We have been told on this and other forums many times that the rule of thumb for changing out RV tires is on or about seven years. And, I believe that's about correct. BUT..is there a 'rule of thumb' for getting new tires on the toad or other 'non RV' vehicles. Years ago, we all just looked at tread wear and when it was about gone we'd head for the tire dealer. Is that still an acceptable 'rule of thumb' or should, for example, non-RV tires be changed out at...say...ten years, twelve years, or some other age criteria? I tend to think, particularly on the toad, that years of service similar to the RV 'rule of thumb' should be adhered to. Any thoughts? / Larry

If they still have plenty of tread, I would run them. As soon as you start to notice dryness and cracking I would consider replacing them.

For one I am not a believer of the seven year rule where I live, Western New York State. However, those in the south west etc. who experience 100+ temps days on end each year it may be a different story. For the toad if you rotate your tires every other oil change and you get even wear on them then IMHO they would be changed based on wear, just like any other auto/truck/suv. The thing with RV tires is most if not all of them are made to last 100K miles or more and few of us will put that many miles on one rig.

Dunno about cars, but I picked up an interesting tidbit recently about pickups/vans!I was looking through some Ford truck manuals and came across the below recommendation that tires be replaced at six years of age. This snip is taken from the manual for the 2008 F series. at this link. Don't know if this is just Ford or what- or even if it applies to its other vehicles. You might take a look at your own vehicles' manuals to see if there's any such language in there.ON EDITJust to satisfy my own curiosity, I took a look at a Dodge Ram manual and found a similar recommendation there. The below is from the manual for the 2005 RAM found at this link.

Francesca Knowles wrote:Dunno about cars, but I picked up an interesting tidbit recently about pickups/vans!I was looking through some Ford truck manuals and came across the below recommendation that tires be replaced at six years of age. This snip is taken from the manual for the 2008 F series. at this link. Don't know if this is just Ford or what- or even if it applies to its other vehicles. You might take a look at your own vehicles' manuals to see if there's any such language in there.Manufacturers might be: 1. covering their legal back sides, or 2. trying to sell more tires, or 3. stating a fact that tires should be replaced due to age. Who knows! / LarryON EDITJust to satisfy my own curiosity, I took a look at a Dodge Ram manual and found a similar recommendation there. The below is from the manual for the 2005 RAM found at this link.

goufgators wrote:Francesca Knowles wrote:Dunno about cars, but I picked up an interesting tidbit recently about pickups/vans!I was looking through some Ford truck manuals and came across the below recommendation that tires be replaced at six years of age. This snip is taken from the manual for the 2008 F series. at this link. Don't know if this is just Ford or what- or even if it applies to its other vehicles. You might take a look at your own vehicles' manuals to see if there's any such language in there. Manufacturers might be: 1. covering their legal back sides, or 2. trying to sell more tires, or 3. stating a fact that tires should be replaced due to age. Who knows! / LarryON EDITJust to satisfy my own curiosity, I took a look at a Dodge Ram manual and found a similar recommendation there. The below is from the manual for the 2005 RAM found at this link. HEY LARRY! Your response (highlighted in blue above) looks like part of my post!

O.K., this is honestly a new tire question...I think..

15 Replies

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
goufgators wrote:
Francesca Knowles wrote:
Dunno about cars, but I picked up an interesting tidbit recently about pickups/vans!

I was looking through some Ford truck manuals and came across the below recommendation that tires be replaced at six years of age. This snip is taken from the manual for the 2008 F series. at this link.

Don't know if this is just Ford or what- or even if it applies to its other vehicles. You might take a look at your own vehicles' manuals to see if there's any such language in there.

Manufacturers might be: 1. covering their legal back sides, or 2. trying to sell more tires, or 3. stating a fact that tires should be replaced due to age. Who knows! / Larry

ON EDIT
Just to satisfy my own curiosity, I took a look at a Dodge Ram manual and found a similar recommendation there. The below is from the manual for the 2005 RAM found at this link.

HEY LARRY!

Your response (highlighted in blue above) looks like part of my post!
goufgators
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
Francesca Knowles wrote:
Dunno about cars, but I picked up an interesting tidbit recently about pickups/vans!

I was looking through some Ford truck manuals and came across the below recommendation that tires be replaced at six years of age. This snip is taken from the manual for the 2008 F series. at this link.

Don't know if this is just Ford or what- or even if it applies to its other vehicles. You might take a look at your own vehicles' manuals to see if there's any such language in there.

Manufacturers might be: 1. covering their legal back sides, or 2. trying to sell more tires, or 3. stating a fact that tires should be replaced due to age. Who knows! / Larry

ON EDIT
Just to satisfy my own curiosity, I took a look at a Dodge Ram manual and found a similar recommendation there. The below is from the manual for the 2005 RAM found at this link.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
Dunno about cars, but I picked up an interesting tidbit recently about pickups/vans!

I was looking through some Ford truck manuals and came across the below recommendation that tires be replaced at six years of age. This snip is taken from the manual for the 2008 F series. at this link.

Don't know if this is just Ford or what- or even if it applies to its other vehicles. You might take a look at your own vehicles' manuals to see if there's any such language in there.

ON EDIT
Just to satisfy my own curiosity, I took a look at a Dodge Ram manual and found a similar recommendation there. The below is from the manual for the 2005 RAM found at this link.
VinCee
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
For one I am not a believer of the seven year rule where I live, Western New York State. However, those in the south west etc. who experience 100+ temps days on end each year it may be a different story. For the toad if you rotate your tires every other oil change and you get even wear on them then IMHO they would be changed based on wear, just like any other auto/truck/suv. The thing with RV tires is most if not all of them are made to last 100K miles or more and few of us will put that many miles on one rig.
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Oct 16, 2014
If they still have plenty of tread, I would run them. As soon as you start to notice dryness and cracking I would consider replacing them.

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O.K., this is honestly a new tire question...I think..

15 Replies

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