Replacing HP Metal Vavle Stems

[pcm1959]

l'll be getting new tires soon. The originals were installed when the RV was new late 2013 so I suspect the hp metal valve stems should be replaced, too. I run 17.5 tires that have a max of 125psi and I know its important to have the proper stems.
Discount Tire is mentioned here often so I wanted to ask those of you with experience with Discount if they will have these high pressure bolt-in stems? Also, mine came with longer ones and I'd like to get some that are shorter. Thanks

[RAS43]

I found the short metal valve stems at NAPA, I bet other auto parts stores also have them.

[Gib3633]

15 & 16 inch they can handle on car & light truck tire machine. 17.5 are basically a small transport tire and rim. The screw in valves are the same as a transport . I found the shorter stems at a steam show in Portland Indiana. It is a bit hard to find just the seals as they prefer to sell new stem with the new seal on it. The long five inch ones are quite easy to come by but the short ones not as popular. I'm thinking the ones that came on my DRV were 2 inch and the ones I picked up in Portland were 1 1/2 which I prefer to add tire pressure monitoring sensors The seals don't need changing until they leak and if they start it will be a very slow leak.

[pcm1959]

I found a locally owned heavy truck and equipment shop to install my new 17.5 tires who also had a selection of metal, screw-in valve stems.
Anyone in St. Augustine, FL, who needs heavy-duty tire service including class-a, I'd highly recommend Rays Commercial Tire Center.
Its a shame that the Discount Tire Store didn't know to recommend this place. Instead they referred me to a place an hour away in Jacksonville, FL. I guess that is who they farm-out their installations for heavy-duty including the GY G114.

[bobsallyh]

LS isn't what it used to be.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Complete insult to Discount Tire to even mention them in the same sentence as LS.

Visit a couple of them here ,then decide if its an insult , or maybe go to some that have mentioned on this thread. I would be so bold as to say Les Schwab could handle 17.5 :B

[Cummins12V98]

Complete insult to Discount Tire to even mention them in the same sentence as LS.

[cummins2014]

pcm1959 wrote:
As far as Discount Tire, they will not touch a 17.5 rim at my local store and the rep said they won't in my area....period. I questioned the fact they sell GY114 tires and he said, "yep, but don't install them". He said they will not install any tire that takes more than 90 psi....period. Very nice about it but very definitive.

Lots of reputable tire dealers out there. I deal with one here, 110 psi is no problem , G or H rated tires are not an issue. Discount tires are just like Les Schhwab, got the good ones ,and the bad ones, and it sure does not matter who walks thru the door .

[Michelle_S]

Yep, ran into the same problem, typical Tire Stores won't mount or dismount the 17.5" H tires, had to go to a Commercial Tire Dealer that handled Heavy Duty Truck tires.

[pcm1959]

As far as Discount Tire, they will not touch a 17.5 rim at my local store and the rep said they won't in my area....period. I questioned the fact they sell GY114 tires and he said, "yep, but don't install them". He said they will not install any tire that takes more than 90 psi....period. Very nice about it but very definitive.

[bobsallyh]

Bucky, that is one of the things I always liked about Discount Tires, no suspension work. Sell tires and wheels only. Let other outfits take care of the suspension work, then Discount doesn't get involved in the peeing contest of what is needed or not needed. Big O has a history of giving folks a laundry list of all the stuff they want to throw at the vehicle, especially since they are on a commission deal. Who was the original starter of Discount Tire headquartered based in Phoenix, AZ.?
And what I have found with Discount Tire is I'll go online and get an "out the door price". Price is good for 30 days. Wait about 25-28 days later and make the same request and the tires drop in price.

[Cummins12V98]

Must have something to do with who walks in the door, I paid $1,278 at Discount in Burlington, WA including .086% tx for a set of 6 MS2 Michelins on my DRW RAM in 2015.

[pcm1959]

I wouldn't mind pre-purchasing my own stems to make sure I get good quality, however, I don't know about the fitment for the Hi-Spec aluminum wheels on my rig. Nothing on the Hi-Spec web site either.

[bucky]

Agree on the no discount tire. Since the founder passed away it's a whole different ballgame when you go in.
The prices are higher and the availability in stock has gone way down.
They still have bright clean facilities and well trained staff so I tend to use them anyway. I would like to see them offer alignments.

[cummins2014]

pcm1959 wrote:
I don't want to jinx myself by saying this but I have never had a tire failure in my 15 years of towables. First fiver (4 years) had BF Goodrich Commercial T/A tires.
The Cameo (18months) had G614 tires.
The Lifestyle has from the factory (was 6 years in Feb 2020) G114 tires.
So I sure don't want to have new tires installed and then have a stem failure due to rubber age, etc., or take a chance on the wrong ones being installed.

Were you ever able to get the tires you wanted ?? As far as steel valve stems, anyone I have dealt with has had them . Never been a fan of Discount tires, the problem there with them I have never seen the discount part :B

Big O used to be pretty decent, but just depends on the store. I am sure discount is the same way, find a good one, and then hope the management doesn't change.