[Stripit]

As far as the sheet metal above the tire goes, mine also was damaged when my tires lost tread. I opted to go to a duct work sheetmetal shop to have a new piece cut. They made one about 2 ft longer, and about 3 times the thickness, bent the end and sheared to my measurements, for about $20 bucks. Slid right into place and fit like a charm. I don't expect to have it damaged again.

As far as switching brands of tires, I've heard some real horror stories with folks trying to get some off the wall tire company to pay for tire damages to their rigs. Seems like Goodyear is much easier to deal with and they don't make you try to find their number is some obscure foreign country.