When to get new tires

There’s a lot of apples to oranges posting in this thread. When posting about the Special Trailer tires (ST), the specifics, statistics, operating parameters, etc. should only be about that tire’s design. For instance; Michelin - to pick a name out of the bag - does not manufacturer any ST tires.

When using ST tires on your trailer it’s important to learn all about their operating parameters. Most are completely different from those tires found on your automotive vehicles.

FastEagle

The best way I have found to know when I need tires is to inspect the tires for damage & to check the remaining tread depth. Most tires come with 10-12 32 seconds when new, I replace mine when the tread depth gets down to 4-5 32seconds.

Lots of good info above.

Personally I do NOT use Chinese tires at all, so not much comment on them. I admit IF I had some, I'd replace them. If you post the first few letters/numbers of the DOT code, we can tell you where tire were made, and by who. Note full DOT code usually only on one side of tire, and per Murphy it is the side under the TT.

I run TT tires for 7 years of age per DOT code, OR until I can stick a penny into the tread and see the top of Lincolns head. If I can see the top of his head, tires are worn out. This is true for car and TT tires.

Here's another interesting read on the subject..

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how-old-and-dangerous-are-your-tires.html

Refer to www.michelinrvtires.com for their advice

Regular use is a trailer tires best medicine. Its keeps the lubricating oils out to the surface of the tire and prevents weather cracks. I use mine at least monthly, except for the winter months, and have never had a tire develop cracks. I have had tires last 7 years and no cracks.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration primer on tires states that rubber degradation accelerates after 5 years and therefore tires should be inspected more frequently and diligently once they reach that age. All tires on a TT, regardless of age, should be inspected before each trip and have the pressure checked. There is no absolute rule on when to replace but the clock is ticking much quicker after 5 years. Current set made 6+ years but will be replaced on Saturday morning after I discovered an issue with one.

Here is what I have learned from reading different tire threads over the years.

Look for and find the manufacture date on the tires. 4 digit number specifing the week and year the tires were made. Usually on side wall of tire with an oval around it.

Tires loose approximately 10% of their rated carrying capasity each year. This is important if your normal loaded trailer weight is near the rated capasity of your tires. If you travel light and have plenty of capasity not being used, it becomes less important the first few years.

Check before every trip for bulging, cracking, spliting, uneven wear and proper inflation. First sign of any of these, replace your tires. When they blow, the often do much more damage to the trailer wheel wells, floor and any systems close to them (water tanks, sewer pipes, flooring or structure) than it would have cost to replace them.

Protect your tires from direct sun while in storage will help maximize their life. Also avoid using tire shine products as they are usually bad for the tires due to having protroleum products in them.

Expect to replace at least every 4-5 years if you take very good care of them, more often if not.

You should be able to go 4 yrs or so, depending on use, weight, care & storage conditions. I'd factor in type & length of any upcoming trips, as the time approaches.

Just one or 2 tire issues on the road could eat into your replacement budget.

ST tires generally have a maximum of 3-5 years from the build date. Look carefully for the dot code that will tell you when they were built. I assume you have Chinese made tires, so I would be very careful and replace them at no more than two years.