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Topic: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV (Read 4 times) previous topic - next topic
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Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV
Yahoo Message Number: 99617
Do any of you know the average life span of a Michelin tire on an RV?  This morning after noticing a narrow 1" split on the outside of one of the dual tires, I took our 2006 26-1/2 MB down to the Ford dealership to have the tire assessed.  I was told by the manager of the parts department that it is dry rot from having the LD in storage for significant intervals between long trips. He also indicated that the other tires are also showing signs of dry rot, but not nearly as significant as the one we are replacing.  We ordered the rig in Dec 2006 and picked it up at the end of April 2007 (ours was one of the last anniversary editions built) so she is 22 months old.  The tires *look* almost brand new, but have about 17,000 miles on them.  Understandably, conditions would have a significant impact on dry rot.  We have never had our rig at full weight capacity and we always make sure we follow the recommendations for tire pressure.  We live in Alabama so no extreme cold, but yes, extreme hot during the summer months! We store the rig in level outside storage for 2-3 months between trips, but the tires are generally shaded by trees and other rigs beside us.  Also, when camping we use leveling blocks a lot of the time. These may also have an impact on dry rot, although the split was on the back tire and we generally need the levelers on the front tires.  We have taken several cross country trips out west, but mostly have used the rig on shorter trips (100-700 miles).  I was also thinking that maybe the chassis could have been on the lot at the mothership for an extended period of time.  This is our first motorhome and we are still getting the feel for what to expect.  Maybe some of you that have more experience could give us novices some guidance!  Ed Gaffney
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99618
I just bought tires for my RV last summer and the tire store manager told me that the rubber compounds they are using these days are good for a minimum of 7 years.  That being said, there are lots of variables out there.  You should be able to pull a date code off the side of your tires and find out exactly when they were produced.  Do a little internet searching to figure out how to read the date codes.  Michelins are generally very high quality tires, and I would think that they would stand behind them if they've deteriorated before their time.  But you never know.  You could probably have whoever is selling your new tires to you work on recovering some money from Michelin for you.  I know Les Schuab out here in the West does that sort of thing all the time.  I took a tire to them that came on a car I bought, (used) and they replaced under warranty after it had a flat.  So manufactures do help some times.  Worth a try.
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99619
On Feb 25, 2009, at 4:40 PM, rv_mates wrote:

Quote
Do any of you know the average life span of a Michelin tire on an RV?  This morning after noticing a narrow 1" split on the outside of one of the dual tires, I took our 2006 26-1/2 MB down to the Ford dealership to have the tire assessed.  I was told by the manager of the parts department that it is dry rot from having the LD in storage for significant intervals between long trips.
o o o

Quote
Ed Gaffney
Ed,
 Have you looked at the "date codes" on the tires to see when the tires themselves were manufactured?  That information would be more important than when the rig was made.

I have thought that these tires should last 5-6 years after manufacture and then be replaced no matter how much tread is left.
Also, UV damage is often cited as a problem and is the reason many folks cover their tires.

Alex Rutchka

PS:  See you soon at Hanna Park at the SE GTG!
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99620
Quote
Do any of you know the average life span of a Michelin tire on an RV?

 Tires should be replaced on an RV after 5-6 years regardless of how good they look.

Have you checked the date code on the tires to see when they were manufactured?  It might be that they are nearing 5 years of age.
 When you use leveling blocks, are the blocks big enough to cover the entire footprint of the tire?  When and if you do block the rear tires, do you block both tires on one side, or is one tire hanging in mid-air?
 You say the tires are "generally" shaded.  I take that to mean that the tires DO get sun on them when sitting.  You might consider tire covers.
 Do you use tire dressing on the tires that contains petroleum distillates, such as ArmorAll?  Petroleum distillates dries the rubber out and shouldn't be used on any rubber product.
 It could be, of course, that you just happen to have defective tires on the rig.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99621
I was also thinking that
 
Quote
maybe the chassis could have been on the lot at the mothership for an extended period of time.  This is our first motorhome and we are still getting the feel for what to expect.  Maybe some of you that have more experience could give us novices some guidance!  Ed Gaffney
Dear Ed,

From what you describe I would definitely look at the date codes on your tires.  As many posters have stated in the past, tires should be replaced after about 5 years, unless they have worn out prior to that date.  The reality is that most rv tires decompose prior to wearing out due to mileage.  Most of us don't put that many miles on the RV.
The date codes will tell you when the tires were manufactured.  They could be old tires put on a newer rig.

If your outside tire shows that crack you can bet that the inside tires are much worse.  I would first check the date codes and most likely replace all six tires at once and make sure the installer is putting on recent date codes. IMHO.

Regards,

Jakester
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99622
Quote
..  I was told by the manager of the parts department that it is dry rot from having the LD in storage for significant intervals between long trips.  ...  We store the rig in level outside storage for 2-3 months between trips,
Your tires are suffering from lack of exercise, which distributes the chemicals in the rubber and helps to preserve them.  It's  a "Use it or lose it" sort of thing.

Joanne in Boston NE-44
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99623
Other storage issues include whether the tires were cleaned before storage, and the surface on which you're parked, since some will interact with the rubber.  The Michelin "RV Tire Guide" has specific recommendations for storage. You can download the guide at
 http://www.michelinrvtires.com/michelinrv/toolbox/reference-material.jsp

Joanne
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99624
I would first check the date codes and most
 
Quote
likely replace all six tires at once and make sure the installer is putting on recent date codes. IMHO.

 I agree that if you are going to get new tires, be sure to ask for new tires...there's no reason why you can't get tires that have a 2009 manufacture date.  The dealer may have to order them, but unless this is an emergency, it would pay to wait.  And I'd also inspect the tire before they're put on to make sure the fresh tires that you ordered are, in fact, the ones that are installed!

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99626
On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:40:19 -0000, "rv_mates" gaffneys@...> wrote these inspiring words:

Quote
We live in Alabama so no extreme cold, but yes, extreme hot during the summer months! We store the rig in level outside storage for 2-3 months between trips, but the tires are generally shaded by trees and other rigs beside us.
Ed, Sorry to hear of this costly development.

Shaded is probably better than open sun, but it's the UV wavelength that breaks down tires, so covering the tires is the right thing to do.

I have heard, but it may be totally false, that parking on asphalt breaks down tires.
 I spray our tires with tire foam as this is supposed to help protect from UV.

Don
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV some questions
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99772
Quote
Do any of you know the average life span of a Michelin tire on an RV?  This morning after noticing a narrow 1" split on the outside of one of the dual tires, I took our 2006 26-1/2 MB down to the Ford dealership to have the tire assessed.  I was told by the manager of the parts department that it is dry rot from having the LD in storage for significant intervals between long trips. He also indicated that the other tires are also showing signs of dry rot, but not nearly as significant as the one we are replacing.  We ordered the rig in Dec 2006 and picked it up at the end of April 2007 (ours was one of the last anniversary editions built) so she is 22 months old.  The tires *look* almost brand new, but have about 17,000 miles on them.
Hi Ed,
 Sorry for coming in late on this discussion; I've just been catching up with several days' worth of messages. I've read your orignal post, then your follow up post, #99634, reporting that you called the Ford dealership that had your LD to ask them to check the date on your tires. I think you posted that they replied that your tire was manufactured in May 2004. Here are some questions:
 Not that this has much to do with your tire issues, but if you ordered your rig in Dec. 2006 and took delivery in April 2007, why isn't your rig a 2007 model year? I believe LD, at least for the last 6-8 years has made a model year changover around the same time as the truck model year changes.
 Next question. Have you looked at the Ford build plate located on the driver's side door jamb? It should have a build date, probably the month and year of when the chassis was built. What is the model year of the Ford chassis?
 I asked the above questions so that we can get a clearer picture about the age of your Ford chassis and how long it may have been sitting in storage.
 Have you gone back to the Ford dealership and confirmed that the tire date of manufacture is actually May, 2004?
 I am not questioning what you are posting, rather I am questioning what you have been told. Some things just don't add up. Frankly, without seeing the date on those tires myself, I would have a very hard time believing that your rig, which according to you is a 2006 that was bought brand new in 2007, came with 2004 tires installed from the Ford factory. One possibilty is that while this chassis was stored on a lot before the rig was completed, a tire went flat and somebody replaced it with an old tire. So, one tire being old, maybe. All the tires being old? well... if that is accurate, somebody really screwed up somewhere.
 Regarding the cracks in the tires. If you look closely at just about any tire, you will see bulges and small cracks; that doesn't necessarily mean the tires are defective.

Guess what I am saying is that maybe, just maybe, the dealerhip is trying to sell you new tires. (I've worked at several dealerships; I've learned to question some things the service people tell me. In these times of declining revinues, they've become even more resourceful in how they try to increase business). Some businesses price their product, some of them price their customers.
 If it was my rig, I would at least take it to a Michelin dealer to get another opinion about those tires.

Steve K
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV some questions
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99774
Steve, like Ed, I ordered my MB
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV some questions
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99775
Quote
Steve, like Ed, I ordered my MB in mid December, 2006.  I picked up my  rig in mid May, 2007.  I have a 2007 LD built on 2006 Ford chassis.  According to the build date on chassis, it was June of 2006.  I think  this is pretty common, not only with LD but with other manufactures as  well. I thought when I registered it, that they might question the two different ages, but they did not and it is registered as 2007.

I have also looked at the dates on my tires, at least the four I can  see, they are all 03/06. I am not real happy with that, but will live  with it.

Larry in South Texas
Hi Larry,

At least your situation makes some sense. A 2007 rig on a 2006 chassis would probably not be uncommon in the RV business. But in Ed's situation, it sounds like his rig is titled as a 2006 and that means from a resale stand point, it was one model year old when he took delivery.

If or when you go to sell or trade in your rig, you benefit from having a rig one model year newer. That being said, I guess if I was ordering a new LD, I would expect the chassis to be the newest version that was on the market.

And the fact that your tires were 3 months old when Ford built your chassis, sounds right and sort of validates my point. But in his case, the first tire the dealership supposedly checked was two years older than yours. Makes no sense at all to me.

Steve K (or should I be called suspicious Steve?)
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV--THE SAGA CONTINUE
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99804
Thanks to everyone for their input on tires. Steve, how smart you are!  You requested some clarification regarding the LD's date of manufacture and its tires. I discovered shortly after my follow-up post that the Ford dealer gave me the wrong tire date.  He gave me the 20th week of *2004* when the actual date on that tire as well as all the visible tires on the rig were manufactured the 20th week of *2006*.  Also, there are two dates on the build plate on the rig's door.  One is June 06 and the other is Dec 06. We ordered the rig Dec 06 and I believe we ordered the last 26.5' anniversary edition produced.

The latest addition to the tire saga is that the replacement tire from the Ford dealership is the wrong tire for our rig.  It has a D weight rating and not the E rating on all other tires.  We discovered this by accident. Yesterday, after driving for 600 miles on the "new" tire (hardly stopping), we pulled into an RV park and noticed that the tire looked like it was going flat.  I checked the air pressure and found it was only 60 psi. (I was upset not just because it was a new tire, but I had specifically asked that the tire pressures be checked and filled at 80 psi in the rear.) So I immediately took the rig to a local lube shop and bumped up the pressure to 80 psi.  I had no idea that the tire was D rated for only 60 psi of pressure.  Today we were at Leisure Time RV in Winter Garden, Fl getting an adjustment to our awning. Since there was evidence of the dreaded rot, we had Tom, the service manager, inspect all tires and he discovered the D rated tire.  SO ... we are now driving with an under rated tire containing too much air.  DOUBLE DANGER.

Tomorrow morning we are replacing the D weight rated tire. May also replace all others since that are also showing signs of rot. Current status - the hometown Ford dealer has promised to pay for the replacement tire that I buy here in Florida provided I carry the D tire back to them. I emailed and called Michelin. They need a report on any tire with suspected damage to determine if any reimbursement is possibe.
 So, I have learned so much!  First always listen to your significant other when SHE says "You have to do it yourself." i.e. make the phone calls, check the tire pressures, look over everyones' shoulder who even comes near your rig.  Second, keep your RV moving.  Occasionally drive it on short trips if you don't have any major travel planned.
Third, don't park your RV on the ground for extended periods. Best to park on wood planks, etc., etc.
 There many more things to know just about tires, but it's time to put the Salmon on the grill.

Have a great evening everyone, Ed

Quote
Hi Ed,

Sorry for coming in late on this discussion; I've just been
catching up
 
Quote
with several days' worth of messages. I've read your orignal post, then your follow up post, #99634, reporting that you called the Ford dealership that had your LD to ask them to check the date on your tires. I think you posted that they replied that your tire was manufactured in May 2004. Here are some questions:

Not that this has much to do with your tire issues, but if you ordered your rig in Dec. 2006 and took delivery in April 2007, why isn't your rig a 2007 model year? I believe LD, at least for the last 6-8 years has made a model year changover around the same time as the truck model year changes.

Next question. Have you looked at the Ford build plate located on the driver's side door jamb? It should have a build date, probably the month and year of when the chassis was built. What is the model
year of

Quote
the Ford chassis?

I asked the above questions so that we can get a clearer picture about the age of your Ford chassis and how long it may have been sitting in storage.

Have you gone back to the Ford dealership and confirmed that the tire date of manufacture is actually May, 2004?

I am not questioning what you are posting, rather I am questioning what you have been told. Some things just don't add up. Frankly, without seeing the date on those tires myself, I would have a very hard time believing that your rig, which according to you is a 2006 that was bought brand new in 2007, came with 2004 tires installed from the Ford factory. One possibilty is that while this chassis was stored on a lot before the rig was completed, a tire went flat and somebody
replaced it
 
Quote
with an old tire. So, one tire being old, maybe. All the tires being old? well... if that is accurate, somebody really screwed up
somewhere.

Quote
Regarding the cracks in the tires. If you look closely at just about any tire, you will see bulges and small cracks; that doesn't necessarily mean the tires are defective.

Guess what I am saying is that maybe, just maybe, the dealerhip is trying to sell you new tires. (I've worked at several dealerships;
I've
 
Quote
learned to question some things the service people tell me. In these times of declining revinues, they've become even more resourceful in how they try to increase business). Some businesses price their product, some of them price their customers.

If it was my rig, I would at least take it to a Michelin dealer to get
 
Re: Average Life Span of a Michelin Tire on an RV--THE SAGA CONTINUE
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99854
Quote
Thanks to everyone for their input on tires. Steve, how smart you are!  You requested some clarification regarding the LD's date of manufacture and its tires. I discovered shortly after my follow-up post that the Ford dealer gave me the wrong tire date.  He gave me the 20th week of *2004* when the actual date on that tire as well as  all the visible tires on the rig were manufactured the 20th week of  *2006*.
The latest addition to the tire saga is that the replacement tire from the Ford dealership is the wrong tire for our rig.  It has a D weight rating and not the E rating on all other tires.  We discovered  this by accident. Yesterday, after driving for 600 miles on the "new" tire (hardly stopping), we pulled into an RV park and noticed that  the tire looked like it was going flat.  I checked the air pressure  and found it was only 60 psi. > So, I have learned so much! First always listen to your significant other when SHE says "You have to do it yourself." Ed
Hi Ed,

Wow, you sure had more than your share of tire troubles! Hopefully you are now getting the situation under control.

As for listening to your significant other, her statement is much like Ronald Reagan's "Trust BUT verify" motto. I feel the same way.
I just assume that I have to check my tires any time that someone has the wheels off my rig.
 And just a heads up to folks about car dealers and tires. It has been my experience from working at several car dealers, import and domestic, tires are not their specialty. Service and repairs sure, but tires, most of them wouldn't have a clue about manufacture dates on tires; its just not that important on most vehicles. RVs yes, passenger cars and trucks, no.

Good luck with the new rubber and all your adventures.

Steve K.
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath