Time to replace tires?

[FraBarYoung]

We have a "gently-used" 2015 Flying Cloud. The original owners evidently opted for 16" wheels and Michelin tires as I believe the standard size wheels are 15". We are just about ready to embark upon a 2 month journey to the northwest and the last thing we want to worry about is a tire failure. According to the date stamp on the tires, they were produced in 09/2014. While they still have plenty of tread life, we wonder at what point we should consider replacing them. BTW, we live in AZ and keep the AS in a covered lot with tire covers when not in use.

[CBWELL]

It's a whole lot easier, and usually less expensive, to replace when you decide to, rather than when you HAVE to after a blowout. Blowouts usually occur at a very bad location, at a bad time, and can really ruin a vacation, not to mention the potential damage to your trailer. Those tires are 6 years old, put new ones on and have "peace of mind" for your trip. I change after 5 years, regardless of miles or how they look. JMHO

[pmclemore]

At that age you are marginal. Take a look at the sidewalls - if you see any sign of cracks or checking, then yes - it's definitely time.

CB is correct too. If you are going to replace them in the next year or two, why not now? We all hate the side of the road.

Happy trails. Pat

[BayouBiker]

CBWELL has a sound and very safe plan. The DOT and Highway Traffic Safety Administration say tires sold in the US must go 5 years without failure when not mistreated. they suggest replacement at 6 years and strongly recommend replacement after 7. Many in the industry note that tires with a known history of proper treatment can go 10 years if regularly and carefully inspected after 6 years. There is strong consensus that after 6 years the risk of failure increases significantly.

Hope that guidance gives you additional information.

[Bill M.]

I would replace them without a second thought.

[ROBERT CROSS]

We have 15k on our set of GYE's...much happy.😂

No skimping on safety.

Upgrade now you won't regret it.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[brick1]

Change them before your trip. Your tires are at replacement age. Why risk a blowout?

[Mollysdad]

It's not like you're going to save the cost of a set of tires, you'll only postpone it.
What's it worth to have $500 in the bank for one year while risking a tire failure?
I'd also recommend a TPMS to monitor the pressure/temp while driving.

[Larry C]

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

CBWELL has a sound and very safe plan. The DOT and Highway Traffic Safety Administration say tires sold in the US must go 5 years without failure when not mistreated. they suggest replacement at 6 years and strongly recommend replacement after 7. Many in the industry note that tires with a known history of proper treatment can go 10 years if regularly and carefully inspected after 6 years. There is strong consensus that after 6 years the risk of failure increases significantly.

Hope that guidance gives you additional information.

Yeah, well, DOT and HTSA can say what they want, but there are few trailer tires for RVs that will be reliable after 5 years......last summer's trip and 2 blowouts in Wyoming cost nearly $3,000.00 in underbelly and valve damage, plus 6 new tires......these tires were 4 years old......after that trip, mine are being changed every 3 years......these tires that came from apart had NO SIGNS of cracking, either on the sidewall, nor in the tread.....y'all do what you want, but 3 years is a safe decision.....
For whatever it's worth.
Larry

[The Colonel]

Originally Posted by Larry C

Yeah, well, DOT and HTSA can say what they want, but there are few trailer tires for RVs that will be reliable after 5 years......last summer's trip and 2 blowouts in Wyoming cost nearly $3,000.00 in underbelly and valve damage, plus 6 new tires......these tires were 4 years old......after that trip, mine are being changed every 3 years......these tires that came from apart had NO SIGNS of cracking, either on the sidewall, nor in the tread.....y'all do what you want, but 3 years is a safe decision.....
For whatever it's worth.
Larry

Have to ask, what tires did you have on at time of blowout?

[SailorSam205]

Some of the tire manufacturers are recommending a PROFESSIONAL inspection annually once the tires are 5 years old. This means dismounting the tires so the inside can be inspected.
Personally, I like 3-4 years. Multi-axle trailer tires face a lot more stress than vehicle tires.

[NO NOIZE]

Absolutely Replace

[OTRA15]

Bingo!

[Doc Foster]

That reminds me to check tread depth on my tires along with a full inspection, I was so concerned about replacing my tow vehicle tires, I forgot about the trailer tires. I bought my GY Endurance tires in early 2017 and I figure about 40,000 miles so far. So might replace this year, if not definitely before next season. I replaced my original GT Marathons after only 2 seasons based upon all the horror stories about their failure plus the low speed rating.

[drbrick]

Replace the tires blowouts are VERY expensive

[Larry C]

Originally Posted by The Colonel

Have to ask, what tires did you have on at time of blowout?

Well, I've been wondering how long it would take to turn this into a discussion of brands of tires. They were 15" Carlyle, this was the first problem I've every had with Carlyle tires in the past 20 years and nearly 250,000 miles of towing...
Larry

[BayouBiker]

Well The regulators only hear of tire failure from accident reports but if a pattern of failure emerges less than 5 years, they generally require recalls.

You didn't provide specific details of the tire and Carlisle makes many; each with several load and speed ratings. Perhaps the tire was new on the market and didn't have a complete history. Maybe the load range or speed range was not a good match. Four years is too soon for tires to systematically fail.

I know there are a bunch brand snobs on the internet but for any tire on the US market with a solid 5 year history, when properly matched for the application and properly maintained we should all expect that tire not to fail in the first 5 years.

Tires new on the market are a bit riskier. Tires with speed rating and load range limits close to actual conditions are also higher risk.

[waninae39]

tires, like people are affected by the outdoor conditions, the air and UV light

as a general rule, think about replacing the tires every 5 years.

though you may still have tread, the UV can reduce the rubber to cracking. thus can impact sudden deflation or worse.

best to play it safe

[Moflash]

Reading the date codes on the tires themselves is a more accurate way of making a decision than using the date installed as a guide.Some tires are more than a year old when installed.

[guskmg]

I have run Michelins 7 years in the Texas sun until they cracked. Never had a blowout. However, if you feel uneasy doing that, by all means change them. Airstream says 5 years and Discount Tire will not repair one over 10 years old. I am going to change out 4 good looking B F Goodrich tires made by Michelin because they are coming up on 10 years.
guskmg