Comments on: Tire Age Can Result in Tire Failure

By: Jerry Robertson

Jerry Robertson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:48:33 +0000

No comments, just a couple questions. It was asked – which tire pressure should be used? On the tire or recommended by the RV? Should we elevated our RV off the ground or just park on concrete? Seems like placing a jack on the axles wouldn’t be good on them.

Thanks, Jerry

By: Miles

Miles — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:45:24 +0000

Jeff,
You can use a thin knife blade or a thin wire pick to check the crack depth.

When the cracks get deeper than about 3/16 inch and the tires are 7+ years old, it might be time for new ones. I didn’t want to risk tire failure in the high desert of NV, and I have seen the damage that a blown tire can do to a trailer. Not pretty, and it costs a lot to repair. I like having fun on vacation and not worrying about what will fail next. )

By: bob

bob — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:55:41 +0000

Carlisle did or does make bad tires! I bought a new Tahoe travel trailer in 2002 with carlisle tires on it. I took a trip from Texas to Yellowstone Park two weeks after I purchased travel trailer, I blew three tires and the fourth had loose tread on it when I stopped in Cody Wyoming and had a new set of cooper tires put on. I checked weight of loaded trailer and checked tire pressure daily. When I got back to Texas I notified dealer where I bought trailer he stated they were having a lot of problems with that brand of tire, he stated why didn’t you bring them back they were under warranty? I stated when you are on vacation you don’t bring a truck load of tires back. I have since bought two other trailers and the first thing I check is the brand of tires, I haven’t seen any Carlisle tires yet but I wouldn’t buy a trailer with them on it.

By: Jeff Robinson

Jeff Robinson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:38:30 +0000

How do you get into the tire crack far enough to measure?

By: Don

Don — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:04:56 +0000

After much research, I’ve found 303 Aerospace Protectant to be a great product to use on RV tires. 303products.com From their literature: “Recreational Vehicles: 303 is the only manufacturer-recommended maintenance product for RV EPDM roofing. Excellent for tires, all rubber seals, and components.” I’ve found it for sale in boating/marine supply stores.

By: Miles

Miles — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:45:11 +0000

I bought my camper new in 2002 and it came with Maxxis ST (trailer tires) that had a load rating that just matched the load rating of the camper axles. I was servicing the bearings and brakes and noticed that there were cracks in the root of the tread on all four tires. I was planning a 4800 mile trip and decided to get new tires. After some research and checking local dealers for stock, I elected to get a set of Goodyear Marathon tires one size larger and a higher load range.

Why? I drive at speeds between 65 and 70 mph. ST rated tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph. Using the load / inflation tables and the load adjustments for speed worksheet provided by Goodyear I was able to determine the load rating and the inflation pressure for the tires in my application.

Rims… Larger cross section tires required wider rims. The original rims were bent / warped from tight turns with a double axle. When replacing tires, check the rims to make sure they are true and have no cracks.

Information is available from tire manufacturers and the Tire and Rim Association to give direction in choosing tires for various applications.

As far as the general care of the Maxxis tires, they were always kept at the maximum inflation pressure rating and checked several times during trips. No covers were used and the camper would sit on gravel, grass or concrete for six months at a time. There was no cracking of the side walls, but as noted above, cracking was found in the root of the treads in approximately equal amounts on all four tires. I also avoided running over curbs and other large objects that might damage the belts.

By: Francis

Francis — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:32:01 +0000

i had a blowout on the inside dual tire on my class c motorhome. it tore through the flooring and did extensive damage, including my exhaust pipe. the tires had good tread but i later learned were 9 years old. we had just purchased the motorhome used from an RV dealer so we figured the tires were ok. We now have 6 new tires with a 2009 date on them. Wish we had known before. Could have saved us time and money.

By: David

David — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:18:07 +0000

Most RVs have a rubber roof. They recommend a rubber roof treatement to preserve the life of it. Can it be used on tires to preserve the life and keep them plyable?

By: Chris Gentile

Chris Gentile — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:32:30 +0000

I thought I read somewhere that Bridgestone, Michelin and others all recomend that wheels be covered during outside storage. In fact, you see wheels covered in many campgrounds. However, that same article quoted Goodyear as saying that tire covering was unnecessay for their tires. Any truth to this?

By: Warren A Norman

Warren A Norman — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:24:38 +0000

How true! Great article.
I have a 2001 MH with the tires that came on it. Unsure of manufacture date.
On a trip from Chicago to Seattle I had 2 blowouts, right front and later outside left rear. Repair cost more than $7,000.00.

Cheaper to have replaced all the tires!