Cracks in tire

[Wayne M]

Well, today, as usual, we were preparing to depart the campground we were staying at and I was checking the pressure in my tires. I do this every time we travel. As I was bending over, checking I noticed a crack in the side wall. About 1/2 inch long. I check a little further and saw two more.

Oh oh!

I decided that replacing the two steer tires was my safety option. I just figured that if one "all of a sudden" developed cracks it probably would not be long before the other one did the same. No, my pocket book did not like it. Since we are driving in ambient temperatures of 106 degrees today, I can just only imagine what the asphalt temperature was. I rather err on the side of safety.

DW got on the iPad and found a place about 40 miles down the road in McAlester, OK, called Beale Tire. Very friendly and professional.

So, what's my point. Well, regarding tire maintenance, it is just as important to visually check the side walls of the tires, as it is to take the pressure of the tire. If you are using a TPMS, still do a walk around and closely look at your tires to ensure they are not cracking. My Michelin tires were only 4 years old with 31,000 miles on them. I think that is to soon for tires to be showing cracks.

Have you checked your tires recently.

[mfire1339]

Wayne, did they prorate your tires?

Mike

[Gary RVRoamer]

Tiny surface cracks are common and generally not a problem. Michelin says up to 1/32" in depth is just cosmetic. Cracks between 1/32 and 2/32 deep require that the tire be dismounted and inspected for internal damage. Over 2/32 and the tire should be replaced.

[majfrizz]

when my Michelins did that on the front. with 17K miles and 48 months old, they replaced them and all i had to pay was 10%. so less than $100 for both tires mounted and balanced.....

[Go Dawgs]

I look at my tires almost daily. Whether I'm driving or not. If I see any thing out of the ordinary I look closer. That goes for inside the tire also. I crawl under once a week to look things over. Now its easier for me because we have a concret garage and covered storage. I don't trust gauges and electronic gadgets (my dad taught me 40 years ago that eye don't lie).

[Chuck 1935]

Michleins are junk. 1/32,2/32,/3/32, Do you REALLY trust your life on the fact that the crack is just 1/32 or maybe its a bit deeper in another spot that they didn't check. No thanks. I want to enjoy my retirement on the road and not in a hospital.

I'm sorry for this post sounding so angry. I'm really not. I've been down this road before and feel strongly about this subject, and in no way am I being judgemental about other opinions.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by awarnes

I look at my tires almost daily. Whether I'm driving or not. If I see any thing out of the ordinary I look closer. That goes for inside the tire also. I crawl under once a week to look things over. Now its easier for me because we have a concret garage and covered storage. I don't trust gauges and electronic gadgets (my dad taught me 40 years ago that eye don't lie).

Some of the tire manufacturers (Michelin, GoodYear and Toyo) publish RV Tire Guides. Some show a tire dangerously underinflated next to a full inflated tire. You can't tell the difference. The analog tire gauges are within 2 lbs or so, the digital gauges are accurate to within ½ psi.
Then there are those that trust "thumping" a tire with a billy club. One trucker magazine set up at a truck stop and had OTR drivers try and judge which tires were low, only 2 out of over 50 drivers got it right.
I like my digital gauge!

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935

Michleins are junk. 1/32,2/32,/3/32, Do you REALLY trust your life on the fact that the crack is just 1/32 or maybe its a bit deeper in another spot that they didn't check. No thanks. I want to enjoy my retirement on the road and not in a hospital.

I over 45 years of driving I've had one blowout, a GoodYear, with Michelins, up until I got screws in two tires (at over 60,000 miles on them) I had never even had a flat tire on Michelins. On our present MH the front tires were, with Michelins written permission, run with 5 psi LESS than what their tire chart called for. I finally replaced them after 9 years.
YMMV but I'll stick with Michelins.

[stuhly]

I tend to agree that Michleans are way over rated. The last set I boughr had severe cracking in just over three years. These tires were all run at 105 - 110 lbs at all times. Would never buy them again.

[B Bob]

Something must be wrong with those tires to crack that soon. I just replaced six year old michelins the were made in USA and looked perfect and were crack free. Absolutely contact mich to see what they will do for you.

[Wanabee FTer]

The PO of my rig stored it on concrete with no barrier. Tires had 4 years from date code and cracks where the tires bulged from sitting. Now I know how important it is to properly store an RV.

[njs42]

Michelins DOT 1002, original to my coach have preformed flawlessly--no cracks---could not ask for more---I am replacing them this year with Michelins at a very reasonable price. Can't complain.

[Chuck 1935]

Very interesting note.
In reading these posts about Michlein tires, I have noticed that the people that do not have cracking problems with their Michleins are parking their Motorhomes indoors or are from places that tend to be colder with less sunshine and less ozone in the air. Conversly those from Southern California or Arizona have the most cracking problems.

[Elkhartjim]

I'm pretty sure WayneM stores his covered.