Could 10 year tires really be safe?

[pweekly]

Hi all. We have a MH with tires that are original. Manufactured in 2005 (the tires). We have taken it to get new tires now twice at the local truck/tire center and while I'm sure they would have loved to sell us tires, they keep inspecting them and telling us that they look great. The RV is stored indoors, level and is only used a couple of times per year. So, no sun/ozone on them nor extreme temps. We don't see any cracks or bulges in the sidewalls but since we are taking it to Florida in a month, I don't want to be completely stupid. Could they be ok? Thanks.
Trish

[mtrumpet]

I concur with the majority here. Change them out to new tires. The cost is cheap insurance when you consider the possible ramifications of a blow-out while traveling down the road at 60+ mph.

[Bruce_Brown]

gbopp wrote:
Ask the tire center to buy your 10 year old tires. You can put the money towards a new set and they can sell the old ones for a profit. The old tires are that good, right? :@

We just did that with our 9 year old tires. Like the OP, ours have been stored inside since they were new and still looked great. The tire store has some customers that do short hauls on equipment trailers, so this was a win-win-win for everyone.

Could we have pushed them another year or 2 - probably, but why? In another 9 years we'll do it again, and then again in another 9 years. At the end of a 27 year run we may have gained or lost 3 years. To me it wasn't worth chancing.

msmith1199 wrote:
If it were me, I'd replace the front tires and get some more use out of the rears.

Not me, I'd be changing them all. See above. The risk isn't worth the reward.

Have you ever seen the damage caused by a blowout? I have, on my parents MH, and I was the one who ended up fixing it. The destruction caused happens in seconds and it's very, very ugly - and the best case is it's just the MH. Add in the potential for injury and it's just not worth it.

[msmith1199]

If it were me, I'd replace the front tires and get some more use out of the rears.

[smlranger]

Michelin, Toyo, Hankook, BF Goodrich are examples of good tires for your consideration. Michelin will likely be the most expensive.

[rgatijnet1]

As mentioned, the existing tires have lasted 10 years with the way that YOU use and maintain them. I would replace them with the same brand and continue what you have been doing.

[dave17352]

When first bought our ten year old class c it had original tires on it. At the time i didn't even think about tire age. They looked brand new. First trip down the interstate blew two of them out. After that I looked into this whole tire thing and bought new.

[Dick_B]

One needs to define safe. Will the tires hold up the rig if it is parked at a site for a lengthy time? Yes.
Will the tires hold up if traveling cross country? probably not.

[lj2654]

Ten years is plenty of usage for any tires on any motorhome. Their is a lot of weight riding on these tires and 10 years is pushing the limit for a blowout, major damage, and a possible bad accident risking lives, yours and others.

[CA_Traveler]

deleted

[CA_Traveler]

If the tire store hasn't recommended inspecting the inside find a new tire store. If they haven't suggested you're at risk find a new tire store.

A blowout just has a host of possible negative outcomes that no one wants.

What does DH expect to do - use the same tires for another 10 years? Replace then and be safe.

[2chiefsRus]

pweekly wrote:
Hi all. We have a MH with tires that are original. Manufactured in 2005 (the tires). We have taken it to get new tires now twice at the local truck/tire center and while I'm sure they would have loved to sell us tires, they keep inspecting them and telling us that they look great. The RV is stored indoors, level and is only used a couple of times per year. So, no sun/ozone on them nor extreme temps. We don't see any cracks or bulges in the sidewalls but since we are taking it to Florida in a month, I don't want to be completely stupid. Could they be ok? Thanks.
Trish

Have the tires been removed from the rim and inspected on the inside? Have the rear tires at least been removed and the space between the two tires on the rear been inspected? Our tires looked great too UNTIL the rear tires were removed. Then on the inside of the two tires on the rear, there was a crack large enough to put my little finger into. The guy at the tire guy was shocked. You can't see between those tires unless the tires are removed.

All that being said, you have to ask yourself how you or your husband would feel if you do have a blow out. I can see debating whether to wait to replace at 4 years, 5 years, 6 years and maybe even 7 years but 10 YEARS? You are going to have to replace the tires sometime. How much does it really matter if you spend the money in one week, in 6 months, or in a year?

We went with Michelin through FMCA buying program.

[Executive45]

pweekly wrote:
Thanks all. That seems to be my opinion but my husband is like, 'They're fine". Well, he's not the one driving down to Florida. I will be and for my stress level alone, I think it's best to replace. So, now that that's settled. (haha) what do you all recommend?
Trish

Sounds like a new thread...:). Glad you decided on new tires. As MrMark said, the ONLY true way to inspect the tires is from the INSIDE out. Doesn't matter what the outside looks like. Well, it does, but you get the point. Anyway, everyone has an opinion on what tires to buy and put on your coach. The most expensive will be Michelin, (save money buying thru FMCA) followed by Goodyear. (They have a rivering problem with some of their tires. You might get lucky, you might not) Lots of people will go with less expensive tires such as Toyo or Hankook. Each tire will change the handling and comfort of your drive. A lot will depend on your coach. Personally, I run the more expensive Michelin's on my coach. Like clothes, the ones I buy from Nordstrom last longer and look better than the ones purchased at WalMart....IMO, you get what you pay for. What's on your coach now?? Obviously they have been great tires....Dennis

[pweekly]

Thanks all. That seems to be my opinion but my husband is like, 'They're fine". Well, he's not the one driving down to Florida. I will be and for my stress level alone, I think it's best to replace. So, now that that's settled. (haha) what do you all recommend?
Trish

[rgatijnet1]

Ozone is present inside any storage facility just like it is outside. It has nothing to do with sunshine. If you store your vehicle in a facility that also has some electrical motors, you probably have additional ozone being generated.
In any case, many vehicles travel every day with 10+ year old tires. Usually these are vehicles that are NOT loaded anywhere near their maximum gross weight. Obviously this puts less stress on the tires.
Most motor home are operated at close to the maximum load capacity all of the time which means that your tires are continuously stressed to their maximum capabilities.
You might be OK and you might not. You might have a blow-out and lose control, or you may not. Losing control may destroy your coach or it may destroy someone elses vehicle, or it may not. Your money, your choice. Chose wisely.

[gbopp]

Ask the tire center to buy your 10 year old tires. You can put the money towards a new set and they can sell the old ones for a profit. The old tires are that good, right? :@