Relatively new tires with tire rot!!!

[tomakat]

I recently purchased a 2009 Safari Simba Class A from a dealership that got the RV from a dealership that went bankrupt (bank repo). After my first trip, I knew that I needed some suspension upgrades, as a result, I just had the following upgrades installed last week (Koni FSDs, Safe-T-Plus, UltraTrac rear track bar, 4 wheel laser alignment, 4 corner weighing, tire pressure inflation accordingly).

While crawling under the RV to inspect my suspension upgrades, I found the following "issues" on the inside walls of my tires (Michelin XRV / DOT 0908) :


















The outside walls of the tires look picture perfect:



I'm pretty sure that "someone" flipped the tires so that the decaying sides were facing inward. From the look and feel of the tires, it was probably sitting on a dealer's lot with the tires in direct sun light in a very warm/hot climate like AZ. When I touch the flakey parts of the tire, it's very dry, hard, and brittle. Since the DOT date is 0908, do you think this is covered under the tire warranty? If not, how much of a safety issue is this?

On a related note, I was wondering if it would be beneficial for me to get tire covers, but I've been reading all the pros and cons on the issue. I was borderline until I saw this on relatively new tires.

-Tom

[JohnRR]

Have you tried cleaning that "whatever" stuff off? It looks to me like the material is also on the shoulder of the "wear" rubber which is not a place dry rot normally occurs.

Maybe try some tar remover.

edit;
Even if you only clean a few inches off and discover that it is road tar or something similar then you could make the decision if cleaning it all off is worth the extra effort.

In picture #2 it even shows some of the material on a piece of the casing tab.

[tomakat]

I'm pretty sure that it's not road tar. I know that the pics might be hard to decipher, but the dry rot in some sections of the tires are more than half the side wall, not just in the lower edges of the tire. For example, for each tire, there is one section where it's half the tire wall, which would be the section of the tire that got the most sun exposure.

[JohnRR]

Dried gear lube looks the same also, could it have had a seal replaced at one time and someone was too lazy or did not have access to a steam cleaner.

[GaryKD]

Hi tomakat,
With regard to tire covers, for me they are a must. I've used tire covers since my first coach in 1978. I have always received excellent/long service from my tires. I also clean and coat the tires several times a year with:
Cleaner = Rubber Cleaner - Cleaners - Wheels & Tires - Car Care - Griot's Garage

Dressing = Tire Rejuvenator, 8 Ounces With Blue Detail Sponge - Griot's Garage

[Cat320]

My Goodyear RV tire brochure says no covering or protective coating is necessary. However, I still cover them. I don't care what Goodyear (or any of the others) say...sitting in the sun is not good for them and whatever they put in the tires to protect them can use some help.

[paz]

Here's what a mild case of dry rot looks like.



That was what 2 of our tires looked like at 4 years of age. Michelin warrants the tires for 5 years from date of manufacture against premature cracking, among other things. We got 2 new tires for 70% off the regular retail price (plus mounting and balancing and disposal fees) based on 30% tread wear.

Call Michelin. They will give you locations near you where there are qualified factory representatives to inspect your tires. If defective, they will give you new tires at a price pro-rated for tread wear.

[tomakat]

Paz,

I'm planning to take my RV to an authorized Michelin dealer to see what they say. It would be nice if this is covered under their warranty program. I'll update everyone after my talks with them.

-Tom

[historyljc]

Tom,
Yes on the tire covers.

[Ernie n Tara]

That looks more like a molding defect than dry rot. I'm sure Michelin will warranty if the tires aren't too old (check the dates) unless they were sold as seconds.
Ernie

[ksg5000]

When in doubt take it to a Michelin Tire dealer - they will inspect and tell you what (if any) issue you have - doesn't cost a dime.

[cb5300]

Originally Posted by paz

Here's what a mild case of dry rot looks like.



That was what 2 of our tires looked like at 4 years of age. Michelin warrants the tires for 5 years from date of manufacture against premature cracking, among other things. We got 2 new tires for 70% off the regular retail price (plus mounting and balancing and disposal fees) based on 30% tread wear.

Call Michelin. They will give you locations near you where there are qualified factory representatives to inspect your tires. If defective, they will give you new tires at a price pro-rated for tread wear.

Paz,
Do you by chance have the name of who you talked to at Michelin. I have 3 tires doing exactly the same thing and all I'm getting is the run around.

[JohnRR]

Regardless of what it is you did the right thing by asking compared to some who would just ignore the concern.

[two-niner]

Don't believe I've ever seen anything like that.

But as mentioned above, they may have came out of the mold ugly, and were sold as seconds.

Kerry