Lesson Learned

[Buffordt]

I recently bought a 1997 class C Four Winds. Did the normal maintenance before taking it on long trips. Change all fluids,belts,hoses,check all safety issues. Brakes and hoses. Tires had plenty of tread and still had new tire dimples on the BUT that were no-name tires and had a little side wall checking ( cracks). I knew that I wanted to change them but I figured I would make a few short outings to get some life out of them. After all lots of tread left,right.
So we go out on about 5 or 6 short runs, 40 to 300 mile round trips. Every pass with flying colors. I thought i would make one more short quick 200 mile trip to the lake for the weekend.
Still in back of my mind are these cheap tires I'm pressing my luck on. And telling myself I really need to get these changed. Even though they look great they had the checking that bothered me.
So driving along everything was in sync, had power,gauges showed normal, driving great. About 50 miles into trip and really enjoying the trip, the MH starts to shake and the dreaded flop,flop,flop. I lost the
tread on the left rear inside tire. Once I stop and saw there was not any major damage we changed the tire and on our way again an hour later.
Back on the road and driving slowly, thinking ok when I get to the lake house I'll call and get some new tires. 30 miles down the road the right rear inner cuts loose. But I was able to limp in to the tire store down the road. Of course there was not an option of pricing but do they have my size in a name brand tire and load rating.
Now being in the automotive industry for 30 plus years you would think that I would know better than setting off on a journey on rubber that could possibly tear the MH up or worse hurt us or someone else for the price of new tires. After spending countless dollars on making it safe,why would I try to save on the tires.
Luckily no one was hurt
I will now start from the ground up to make things safe for the road
Lesson Learned!!

[John H...]

Welcome to the forum. There are many threads about tire replacement on the forum. Majority that I have read say to change every 6 to 7 years. I changed all mine with only 12,000 miles on 6 year old tires.

[Billieg]

Well, I'm in the same boat as you were. 10 year old tires (michellins) but look like new with no cracking, no thread wear. Don't have the $4500 to replace all 8 tires so I'm going to "roll the dice". I hope to come out better than you but I bet I won't. Going on a 3000 mile trip next week so time will tell. My buddy has 12 yr. old tires and has no problems so maybe I'll get lucky...