Here’s a post I saw recently on an RV forum regarding when to replace tires:
I heard somewhere that people are changing out the tires on their coaches every four years regardless of mileage. Is this true and, if so, why? Do they do that on school buses, heavy trucks, fire engines, etc.?
What followed were almost 50 posts with various and inconsistent answers.
Here’s my answer on replacing tires
The life experiences of a tire on a car, light truck, RV trailer, RV motorhome or commercial truck are all different. Therefore, each type of usage will get a different answer.
Passenger car tires usually wear out at 35,000 to 50,000 miles, in 3 to 5 years, so they get replaced when they wear out.
Light trucks are similar unless used in commercial service, when they get heavy loading and more miles each year than a passenger car tire. So it’s a similar 4 to 5 years, due to wear out.
RV tires should be replaced at least every 10 years “no matter what”
Michelin, Bridgestone and Goodyear are on record as saying that tires should be inspected, inside and out, at about 5 years and each year thereafter. Also, they say tires in RV service should be replaced at 10 years “no matter what a visual inspection finds“.
Due to the special and significantly greater internal structural loading “Interply-Shear” in trailer usage (pull-along and 5th wheel), I would have tires dismounted and inspected at 3 to 4 years and replaced at 6 to 8 years, no matter what the visual inspection finds.
Tires in car service are only loaded to about 70% to 80% of their load capacity. Tires in RV service are loaded to 90% to 115% of capacity, based on load and inflation studies.
For the reasons I covered, there cannot be a single correct answer. One thing that seems to be consistent is that folks asking or answering questions about tires seldom include the basic information such as tire size, load range, GAWR (gross axle weight rating), or scale weight readings. Not providing that most basic information means that any answer is suspect and may be incorrect for YOUR application.
Roger Marble
*****
If you have tire questions, check out Roger’s Blog as well as his posts on RVtravel.com. There are hundreds of posts covering everything to do with tires.
If you still have a question for Roger after searching the above posts, send your inquiries to him using the form below.
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##RVT1200
Changing RV travel trailers tires every 4-5 years is a lot cheaper than the damage and inconvenience caused when a tire separates. RV preventative maintenance should include tire replacement, balancing, and tire pressure monitors. If you have ever been stuck on the side of the highway when a tire/wheel blows, you will understand. Cheap insurance for peace of mind.
This subject will generate more expert comments from babysitters to engineers than any other subject less politics! 🙂
This question has been on my mind this winter as we travel and I have been watching the two older tires. I know we are getting closer to re-tireing.
Finding 16” “G” rated tires is another challenge. I wish Goodyear made but to my knowledge they don’t.
All options are overseas manufacturers. Any suggestions??
Sailun.
Sailun
My Montana 5th wheel has approximately 60,000 miles on it. I thought that I should replace the Sailun tires as they were 4 1/2 years old, so I called Sailun to find a local dealer.
The representative asked for my tread remaining and after I sent that to him, his answer was to WAIT at least another year or two.
He indicated that their tires were built to last and that I should not be too hasty, even though I told him that I was replacing them with his tires.
How good is that for customer service?🇨🇦
Sailun is a good brand.
It was Sailun I was looking for at Schwab Tire in Salt Lake which they had in stock. But they showed me another option in “Geostar” and convinced me a better choice. The Geostar’s look more like a semi trailer tread.
They have not caused us any problems.
I replaced my 2-year old tires w/ only 5,000 miles on them when I found the brand new spare had exploded. True to their name, my tires were “China-bombs”!!!
I think you might find that the ST type tire that failed did not have Nylon Cap Ply over the steel belts. Let me know If I am wrong.
Thank you for relentlessly explaining all aspects of tire safety and encouraging people to use the information that you provide, Roger! Have a great week and safe travels!