Well I finally got chit from the DW.. When I told her out trailer tires were from 2003 she got concerned.. I bit the bullet an replaced. If it was up to me I would have waited for a blow out.. LOLOLAnyway I did get a flat last year with these tires but it was due to rotted valve stems. I had those all replaced. Tires were not dry rotted and had oodles of tread life left.. ( The guy before me only drove this trailer 1 week a year from NJ to PA car show in hershey PA..That flat was while parked over the weekend at a campground..So these are good year marathons... Nice tire IMO. I here so many blow out storys that it made me even a bit nervouse. I dont think I needed to change them but I did..Anyway the new spare I had were the karrier loadstar load range C. Comes with rim and tire. Got them from local auto store for 79 a piece... Oreders 2 there and got another from tractor supply. I am using one of the best looking old tire as the spare..Also an issue I had was this year I had to turn the gain all the way up on the brake controller.. I was not able to adjust the brakes as the adjuster was frozen. So I removed the wheel and the drum to check bearings and grease adjusters.Brakes ok but will need new next year. 37 bucks each at e trailer. I managed to lube adusters and repack the front bearings. The back bearing had some grease so instead of removing the seal I just stuck grease in the hub/bearing through the back of drum. I did repack all front bearings. They were some what dry after 13 years.. But not bad..Pics show my worst brake set and 2003 tires and rims. ( I have been painting them yearly..Also shows the new tires..Did I make a good decision going with the karriers?Date code. you also see some dry rotting on side wall...New tires and rims

You'll catch grief here for not getting lt's. My question would be, if you had everything apart, why not spring a couple of bucks, buy the grease seal, and repack all the bearings? Sticking in some grease through the brake drum does nothing.

I do understand the view that you 'don't fix it unless it's broken'BUT...Who want to find out while towing at speed on the interstate??OLD tires equal RISK!! What risk you are willing to take will determine your course of action.Not long ago, I replaced ALL (six - count 'em all 6!!) tires due to age - NOT cheap!!) The tread was only 1/4 down but the age was a risk for me in our travels.I'm sure the tire shop sold them to a trucker who will get many more mile from them - but then that's his risk!!Listen to the DW and your little voice inside that wants to minimize risks on the road!!

Not sure you are any better off with the good years

Terryallan wrote:Not sure you are any better off with the good yearsI had good years I have kenda karrier loadstars now...What do you mean?

I just replaced my 4.5 year old LRD tires and rims with 25k miles for new LRE tires and rims in anticipation of a 4k+ mile trip. I want to be able to enjoy vacation and not pick up pieces of my life or others scattered on the highway due to failure.The ones on the left are the old ones and on the right are new.

13 year old trailer tires.. | Good Sam Community

1happyhauler
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
I see 1 to 6 trailers on the side of the highway every weekend on our way to the campground in bourbon mo on i 44 this is why
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
It's almost like he's bragging about it. I'm sure not impressed
TAGLARRY
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
Good grief, 13 years on tires and grease! It is no wonder I see so many trailers parked along the highway. Glad you made it this far.

Larry
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2016
Really! You are towing a trailer that is 13 years old. you have tires that old. that's not even something I would brag about. get them replaced NOW. the dry rotted valve stems should've been the first hint!

Now you find your bearings and brakes need attention! again 13 years and you only added grease to the rear bearing instead of doing a complete repack? and didn`t even install new seals! and you know you need brakes but are going to wait till next year when you already had it all apart! Why?! do it and be done. why take the chance? I would do it and be done and safe.

And why go with cheap tires, especially 14" go with name brand and again you wont have to worry.

:?
eDUBz
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
I just replaced my tires that are 4 years old with Maxxis.13 years is to risky for me.
Bedlam
Moderator
Jun 16, 2016
I just replaced my 4.5 year old LRD tires and rims with 25k miles for new LRE tires and rims in anticipation of a 4k+ mile trip. I want to be able to enjoy vacation and not pick up pieces of my life or others scattered on the highway due to failure.

The ones on the left are the old ones and on the right are new.
lawrosa
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
Terryallan wrote:
Not sure you are any better off with the good years

I had good years I have kenda karrier loadstars now...

What do you mean?
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2016
Not sure you are any better off with the good years
ccxnola
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
I do understand the view that you 'don't fix it unless it's broken'
BUT...Who want to find out while towing at speed on the interstate??
OLD tires equal RISK!! What risk you are willing to take will determine your course of action.
Not long ago, I replaced ALL (six - count 'em all 6!!) tires due to age - NOT cheap!!) The tread was only 1/4 down but the age was a risk for me in our travels.
I'm sure the tire shop sold them to a trucker who will get many more mile from them - but then that's his risk!!
Listen to the DW and your little voice inside that wants to minimize risks on the road!!
jfkmk
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
You'll catch grief here for not getting lt's. My question would be, if you had everything apart, why not spring a couple of bucks, buy the grease seal, and repack all the bearings? Sticking in some grease through the brake drum does nothing.

Forum Discussion

13 year old trailer tires..

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Best Travel Trailer Tires

Balancing Trailer Tires - yes or no

After 17 years finally happened (tire blow out)

trailer tire caused california fire

Travel Trailer not using Chinese Tires