Tire rotation for interstate

[Mansderm161]

Has anyone scheduled tire rotation, and if so with who? Mercedes? Truck service center? Airstream? Im heading to Jackson for service and called about tire rotation. At first he said you don't need to rotate. I said it's in the manual. He said that's the Mercedes manual and I said, no, it's in the Airstream manual. So he said, ok, we can probably do it? According to the manual, the rims may have to be removed and reinserted because they are only finished on one side? Should I replace rims too so its not so complicated?

[rmkrum]

Look at the inside dual rims. Some dual tire setups use a fancy polished aluminum wheel on the outside dual, and a matching steel wheel on the inside one.

The reason is the offset from the hub is too much if both wheels are aluminum. Aluminum wheels are made substantially thicker than steel wheels where they mount to the hub. The wheel studs on these setups are also deliberately designed to prevent the use of two aluminum wheels on a hub.

Unless Airstream's factory service center has the proper tools and equipment for mounting and unmounting tires, they may not be able to rotate them. Look around in the forums for better information...

[Pahaska]

The Mercedes service shop agreed with me to NOT rotate the tires. When necessary, I will replace the fronts. More damage can be done unmounting and remounting than there are benefits, let alone the cost.

I did have the front end aligned by Mercedes and the front tires road-force balanced at 20,000. I have 28,000 on the rig now and all tires look fine with little visual wear.

[Mansderm161]

Thanks. That sounds like the plan.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

The Mercedes service shop agreed with me to NOT rotate the tires. When necessary, I will replace the fronts. More damage can be done unmounting and remounting than there are benefits, let alone the cost.

JOHN - I agree. I have also spoken with my local MB dealership when I brought my sedan for service. IMHO For the way I use my vehicles, rotating tires on the dually Sprinter is not worth the potential hassle for me and big potential for ANY shop screwing things up, especially with the Borg Dually steel valve extensions. I do not anticipate wearing out my tires within the 5 yr. period that I normally consider my threshold before replacing (regardless of low or high mileage). I can live with the expense of replacing the fronts sooner than if diligently rotated. Besides rotating them would save only a little. Much rather dole out the cash every few 2-3 years, rather than get hit with one big bill for 6 tires every 4-5 years. This is same strategy I have been using for decades on my regular cars. Never had to pay for 4 tires all at once.

[Boxster1971]

I agree with John and Alex. I have never rotated my tires. Original Continentals replaced after 30,000 miles with two front worn on edges due to alignment issue. Had an inner dual go flat, didn't realize it for over 50 miles and overloaded outer tire. With four of seven tires shot and getting ready for trip to Alaska I bought Michelin tires and had front end aligned. Now 70,000 miles later all tires are wearing well with plenty of tread left.

[Titus]

70,000 on the Michelins - impressive! I got 35,000 out of the Continentals. Felt good about that because I got off to a rough start with outer wear on the front.