Community Forums

OswegoLion · 02-25-2013, 10:11 AM

I know you can't just go by thread condition. Someone told me he follows the 7 year plan no matter the number of miles put on the tires.

topdownman · 02-25-2013, 10:15 AM

I subscribe to the 7 year plan. Some will say 10 but that's pushing it.

Go Dawgs · 02-25-2013, 10:26 AM

Thats pretty much the rule. 6 to 7 years and look for cracking in the sidewall. Mileage has no real impact on RV tires since the average miles driven per year is about 4500.

GaryKD · 02-25-2013, 12:29 PM

Hi OswegoLion,
Michelin says 10 years. That is what I am following (if possible). There are some maintenance items one must do to help the 10 years become a reality.
1. keeping the PSI correct for the weight being carried
2. covering the tires when not in use
3. keeping the tires clean and dressed with the product of your choice
4. A happy tire is a rolling tire. I put 9 to 10K miles per year on the coach. Miles help the chemicals in the tire to stay distributed. 88K and going strong.

The bottom line is contact the manufacturer of the tires. Go by what they tell you. Everyone's situation is a bit different.

jzick · 02-25-2013, 01:10 PM

I am absolutely anal about motorhome axle weights, side to side weight distribution, monitoring air pressure and protecting tires from UV as best I can. At five years and six years, tires are dismounted and examined closely for cracking, belt damage, etc. Tires are replaced at seven years, whether damaged, worn, or not. Some choose to replace at five, manufacturers typically say ten is possible. Whether you can go five years, ten years, or something in between has to be your decision based on your comfort level. It is your family riding on those tires.

Mr_D · 02-25-2013, 01:16 PM

Michelin says to have the tires checked starting at the 5th year and absolutely replace at 10 years.
We got about 8½ years out of ours with no trouble.

Pusherman · 02-25-2013, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Michelin says to have the tires checked starting at the 5th year and absolutely replace at 10 years.
We got about 8½ years out of ours with no trouble.

Good advice

PyrateSilly · 02-26-2013, 06:41 AM

People replace at anywhere from 5 years to 15 years or more. Most thou replace in between 7 years and 10 years. Some won't wait past 5 years and some will only replace when they are actually worn down to when the tire shop says to replace.

When all is said and done it's all really just a personal preference.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-26-2013, 08:19 AM

Somewhere around 7 years the risk of a catastrophic failure begins to get fairly high. Some would say unacceptably high. By 10 years, a failure is imminent at any time.

Pick your number in that range based on your own aversion to risk. The risk is not just the inconvenience of a blow-out - there is a more than a little possibility of damage to the coach body as well.

GaryKD · 02-26-2013, 08:40 AM

Hi Gary RVRoamer,
" By 10 years, a failure is imminent at any time." Why do you say that?

topdownman · 02-26-2013, 10:03 AM

I had a set of 7 year old tires on my last Class A. When Gary says the catastrophic failure rate starts to get high, believe him. I had a blowout on an inside dual that took out some structural members underneath. It wasn't pretty.

Now, I've installed a TPMS system and am planning on replacement of my 2007 tires next spring.

GaryKD · 02-26-2013, 04:20 PM

Hi topdownman,
My first coach was in 1978. That was back when bias play tires were in use. Between bias ply and Michelin radials, I've had many years of coach tire experience. Being a retired engineer, I'm always looking to "show me the data". I didn't go to 10 year tire replacement overnight. It was via my own personal experience. That being said, there are always exceptions. When I encounter an exception or learn something new (like seeing the backup data), I make a decision based on the facts.

There are many variables that determine when one should replace tires. I drive enough miles per year (keeps the chemicals distributed) and meticulously care for tires that I am comfortable with Michelin's for 10 years.