Community Forums

antgazz · 03-15-2013, 04:51 PM

I have a 2004 Diplomat. Back in 04 when I purchased the coach I also
purchased a new Goodyear tire for a spare. I never mounted it just kept it stored away in my compartment in case of an emergency. The tire looks the same in and out as the day I put it away. Is this tire still good? I wanted to replace my rear tires and use this as one of them. Any thoughts on this?

GaryKD · 03-15-2013, 05:19 PM

Hi antgazz,
Did you coat the tire, from time to time, with the preservative of your choice.? Did you keep it inflated to the pressure on the sidewall. I'd keep it for a spare.

antgazz · 03-15-2013, 05:40 PM

Hi Gary I never treated the tire with anything and this tire was never mounted on a wheel, rubber only

Doggy Daddy · 03-15-2013, 06:34 PM

You did not mention the birth date on the tire. 4 digits (branded into the sidewall) first 2 are the week of the year and last 2 identify the year. 0512 = 5th week of 2012. As you may know, a RV tire (sidewalls) has an average life span of 5-7 years.
I do not know if a commercial tire company would mount the tire onto a rim as they would be opening themselves up to liability

if the tire blew and there was injury or damage.
Personally, I might

continue carrying the old tire as a spare just incase I had a flat and emergency road service could not locate a tire easily or within reasonable cost, then I could limp the RV into the next town to buy a new tire.
Personally, I would not

trust the 8 year tire at a speed above 30 mph as a blow out can cause a lot of RV damage. It could destroy the fender, pop a floor upward, and shread something underneath. In addition and you could loose steering control if a front tire or cause an accident in recovering from the flat.
Bottom line: Not worth the risk. Think Safety First.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-16-2013, 08:38 AM

Given that the tire was purchased in 2004, it is at least that old and maybe even a year older. Given that it is 9-10 years old I would be very leery of using it. The chances of a failure are just too great and you probably would not get more than a year or so out of it anyway.

rhusak · 03-16-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Given that the tire was purchased in 2004, it is at least that old and maybe even a year older. Given that it is 9-10 years old I would be very leery of using it. The chances of a failure are just too great and you probably would not get more than a year or so out of it anyway.

Hi All..
Attended a Michelin Tire seminar in Las Vegas a couple of years ago at an American coach rally. The "Michelin" man said with yearly inspections tires could run as long as 10 years.. I haven't run mine that long but see no reason not to run for 8 years..
But it might be worth the $$ for "peace of mind"!
I think maintaining tire pressure and overall care (like 303 protectant which is the only one accepted by Michelin) are the keys to full trouble free life!
Ron Husak
97 Eagle
Currently at Lake Havasu

Lakeman1 · 03-16-2013, 05:12 PM

I e mailed Michelin and like rhusak said they say ten years MAX, but they said with only minor cracking. They have a crack chart on their web site. I would keep it as a spare only.

Tony Lee · 03-16-2013, 08:17 PM

Just one point raised about pressure in tyres that aren't carrying weight.
I have seen recommendations that if it is holding the weight of the vehicle in storage then pressure should be whatever is maximum sidewall pressure, and if it is holding no weight then it should be around 15% of sidewall pressure.
Makes sense to me.

I would keep that tyre as a spare and use it with confidence as a spare when the time comes. I mightn't roar down the highway at 75mph, but if you had a brand new tyre on a dual with a worn tyre, you shouldn't be doing that anyway regardless of ages.

Mr_D · 03-16-2013, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhusak

Hi All..
Attended a Michelin Tire seminar in Las Vegas a couple of years ago at an American coach rally. The "Michelin" man said with yearly inspections tires could run as long as 10 years.. I haven't run mine that long but see no reason not to run for 8 years..
But it might be worth the $$ for "peace of mind"!
I think maintaining tire pressure and overall care (like 303 protectant which is the only one accepted by Michelin) are the keys to full trouble free life!
Ron Husak
97 Eagle
Currently at Lake Havasu

Michelin changed from allowing 303 to using only their brand some years ago. The product appears to be rebranded 303 and it isn't available the last I looked. I just looked again and it's still out of stock
Now Michelin says to only wash the sidewalls with a brush and soap.

Mr_D · 03-16-2013, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Lee

Just one point raised about pressure in tyres that aren't carrying weight.
I have seen recommendations that if it is holding the weight of the vehicle in storage then pressure should be whatever is maximum sidewall pressure, and if it is holding no weight then it should be around 15% of sidewall pressure.
Makes sense to me.

I would keep that tyre as a spare and use it with confidence as a spare when the time comes. I mightn't roar down the highway at 75mph, but if you had a brand new tyre on a dual with a worn tyre, you shouldn't be doing that anyway regardless of ages.

The pressure on the sidewall of some light truck and heavier vehicles is not the maximum the tire should ever have.
Here's what Michelin and others say:
ON TRUCK size tires the cold pressure on the sidewall is the MINIMUM required to support the maximum weight rating of the tires. Same with the tire charts, it's the MINIMUM cold pressure to support the weight. So YES you can exceed the pressure on the sidewall by a few psi

Quote:

From page 2 of the 06/07 Michelin RV Tire Guide: "If you look at the tire's sidewall, you'll see the maximum load capacity allowed for the size tire and load rating, and the minimum cold air inflation needed to carry the maximum load."

From the Firestone/Bridgestone RV tire guide:

Quote:

Bear in mind that these are maximum ratings. The sidewall of the tire shows maximum load and minimum inflation pressure for that load

From the GoodYear RV Tire Guide:

Quote:

How much air is enough?
The proper air inflation for your tires depends on how much your fully loaded RV or trailer weighs. Look at the sidewall of your RV tire and you’ll see the maximum load capacity for the tire size and load rating, as well as the minimum cold air inflation, needed to carry that maximum load.

Now Toyo ad Continental do say the molded in pressure is the max COLD pressure.

Ramzfan · 03-16-2013, 09:59 PM

I have to tell you that I had an '88 Itasca Windcruiser that I bought new in September of 1987. I drove it on Michelin tires until June of 2002. (almost 15 years) Never had a blowout and only replaced two tires due to excessive sidewall cracking. Now, I wouldn't do that again, but I think people who change tires at seven years old are worry-warts.
Steve

CampDaven · 03-16-2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramzfan

I have to tell you that I had an '88 Itasca Windcruiser that I bought new in September of 1987. I drove it on Michelin tires until June of 2002. (almost 15 years) Never had a blowout and only replaced two tires due to excessive sidewall cracking. Now, I wouldn't do that again, but I think people who change tires at seven years old are worry-warts.
Steve

Those that dont worry have no warts.
If you amortize the difference between 7 and 10 years, the monthly difference is as cheap as a few happy meals.
I set aside enough. I change them at 7, and never worry.
Just sayin.....

flaggship1 · 03-16-2013, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

Those that dont worry have no warts.
If you amortize the difference between 7 and 10 years, the monthly difference is as cheap as a few happy meals.
I set aside enough. I change them at 7, and never worry.
Just sayin.....

We like Happy Meals.

Denlor · 03-16-2013, 11:31 PM

Had just put new Michelins on our 05 MH and went on a tour only to have blow out on the front passenger side. Put the spare on and limped into a service station in nowhere Alberta. They did not have the size of tire required so continued our tour and came home without a spare (only a 1500 mile tour). When I got back I went to the tire shop that had installed the new tires before our trip and they would not replace the blown tire as we did not carry home the shredded piece of junk only the rim which was also damaged. They said Michelin required they see the bad tire in order to justify replacement. Will not put Michelins on my grandkids baby carriage.