When to replace LT tires on trailer

[JustLabs]

I installed some BFG Commercial T/A tires on my fifth wheel in '09. They're coming up on 7 years old. I inspected them over the weekend and they look great. Plenty of tread,wearing evenly, no sidewall cracking.

Other than having less tread than new,they basically look like fresh tires. I'm having a hard time with the thought of replacing tires that look to be in excellent condition.

Having said that,if I need to throw $800 at new tires I will.

[Bird_Freak]

According to BFG website warranty is 6 years from manufacturing date and should be replaced after 10 years as a precaution. Use your own judgment.

[BrianinMichigan]

Terryallan wrote:
Look inside the tread. The side walls can look great,, but the tires can still have cracks in the tread

Yep, look between the treads I have found cracks on 4 year old tires. I had Michelins that looked great on the outside but were miserably cracked in between the treads, They were 10 years old.

[time2roll]

If I had spent the money on LT and was not maxed out on rating I would run them ten years.
But I am crazy like that 🙂

[Terryallan]

Look inside the tread. The side walls can look great,, but the tires can still have cracks in the tread

[Edd505]

If they are LT's I wouldn't worry if they are ST's get em off

[DutchmenSport]

My rule of thumb has always been: If it's not broken, don't fix it.

If the tire appear to be in good shape, no cracking as you've said, even tread wear, no dry rot, look good, and causing no problems, why change yet? But, there's nothing to say, you might go look at your tires tomorrow and see a gigantic crack on the side. If that happens, then change them out.


It's like anything that get used, you just never know. You may get new tires today, and tomorrow one may blow out. You might be able to keep your current tires on and they may last another 3 years or more.

With all the negative reports I've read on these forums, you've beaten the average. I think you have above average tires. But, you just never know. Keep em, you could have a blow out tomorrow. Change em, and you could have a blow out tomorrow. Who knows?

If it were me, I'd wait longer. I debated in the first year about swapping them out, but kept putting it off, because I saw no evidence to do so. (I got 6 years out of my original DURO tires on my Springdale when I finally found cracking on the side). Not bad for cheap factory installed Chinese tires! So you just never now.

[dbbls]

I think it depends on how the tires have been used. If the trailer was used monthly I think you can go longer than 7 years. Rolling the rig keeps the lubricating oils in the rubber out near the surface preventing cracking. I would have no problem going 10 years if used regularly.

[tvman44]

Change them, had a 5 1/2 year old Commercial TA blow last year on our trailer. At least it did not do the damage a ST tire does, as I had no damage.

[cdlaine]

RP,

It is time. The downside outweighs the bragging rights.;) Just for
giggles, check the born on the dating on all the tires. Might be
a skosh older then the application date.

see how easy it is to spend other peoples money. :B

Charles

take em' off , put them on Craigslist... let the next owner decide.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

My rule - learned the hard way - if start shopping for replacements after 5 years on any tire. Don't have to get it immediately, but try to replace it/them within six months.

I would never take a trailer on a long distance trip with tires over five years old.

[Old-Biscuit]

Trailer tires even when they are LTs age out vs wear out due to 'lack of use' (sitting) and from sidewall stresses from maneuvering

5-7 yrs avg. tire life

One blow out can cause 1000's of dollars in damage