is 11 y/o original spare still a spare?

> Kept out of the elements

It's not protected from ozone and oxygen, which are major factors in aging rubber. 7 years is the typical recommendation, based on studies of tire aging.

I bought a '07 Winnebago View (May '06 chassis) last September, original owner and 18K miles. It has 3 year old Firestones on the ground, but the spare is original Michelin. I took the cover off but it was deteriorated so bad I cannot reinstall it, so new one ordered right now. You might be wise to remove the cover and check the air pressure if you have not, and like mine, clean out the bird's nests that I found in it.

Charles

I wonder what's really wrong with using a spare to run on after it has been stored in or on your RV for years if kept out of the elements ... especially out of the sun? Our Class C's spare is way up high between the frame members in the rear right aft of the gas tank.

What's the difference between the situation above and the situation of using a tire for years and years in a running position on a vehicle if the tread is still fairly deep? I've had one tire set on my 1995 4X4 pickup for well over 12 years in all 4 running positions - and the pickup sat out in the weather and part-time in indirect sun. However, their sidewalls never showed any sign of cracking, unlike some folks see in their old RV tires.

Tire safety is of course high priority - but sometimes tire usage fears may be overblown with respect to high quality tires with good tread that are kept properly (not too soft) inflated and out of constant direct sun. IMHO, hour after hour of direct sun exposure and excessive heat from too-low tire pressures while driving are the main culprits in the weakening of tires.

Keep your tires cool when rolling and away from the ultra-violet rays when sitting.

An 11 yr old spare is called a "may pop"..!

I wouldn't use an 11 year old spare for a tire swing!! Replace it!!

is 11 y/o original spare still a spare?

The answer to your question is of course it is still a spare!

But what you should be asking, "Is a 11 year old spare tire still serviceable to be used just in an emergency for a short distance?"

I've always used the best old tire after a replacement as a spare. This keeps it in a reasonable shape, but cheaper than having to buy another one.

However, I'm mainly putting around locally. If I were doing a long trip, the spare would be changed out as well.

Two things I don't scrimp on are tires and brakes. Both are primary safety concerns. Whenever I replace the tires on the road, I replace the spare also. I consider it cheap insurance.

Burl.. I switched out all seven tires (2003 born on date) on our new to us, 2004 B+ before our Alaska trip in 2013. The tire store owner, who we've used before, saw the tread with 8000 miles on them and said "If you are camping local, I'd keep using them". When we told him we were heading to Alaska..response was "Change them out, they won't make it back."

Come to think about it, the spare tire on our 1st motor home on a Toyota chassis, was the original. We owned the rig 24 years so the spare was 24 years old when we sold it. I never did use that spare, though I did keep the tire pressure proper just in-case.

I'm not suggesting anything......Just saying......