Hi,I was planning on a long trip next week. The tires needed to be rotated. During that process one of my three year old Toyo tires (inside passenger's rear) was found to have a tread separation and zero tire pressure. It had a nail and I simply did not notice.My spare is 3 years old, kept under a cover and in brand new condition, so it was decided to buy 3 new tires for the rear and use the spare. The tire that was not separated but under overload has been moved to "spare" duty. The other two tires have been moved to the front.Does anyone see a potential problem with this course of action?I am planning on a pressure monitoring system.

Before venturing out on your journey, take the camper out for a few miles to flex the spare tire. After driving around a bit, you may find it has dry rot cracks. If so, that's not good. Inspect it carefully for dry rot cracks after taking it on the road for a little bit! If you have any signs of side wall cracking, it's probably best to replace it. FYI, I had original Duro tires on my previous camper. They lasted 3 years and started dry rotting. I got by for 1 more year, but then switched all 4 out before anything happened.All I can say is, give it a try. But definitely take the camper out for a little drive, then inspect BEFORE your trip and in plenty of time for you to get new tires if you need.

Use the spare as an outer dual so at least it will be a little easier to monitor.

Hi,I drove about 20 miles on the spare before the 3 new units were installed. Given the wear on the rear tires the spare got a pretty good work out.DutchmenSport wrote: All I can say is, give it a try. But definitely take the camper out for a little drive, then inspect BEFORE your trip and in plenty of time for you to get new tires if you need.

Hi,Good idea--and as luck would have it that is exactly where it is.beemerphile1 wrote:Use the spare as an outer dual so at least it will be a little easier to monitor.

I would have been inclined to put two new tires on the front and put the two fronts on one side of the rear axle to replace the bad tire and the overloaded tire.Spare could continue hibernating.

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time2roll
Nomad
Sep 16, 2016
I think a lot of dually owners never rotate.
Maybe search 'rotation' in tow vehicles or class c forum.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 16, 2016
When I changed to the new tires at the first rotation (10,000 miles) the fronts were moved to the rear--and they didn't even touch the ground. So the best I can do is side to side rotation. I had the alignment done just after purchasing 7 new tires.

I agree about the front tires--and they will wear out fairly quickly, but at least they are easy to see.

smkettner wrote:
ok and how was the tire rotation going to go if you did not need tires?

I have never maintained a dually axle. However I doubt the circumference side to side would hurt the differential as much as I would worry about mismatched tires on one side of the dual axle. The old and new tire matched together is what I would be bothered with. Maybe a non-issue.

I do like new tires in the front for safety due to lower chance of failure.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 16, 2016
Hi hikerman,

There was no blow out. It was a nail and I simply did not check before I drove.

I have weighed. That is why I spent a bundle on oversize rims to go with higher capacity tires. I do not exceed the chassis weights but the driver's side rear dual OEM Micheline's were above the rated carrying capacity.

hikerman wrote:
Might be a good idea to get both axles weighed. Your MH migt be overloaded for it's chassis..a common reason for blow-outs.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 16, 2016
pianotuna wrote:
Hi SMK,

Ford E-450's "eat" front tires so that would have left me with the rear axles not being close to the same "height" side to side.

Your solution would have been cheaper. The new front tires are quite similar in tread depth to the three new and unused spare on the rear.
ok and how was the tire rotation going to go if you did not need tires?

I have never maintained a dually axle. However I doubt the circumference side to side would hurt the differential as much as I would worry about mismatched tires on one side of the dual axle. The old and new tire matched together is what I would be bothered with. Maybe a non-issue.

I do like new tires in the front for safety due to lower chance of failure.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 16, 2016
Ever since "TWIN I-BEAM!" hysteria was introduced Fords have eaten front tires and sang various hideous melodies from power steering pumps that have Gone Over To The Dark Side.
hikerman
Explorer
Sep 16, 2016
Might be a good idea to get both axles weighed. Your MH migt be overloaded for it's chassis..a common reason for blow-outs.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 16, 2016
Hi SMK,

Ford E-450's "eat" front tires so that would have left me with the rear axles not being close to the same "height" side to side.

Your solution would have been cheaper. The new front tires are quite similar in tread depth to the three new and unused spare on the rear.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 16, 2016
I would have been inclined to put two new tires on the front and put the two fronts on one side of the rear axle to replace the bad tire and the overloaded tire.
Spare could continue hibernating.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 16, 2016
Hi,

Good idea--and as luck would have it that is exactly where it is.

beemerphile1 wrote:
Use the spare as an outer dual so at least it will be a little easier to monitor.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 16, 2016
Hi,

I drove about 20 miles on the spare before the 3 new units were installed. Given the wear on the rear tires the spare got a pretty good work out.

DutchmenSport wrote:
All I can say is, give it a try. But definitely take the camper out for a little drive, then inspect BEFORE your trip and in plenty of time for you to get new tires if you need.

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