How old are your tires?

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Redapple

I am also in the market for tires. Did some inquiries here last summer, but just didn't have the money. My coach is an 06, sporting the originals dated in 05. I had a front left blowout last summer on an 800 mile trip. It has a Chinese recap currently. It came with Goodyear G670 24575r19.5's. I have had good luck with the goodyears, blowout was most likely due to under inflation. Thinking of replacement goodyears, Michelin s, Bridgestone s, maybe Firestone s. Would appreciate some additional insight and recommendations, and a good tire/ truck shop here in Los Angeles.

Thanks,
Bill

Recap on the steer axle? Never for me and not legal on a commercial truck.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by kdzgon

Does the 10 years (assuming optimal care) stated here apply mainly to Michelins? Do other tire manufacturers issue similar recommendations or do the recommendations vary greatly?

No, only Michelin seems to state a real time frame the others say to inspect them and replace when needed.
Goodyear:

G670 RV® -The new tire coverage of this warranty ends when the treadwear indicators become visible or five (5) years from the date of purchase, whichever occurs first. The only exception is weather cracking, which carries a seven (7) year warranty from the date of purchase or when the treadwear indicators become visible, whichever occurs first. Without proof of purchase, date of manufacture will be used to determine eligibility.

Michelin Technical Bulletin


Service Life for RV/Motorhome Tires

The following recommendation applies to RV/Motorhome tires. Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire itself. These component properties evolve over time. For each tire, this evolution depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance, etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible.

That is why, in addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance by consumers, it is recommended to have RV/Motorhome tires, including spare tires, inspected regularly by a qualified tire specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s suitability for continued service. Tires that have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’ visual condition and inflation pressure, but also of any change in dynamic performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration, which could be an indication that the tires need to be removed from service to prevent tire failure.

It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their calendar age alone. However, the older a tire the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.

While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manfacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.

For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations, when specified (but not to exceed 10 years).

The date when a tire was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each tire. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation or DOT code on the tire that begins with DOT and ends with the week and year of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with “0304” indicates a tire made in the 3rd week (Jan) of 2004.

Toyo RV Safety

Tire Damage and Aging (Non-Commercial Use)
Vehicle operating conditions and tire maintenance practices vary widely. Tires should be routinely checked for damage or signs of fatigue or aging. This should be done at scheduled vehicle maintenance intervals and preferably on a lift so that the tires can be thoroughly inspected by a tire professional.
Tire longevity is extremely dependent on factors such as air pressure maintenance. It is recommended that tires be thoroughly examined by a tire professional after reaching five years of service. Even tires with serviceable tread remaining may require replacement prior to wearing out. Tires which have reached a remaining tread depth of 4/32nd should be replaced.
The age of your tire can be determined by reading the sidewall. Every tire has a 10 or 11 digit DOT (Department of Transportation) identifying number on one sidewall. The last 3 or 4 digits are the most important to you. Older tires have 3 digits, the first two identifying the week of manufacture and the third digit the year when the tire was made. Tires made between 1990 and 1999 may have a triangle alongside the numbers. As from January 2000 4 digits are used, the first two give the week of manufacture and the last two digits tell the year the tire was made.

[Redapple]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Recap on the steer axle? Never for me and not legal on a commercial truck.

Agree, I was on the middle of nowhere and this got me home. Have not taken it out for anything but to exercise the systems, maybe 5 miles at a time. I have a trip coming up in Aug, need new tires by then.

[BigBadDad]

I just replace at 8 years unless I find a specific reason to do sooner. I have never had a problem. I never had a problem with Michelin or any brand (I have stayed away from Goodyear). A couple months ago put 6 new 255/70/22.5 Sailuns on for $2020 total for everything including new valves and Counteract.

[CountryFit]

i am using a set of 12r22.5 bf goodrich, 8 years still looking good.

recently i saw a heavy engineering wheeler parking at the road side. upon getting closer i noticed its tires being ohtsu 12r22.5; worn pretty bad but even. checked more online, found out it's made by falken. no complaints from websites. i have falkens on cars, no problems. i wonder if anyone has experience on this ohtsu truck tires? the price is about half of michelin's.

[Big Dude]

When I went to Freightliner U last year, the guy who taught the course, after many conversations with Michelin and Goodyear, said the best two things to do to reduce tire degradation was protect them from the sun with covers and protect them from the surface by parking them on something that would not harm them - we put ours on some cheap thin, flexible plastic cutting boards from Amazon ($10 for 5) and they work great.

[rhusak]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

No, only Michelin seems to state a real time frame the others say to inspect them and replace when needed.
Goodyear:

Hi..
Not trying to steal the thread.. But I have a set of 4 year Michelin Energies that are weather checked (my words) around the wheels.. Michelin says Cosmetic only.. I say never buy another set! I am in Arizona and worry about the heat and driving here.. But the cost of these is pausing.. I WILL NOT buy another set of Michelin anything!
But your money your choice!
Rob

[Rocky68D]

A friend bought a 2005 motorhome with 25K miles early last October sporting the original Michelin XRVs. Being new to RVs I explained the 10 year replacement recommendation. He said they looked good to him. They drove it from Seattle to Washington DC to be with family for the holidays. The first blowout was the inside left dually somewhere between Gallup and Albuquerque. I don't remember where the outside left dually let go. Some place east of there. When they got to DC they replaced the rest. The folks at Michelin may be onto something.

Mine are the same age (Aug '04) but with half the mileage. They live most of the time in a climate controlled storage building and look brand new.

I have an appointment next week to put new XRVs on mine.

[jerichorick]

Originally Posted by mbenson1234

TST TPMS is also a great way to monitor pressure and temp. If you have any questions we are here until midnight 7 days a week @ 770-889-9102

And, you stand behind your product. I have the 507 system and it has had many issues. One was mine with the weather station powered up. Your efforts to correct this issues are wonderful and I expect we will be getting thing resolved soon. Thank you for your honest support.

Rick Y

[jerichorick]

Originally Posted by rhusak

Hi..
Not trying to steal the thread.. But I have a set of 4 year Michelin Energies that are weather checked (my words) around the wheels.. Michelin says Cosmetic only.. I say never buy another set! I am in Arizona and worry about the heat and driving here.. But the cost of these is pausing.. I WILL NOT buy another set of Michelin anything!
But your money your choice!
Rob

What is the date code of your tires? Have you protected them from the sun? Do you drive often or remain parked? These are all factors that need to be considered. If your dealer dumped old tires on you, shame on him. If they were stored incorrectly, shame on the dealer again. Do you keep your sidewalls clean? Remember, any petroleum based cleaner will harm the tires. If you have done thing correctly then I can understand your concerns.

Rick Y

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Rocky68D

A friend bought a 2005 motorhome with 25K miles early last October sporting the original Michelin XRVs. Being new to RVs I explained the 10 year replacement recommendation. He said they looked good to him. They drove it from Seattle to Washington DC to be with family for the holidays. The first blowout was the inside left dually somewhere between Gallup and Albuquerque. I don't remember where the outside left dually let go. Some place east of there. When they got to DC they replaced the rest. The folks at Michelin may be onto something.

Mine are the same age (Aug '04) but with half the mileage. They live most of the time in a climate controlled storage building and look brand new.

I have an appointment next week to put new XRVs on mine.

A. I bet your friend doesn't have TPMS so drove some unknown number of miles with one dual leaking air till he had a "Run Low Flex Failure"

B He only replaced the tire that lost air but did nothing about the companion tire that was run 100% overloaded for unknown number of miles.

C The second tire failed, not at once but probably miles later as the damage had been done but it takes time for the internal structural failure to grow. Sometimes hours and sometimes days or even weeks depending on operation but failure is almost certain.


A couple of posts on special considerations on Duals HERE and HERE

[Redapple]

I was just quoted 369 per tire for Goodyear G647's. Is that a good price for those tires. Not sure of the difference between these and my current G670's. Any insight?

[Dr4Film]

Up to you, it's your money, but there are far BETTER tires out there versus Goodyear's.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Rocky68D]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

A. I bet your friend doesn't have TPMS so drove some unknown number of miles with one dual leaking air till he had a "Run Low Flex Failure"

B He only replaced the tire that lost air but did nothing about the companion tire that was run 100% overloaded for unknown number of miles.

C The second tire failed, not at once but probably miles later as the damage had been done but it takes time for the internal structural failure to grow. Sometimes hours and sometimes days or even weeks depending on operation but failure is almost certain.


A couple of posts on special considerations on Duals HERE and HERE

All true. Since they are friends, I don't want to comment further other than to say, they cost me sleep on their trip.