235/70/16 tire pricing

[wander2039]

At Sams today had to get a tire fixed so had some time to kill. I think when we bought the current tires they were $11x. a piece 3 years ago. Today 235/70/16 BFG LongTrail TA Tours were $145.22 compared to say 225/75 $126.33 - 235/75 $127.52.. why is 235/70 almost $20. Seems to be a popular size doesn't make alot of sense. In comparison Kumho Solus KR21 is $100 from TireRack. I know tires did go up recently but even back then I don't think there was that much of a gap.

I'll admit not really planning on buying any tires soon. The current tires I think have another 8-9k left which would mean they lasted 50k. I also have a couple spares with about 20k left so will only need 2 new thankfully. I don't know how people with 18,20's and up pay for tires.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I don't like buying tire and battery at membership clubs such as Sams Club or Costco, because you have to be a paying member when you need services. I rather get the lowest possible price from online tire stores and get Discount Tire price match, I then can get flat repair, balance and rotation free whenever I need. Also, Sams Club and Costco don't have much tire choices as Discount Tire.

 

[kkreit01]

^ That's if you're lucky to have a DT store. We don't. We're stuck with NTB, Tires Plus, branded stores, wholesale clubs, and Wal-Mart. None are desirable. Costco used to be before they added the $15 charge/tire.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I've bought 4 or 5 sets of tires from Sam's. I rarely find the OTD price to be cheaper anywhere else, including lifetime free balancing and road hazard coverage for 4 years. I typically buy BFG/Michelin products anyway, so selection is rarely a problem for me.

That said, I'm liking a Bridgestone tire for my next tire purchase, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to buy those. Sam's doesn't carry Bridgestone.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I don't like buying tire and battery at membership clubs such as Sams Club or Costco, because you have to be a paying member when you need services. I rather get the lowest possible price from online tire stores and get Discount Tire price match, I then can get flat repair, balance and rotation free whenever I need. Also, Sams Club and Costco don't have much tire choices as Discount Tire.


I was no longer a member of Sam's when I had my tire replaced under road hazard. I wanted them to plug it but they unmounted it and showed me the rubber shavings from driving on the rim (my fault-- didn't notice for a couple minutes) and got a new tire, paying only a few bucks into the pro rating.

 

[HTSS_TR]

When I was a member of Sam's Club, I asked about warranty on battery the clerk in the automobile dept told me the other way, I had to be a paying member for warranty claim.

 

[wander2039]

I think it depends on who's behind the desk. One time we had ours lapse and they let it go the next time they didn't. They do have good prices on tires I'm not disputing that.. and even though what they have isn't the best it's alot better than walmart. Currently they're running a special were the road hazard and everything is free with BFG's probably around a $50 savings. I really don't like being tied down on the membership so the next ones may come from tirerack or online. DT was always good down in Austin.. can't say the same for the other chains around here.

 

[CharBaby]

Speaking of 235-70-16, friends of ours have this size on their '07 Honda Pilot and they happen to be the Kumho Solus KR-21's and so-far, so-good! IDK what will be the best tire for an Escape.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Price difference is in regards to low profile size = 70's versus 75's.

low profile tires are always going to be more expensive.

I'll buy your 235's, if you pay for my 265/75 16's, load range E for my cummins diesel.....hehehehehe.

Can we say over $200/tire!

 

[Rand]

245/75r16 are a very popular size.. if they fit.

I think they just throw darts at a price board on some of these.

low profile is usually something under 40Series
so I dont think that applies to this.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

thought the question was regarding 235/70 16's, not 245/75's...my bad.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Ramblin Fever
Price difference is in regards to low profile size = 70's versus 75's.

low profile tires are always going to be more expensive.
!


I stand by my comment that 70 series isnt low profile.



Originally Posted By: Ramblin Fever
thought the question was regarding 235/70 16's, not 245/75's...my bad.



Is that supposed to be insulting?

I was commenting on pricing being all over the place due to popularity ... if they are a popular oem size etc..

"low profile" was traditionally 50 series or below imo.

a 70 series with 6.5" inches of sidewall is nowhere near low profile so that is clearly not "it"

 

[MNgopher]

Since we don't want to play nice, lets put it in other terms. In this tire size range, the trend is that lowER profile tires (ie: a 70 series versus a 75 series) are priced higher than the highER profile tires.

Looking at tire rack at several different brands, this is the case for most tires in this range. Certainly does not appear to be a dartboard approach to pricing.

Could it be possible that something required for the contruction of these lowER profile tires increases their cost of production?

 

[CharBaby]

As my BIL always says: "You pay the most money for the least amount of rubber"

Most likely it's demand and those who are willing to pay. Or the fact that the really low(er) profile tires(19"-20" and larger) are slower sellers requiring more upfront money.

Especially in the larger rim diameter tires as I mentioned above, someone has to pay for the cost to produce these tires!

It's not like a 225-60-16. When this size was new, all the tires in this size were expensive. Now, some are expensive but, most are reasonably priced and with good quality/reputation.

And now, 16" tires are the norm, not the exception! I remember when 16" tires were the new thing...OOOOHHHH, WOW! You have 16" tires on your car?...Now, 16" tires come on the most affordable economy cars(or are optional) and 18", 19", 20" are comming on mini-vans and CUV/SUV.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted By: Rand



Originally Posted By: Ramblin Fever
thought the question was regarding 235/70 16's, not 245/75's...my bad.



Is that supposed to be insulting?

I was commenting on pricing being all over the place due to popularity ... if they are a popular oem size etc..

"low profile" was traditionally 50 series or below imo.

a 70 series with 6.5" inches of sidewall is nowhere near low profile so that is clearly not "it"


No...I was not trying to be insulting at all. I was simply asking a question, that's all. I wasn't sure if we were discussing 235/70 or 245/75's.

I should say back when my trucks came out, which all run a 75 series tire, a 70 tire was considered low profile for a *truck* tire, however, that was long before these trucks started coming out with 50's & 60's series tires.

honestly doesn't matter to me what's considered low profile or not, just saying that a tire with a 70's label is always going to be more expensive than a tire of it's same size but in a 75 series.