging to get those four tires replaced before my next trip. A local WalMart has the Marathons in stock. Here's my question...

The tire shop at WalMart indicates it has the capacity (overhead door and bay size) to accommodate my TT and change the tires. I like that idea, as I expected I'd have to change them a tire or two at a time at home and carry them to WalMart for purchase and mounting of the replacements. I can do this safely at home using a simple TrailerAid with a board under it. My only concern is whether the tire shop at WalMart would have the appropriate means of jacking up my rig (and be possessed of the understanding required to take care to not mess up either my torsion axles or the TT frame, etc.). Does anyone have thoughts or advice about letting the tire shop do the work? I was planning to do it myself, but if I'm just being overprotective or anal about the risk of a tire shop damaging my TT, I would be just as happy letting WalMart do it.

[KMP44]

I had to order the tires I wanted, so I talked to the tire shop first. Told them it had torsion axles and they needed to jack it on the frame. No problem - they used a bottle jack to fit the tight spot between the axles. I also asked if they normally balance trailer tires - answer was no. So I asked if they would balance mine and they said no problem. Also asked for metal bolt in stems, and they also said no problem. Once I was satisfied they would do everything I wanted, I had them order the tires.


So, I think if you just verify ahead of time that they will do what you want and then you "remind" the tech who is actually doing the work when you take it down, it should be fine whether its Wal-Mart or a tire shop.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Vern

I had my first ever OEM (Trail Express Load Range C) tire blowout on my Windjammer last week. The blowout occurred along a divided highway about 80 miles into a 290 mile trip. My TireTraker TPMS did not register any tire pressure or temperature issues in advance of the blowout, which was a sudden catastrophic sidewall failure. In fact, the sudden failure actually destroyed the sensor on the tire, and the folks in customer service at TireTraker promptly replaced that one for me when I called. Fortunately, a fellow traveler pulled alongside to waive us over before the tire could actually come apart and damage the TT. I had a spare with air and Good Sam Roadside Assistance took prompt action when called, and we were back on the road in an hour with no damage.

I'm happy to have been able to get 3 1/2 summers and about 7100 miles out of my OEM tires. I picked up a Goodyear Marathon Load Range D replacement for the blown tire at a WalMart while on the road, and made it back home with the four remaining OEM tires. Now I am arranging to get those four tires replaced before my next trip. A local WalMart has the Marathons in stock. Here's my question...

The tire shop at WalMart indicates it has the capacity (overhead door and bay size) to accommodate my TT and change the tires. I like that idea, as I expected I'd have to change them a tire or two at a time at home and carry them to WalMart for purchase and mounting of the replacements. I can do this safely at home using a simple TrailerAid with a board under it. My only concern is whether the tire shop at WalMart would have the appropriate means of jacking up my rig (and be possessed of the understanding required to take care to not mess up either my torsion axles or the TT frame, etc.). Does anyone have thoughts or advice about letting the tire shop do the work? I was planning to do it myself, but if I'm just being overprotective or anal about the risk of a tire shop damaging my TT, I would be just as happy letting WalMart do it.

Lee, did Wal-Mart tell you they would expressly change the tires out on your travel trailer? The reason I'm asking, is back when I had a service contract with our local stores years ago, they wouldn't. You had to bring the tire/wheels into them already off the trailer...... as they wouldn't jack up TT's. I am also familiar with the bays on seven of our local stores, none of which would easily accommodate a TT going in them, as it would have to be backed in (no pull thru unless in the oil change part and would be an extreme liability issue backing something in). Things are always changing, so this may no longer be the case.

[clr]

I would look up the jacking recommendations for your unit and ensure that Walmart knows where to jack up the unit correctly. When told were to jack the unit I would think that Walmart would be able to change the tires with no problem. On my unit the owners manual gives no guidance on where to jack the unit nor does the manual for the Dextel axle. The LCI manual says to jack the frame but with a wood box being placed on the frame between the jack and the unit. I have never seen anyone jack a trailer in that manner but that is what LCI recommends.

[rsdata]

have a conversation with tire mgr at Walmart, and then stick around to keep an eye on things... I have found that Walmart actually does a pretty good job changing tires and has strict rules about what they will and will not do

[kdot]

I think you answered your own question. If I had any concerns about Walmart doing this procedure and could do it myself at home, I'd do it. Period.

Kent

[Vern]

wmtire - I know, that's exactly what I thought, too, and expected to be required to do this shuttling tires from home. However, they specifically stated they could do it...I will just have to visit first to look it over and talk to the Tire Mgr. Believe me, I'm not for backing it their bays for sure (nor would I let them). If no pull thru or otherwise uncomfortable with the facility, I will just hand deliver my rims two at a time. Thanks for the comment.

[Vern]

kdot - Not really. I don't have any reason to doubt WalMart, but simply wanted the feedback from those on the forum. What we do here is try to learn from each other's mistakes and experiences as we make the smartest decisions we can, knowing nothing is ever really certain.

[Vern]

kmp44, clr and rsdata - your comments are right on...there is some supervision required on my end to avoid something getting goofed up...the question becomes whether it is worth it...I'm leaning toward just removing the wheels here at my own pace and then taking them down to the store for purchase and mounting two at a time

Thanks everybody!

[Happy Vibe]

Do you know someone you could borrow some jack stands from so you could put the trailer on them and take all the tires at once?

[youroo]

I made a (Heavy Duty Step Ramp) with 2x10 wood which I took to the (Tire Shop)! I pull up the Ramp and they change (1) Tire at a time,(EVERYBODY is SAFE) and no Damage to the RV! I have Posted a Open Offer to let any Members use this Ramp,and Several Have! This (ELIMANATES) any Safety or Axle/Frame Damage! Youroo!!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Happy Vibe

Do you know someone you could borrow some jack stands from so you could put the trailer on them and take all the tires at once?

That is a LOT of trailer to (JACK UP) and Remove (2) Tires at one time! For (Safety) jacking and placing (cribbage/jack stands) is a issue as well as you should be hooked to the TV with the A frame jack retracted! Then you will need another TV to take the (2) tires for replacement! Youroo!!

[clr]

I would not worry to much about the size of the bays at walmat. Most of my tire replacements were done outside the building and they just dragged the jack and air line out to the camper. Of course 29 years of my experience was in the south and working outside is much more common in the south.

[Flybob]

Be sure to check the DOT date codes on the tires before they mount them. Warehouses will generally ship older tires if they have them and you don't check. I have always given my tire dealers an acceptable window when I ordered the tires. You don't want to start out with a 2yr old tire. I have always taken my tires two at a time to the dealers. An extra trip, but much safer,

[dieselguy]

Most Wally Worlds in my neck of the woods are hard pressed to put in the right amount of oil and remember to tighten the drain plug during an oil change ... you're thinking of letting them jack up your trailer and swap tires ................................ I can hear the "rattle guns" tightening up the lug nuts already.

[Papa GLS]

I agree with Flybob. Check the mfg. date stamped on sidewall. You will be surprised at how old some new tires really are. A little extra work to remove wheels & tires yourself, but at least you know you are doing it right.

[KMP44]

Originally Posted by Vern

Believe me, I'm not for backing it their bays for sure (nor would I let them).

I had the same debate before replacing our tires - take the rims down 2 at a time or just take the trailer down. Ended up working out nicely just taking the trailer down. The shop was plenty big enough to back the trailer in, but they just did it outside. Saved time and left the tv hooked up, plus gave me the perfect opportunity to "supervise." Was in and out in 45 minutes.

[Bob Vaughn]

Are you aware that the Marathons are now China Bombs? I had to replace 2 before I figured it out.

[itat]

Great discussion here. What method does FR, or Dexter or the frame manufacturer recommend for jacking a TT with torsion axles to replace tires?

[Goat Man]

Walmart must have changed their rules. Last fall we met another couple at a campground in Kentucky. We traveled with them to Niagara Falls. He blew two tires on the way. This was on Sunday,so he went to Walmart. They would mount them on the wheel, but he had to put them on the trailer. This was at two different Walmarts.