RV Tires life expectancy

[djohn]

Bought a set of 235x80 r225 XRV Michelin tires about 7 years ago. Very few miles on them, but I seem to remember there is a suggested life expectancy, regardless of miles. Does anyone know what that would be, or am I totally mistaken?

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by djohn

Bought a set of 235x80 r225 XRV Michelin tires about 7 years ago. Very few miles on them, but I seem to remember there is a suggested life expectancy, regardless of miles. Does anyone know what that would be, or am I totally mistaken?

Michelin makes two statements regarding tire life:

1. After 5 years of service, tires should be inspected by a "tire professional" annually

2. Most tires will be replaced before they reach 10 years of age. If you have a tire that reaches 10 years of age, it should be taken out of service and replaced.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[CLIFFTALL]

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

Michelin makes two statements regarding tire life:

1. After 5 years of service, tires should be inspected by a "tire professional" annually

2. Most tires will be replaced before they reach 10 years of age. If you have a tire that reaches 10 years of age, it should be taken out of service and replaced.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

That sums it up well. Just keep an eye on them for signs of cracks.

[SilverBob]

Michelin's web site suggests having your tires inspected by a dealer, once a year, starting when they're five years old. They go on to suggest that they be replaced by the age of ten years, no matter how they look. Other manufacturers also suggest the ten year limit, but don't mention any yearly inspections. Some tire shops won't repair a tire that's more than ten years old, no matter what vehicle it's on.


While we probably all know someone who's driving around on 12-15 year old tires, most of us seem to adhere to the suggestion given above.




**WOW!** You guys type fast!!

[djohn]

Thank you for the information!

[MSHappyCampers]

What Steve said!

P.S.- I think most folks consider 7 years the limit, but you can beat that subject to death!

[grumpy0374]

You may have bought them "about" 7 years ago, and they might have been sitting in the dealers warehouse for "about" a year or more.
Only way to know is to check the date code on each tire. If your not fimilar with it, the code will be a four numbers in a raised oval on the tire sidewall. And, Michelin usually only puts it on only one side. It will read something like 4208, which means it was manufactured in the 42nd week of 2008.
In your case, your pushing the limits of "safe" as to age. Dosen't matter at all about milage, 500 or 50,000, or tread that's left, its the age that matters.
Grumpy

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

Michelin makes two statements regarding tire life:

1. After 5 years of service, tires should be inspected by a "tire professional" annually

2. Most tires will be replaced before they reach 10 years of age. If you have a tire that reaches 10 years of age, it should be taken out of service and replaced....

I think these are very good GUIDELINES to follow.

That being said there are factors that you control which may play into tire life.

1. Miles driven. I'm not talking about driving the treads off the tire but using them often. Tires like to be used and the act of driving them is healthy for them.

2. Solar protection. Are you keeping them covered when they are exposed to the sun? Certainly a couple days, here and there, in the sun isn't the problem. I would suggest that long stays in one place, regardless of temps, or short stays in one place with lots of heat and sunshine (Las Vegas in the summer as an example) would be prime considerations for tire covers.

3. Rough miles/abuse. While rough roads are not entirely destructive, hitting pot holes hard or scrubbing curbs can cause damage.

4. Proper inflation. Are you keeping them at their optimum pressure? I think most folks would agree that optimum is based on corner weights and maybe adding 5 PSI to insure they remain at the proper pressure under most all conditions that might lower the PSI like colder temps.

5. Proper use of tire treatments. Avoid anything with petroleum in it!

[Ray,IN]

Skyboss, those load/inflation charts only reflect the absolute minimum for the corresponding load, not the optimum.
Read what the Rubber Manufacturers Association=RMA, says about them on page 55(RH column) of CH 4.
quote:
Inflation pressure recommendations may also be
determined based on the tire manufacturer's
specifications, which define the amount of inflation
pressure necessary to carry a given load. These
inflation pressures may differ from those found on
the vehicle tire placard or certification label.
However, never use inflation pressure lower than
specified by the vehicle tire placard, certification
label or owner’s manual. Nor should inflation
pressure exceed the maximum pressure molded on
the tire sidewall

[bamaboy473]

No way in heck am I as savvy as several guys that have posted before me.......but IMNSHO, the very most important part of a set of MH or RV tires is having a TPMS.

With it, you know every tire's temperature and inflation at any given minute. You know right away if a puncture has occurred.

IMO, having a TPMS would allow several years of use to be enjoyed, safely.

My TST TPMS told me from the get-go that the installer hadn't done things right in the first place. It also tells me that my tires a ready for a road trip and that they are good to go.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

What Steve said!

P.S.- I think most folks consider 7 years the limit, but you can beat that subject to death!

I'm not one of those "7 yr people" and actually a lot of others are the same. There is no "authoritative company that gives such a limit. Even the tire companies don't say that. They do say that older tires are subject to more failures though.
Everybody has to decide what their comfort level is and act accordingly.

[ImagineIF]

Proper inflation is probably has the greatest impact on tire life. I always exceed the vehicle manufacturer's minimum recommendations. I'll compromise ride quality over safety anytime. Under inflation can result in the failure of the sidewalls. These failures seldom have a visual indicator of eventual failure far before the failure.

Ray's reference is one more need to read. Far too many owners believe the tire pressure placard installed by the chassis manufacture states the only pressure they should inflate their tires to.

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Skyboss, those load/inflation charts only reflect the absolute minimum for the corresponding load, not the optimum.
Read what the Rubber Manufacturers Association=RMA, says about them on page 55(RH column) of CH 4.
...

Excellent point.

[ronsteward]

Any one looking for tires in the east Tennessee area I have found a dealer that quoted $700 plus tax incl. mount and balance for Michelin XZA2 295/80R 22.5 That is $4609.50 out the door for 6 tires. These are new tires with DOT xx15 date code. The dealer is Tim's Tires in Harriman TN.