New Tire Needed?

[JDSwett]

Today I noticed damage to one of my 43-foot motorhome rear tires. I have no idea what caused this chunk of rubber to be removed from the tire. I'm wondering if a new tire is required. Any thoughts from everybody out there would be appreciated!

[theroc]

How old is the tire? i believe that's referred to as "chunking." Although it's not immediately dangerous if, as has been discussed previously on the forum, a belt hasn't been damaged.

Here's a general description of chunking although it pertains to a passenger car tire but may be somewhat applicable:

3 TIRE DAMAGE WARNING SIGNS THAT IT’S TIME TO REPLACE YOUR RUBBER

And take a look at this previous thread ...although his tire looks to be much more worn, comments are it isn't anything to worry about --take a look at the last post too:

Tire concern! How urgent is this?

Let's see what the tire experts here on the forum say about your situation. I'd be tempted to have it inspected by a commercial truck tire shop if finding it on my tire.

[JDSwett]

The tires are exactly 5 years old with 12K miles. Thank you for the links. I'll have the tire looked at, as it's pretty deep.

[Ray,IN]

Tread separation is always serious, have it replaced. I once had a tire begin chunking and decided to run it until I returned home. While being passed by a semi the tire completely lost all tread, startled both drivers. That strip of tread tore up the LR fender of my truck before completely separating from the carcass.
I was very thankful the inner air bladder retained air until I could reduce speed and limp to an off-ramp where I changed to my spare. This was on a 3/4T pickup towing a 5er. By the time I had the spare installed the tread-less tire had lost all air pressure.

[Piros1]

Originally Posted by JDSwett

The tires are exactly 5 years old with 12K miles. Thank you for the links. I'll have the tire looked at, as it's pretty deep.

They shouldn’t be aged out if they are 5 years old based on manufactures date code but I would have it check if you have a pro you trust. Most tire guys I have found really don’t know much about tire conditions or tire life. I have been misguided be several that have a lot of years under their belt with truck tires. I would probably cut the rubber chunk off and see if cord is showing. If the cord is exposed the replacement is required and I would replace all tires in that axle. If it is a steer tire then replace it anyway along with the other side. Usually this is caused by either the rubber getting hard (the tire is at end of its life) or hitting a curb or pot hole or other obstacle. Sometimes you don’t realize you hit it.

Just my 2 cents worth after running a small fleet of trucks for over 40 years.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Piros1

They shouldn’t be aged out if they are 5 years old based on manufactures date code but I would have it check if you have a pro you trust. Most tire guys I have found really don’t know much about tire conditions or tire life. I have been misguided be several that have a lot of years under their belt with truck tires. I would probably cut the rubber chunk off and see if cord is showing. If the cord is exposed the replacement is required and I would replace all tires in that axle. If it is a steer tire then replace it anyway along with the other side. Usually this is caused by either the rubber getting hard (the tire is at end of its life) or hitting a curb or pot hole or other obstacle. Sometimes you don’t realize you hit it.

Just my 2 cents worth after running a small fleet of trucks for over 40 years.

Once tread integrity is compromised it doesn't take long for centrifugal force to pull the remaining tread off the carcass.

Have you read the threads concerning resulting fiberglass body damage from flailing rubber?
I lost the tread on a flatbed trailer tire, before I got stopped it had beaten the fender so much I had to pull it away from the axle before I could mount the spare. (glad I had a come-along in the truck)

[Arch Hoagland]

I curious what brand of tire is it?

[JDSwett]

They are Bridgestone "Eco-Pia" tires. Here are few better photos of the damage:

[Piros1]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Once tread integrity is compromised it doesn't take long for centrifugal force to pull the remaining tread off the carcass.

Have you read the threads concerning resulting fiberglass body damage from flailing rubber?
I lost the tread on a flatbed trailer tire, before I got stopped it had beaten the fender so much I had to pull it away from the axle before I could mount the spare. (glad I had a come-along in the truck)

Yes I know what happens to fiberglass when a tire blows. I own 40 trucks and I have seen a front tire on one of my trucks cut a front fender off the truck before it could be pulled over to the shoulder of the road. And yes I know what happens when the tread is ripped off the carcass. My experience with our trucks is if it is a chip in the tread from hitting something and it is only in the outer layer of tread you can cleanly cut the chunk of rubber off and run it on a drive tire. I said if it is a front tire replace it same with a cut down past the tread. Also you have to watch the tire for future degradation. If the tire is aged out based on manufacturing date then it is time for it to go along with the rest of the tires on that axle. Always replace duel s in pairs and if tires show any wear or older than a year replace all tires on that axle. Front tires are not as forgiving and I would never replace one without the other. I have seen tires that the carcass and rubber run 8 plus years no issues or degradation but gave also and these were Michelin tires start cracking and tread peeling at 6 years. Actually they were the only steer tire I had that started degrading that early in life and they were on the front of a previous coach I owned.

I can only advise based on my experiences and what I have been taught over the years by tire suppliers. I don’t claim to be an expert but I have been involved with purchase thousands of tires over the past 45 plus years and seen and experienced many tire issues most due to driver error or lack of maintenance.

The OP needs to check the tire closely and try to make an educated decision that they feel good about.

[Fiesta48]

Good job on inspecting your tires. I'm constantly doing the same. Many blowouts and problems are avoided by doing so. 1 blowout in 60 years.

[wingnut60]

Looks like it is a steer tire? Seems somewhat worn for only 12K. I would replace it.