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Old 05-05-2016, 07:07 AM   #1
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How long before replacing tires?

I have been reading a lot of posts and opinions about tires. No, I do not have 16" wheels with Michelins.

I just got a used 2014 FC, and being two years old I am assuming the tires have some life left. I don't know exactly how much the previous owner used the trailer, but it looks like not much. And I will be keeping it parked in an RV lot 49 weeks out of the year. Sooo....

How long before I have to replace the tires?

Yes, I will inspect them and keep them properly inflated and all that. But with my use, I should expect to get at least 5 years out of them? Thoughts?
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Old 05-05-2016, 07:15 AM   #2
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Check the actual date code on the tires. Tires are probably 3 years. 5 years or cracks for me on a trailer that gets pulled much.
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Old 05-05-2016, 07:15 AM   #3
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5 years or when they are worn out or blow out. Hopefully I will reach the 5 year goal before new tires are necessary. With proper care, inflation preasure and speed limitations there are few reasons to expect not to be able too inspite of what the brand haters say.
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Old 05-05-2016, 07:34 AM   #4
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If the trailer is going to sit for 49 weeks, why not just take the tires off and let the AS rest on wooden supports? Then you can put the tires in storage where they aren't carrying the weight and exposed to the elements.

If it sits for 49 weeks, how far does it travel during the other 3 weeks? If you aren't going very far, I'd just put the old tires back on and move it elsewhere, then take them off again.
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Old 05-05-2016, 07:39 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richw46 View Post
If the trailer is going to sit for 49 weeks, why not just take the tires off and let the AS rest on wooden supports? Then you can put the tires in storage where they aren't carrying the weight and exposed to the elements.

If it sits for 49 weeks, how far does it travel during the other 3 weeks? If you aren't going very far, I'd just put the old tires back on and move it elsewhere, then take them off again.
That's a good thought, thanks!

The other three weeks would be relatively short trips. Two days one way at most, 4 hours each day on the road. Not sure I am up to the task of removing and reinstalling tires, but I appreciate the suggestion!
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Old 05-05-2016, 07:40 AM   #6
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They won't cause you any trouble in the RV lot, it's the other three weeks where you might look at the reliability history of the original Airstream tires.

At two years and in great condition they have some market value with their wheels if you decided to change to 16" Michelins, and you plan some long trips in hot weather. TPMS is another strategy to reduce odds of sudden failure, may or may not warn you of failure before damage to your Airstream happens.
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Old 05-05-2016, 07:45 AM   #7
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Okay, reading your last post I think you would be fine for at least five years keeping the pressure up and the tires covered to protect them from the sun. When towing 60 mph and full 65 psi air pressure (cold) is a safe bet, stay under 65 (limit for the tires).
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Old 05-05-2016, 10:35 AM   #8
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Also: I've read several posts on this Forum that tires should not be left sitting on concrete. If your are storing your AS on a concrete floor, I'd back the trailer's tires over plywood or OSB squares, to keep them off the concrete.
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Old 05-05-2016, 10:43 AM   #9
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The thing that happened to me was I had one tire out of balance and it caused cupping on the tread. I noticed it when I was backing into a park space and was glad I did. It was not obvious just looking at the tire. Even though the tires were about 3 years old and looked good I replaced them with new. You can have a tire off balance on the trailer and not notice it during towing. So - you can also increase the life of a tire by keeping them in balance + cover them when in storage with good quality tire covers so the sun doesn't damage them
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Old 05-05-2016, 10:52 AM   #10
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My RV pad is concrete so I was going to put down a rubber parking mat under the tires. Wood will probably rot, won't it?
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Old 05-05-2016, 10:59 AM   #11
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I just replaced my tires after 4 years figuring that there was an extra year on them from sitting on the dealer lot. The trailer is a 2012 bought at the end of that year. The inside of all four tires showed serious wear and so after putting new ones on I took the trailer in for an alignment. Consensus seems to be 5 years and after seeing how they look, I'm glad I didn't go any longer.
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Old 05-05-2016, 11:29 AM   #12
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ST (trailer) tires are rated for 3-5 years, after which they have "aged out" and become prone to failure, irrespective of visual inspections showing good tread remaining. I change my tired every three years with about 25k miles on them.
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Old 05-05-2016, 11:38 AM   #13
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Why not leave tires on concrete? I haven't heard that, I know some types of dirt can cause rot.
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Old 05-05-2016, 11:40 AM   #14
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Rubber garage tiles are cheap and will give me peace of mind.
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Old 05-05-2016, 11:48 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWCHIEF View Post
5 years or when they are worn out or blow out. Hopefully I will reach the 5 year goal before new tires are necessary. With proper care, inflation preasure and speed limitations there are few reasons to expect not to be able too inspite of what the brand haters say.
Or blow out did you say?
I had one blow after thinking the very same thing since the tires only had about 12 M miles on them.
I had one blow out on I-4 while in the middle lane. Later we found the two others were also in the beginning stages of thread separation. Four new Michelins cost me $ 600.00. To repair the damage the blow out caused to the side of the trailer, $ 9,400.00 and a round trip to Jackson Center Ohio.

Yes some people seem to have good luck with GYM and some others like me get hurt real bad by them. I don't hate them I just refuse to take the risk.
You don't need to go to 16" wheels to put Michelin's on.
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Old 05-05-2016, 12:00 PM   #16
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Quote:
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My RV pad is concrete so I was going to put down a rubber parking mat under the tires. Wood will probably rot, won't it?
Mine is just cheap plywood. It has survived 1 winter. I have plenty more scrap pieces of it laying around. Rather than 2 long ones I have 4 short ones, makes it easier to store in the bumper.
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Old 05-05-2016, 12:17 PM   #17
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Checking at the Goodyear site, they have no RV tire replacement guidelines. Tires that are used regularly have a longer life span, they say. Here is the gist of it:

Tire Replacement Guidelines
Goodyear does not state a specific replacement age for RV tires because there are many conditions that dictate a tire's life span. Some factors that influence how long a tire will last are:
Usage per year - more frequent usage will result in longer life
Vehicle storage practices (6 months loaded with little or no rotation is not good!)
Usage in warmer climates can also impact a tire's overall life due to greater extreme ozone exposure


Sidewall Weathering
Weather cracking is a naturally occurring condition that results from exposure to heat and sunlight. Goodyear's warranty for weather cracking is four years from purchase date (or four years from manufacture date if proof of purchase is not available).

Weather cracking is common in RV tires from all manufacturers.

  • Appears as crazing and or cracking in the flex area of the sidewall
  • Probable causes of sidewall weathering
    — Long periods of inactivity or storage
    — Direct exposure to air and sunlight
    — Exposure to high levels of ozone (smog, electrical generators)
    — Excessive washing or dressing using alcohol or petroleum based cleaners
When should the tire be replaced?
  • Cracks > 2/32" deep
  • Internal components of tire (steel or fabric body plies) are visible
Without evidence of weather cracking, use the following as a gauge:
  • Usage per year --More frequent usage will result in longer life
  • Vehicle storage practices (6 months loaded with little or no rotation is not good!)
  • Casing quality --Absence of repairs, liner wrinkles, weather cracking, sidewall scuffs or cuts
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Old 05-05-2016, 12:19 PM   #18
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That's it! That's my excuse for taking her out.

"But honey, the tires need exercise!".

I love it.
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Old 05-05-2016, 12:46 PM   #19
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I get new every three years. I travel about 22 k a Season.
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Old 05-05-2016, 01:01 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FCStreamer View Post
That's it! That's my excuse for taking her out.

"But honey, the tires need exercise!".

I love it.
I think there is a lot of truth in that excuse. Same with the flexible rods in your axles. Taking it for a drive is good for it, rotate the bearings, flex the rubber tires and suspension, use the brakes, compress the shocks, flex the body/frame. All good stuff.
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