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Crack in tire...opinions

Elite130
Explorer
Explorer
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!



29 REPLIES 29

Elite130
Explorer
Explorer
Ok. Thanks everyone for your opinions. I think this this horse has been beaten dead. I got the point.

I'll get new tires this weekend....I'll be replacing all 5 tires.

Thanks again.

2012Coleman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Option 1: Ignore the sidewall damage because the tread is good and tow it on down the road, risking multiple blowouts, which may cause the TT to roll, taking the TV and all those in it, with it.

Option 2: Replace your tires.

You wanted options - there you are...
Experience without good judgment is worthless; good judgment without experience is still good judgment!

2018 RAM 3500 Big Horn CTD
2018 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS

Crabbypatty
Explorer
Explorer
Cracks come with age and weathering, especially direct sunlight which degrades the rubber. Change it out, why get a blowout or flat along the way.
John, Lisa & Tara:B:C:)
2015 F250 4x4 6.2L 6 spd 3.73s, CC Short Bed, Pullrite Slide 2700, 648 Wts Solar, 4 T-125s, 2000 Watt Xantrax Inverter, Trimetric 2030 Meter, LED Lights, Hawkings Smart Repeater, Wilson Extreme Cellular Repeater, Beer, Ribs, Smoker

Huntindog
Explorer
Explorer
Nvr2loud wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
That crack is not due to age.
Many ST tire suppliers recommend replacing at 3 years anyway.... I never had any make it to the 2 year mark.
As for the mileage... Most TT tires need to be replaced long before the tread is gone.


Two years on your ST Tires before needing replacement... Hou must be really hard on your tires!

To the OP that tire is done!
Many didn't make it a year.

LTs solved that problem
:B
Huntindog
100% boondocking
2021 Grand Design Momentum 398M
2 bathrooms, no waiting
104 gal grey, 104 black,158 fresh
FullBodyPaint, 3,8Kaxles, DiscBrakes
17.5LRH commercial tires
1860watts solar,800 AH Battleborn batterys
2020 Silverado HighCountry CC DA 4X4 DRW

Huntindog
Explorer
Explorer
Nvr2loud wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
That crack is not due to age.
Many ST tire suppliers recommend replacing at 3 years anyway.... I never had any make it to the 2 year mark.
As for the mileage... Most TT tires need to be replaced long before the tread is gone.


Two years on your ST Tires before needing replacement... Hou must be really hard on your tires!

To the OP that tire is done!
Many didn't make it a year.

LTs solved that problem
:B
Huntindog
100% boondocking
2021 Grand Design Momentum 398M
2 bathrooms, no waiting
104 gal grey, 104 black,158 fresh
FullBodyPaint, 3,8Kaxles, DiscBrakes
17.5LRH commercial tires
1860watts solar,800 AH Battleborn batterys
2020 Silverado HighCountry CC DA 4X4 DRW

Nvr2loud
Explorer II
Explorer II
Huntindog wrote:
That crack is not due to age.
Many ST tire suppliers recommend replacing at 3 years anyway.... I never had any make it to the 2 year mark.
As for the mileage... Most TT tires need to be replaced long before the tread is gone.


Two years on your ST Tires before needing replacement... Hou must be really hard on your tires!

To the OP that tire is done!

Huntindog
Explorer
Explorer
That crack is not due to age.
Many ST tire suppliers recommend replacing at 3 years anyway.... I never had any make it to the 2 year mark.
As for the mileage... Most TT tires need to be replaced long before the tread is gone.
Huntindog
100% boondocking
2021 Grand Design Momentum 398M
2 bathrooms, no waiting
104 gal grey, 104 black,158 fresh
FullBodyPaint, 3,8Kaxles, DiscBrakes
17.5LRH commercial tires
1860watts solar,800 AH Battleborn batterys
2020 Silverado HighCountry CC DA 4X4 DRW

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Explorer
Elite130 wrote:
I run the max...50psi cold, I believe.


Good! I was hoping you weren't running low pressure as some advocate.

The only thing worse than replacing a damaged tire is doing it twice. That's likely why so many are offering potential causes and tips, to help you avoid that unpleasantness 🙂

engine31
Explorer
Explorer
YES! Replace those tires I had to limp along about 50 miles a few years back with a cracked spare and I was a wreck before I got somewhere to get it changed. So give you and your family the piece of mind you need and get a new set of tires.

Elite130
Explorer
Explorer
I run the max...50psi cold, I believe.

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Explorer
Elite130 wrote:
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.


When you hit a sharp edge hard or with underinflated tires the tire can compress and pinch against the rim, which slices the sidewall. Curb checking can also refer to rubbing the sidewall on a curb, which can roll and pinch the sidewall, especially if while turning, as in parallel parking.

What pressure do you run in your tires?

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Explorer
Elite130 wrote:
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.


When you hit a sharp edge hard or with underinflated tires the tire can compress and pinch against the rim, which slices the sidewall. Curb checking can also refer to rubbing the sidewall on a curb, which can roll and pinch the sidewall, especially if while turning, as in parallel parking.

What pressure do you run in your tires?

sail2liv
Explorer
Explorer
The date on the tire other than damage determines replacement....if tires are well maintained and uv protected maybe 5 yrs DOT date....if max air pressure not maintained all the time and no uv protection you might get 3 yrs....that is the DOT date on the tire....not the date you bought it....or bought what you think are new tires.....when you get tires check dot date and if not less than 6 mo old would find another dealer or order some with a good date.....

fatboy66
Explorer
Explorer
Goodness! Of course it's time to replace them!!!!

If the tires (ST I assume) are ~5 yrs old, you need to think about replacing them. How do you know? There's a DOT code on the side which shows month/year of manufacture.