Crack in tire...opinions

[Elite130]

I think I know the answer to my question, but I need to ask.

Below is a picture of the tires on my TT. The trailer is 4 years old and sits outside 100% of the time. I finally bought tire covers a couple months ago, but I think it was too late. I was looking at my tires last weekend and saw a couple cracks in the tires (see below). Is it time to replace the TT's tires? What are your thoughts on it?

Thanks!

[wmoses]

New to the forum eh? Many times folks don't bother to read carefully but just plunge in with a reply, whether that's what you wanted or not. On the other hand you could have stated up front what you knew the answer to be instead of letting people guess whether you are a newbie or not. Just my 2 cents. 😉

FWIW many times the trailer tires will deteriorate with age-related sidewall cracks long before the thread wears out. Rule of thumb is to replace automatically by 6 or 7 years from manufacture, or cracks appear, or tires wear out, whichever occurs first.

Yours could be due to any number of reasons but since it is a single big crack (to me it looks more like a stab wound but could be pinch damage since there are smaller cracks) it is likely not age-related.

[Elite130]

Dang...I said I already knew the answer, I just wanted some thoughts on the cut. It is interesting that this could be from a "curb check." Sometimes while loading the trailer outside of our house, the right side tires will sit on the sloped curb when we load the trailer. Would that cause this? I don't recall curb-checking the tire any other time.

[2oldman]

Asked: "Is it time to replace these tires?"

With all due respect, I have to ask. You're kiddin, right? I wouldn't even tow that trailer over to the tire store, let alone on a camping trip.

X1 and buy some LT tires and stay away from junk tires, saving a few $$$$$$$ on cheaper tires is a bad investment

[imadtchmn]

Many tires get crack checks in them over time. Even the tires on your auto will probably have them. Rule of thumb is if you can stick your fingernail in the crack, it's time to replace them. JMO. Bashing on this rule not allowed 😉

[MarkTwain]

Asked: "Is it time to replace these tires?"

With all due respect, I have to ask. You're kiddin, right? I wouldn't even tow that trailer over to the tire store, let alone on a camping trip.

X1 and buy some LT tires and stay away from junk tires, saving a few $$$$$$$ on cheaper tires is a bad investment:(

[MarkTwain]

Asked: "Is it time to replace these tires?"

With all due respect, I have to ask. You're kiddin, right? I wouldn't even tow that trailer over to the tire store, let alone on a camping trip.

X1 and buy some LT tires and stay away from junk tires, saving a few $$$$$$$ on cheaper tires is a bad investment:(

[AirForceAngler]

Yup, that's not a weather crack, that's a curb-check! Get the tires replaced!

[Elite130]

Thanks all for your input. The tread is looking good. We have about 7k miles on these tires.

[downtheroad]

Asked: "Is it time to replace these tires?"

With all due respect, I have to ask. You're kiddin, right? I wouldn't even tow that trailer over to the tire store, let alone on a camping trip.

[Community Alumni]

Absolutely replace. Sidewall cracks are definitely an issue in addition you should be looking for cracking in between the tread.

Many tires have what I would call sidewall crasing cracks which can be simply cosmetic in nature but the cracks in your photo are a definite hazard.

[kodiakcanuck]

That tire is done like dinner. Time to replace before she blows out. If you look on the date code on the tire I bet it is older than 4 years.

[DiskDoctr]

Looks like a rim pinch. Someone pull it with low tires and the tire squashes and gets pinched and sometimes cut against the rim.

A really bad pothole can cause this, too.

Definitely replace!

[dockmasterdave]

Replace. That looks it was caused by an argument with a curb.

[HappyKayakers]

Definitely replace!

[Mandalay_Parr]

Yes, definitely replace.