What would you do ?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
What would you do ?
Ok,
loved my 2012 f250 with 20" michelins and only reason I traded when it got to 45k or so is to up the gvwr and a new f350 for the new rv.... Love my truck, BUT, the 350's 20" michelins are done @ 23k !!! out of round or band broken or something that showed up on the last rotation... they tried road force balance,but no better...
dealer says Michelin will give me a new set and prorate them @ 65%,
so I have to come up with $520 or so...
Told him that wasn't acceptable in that I had all my maintenance done with you, all at the right intervals, including rotations and you can tell me a reason for the issue...
I told him:
at this rate, I'm not sure I want Michelins if I am going to get 20K out of them and go talk to whomever and come back with a better offer...
I think these are the tires --> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....lar=Crew%20Cab
What's your opinion... not worth talking to my attorney, but not real happy over it...
loved my 2012 f250 with 20" michelins and only reason I traded when it got to 45k or so is to up the gvwr and a new f350 for the new rv.... Love my truck, BUT, the 350's 20" michelins are done @ 23k !!! out of round or band broken or something that showed up on the last rotation... they tried road force balance,but no better...
dealer says Michelin will give me a new set and prorate them @ 65%,
so I have to come up with $520 or so...
Told him that wasn't acceptable in that I had all my maintenance done with you, all at the right intervals, including rotations and you can tell me a reason for the issue...
I told him:
at this rate, I'm not sure I want Michelins if I am going to get 20K out of them and go talk to whomever and come back with a better offer...
I think these are the tires --> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....lar=Crew%20Cab
What's your opinion... not worth talking to my attorney, but not real happy over it...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 87
From: Olympic Peninsula
I would be bummed as well....
You have been a great customer for that dealer, they should take care of you if Ford/Michelin won't. I have been happy with my 18s and will have them also on my new F350. I will stick with them over the 20s due to price and how I use them in the Mtns and woods.
You could trade up to a new 2015, get the extra power, and the engine brake.... LOL...
I would continue to work up the chain till you get an acceptable solution.
Pat
You have been a great customer for that dealer, they should take care of you if Ford/Michelin won't. I have been happy with my 18s and will have them also on my new F350. I will stick with them over the 20s due to price and how I use them in the Mtns and woods.
You could trade up to a new 2015, get the extra power, and the engine brake.... LOL...
I would continue to work up the chain till you get an acceptable solution.
Pat
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,676
Likes: 913
From: Milford, MI
On quick glance it looks like they are comping you what you should have, but didn't get, out of your tires. I don't think personally your going to get a much sweeter deal. You appear to be an above average customer though, you might get something. Sucks, but tires do fail sometimes from stuff we don't even realize we did to them.
My only thought is Michelin does other brands (BFG comes to mind), see if they'll open up more choices to you that way.
My only thought is Michelin does other brands (BFG comes to mind), see if they'll open up more choices to you that way.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
I could have pursued replacement on my Michelins, but I really didn't want to be stuck with another set of those worthless tires. My brother got his replaced for free at 17k miles. They argued on the tread wear and he said well what about all all these cracks around the bead. Would you feel safe towing your 15k trailer with these tires. The dealer called him the next day and said that they put 4 new tires on it at 0 customer cost.
It sounds like your guy is working the Michelin angle on your tires. If you want full replacement, escalate it with Ford. It will really help your case if you can prove a safety issue rather than just tread wear. You are still covered under the 3/36 warranty so it should be doable.
It sounds like your guy is working the Michelin angle on your tires. If you want full replacement, escalate it with Ford. It will really help your case if you can prove a safety issue rather than just tread wear. You are still covered under the 3/36 warranty so it should be doable.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 10
From: TEXAS
You and others will not like my answer, but as the saying goes we all have our own opinions.
I have never felt that 20" low pro tires have a place on a truck that is going to be used for actual truck duties of use of carrying weight or towing.
To me there just isn't enough sidewall there to flex and compensate for a heavy load on the roads of todays current infrastructure (IE: our roads suck).
They are pretty to look at, they give a truck nice photographic appeal, but to me those benefits are not worth the cost of the tire over the 16" or 17" tire size.
For me, give me a properly rated tire, with a tread pattern designed for what use it will see. Then wrap some sidewall to it and lets hit the road.
As for the offer the dealership has put on the table, I would have to say that they are being fair. Of course I'm not the one writing the check out for the $520+ difference.
I have never felt that 20" low pro tires have a place on a truck that is going to be used for actual truck duties of use of carrying weight or towing.
To me there just isn't enough sidewall there to flex and compensate for a heavy load on the roads of todays current infrastructure (IE: our roads suck).
They are pretty to look at, they give a truck nice photographic appeal, but to me those benefits are not worth the cost of the tire over the 16" or 17" tire size.
For me, give me a properly rated tire, with a tread pattern designed for what use it will see. Then wrap some sidewall to it and lets hit the road.
As for the offer the dealership has put on the table, I would have to say that they are being fair. Of course I'm not the one writing the check out for the $520+ difference.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
I think you missed the biggest and only real benefit in my opinion......20" tires have a higher rating than the 18" tires. The spread is only a little over 100 lbs now, but a few years ago the only way to get a SRW (not SWR) truck with the max GVWR was with 20" tires. The funny thing is, the shorter sidewall is a lot stronger. Yes you give up some ride quality, but you gain a lot in the strength and durability department.
The cost of tires has skyrocketed in general and this is especially true for the 20" tires. Back in 06 everybody thought I was crazy to have the 20" wheels and all they could talk about was how expensive the tires must be. I put 4 new tires on that truck in early 09 for less than $600! Today at least in the OEM Michelin A/T2, the cost differential between the 18" and the 20" tire is less than 10%. You are looking at $300 plus per tire for these trucks regardless of size unless you go with an inferior tire.
The cost of tires has skyrocketed in general and this is especially true for the 20" tires. Back in 06 everybody thought I was crazy to have the 20" wheels and all they could talk about was how expensive the tires must be. I put 4 new tires on that truck in early 09 for less than $600! Today at least in the OEM Michelin A/T2, the cost differential between the 18" and the 20" tire is less than 10%. You are looking at $300 plus per tire for these trucks regardless of size unless you go with an inferior tire.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 10
From: TEXAS
I think you missed the biggest and only real benefit in my opinion......20" tires have a higher rating than the 18" tires. The spread is only a little over 100 lbs now, but a few years ago the only way to get a SRW (not SWR) truck with the max GVWR was with 20" tires. The funny thing is, the shorter sidewall is a lot stronger. Yes you give up some ride quality, but you gain a lot in the strength and durability department.
I can understand that the tire may be rated to carry a few pounds more per tire. My issue is that given some of the pot holes I have driven over due to the highway road conditions I would rather have the side wall height that allows for some added suspension/compression than have concerns of hitting one of these monster bottomless potholes causing a blowout and or causing rim damage in the process.
One thing I knew, but due to old age and cranial gas did miss and forgot to take into account is the single rear wheel axle on the OPs truck.
See, I'm a dually guy and keep forgetting that many owners use a SRW truck to haul large 5th wheel trailers.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Well, I know from my own experience that running near max GVWR will simply wear out tires faster and I'd think that is obvious. Lots more friction between tire and road.
I usually tow 10k or less and I run tire psi at 72 most of the time and have had good luck getting over 50k from a set of tires. It pays to rotate often as the rears will lose tread depth quickly and the front round over the edges fairly quickly.
I know you know all of this, but I post it just as my opinion.
If the tires don't make you comfy, just bite the bullet and get some Cooper A/T 3 tires. They're expensive but I've got over 60k on my current set and I think they'll last until November when I get the new truck.
Standing on principle with your tire warranty will only get you so far when your adversary doesn't agree with you. It's hard to get people to swallow their pride and do the right thing when they don't have a specific statement by their superiors to back them if there's an issue.
I usually tow 10k or less and I run tire psi at 72 most of the time and have had good luck getting over 50k from a set of tires. It pays to rotate often as the rears will lose tread depth quickly and the front round over the edges fairly quickly.
I know you know all of this, but I post it just as my opinion.
If the tires don't make you comfy, just bite the bullet and get some Cooper A/T 3 tires. They're expensive but I've got over 60k on my current set and I think they'll last until November when I get the new truck.
Standing on principle with your tire warranty will only get you so far when your adversary doesn't agree with you. It's hard to get people to swallow their pride and do the right thing when they don't have a specific statement by their superiors to back them if there's an issue.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 10
From: TEXAS
Just a thought, and thinking outside of the box at that. You Ford has a policy of matching competitor pricing on tires. So why not price shop the tires at say Discount Tire, then have the dealer match that price and then prorate then from that price? It should bring the price down I would guess by at least $100 or more.
If you can't beat them, play the game by their own rules, just choose and pick the rules you want to use.
If you can't beat them, play the game by their own rules, just choose and pick the rules you want to use.
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
I run near my rear axles max often. In fact, 50% of my miles on the truck are running that way. I too was wearing out my 18" Michelin tires (same as op's but the 18" version) at a quick pace. Decided to buy a set of 20" Platinum wheels and wasn't about to get the Michelin tires again. Not only did they not wear well, but the tread pattern was a lot closer to AS than AT. I went with the Goodyear Wrangler AT Adventure. Much better pattern and the number one reviewed tire in it's class on TireRack. So far VERY pleased but only time will tell. One thing I'm sure of is that I wouldn't buy the Michelin's again.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
Thanks for the responses... some good ammo here... keep 'em coming...
Yeah, I know it's probably something odd in that one tire has a 'slope' across the tire of 2 or 3/32 according to the dealer...
269 per @ discount or tirerack about $1270 out the door total *.35 = $445 out of pocket... so there's some room there...
I did look and they have a 6yr/ 60k mile warranty:
Treadlife Warranty: 6 Years / 60,000 Miles
Uniformity Warranty: 1 Year / first 2/32" of wear
Workmanship & Materials Warranty: 6 Years / Free replacement first year, 2/32" or 25% of wear, then prorated until 2/32" remaining depth
Manufacturer's Road Hazard Warranty: None
Manufacturer Special Warranty: 30-day satisfaction, 3-yr flat changing
will 'discuss' further options with them Monday... and keep the Michelin $70 rebate before 9-21 in my back pocket
Yeah, I know it's probably something odd in that one tire has a 'slope' across the tire of 2 or 3/32 according to the dealer...
269 per @ discount or tirerack about $1270 out the door total *.35 = $445 out of pocket... so there's some room there...
I did look and they have a 6yr/ 60k mile warranty:
Treadlife Warranty: 6 Years / 60,000 Miles
Uniformity Warranty: 1 Year / first 2/32" of wear
Workmanship & Materials Warranty: 6 Years / Free replacement first year, 2/32" or 25% of wear, then prorated until 2/32" remaining depth
Manufacturer's Road Hazard Warranty: None
Manufacturer Special Warranty: 30-day satisfaction, 3-yr flat changing
will 'discuss' further options with them Monday... and keep the Michelin $70 rebate before 9-21 in my back pocket
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
I have not had the best luck with Michelins and no one would ever pr-rate a replacement set. So far you are ahead of the game by a lot. Not that this is, in any way, an excuse for what happened to you.
Here is my rub - I wouldn't want to put the SAME tire back on and expect anything different than getting 20k miles out of them. If they will give you the pro-ration back and let you pick a different tire, that is what I would do preferably. However, you will pay less to put a new set of tires back on the truck on the same type/brand than you would any other... So it is a tough choice.
Sounds like you are working this out in your head though. Unfortunately my dry rotted/cracked tires were only covered for 3 years on the factory tires and were therefore, not warranted at all...
Here is my rub - I wouldn't want to put the SAME tire back on and expect anything different than getting 20k miles out of them. If they will give you the pro-ration back and let you pick a different tire, that is what I would do preferably. However, you will pay less to put a new set of tires back on the truck on the same type/brand than you would any other... So it is a tough choice.
Sounds like you are working this out in your head though. Unfortunately my dry rotted/cracked tires were only covered for 3 years on the factory tires and were therefore, not warranted at all...
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
I waited them out and they just called back and the easiest avenue for me is to let them do it...
the local dealer decided to split the difference so I told them to do it even though I still believe it was nothing I did or didn't do...
just will be more proactive on the rotations and now that I got rid of the fake rancho's shown below, hoping that will help...
will keep you posted on the future results...
the local dealer decided to split the difference so I told them to do it even though I still believe it was nothing I did or didn't do...
just will be more proactive on the rotations and now that I got rid of the fake rancho's shown below, hoping that will help...
will keep you posted on the future results...