Toad Tire Tips

[sgrissom]

We tow a 2012 Hyundai Elantra behind our new 2013 Itasca Suncruiser and before it, our Coach House Platinum. Took the Elantra in today for an oil change and tire rotation and found that the tires are so badly worn that the dealer is recommending replacement. The tires are the original ones provided by Hyundai, manufactured by "Hankook." The car was ordered straight from Korea and is about 30 months old. The odometer reads 18,500, but it has been towed approximately an additional 17,000 miles, for a total of approximately 36,000 miles. And, yes, we have had them rotated every 3-5K miles and check them every time they roll when they are under tow.

Is this rate of wear to be expected when towing? And if so, please help us with a decision: should we now invest in top quality tires, or should we get more middle of the road tires, expecting that they won't last?

Thanks for your help.

[eric1514]

I have noticed no unusual wear on our Elantra. We have Bridgestone Touranzas we bought at Walmart.

Walmart offers free tire rotation for the life of the tire and we take them up on it, but regardless, the tires are looking good.

Eric

[Raymon]

What air pressure do you run in your tires? On my Jeep Wrangler, I had to increase the front tire pressure from 32 psi to 36 psi to keep the tires from scuffing on the shoulders. My alignment was perfect and my tow bar is level and centered properly.

Ray

[sgrissom]

Yes Sir!

[enblethen]

Have you had the toad aligned?

[sgrissom]

Ok thanks. We use a blue ox and a drop to get us close to level but the tow bar would be lifting the front if anything because the Elantra is so low. The steering wheel is always unlocked. Seems to tow fine but the tire wear is troubling. Just can't decide whether or not to buy cheap tires and replace them every two years or buy better tires and hope for longer life.

[Robert78121]

36000 miles sounds pretty close to average for most OEM tires. I'm sure the dealer is being overly conversative in their recommendation as well, so maybe 40000 miles is more like it. But I'm the type that would rather replace tires sooner than later.

[EsoxLucius]

If they are the low rolling resistance Hankooks then a service life of 36000 miles may be about right.

[tropical36]

sgrissom wrote:
We tow a 2012 Hyundai Elantra behind our new 2013 Itasca Suncruiser and before it, our Coach House Platinum. Took the Elantra in today for an oil change and tire rotation and found that the tires are so badly worn that the dealer is recommending replacement. The tires are the original ones provided by Hyundai, manufactured by "Hankook." The car was ordered straight from Korea and is about 30 months old. The odometer reads 18,500, but it has been towed approximately an additional 17,000 miles, for a total of approximately 36,000 miles. And, yes, we have had them rotated every 3-5K miles and check them every time they roll when they are under tow.

Is this rate of wear to be expected when towing? And if so, please help us with a decision: should we now invest in top quality tires, or should we get more middle of the road tires, expecting that they won't last?

Thanks for your help.

And you have always, but always and even for a short distance had your steering unlocked:@

[The_Texan]

Your towbar angle will affect your front tires as will the alignment. Make sure your towbar is level, no more than ±2", I use ± 1", and that the towbar is dead center so it is not trying to drag the car sideways.

[enblethen]

It could be an alignment issue.
Could be too much weight on front of Hyundai. If you have a tow bar that places most of it's weight on car, it can effect the alignment. Make and model of towbar?