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Watch for tire rot
I’m sure 99% of you do this already, but just a word of caution just in case - watch out for tire rot, especially on tires that have been sitting for some time. We had a blowout on one of our rear dualies today in KC (thankfully on a back road and in a place that had shade). The tech who came to help us replace it (thanks Coach Net, though it did take 5 hours) highlighted the rot in the sidewall that somehow I and two different RV repair folks missed when I had taken it to shops recently and asked specifically to look at the tires to see if they needed replacing. Anyway we’re fine (and actually ended up enjoying the slow day and are grateful for kind Missourians who helped us out) but just wanted to spread the word. Thanks!

Sasha
2005 Mid Bath

Re: Watch for tire rot
Reply #1
Tire rot rarely would be a problem with tires within 6 years or less of manufacture. I recommend you check the DOT date codes on the rest of the tires if uncertain of their age. Never rely on tread depth or wear pattern as a health indicator on these tires. If over 6 years since manufacture, replace them.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit

Re: Watch for tire rot
Reply #2
Tire rot rarely would be a problem with tires within 6 years or less of manufacture. I recommend you check the DOT date codes on the rest of the tires if uncertain of their age. Never rely on tread depth or wear pattern as a health indicator on these tires. If over 6 years since manufacture, replace them.

Steve

Yea my tires were from 8-2012 and although they had minimal wear and no cracking I knew I was playing a risky game. I forked over the $1700 and got a new set of Michelin Agilis CrossClimates this Spring prior to our 3000 mile trek a couple weeks ago. How old were the tires you had on your rig?
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.

Re: Watch for tire rot
Reply #3
6 year max in the age of RV tires is the general rule of thumb. Ours had aged out at 5 1/2 years and were replaced with Michelin Agilis Cross Climates.

I asked the manager at Allen tires what they would do with our “old” tires and he said “trash ‘em”. Just as I suspected.

Several years ago my brother purchased a 2000 SOB (some other brand) RV at a dealership in Arizona (he lives in Colorado). He called me about his tires on the rig. He sent photos of each (cracked, checked and scary) they were “bright and shiny” from the tire black they sprayed on them. The tread was nice and deep. I could have screamed.

He sent photos of the DOT’s of each tire. None of them matched. Some were years older from one another. Most were nearly a decade old. One was only a couple of years old. This suggested the previous owner’s had replaced them as they blew.

I told him to have the dealer change them all before he drove off the lot. He didn’t and drove the 800 miles home instead. “I’ll drive slowly and be careful”. I was anxiously waiting for his call to confirm his safe arrival.

I thought it was criminal for the dealership to sell a rig with dangerous tires. Buyer beware brings on a whole new meaning.

Check the DOT’s. Never trust wear as an indicator of safe tires. Glad you’re  safe. Enjoyed your experience. And shared the tale. Frightening as it was. Glad it wasn’t me.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"

 
Re: Watch for tire rot
Reply #4
In 2010 when I got my Tracker home after purchasing it at a dealership in Arizona, I couldn't figure out the date code on the spare tire. As Kent said, it looked all shiny.  It also was the original 1992 tire, and was hard as a rock! The Date coding changed to what they use now, and the old coding was not real clear.  All of those tires changed last year so that all of the tires and date codes match.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB