when to replace tires

[zoomzoom86]

I just got my 1996 Damon Intruder and the tires were hardly used. The date code is 3604. I wanted to make sure if they are still safe so I took it to Les Schwab Tire Co for inspection. They said it still had a lot of tread left and is still in good shape. I am concerned about safety use, what do you guys think? Are tires supposed to be replaced 5-7 years even if they have lots of tread left? Asking for your opinion......

[ThePowells]

Welcome to te forum.

Here is a link to well over 1,500 ( maybe over 2,000) threads on this subject.

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22T...earch=irv2.com

According to the date code, they are 14 years old. Most on here will say 7 years, others 10, but even I draw the line at 14. IMHO, only a dismounted inspection and approval by a tire center in that tire network would work.
If you had asked this question before buying, the advice would be for the seller to reduce the price by at least 75% of the cost of new tires.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Most people consider 7 years the limit.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Mr_D]

Don't know where that 7 year replacement thing came from but not even the tire manufacturers say that. Michelin says to have the tires inspected starting at five years and absolutely replace at 10. They also state that the older the tires are the more apt they are to have problems.
Personally I'm comfortable with 9 to 10 years and have never had a blowout on a motorhome.

[Jake21]

Maybe 7 is just a made up number by the industry. Kinda like mattresses.

[JJH3rd]

The first leg of our recent trip was from near Atlanta to Valdosta GA. About 11 north of our KOA,as we drove south on I75 a driver passed us and dropped back in the right hand lane and leaned out of the window and pointed to our tires. I moved onto the (fortunately) wide shoulder and discovered that the inside tire of the two tires on the right side of the rear axial was ripped and just spinning. The truck tire road service that Good Sam got to come replace the tier (I had both tires replaced) showed me the date code on the Michelin tires: 2011.


Tires are expensive but crashes are more expensive and potentially deadly.

[JJH3rd]

By the way, the expired tire had plenty of tread and no cracks in the sidewalls.

[Skip426]

5 years on ST , trailer tires ;
From personal experience with tires with 70% tread remaining.
I did run a set of Michelin's on my coach till they were teenagers, but at the first sign of a sidewall crack they were replaced , still had 60% tread depth.

If the OP has any plans for long trips in hot weather , replace tires NOW.

[wildtoad]

At 14 years, I’d not run those tires except to a tire store with a big check (or CC or Apple Pay) in hand to buy new.

[Ernie.]

I'm changing out when they hit seven years. It's a peace of mind thing for me.

[Funding Fun]

Tires are a very cheap insurance policy compared to this possible end result. You don't know what patches may be in them.. Start with new...then you know what you got. when in doubt...DON'T!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LkLeljt4t0

[grindstone01]

My Chevy 3500 had Michelin tires on them with a DOT code XX11 and I was determined to replace them at 7 years. Last summer I had a rear tire blow out so I replaced just the 4 rear tires. This spring I had a front tire blow out so I replaced both front tires then. I was so close to making my 7 year run which would have been July 2018!!

Note: Front tire BO didn't cause any damage other than scary swerve, but RR tire BO destroyed PU box side, $1400 damage DIYS replacement cost.

[tizzyfit]

Originally Posted by Jake21

Maybe 7 is just a made up number by the industry. Kinda like mattresses.

BINGO! Like 3,000-mile oil changes.

[charliez]

Look close down in the groves. I'd bet you can start to see cracking down in there. A tire with 0 miles on it and sitting in the sun for 5 years is pretty much trash.