Some background - After picking up my Era, I immediately parked it in a storage facility while I cleared up some leftover things. Other than one local Sunday am trip to fill up diesel (thanks gas buddy), this past Monday was the next time I drove it. It was to a Wal-Mart () near the dealer. Humm, why there? Because the dealer did not do what they should have done before delivery - but that's another story. After messing with them the next day far longer than it should have taken. I started it up and pointed south. Why South you ask? Because next stop:
Tire-Man Mecca, Ridgecrest, CA - his ISP got hacked which he's in the midst of clearing up residual effects, so definitely Call if you don't get a quick response
Tire-Man: Home Page
After reading a bunch of threads, interacting with sources - Dually & Tire-Man. I decided to go with Chuck @ Tire-Man.
Yes, I could have just ordered and then found an installer locally. BUT given my total RV inexperience, not knowing the quality of any local installers (they often vary wildly especially when the job is not vanilla), knowing (from past auto experience) how critical Tire "management" is to a vehicle and since I was planning to head out soon on my first adventure, it made all the sense in the world to me to head to Tire-Man Valve Mecca.
So off I went late afternoon, 330 ish miles later I pulled into the Mecca late tuesday night & promptly went to sleep.
Chuck & I had texted each other and I PROMISED that I would be there in time for his shop opening (8am) Weds. I keep my Promises especially when Chuck set aside time & diverted other customers to do the job.
I'll cut to the chase now but needless to say; Chuck was there bright & early with warm hospitality.
One of the Primary reasons, I chose Tire-Man was that from my very first contact Chuck was very responsive both email, txt & phone (best when needing to cover technical questions or specific details). He was patient with this newbie no matter how basic or misguided my questions were.
When I was concerned that his product would fit the Era Bright PVD Wheels by CWS, we exchanged photos and talked again. Then there was about a week's gap when I was clearing up "non-RV stuff" and trying to see what more experienced owners had done. In the end, it was Chuck, his knowledge, professionalism (in a humble way too) and that he would also do the installation which was something I was VERY worried about.
After simple paperwork, Chuck quickly got to work which I watched in between Navy fighter jets taking off from China Lake Weapons Naval air station across the road with the mountains in the background......cool
For a newbie, it was GREAT because not only did I get to see parts that I'm familiar with but Chuck showed me a lot of things I had not seen before, answered ALL my questions and offered technical advice to keep the Era rolling down the road & taking care of the new valves. What an experience, my 1st RV road trip, 1st stop at Tire-Man Mecca and now I'm rolling with all the right stuff. I drove away with a BIG Smile after the GREAT work was done and forever appreciative of Chuck's attentiveness, expertise and being a really good/cool guy.
That was my first real "upgrade" to the Sprinter because to me it was that important. BTW - He has a FULL range of Valves that cover all the Makes/Models so check it out. Yes, I'm an unabashed fan forever
P.S. If someone had video taped me checking tire pressures (it had gotten cold in the SF Bay area lately) and trying to add air to all 6......failing on the inner rears - I'm just skip that part - although did solve with "assistance" . You TOO would immediately buy the Tire-Man product.
1st Trip - Tire-Man - Tire Valve Mecca
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