We're at Henderson's currently, KC.
Given the totality of the input here on the Forum, the fact that the Toyos seem to sit a tad higher giving us at least a little more clearance (especially evident that it's needed after pulling out of our driveway Tuesday and leaving a new groove in it 😤 ), they turned out to be a mix of date codes some as recent as August, they are a new version meant for motorhome's and not trucks, and were nearly $1500 cheaper than Michelins (at least 18+ months old), I ultimately chose Toyos. Henderson's don't sell those and didn't like their wear history, but admitted their experience wasn't with the more recent M144 Toyos like we got, but rather the older truck Toyo model.
I did register for the Michelin Advantage program before we left, because until we got to Bob Dickman's Les Schwab in Junction City, I still wasn't sure which brand I'd go with. Les Scwab did haul in some Michelins just in case, but they weren't needed. Henderson's tried but couldn't find the Michelins without shipping in from the East Coast, and they didn't think I wanted that cost. Schwab already had some in their warehouse or somewhere. I can say the Toyos ride about the same as the Goodyears, maybe a smidge stiffer, and handle a bit better, as Ed has mentioned here. I can see they bulge less at the bottom. The Toyos were $3324, but that's with newer style valve extender kits.
While parked afterward overnight in Schwab's lot, a gully washer pooled water on the roof and it found its way in via the solar cable hole. We came home at night to a lake on the galley floor, adjacent rugs, dinette, and rain out of the lights and AC ceiling ports mid-coach. Hard to see and work to find the darned leak source on the roof in the dark and rain, but I temporarily plugged what I could see with 30 year old Permatex stuff I had in the old Pace arrow. Thought I had Lexel but didn't, so the next day I found Lexel at True Value a couple blocks away and properly plugged the friggin hole, that when I could see it in daylight was the diameter of a pencil hidden by the wires. Can't figure how a relatively new coach has a roof low spot up front between the front AC and curbside. But the "lake" used the solar wire port as a tub drain! Gad, what a mess. Took 4 hours to sop up and remove light and AC ceiling fittings to try getting ceiling panels dry... an ongoing effort yet.
We are spending arm and leg here for testing, weighing, and upgrading the chassis for a more pleasurable and less stressful ride and improved handling, engine service (specified CAT filters thanx Dave A.), chassis lube, Koni shocks, motion control units for the airbags, K&N air filter (I know, that's a controversial move, but they don't use the oil bath technique they used to and stock filter isn't a cartridge type and is hard to come by apparently), new surpentine belt, Safe-T-Plus stabilizer, and steering adjustment to compensate for a little wear. The air system was leaking pretty good after leaving home, and wasn't lifting the rear adequately to ride height every time nor was the back responding to the Raise function, so they are still trying to track that down, but seem to think its associated with the brake side. The secondary tank (orange needle) dropped a good piece in only a couple hours, with the green close behind.
Noted our toad's front tire's wearing inside and scrubbing noises bad since towing this trip; they are checking its alignment here later today so we'll have it and can drive it around sightseeing this weekend while coach is here, and not ruin tire's more... 'nother couple hundred $. One darned thing after nuther, ain't it?
Even this time of year Henderson's is busy. One thing I didn't anticipate: their service manager is a man of all trades, thus there is an incessant flow of technicians and office help streaming in and out the area behind his desk, not to mention customers, and his phone gets little rest. This results in kind of a haphazard interaction where you try to discuss your issues and service history, etc., constantly interrupted. He's good at what he does or he wouldn't be there, but they almost need two of him. It can get a little frustrating trying to explain something to the point you believe he fully understands. Fortunately we got who arguably seems to be one of their best technicians, Eric, and on our test drive and afterward it was easy to exchange information with him.
I must say though, this family operated business is pretty thorough and efficient. We've enjoyed talking at leisure with Robert and Barbara Henderson in their nice customer lounge, and listened to one side as they threw a birthday party lunch for an employee, and a weekly company meeting, a great insight into the nature of this enterprise, it's history, inspiration and longevity, and why it's successful. We were kindly invited to participate in the provided lunch and cake.
You don't get something for nothing, KC, but at least it's definitely a pretty good something here.
-Joel
