Community Forums

CntryCoachRV · 05-28-2023, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikesrq

You have a more important issue. The age of your tires.

The rule of thumb for changing your RV tires is around 3-5 years. The consensus from RV owners leans to the 5-year end of that estimate, but I'm sure this group will weigh in.

You can check the DOT number (generally located on the inside sidewall near the rim. The letters “DOT” are followed by eight to thirteen letters and/or numbers that identify where the tire was manufactured, tire size and the manufacturer’s code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured.

DOT (Department of Transportation)
Tire manufacturer / plant code
Tire size code
Tire manufacturer
Week and Month of Manufacture

For example: DOT AF WD9E 0517 05 indicates the tire was manufactured in the 5th week of the year 2017.

Sorry to say that mileage and treadwear are rarely indicators of the need for tire replacement on RVs or travel trailers. The rubber and other tire materials age out before they wear out.

Mike Rado
Sarasota, Florida
2011 Winnebago Access 31'

Mike,

Does your family have a financial interest in a tire company? 😜

You must be buying very cheap tires if they are only good for 3 to 5 years. I have seen suggestions of 6 to 8 years but never 3 to 5 years. Proper inflation for the load carried should get more life than 3 to 5 years. Michelin actually states that if they are inspected annually and no sidewall deterioration is found then you can keep running the tires. On my 23 year old coach I have changed the tires every 7 to 8 years, my coach came with Toyos, at the 7 and 1/2 year point I changed those out for Goodyear tires
and after 7 1/2 years using those tires the sidewall and treads were still like new with zero issues, I then switched to Michelin tires and I just recently changed tires, to Toyo, after 8 1/2 years of use, never a problem with any of these tires. I think the key is to maintain inflation properly for the load the tires are carrying.

Ray,IN · 05-28-2023, 08:31 PM

Mikesrq that is totally wrong. MIchelin says 10 years max, begin inspecting them at 7 years.
What you said does apply to ST tires/ special trailer tires.

jadatis · 05-29-2023, 06:27 AM

And even for ST, the 3 to 5 years, is because most ST are used over their limits.
In Europe, where I live, " for trailer use only" are sometimes used on TT, but mostly C-tyres (= LT).
Long time 6 years replacement was common, but nowadays more official institutes go from the same 10 years after first use preventive renewal, and after 6 years, every year profesional checkup, in wich especially on aging sighns.
I think, now 8 years is average.
Only some institutes like BOVAG, still recomend 6 years, but they sell tires.

norrirn · 05-29-2023, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockwood27

Fill up your RV, ready for travel, and bring it to a certified weigh station (CAT). Typically, at truck fuel stops, Pilot, Flying J's, Loves, etc. Divide the front axle weight by 2 and the rear axle weight by 4. These will be the tire loads noted below.

Next, Google Goodyear tires and find your tire model and size. They should have a chart for load vs tire pressure. Use those values plus 5-8 psi. The front pressure could be different than the rear.

Sent from my SM-A515U using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

Follow this procedure.