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Regular
Location: Lavallette, NJ 08735 | Hello All, new to the forum, and new owner of all original 1973 FMC #75. First matter at hand is tires. I was told that originals no longer exist, but when searched, I see them on the net. Am I missing something? Is it possible that original tire is completely encapsulated, so as to not be open to rim (I have extra wheels, that kind of look like that may be the case)? Is this what I should be looking for? And what I will not find? Thanks much for any info! I'm going to try to upload a couple of pics of the coach to the site if I can. I just saw the thread about the apparently ongoing rally; happy camping! With any luck, me and mine will be at the next one! | |
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Expert
 
Location: Cottage Grove, OR | First, I would like to welcome you to FMC ownership and to this forum. When you get a chance, let us know your coach number and where you are located. There are rallies in various areas of the country so there will be one coming closer to you. As to tires, first we need to know the wheel size which, based on your question, I am assuming is 17.0 inches. If that is true there are two sources of tires that I know of. The first is Michelin. That is the radial tire that the coach came with and they still make the tire today. The second source that I know of is Universal Tire. They make a bias ply tire in the original size and weight rating. Their tire is about one half the cost of the Michelins, but do ride stiffer due to being a bias ply tire vs a radial ply tire. Here the link to the Universal tire: https://www.universaltire.com/750-17-sta-super-transport.html . Here is the link to the Michelin tire. It is their XCA tire: http://www.michelinrvtires.com/michelinrv/tires-retreads/tireInfo.do?tread=XCA . I am not sure what you mean by the tire being "encapsulated". If you have the 17.0 inch wheels, they are a split ring wheel and do require a tube and liner. Yours should still be good. To have those changed you will need to go to a truck tire place and not an automotive tire place as the truck tire places have the proper safety equipment to change those tires. Again, welcome to FMC ownership and join us on the road, | |
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Regular
Location: Lavallette, NJ 08735 | Thank You for the warm welcome, and info. Yes, they are 17s.; and split ring. One of the extra wheels has no tire on it, but does have a rubber "wrap" around the inside of the rim; perhaps that is the liner you are referring to? I assumed that tire had to be sealed all around, because the rims actually have quite a large hole that would make it impossible to hold air, nor accomidate a tube under the required pressure. At any rate, the existing tires do hold air, so I assume that is why you say my tubes and liners are still good. I just want to be sure that prior to buying 6 tires, I'm not buying 6 large mosquito breeding habitats. By the way, my coach is #00075, and is located in New Jersey. It runs and drives (kind of like a thrill ride at the amusement park!), all original, including the horribly awesome 1973 interior. I plan on keeping it original, with perhaps a few minor upgrades. I posted a picture of it in the photos section, and will post more when there is time. I'll try to get one of the interior on now. Thanks again, and look forward to seeing you on the road! Robert | |
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Regular
Location: Lavallette, NJ 08735 | I am getting ready to order the tires from universal tire. Anyone know of any reason that I should not, before I drop $1250.? Salesman says they are fine for split rings. Thanks, Robert. | |
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Regular
Location: Lavallette, NJ 08735 | I am getting ready to order the tires from universal tire. Anyone know of any reason that I should not, before I drop $1250.? Salesman says they are fine for split rings. Thanks, Robert. | |
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Location: Lavallette, NJ 08735 | Oh, and does anyone have a place in NJ that they would recommend to have tires changed? | |
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Location: Lavallette, NJ 08735 | Thanks, BigRabbitMan. New tires are now installed, and one less thing to worry about. Evidently not too many tire guys out there willing to work on the original rims with the split rings. Guy I found hadn't done any in 7 years! | |
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Expert
Location: Cottage Grove, OR | Yes, usually at this point in time only those that do truck tires have the knowledge and equipment to do the split ring tires. Glad that you are now "free to move around" again. That will make everything better. | |
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1973 Original Tires