Tire change out times

[Jdpyle]

I have a 2018 Flying Cloud, and keep it in a fully enclosed storage unit in Katy Texas. The trailer tires are only exposed to UV when we travel 4-5 times a year, mostly shorter duration trips.
I checked the manufacture date on each tire and it looks like they all four , were produced in July of 2018.
Treads on each tire are al well with spec, but concerned if the tires need to be changed out due to age. No signs of cracking , etc.
Can someone provide some guidance on if I need to replace under the circumstances stated.

[s1000pre]

I wouldn’t worry about it if you don’t see any signs of aging. I have had cars with low miles and 10+yr old tires. Never had an issue.

[Bill M.]

I am on the other end of the spectrum. I change the trailer tires every 4 years just based on age. Probably a little conservative but not very expensive compared to a little longer interval. Ozone degrades tires too.

[waninae39]

every 4-6 years is a good idea
many factors effect the exact replacement time.

tread ware and excess UV cracking/dryness are but two top considerations

[DoublTrouble]

2x what Bill said!

[DCPAS]

I am in the same boat as you. Indoor storage and Houston area. A lot of the 5 years no matter what advice may have come from the China bomb tires era. Keeping them longer may be possible now with better tires, but then again, long storage periods on one spot of the tire isn't particularly good for a tire even if indoors. I think I will stick to the 5 year periods.

[rd tighe]

I would agree with Bill. Tire's are inexpensive which cannot be said about Airstreams and break down

[Cispook]

https://timeattackmanila.com/news/ge...ot-expire-age/

Read this - make an informed decision

[Bill M.]

I seem to have too much time on my hands today.


"That’s because, when tires are un-inflated, do not carry any load, and exposed to minor temperature fluctuations in storage, they do not deteriorate as explained by Michelin."

But we are talking about tires that are inflated and have a load sitting on them.

From a current thread:

"Ours were also 2/18 with about 40000 miles on them we were just about to buy new ones.
Fortunately no damage to trailer since it held itself together as we got to shoulder. Click image for larger version"

[Jdpyle]

Thanks for your response, I think you are correct that it is a small expense compared to the cost of my rig.

[Jdpyle]

Bill, Thanks for your help and looks like the majority feel that change out is the best option for inflated tires with a load on them.

[aftermath]

I think Cispook's post was addressing an entirely different issue. When purchasing a new set of tires, if one has an earlier manufacture date you shouldn't be alarmed.


The issue with regular replacement of trailer tires has more to do with tires that sit for long periods of time, under load, and then driven down the road to be parked for more long periods of time. I am a believer in 5 years as a time to replace. 4, 5, or 6 might work for me.

[Ephraim]

Don’t know about Goodyear but Michelin’s official stance is that tires are good for 7 years. Even at that point, it’s not an automatic replacement. Weekly inspection for regular use or before trip if irregular. Replace if signs of defects show up.

[Scott S]

I would only go with the 7 year rule if I had it in writing that the tire manufacturer would pay to have someone come out and change the tire and repair any damage to the trailer!

A few years back I had a set of tires that looked new...no visible dry rot at all, well cared for, with very good tread. They were 7 years old. At purchase I had gone one load range higher than needed. Money was tight so I decided to press my luck. Never again! I had both tires give out on that trip, in less than 24 hours. Fortunately no damage, but I learned my lesson. 5 years max on the tires! If I have the $ to go on a trip, I have the $ for new tires too.

[Tom_T]

Look up the articles in Tire Rack's tech articles for more details, but I think it's about 5-6 years regardless of miles for trailers (& RVs that sit most of the year), & about 8 for regularly driven cars/trucks/suvs.

The problem with visual checking for cracks, is that there can be unseen internal cracking, which is more likely with tires that sit mostly. Regularly driven (towed) vehicles move the emollients around inside the tire's rubber & help keep it pliable - sitting does nothing but get flat spots.

That's why car/truck tires are longer time to change them.

So at 7/18 you can maybe get another year out of them, but read the tech articles to see if you're comfortable doing that.

Safe Travels!
Tom
///////

[KCurtis]

Bought a 2020 Airstream in February of 2020. Put roughly 25,000 miles on the trailer and I just replaced them before my current 2500 mile and 2 month trip. I have better things to worry about than saving a few bucks on tires that might fail due to wear on the roads.

[RichHog]

Hey neighbor,
Live off Eldridge and i10. Was getting ready last Thursday to head to Colorado and was checking and inflating tires when I noticed one tire looked like the tread was separating. Fortunately a tire shop is next to my office and they sent a man over who put a new one on. I wouldn’t have made it even a hundred miles on that tire. So dry rot or Houston humidity affected one tire of the four. I’ve had a Goodyear Marathon Tire separate outside Mojave and it was a $2500 repair.
Richard

[Tailgunner]

We use our trailer at the beach all summer. I made the mistake of trying to get 6 years out of our last tires. On the way home over about 100 miles we had three blowouts and set on the side of I-10 for 4 hours. The worst part was one tire tore up the trailer and took a lot of work to repair. Never again. 5 years Max.

[vwii]

We have Vanguard STR st225/75R15 on our FC. Date code is 4018, so I suppose we're due for a new set next spring. I am going to have steel valve stems installed (for the TPMS) next month and have Big O do an inspection (along with a brake adjustment). The tires otherwise don't have many miles on them, have good tread, and aren't showing any outwardly signs of wear.

I'm leaning toward getting Hankook ST tires as I've been very pleased with how Hankook tires have performed on the tow vehicle (Tundra).

[Jeff7176]

I put about 20,000 miles on the trailer per year so I expect my tires will wear out before they time out, but prior to my current lifestyle, I stuck to the 5-year change routine. Like others have said, I consider it relatively cheap insurance.