Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 1998 Country Coach Max
The 1998 Country Coach MAX has issues with tire and wheel specifications causing potential premature tread wear or failure. These concerns stem from non-compliance with tire and rim standards that can lead to safety risks during operation.
Known issues to inspect
Inadequate gross vehicle weight rating
How to check: Verify if tires and rims meet FMVSS No. 120 standards.
Premature front tire tread wear
How to check: Inspect front tires for uneven tread wear.
Tire failure during normal driving
How to check: Check tires for any signs of damage or weakness.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual noises from tires or wheels.
Red flag: Loud thumping or grinding sounds
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check tire pressure monitoring if available.
Red flag: Low pressure readings or warnings
- 03
Urban driving
What to check: Feel for vibrations or pulling to one side.
Red flag: Excessive vibration, pulling
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Monitor for smoothness at higher speeds.
Red flag: Wobbling or control issues
- 05
Braking test
What to check: Observe stopping distance and stability.
Red flag: Long stopping distance, instability
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the GVWR issue been addressed?
- Were tires replaced after recall?
- Any history of tire failure or accidents?
- Is there maintenance history for wheel issues?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Proof of GVWR correction
- Recent tire replacement receipts
- Maintenance records for wheels
- Service records for brakes
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/19/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 1998 Country Coach Max.