Mounting new tires - ideas?

[rmcquet]

I found some very slightly used BFG AT 33s.
I plan on buying them, but the local Big-O wants $25 PER TIRE to mount them (it's only $10 per tire if you buy tires at Big-O). That's one quarter of what it's going to cost to buy the tires!

Any thoughts? Is there a better (well, cheaper) way to get the tires mounted? (I'm in NorCal, East Bay Area)

 

[CRZA1]

go to a, how should I say, crappier tire shop. Not to say they won't mount them right. Those chain stores make money by selling tires not mounting them. When I had mine done I caught some kid at 5 on a friday and he mounted 4 35's for $20 cash in hand. If the tire shop has a waiting room, you're gonna pay to much to mount the tires.

 

[st.george]

I found some very slightly used BFG AT 33s.
I plan on buying them, but the local Big-O wants $25 PER TIRE to mount them (it's only $10 per tire if you buy tires at Big-O). That's one quarter of what it's going to cost to buy the tires!

Any thoughts? Is there a better (well, cheaper) way to get the tires mounted? (I'm in NorCal, East Bay Area)

Find an old manual tire changer. I've been doing it for years. Some times you have to improvise because of tire size. It's always fun to beat the system.
st.george

 

[Kavik]

go to a, how should I say, crappier tire shop. Not to say they won't mount them right. Those chain stores make money by selling tires not mounting them. When I had mine done I caught some kid at 5 on a friday and he mounted 4 35's for $20 cash in hand. If the tire shop has a waiting room, you're gonna pay to much to mount the tires.

The manager at a small shop by my house (small repair/oil changes) lets the tech's do tire stuff for tips. $20 cash for plug, mount and balance in less than 10 minutes.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

shop around it can be had for far cheaper than 100.00 bux surely someone somewhere will do it for around 50

 

[macneill]

When I was swapping wheels, I'd go to one of the many cheap tire/flat places around here that service taxis. They'd do it quick and cheap.

 

[hillcountrycruiser]

Local tire shop down the street mounted mine for 7 bucks a tire a few months ago. Find a hole in the wall.

 

[oldwineo]

I just went through this myself. All the name brand tire shops wanted $90 to mount and balance. The cheapest place was WalMart at $14 each.
Then I found a small budget tire shop and they did it for $40 cash.
You could buy the 33's I just posted today and come up and have them mounted here.

Ken

 

[rmcquet]

where in NorCal are you?
i haven't checked the post yet, will also PM you

 

[Duane]

well how about this for a cheaper method... I'm an old farm kid... tires will go on and off with a couple pry bars. Steel rims won't chip as a cast alloy might.. then take the rim/tire combo down to a gas station with free air and you should be able to get them to inflate and seat on the rims.
I'm thinking that after you give that a whirl a few bucks at some tire shop will seem like a great deal. I would think some used only tire shop would be the cheapest or an old ma and pa 2 bay garage with an old tire changer and bubble/static balancer.
Of course saying this a newer dynamic balancer is sort of the standard and worth the extra money now adays as well. If it's only a little shimmy change speeds or just put your wallet between your teeth if they really get a shaking..

 

[agent orange]

Mounting the size tires we run sucks big donkey balls, road tractor tires are easy enough but you couldnt pay me to fight with a 15" wheel and tire ever again.