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

[Ohio_Engineer]

427435 wrote:
My 8 year old tires looked fine from the outside also--------------until a hole quickly opened up in one sidewall at 65 mph on the interstate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sidewall failures are usually the sign of a Run Low Flex failure. Other possibility is sidewall impact or cut.

[Bruce_Brown]

427435 wrote:
My 8 year old tires looked fine from the outside also--------------until a hole quickly opened up in one sidewall at 65 mph on the interstate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's NEVER good when that happens. :E

[427435]

My 8 year old tires looked fine from the outside also--------------until a hole quickly opened up in one sidewall at 65 mph on the interstate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ohio_Engineer]

Cloud Dancer wrote:
Nobody has ever conducted a test under real-life conditions. Who knows for sure how long my Michelins will last? There's no incentive to perform the test.
If my tires only last 7 to 10 years, regardless of care and mileage, it becomes obvious that traveling in the comfort, and convenience, of my big motorhome is probably something I can no longer afford (considering all the other costs).

The problem is defining what are "real life conditions". Where do you live? How fast do you drive? Where do you store your RV? What is the exact load on each tire? Have you ever hit a curb? What are the dimensions Length, width, depth, edge sharpness of the 20 largest pot holes you have ever hit and what was your speed for each?

Another problem if you were to try such a test. How would you handle the changes in rubber compounding and manufacturing process over a 10 to 15 year timeframe?

The estimate of 5 to 7 year life for most RV tires with a 10 year max is just an attempt to provide a reasonable balance between the shorter life of tires run at faster speed with higher load in hot temperatures and the longer life of tires run 20% under-loaded, in cool temperatures with the tires stored in full shade.

[allbrandauto]

My mich. tires were 9 years old saw a little cracking on side walls so I changed all tires when I lifted the bead over the rim I was shocked how bad the side walls were glad I did it

[tropical36]

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

I can only say that some of the top tire manufactures say that their tires are good to go for a max of 10yrs, with a professional inspection, but after that, they're to be replaced regardless of condition.
You might want to look into a set of Hankooks for a top tire brand at a reasonable price, but even the most reasonably priced tire available, should serve you well and have no complaints with the 4 Hercules that I've been running on the drive axles for quite a few miles. I mean if it has a DOT number on one of the sidewalls, then it's been approved for safe use on American highways and you're not about to wear any of them out, anyway.

[Cloud_Dancer]

Nobody has ever conducted a test under real-life conditions. Who knows for sure how long my Michelins will last? There's no incentive to perform the test.
If my tires only last 7 to 10 years, regardless of care and mileage, it becomes obvious that traveling in the comfort, and convenience, of my big motorhome is probably something I can no longer afford (considering all the other costs).

[booty51]

Next time everyone is out driving. MoHo ,car whatever you drive observe how many tire carcasses you count along the road . New tire, old tires ,Who knows. I once traveled I 45 South from Oklahoma to Houston and counted 18 blown tires along the roadway that day. Summer time is here and people are traveling pulling that old camper ,boat or whatever that has been sitting a while, and I bet tire condition didn't cross anyones mind or the thought is, I can make it this trip. I did and had problems. I will say I am planning a long trip(2200 miles) and tire replacement was going to be done a few months from now. My trip a week or so ago,proved otherwise(500Miles). I needed to replace tires now not later. Yes I have road service ,yes I have insurance, but being stuck on the side of the road increases price of services, and maybe having to accept a product you don't want to get you out of a jam. Then you have to go and pay more$$ to have tires removed and balanced once you get going again. So Lesson Learned: To save a buck cost me more than a buck. Just something to think about.

[Bruce_Brown]

You are correct, FLAT tires don't necessarily kill, exploding tires may. :W And the older they get the better chance there is of them exploding.

When they're new everything is fresh and ready. As they age things start to break down and, well...bad things are more likely to happen.

[Kayteg1]

Flat tires do not kill.
Vehicles not design to take flat tire can.
You want to worry about potential of of flat tires ripping your card box apart, worrying about flat tires should be at the bottom of your list.
I had several flat tires in my life, couple of them blowing at high speed. Not a problem with good vehicle, although going on center divider at 70mph with flat sure gives you nice adrenaline shoot.

[Bruce_Brown]

msmith1199 wrote:

booty51 wrote:
The damage caused to the RV when the tire blows out will far exceed the cost of the tire. I just completed the trip from hell in the RV with failure of 8 year old tires that have been stored indoors looked great and were name brand. I will never go past 6 years again.

Damaged caused to the RV by a tire blowing out is covered by your comprehensive insurance. It will only cost you the price of your deductible.

So let's not worry about killing ourselves or someone else, insurance will cover it??? :h

But if we do live through it the weeks and weeks lost while repairs are being done won't be a hassle either. No worries, it's covered.

[msmith1199]

dougrainer wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
Trish, to honestly answer your question yes or no your tires need to be broken down off the rim. By breaking them down off the rim your tires can be inspected for inside sidewall damage. Inside sidewall damage is the cause of many blowouts. After your tire expert inspects your tires he or she can make a intelligent decision. I've run tires on my RV with 10 years 2 different times by using this method.

Maybe when people make statements like this, THEY should do research and find out HOW MUCH a Tire company will charge to break down 6 or 8 tires just to inspect. Then reinstall and balance. That may make a big difference in the decision if they are spending hundreds of dollars just to inspect. Also, I doubt ANY Tire Company or expert would state that those 7 year or older tires are SAFE to reinstall and go down the road. They would not be stupid enough to incur the liability of stating those tires are still good. EVEN if they made you sign a liability waiver, the lawyers would still hang them out to dry if something bad happened. Doug

You did read the original post here didn't you? The OP stated, "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." So the entire point of the question was a tire store telling them the tires are still good.

[msmith1199]

booty51 wrote:
The damage caused to the RV when the tire blows out will far exceed the cost of the tire. I just completed the trip from hell in the RV with failure of 8 year old tires that have been stored indoors looked great and were name brand. I will never go past 6 years again.

Damaged caused to the RV by a tire blowing out is covered by your comprehensive insurance. It will only cost you the price of your deductible.

[koda55]

I look how much I use my rv. If it sits a lot then 7 years is fine. For us we use our rv a lot. We go somewhere about every 2 weeks. This keeps the tire lubrications' moving trough out the tires.

[wallynm]

Aged out tire discussion