When to replace tires

[John&Andrea]

Just wondering when do you replace. I know the recommendation is 5-7 years of age. We are starting our sixth year on these tires and have had no issues. Planning to replace next year.
Tires were manufactured 7/2020.
How do you determine when to replace?

 

[Neal]

I did mine at 6 years and 60K miles were on them. I think there may have been some tire wear markers revealing per a FL service visit. It's simply my worst nightmare so not something I wanted to put off. I had RettroBands installed during this process as well, and also centramatic balancers. I had some cupping on the tag axle tires. Everything inspected good, it was time.

 

[Holdmybeer]

That's one of the hottest topics of debate on many RV forums. Roger Marble, who self titles himself a tire engineer with lower case e ( there's no record of him ever attending an engineering school) says 5-7 yrs. Michelin says up to 10 yrs. There's really no tell-tell for when to replace unless there are obvious signs like wear patterns, tread wear, cracks and/or bulges. Marble does also make an exception for ST tires, he recommends those be replaced every 3-5 years.
Many tire centers won't let their techs put air in a 10+ year old tire.
Speaking for myself, I might stretch the window on the rear but not the steer tires.

 

[redbaron]

I agree, front tires get replaced sooner than rear. Even with retroband, it’s not worth the trouble of a steer axle tire blowout.

I personally would hit the 6 year mark for replacement based on DOT codes.

 

[Neemer]

Mine are beginning year six and I’m going to replace them sometime next month. It’s another one of those peace of mind things.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

We replaced ours after 8 years, only did it that early because we were considering selling the coach.
Tires looked great, using the visual guides from Michelin.
When we replaced the insides also looked very good.
Went from Michelin to now using Toyo. Will see how these age compared to the Michelins we had prior.

 

[John&Andrea]

I think I am replacing before the next trip.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

5 years is a good number!

While thinking about cost, do a complete analysis.

Turns out that the price of tire replacement is much lower than the difference created by a CarMax report when trying to sell your RV.

 

[dons2346]

My answer; it depends on mileage. Tires that sit don't get the chemicals built into the tire compound released so the tire rots and cracks. You have to drive tires to get them hot/warm in order for these chemicals to get released. I just replaced the infamous sidewall cracking Michelin tires that were 10 years old and they had zero cracks in the sidewalls. Mileage on them was around 80K miles

 

[fishslayer]

I change tires by condition not by calender..I spent 40 yrs on the road pulling a big heavy tandem con struction trailer .I saw 6 mon tires blow and others last 10 yrs or more. I inspect all tires on my rigs before every trip..If no visible signs of cracking , bubbling or uneven wear..they roll.

 

[BGMAC]

I know the Toyo Tire’s (my tires) the manufacture recommends 10 years.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

For the Love of God and family! STOP!

If you have read the manufacturer's recommendations follow them!

If they recommend 5??? year's but warranty the casing 10, the 5??? Is the numbers to go by. THEY KNOW THE STATISTICS FOR THEIR TIRES. It's not an add to extract more of your life blood.

Ever wonder why the tires you buy are only a couple of weeks old? Those companies don't stock pile inventory, they only produce according to need. This means they fight all the time to keep up with demand. If people follow recommendations, they need to try harder. Any tire used past that date increases risk!

This is the thing!

If the price of admission is not in your budget, then don't borrow the money to see the show!

This is why I say that!

I Am a widower X2, the first loss 26 years ago, the second in 2022. I still wake up some mornings with less sleep than my head was on the pillow. I spent hours thinking of what I could have done for a different outcome. Truth is they passed on their terms, and nothing I could have done would have made a difference. If My choice was to have saved a buck,and I knew that was the case, I would never sleep knowing My actions were to blame.

Saving money for something so important as tires, is akin to a senior spending his/her pension at the casino to try and pay rent.

It really is that simple!

May your spirit guides direct your path!