As noted in the thread title this isn’t your typical tire thread. I would like input from others on whether or not to replace my tires. I have a 2010 Jayco 5th wheel with just under 6500 miles on it, 3000 of those miles are one round trip to the California coast and the rest on numerous trips within 30-125 miles from home.In March and likely again in July I will be taking the rig to Phoenix which will be about 2000 miles round trip each time. The tires on the Jayco are the original Goodyear Marathons made in the Goodyear Gadsden, AL plant. The date code on the tires are 3909 which means they were made in the 39th week (September 21st) of 2009. So the tires are just over 5 years old with about 6500 miles on them and I’m getting ready to put at least another 4000 miles on them. I’ve inspected the tires very closely, there is no evidence of cracking or weather checking, they have between 6.5/32nds and 8/32nds of tread remaining on them and they have a TPMS on them.Should I replace them? My gut tells me it’s time. My pocketbook tells me to wait. Your input is appreciated.

The ultimate catch 22 situation.If you use them and have problems on your trip, the total costs could probably be more and ruin your trip/vacation.Do it now,in an effort to avoid problems, and the tire warranty may cover repairs to your 5th wheel.

Personally, I would have replaced them last year.I have had a perfectly good looking tire give out on year 5. From then on they never see year 5.

I think the best time to get new tires is when you start agonizing and losing sleep over the dilemma.Most of your tires have several good years left in them but since the only unpredictable end point is a blow out.........refer back to first sentence.

I think 5 year is the magic number, replace them, and you are good for another five years as long to you check the date on the tires you get....you did not say what type of axle, and bearing....if bearing has not been replaced might as well do it all as about 10k you should replace the oem bearings.

Time is the only known here, and most would say it is time to change them. You are the only one that knows how the tires have been cared for. If they have been in the sun a lot, twisted hard on pavement when backing, bounced over the curb, run low on air, or often towed over 65mph.Replacing with new ST tires, just before a long trip is no guarantee. Even a new tire can be defective. I'd be more comfortable running new ones closer to home, until proven. The only time I ever blew a tire, was a new tire just replaced before a trip.If $$$ are tight, the old tires well cared for, you aren't loaded to the max, and will be driving under 65mph, I would run the old tires, at least on the March trip.You asked for opinions, that is mine.Jerry

Not Your Typical Tire Thread | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

MM49
Explorer
Dec 29, 2014
allen8106 wrote:
As noted in the thread title this isn’t your typical tire thread. I would like input from others on whether or not to replace my tires.

I have a 2010 Jayco 5th wheel with just under 6500 miles on it, 3000 of those miles are one round trip to the California coast and the rest on numerous trips within 30-125 miles from home.

In March and likely again in July I will be taking the rig to Phoenix which will be about 2000 miles round trip each time. The tires on the Jayco are the original Goodyear Marathons made in the Goodyear Gadsden, AL plant. The date code on the tires are 3909 which means they were made in the 39th week (September 21st) of 2009. So the tires are just over 5 years old with about 6500 miles on them and I’m getting ready to put at least another 4000 miles on them. I’ve inspected the tires very closely, there is no evidence of cracking or weather checking, they have between 6.5/32nds and 8/32nds of tread remaining on them and they have a TPMS on them.

Should I replace them? My gut tells me it’s time. My pocketbook tells me to wait. Your input is appreciated.

Yes.

It is time to change. It sounds like you have a well set up rig. I believe the path to reliability is a level trailer and a level truck. When you can achieve this you got the best chance on trailer tires. You still have road hazards.
MM49
allen8106
Explorer
Dec 29, 2014
Road Runners wrote:
I don't know if this is relevant. Perhaps Goodyear have improved their Marathon tires. But... From 1997 till 2004 I had really bad experiences with blowouts of Marathon tires. I thought I was doing something wrong. I was told that I was probably running the wrong tire pressure or I was driving too fast and many other things.

I was finally wised up by a fellow fiver puller in a campground. He told me he had the same bad experiences with Marathon tires. He showed me his tires that he said made his tire problems disappear. I took his advice and threw away all my Marathon tires and purchased Michelin XPS rib tires. I have had no further problems with tires. I know pull my fiver with a peace of mind that I never had with Marathons.

Problem with this is that I don't think Ribs are available in a 15" tire and I'm not in a position to buy new wheels.
Road_Runners
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
I don't know if this is relevant. Perhaps Goodyear have improved their Marathon tires. But... From 1997 till 2004 I had really bad experiences with blowouts of Marathon tires. I thought I was doing something wrong. I was told that I was probably running the wrong tire pressure or I was driving too fast and many other things.

I was finally wised up by a fellow fiver puller in a campground. He told me he had the same bad experiences with Marathon tires. He showed me his tires that he said made his tire problems disappear. I took his advice and threw away all my Marathon tires and purchased Michelin XPS rib tires. I have had no further problems with tires. I know pull my fiver with a peace of mind that I never had with Marathons.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2014
A little more imformation is revealed later in the thread. The tires have spent a good portion of their lives covered up. That is a good thing & adds time to the tires usable life IMO.

5 years is 5 years but a tire does not suddenly self destruct after the 5th year. At this point, with quality tires, I'd be checking them more frequently & extra carefully & as long as the tread life is still good go for another year. If the unit is only used for short weekend trips, so much the better.

If I were to be embarking on a long multi week trip I'd be leaning more to replacing sooner rather than later.
C-Bears
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
2112 wrote:
Personally, I would have replaced them last year.
I have had a perfectly good looking tire give out on year 5. From then on they never see year 5.

I agree with the above. With that much age I don't know if you can really measure your tread depth and go by that.

During a trip out west this summer we probably passed 4 - 6 fivers and TT's pulled over with blown tires. In the last couple of weeks in mild temperatures we have passed two between Illinois and Florida.

It is not worth the aggravation, of the safety considerations to not replace the tires. It is a dangerous thing to be sitting on the shoulder of a busy interstate my friend.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 27, 2014
Tachdriver wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Road Runners wrote:
That's interesting about changing the bearings. My fiver has over 110,000 miles on it and they are still the original bearings. I repack them every year and they still look good. Any opinions from others?

As long as a bearing has been serviced regularly they can easily go beyond 100K.

Regular service is the key. During service one shows sign of wear then replace.

My bearings were heat stained on my 2009. Replaced them with Timkens. Be sure to use a quality bearing if replacing.

Totally agree on spending the extra on quality!
Tachdriver
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Road Runners wrote:
That's interesting about changing the bearings. My fiver has over 110,000 miles on it and they are still the original bearings. I repack them every year and they still look good. Any opinions from others?

As long as a bearing has been serviced regularly they can easily go beyond 100K.

Regular service is the key. During service one shows sign of wear then replace.

My bearings were heat stained on my 2009. Replaced them with Timkens. Be sure to use a quality bearing if replacing.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 27, 2014
Road Runners wrote:
That's interesting about changing the bearings. My fiver has over 110,000 miles on it and they are still the original bearings. I repack them every year and they still look good. Any opinions from others?

As long as a bearing has been serviced regularly they can easily go beyond 100K.

Regular service is the key. During service one shows sign of wear then replace.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 27, 2014
tvman44 wrote:
You are at the limit. Just remember that if one does blow the damage could exceed the cost of a new set of tires. :)

If he were to have a blowout and damage GY will pay the damages. His tires are new enough they will pay.

If your rig is putting your tires at their max then GY G's would be a good option or Bridgestone and Michelin have good choices in an E tire.
allen8106
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
So to answer a few questions.

1) Yes there have been a few times where the tires were run over 65 mph for roughly 200 miles. This was before I knew (from this forum) that trailer tires had a maximum speed rating.
2) I don't recall ever driving the rig over a curb but it's always possible even though I try to avoid it at all costs.
3) The tires have been covered for approximately half their life.

However.....Looks like the consensus is to replace now. I was leaning towards replacing sooner than later but I agree with other posts. I'm going to be pretty far away from home, while not on "vacation" the trip could suffer a significant setback with a blowout.

Thanks for your input, you simply confirmed what I already knew.