Spare tire

[Grant Allen]

I have a brand new spare tire that is 8 model years old. My question is can I use this tire on my trailer and match it up with another or is there a shelf life on it?

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by Grant Allen

I have a brand new spare tire that is 8 model years old. My question is can I use this tire on my trailer and match it up with another or is there a shelf life on it?

5 to 6 years is tops......toss it.

[gordon2]

I agree that you should not use it.. its not brand new if its eight years old.

That being said, if you decide to ignore that advice and use an eight year old tire… well, UV light (sunlight) is a main reason that tires need to be replaced before the tread wears out. So if it has been stored where there was no UV to age it, then that helps. If it was not exposed to oxygen, that helps even more.. but good luck finding a tire that was stored in a vacuum ; ) If I were to carry an eight-year-old tire to use as a spare (which I would not do) then I would only use it in an emergency, and only to get to the nearest safe place to park where I could go get proper tires.

So in sum, go get the proper tires and rest easy instead of taking chances with your life and property, as well as that of the rest of us on the road.

Tires Expire in Six Years - Tire Safety Group

[vanjr]

I would keep it as a spare and not replace it. If you have a flat use it briefly till you get you other repaired. I know you are supposed to use tires a limited time but I would have a hard time tossing it. Frankly I have never had to use a spare tire in any of my camping adventures. I would certainly not use a tire that old as a routine tire.

[MRClaus]

ok if the trailer tire is the same size as a car tire is there a differnce ?

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by MRClaus

ok if the trailer tire is the same size as a car tire is there a differnce ?

Yes. Trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls for better straight-line tracking. Using car tires on a trailer can make it more vulnerable to sway.

[floyd]

"Car tires" vary from too soft for safety to stiff enough to stand up on a light car with no air.
The general rule is the tires should match on the same axle.


Many subscribe to the "Logan's Run" method of tire maintenance and replacement and consider it prudent, eschewing inspection and steadily reducing the acceptable time out.
Reputable tire stores will mount/repair a tire up to ten years old for street use.

Looking for the date stamp, presents an opportunity to inspect the tire for condition and to make a decision whether to use it even as a spare.
If you are not qualified, ask a reputable tire dealer.

The world apparently doesn't have enough discarded tires, besides it helps the economy to buy new...(at least China's economy)

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by vanjr

I would keep it as a spare and not replace it. If you have a flat use it briefly till you get you other repaired. I know you are supposed to use tires a limited time but I would have a hard time tossing it. Frankly I have never had to use a spare tire in any of my camping adventures. I would certainly not use a tire that old as a routine tire.

In using an aged out tire, one not only places their own equipment and family at risk, but also those on the road around them. An aged out tire may last 500 miles before failing or 5 miles before failing.

Just this last month were in places, (on major highways in Utah) where the "Next Services" were 110 miles away, and the outside temps were well over 110 degrees. Even taking the middle point, that's still 50 miles of bad road before finding help and, in that example, the chances of finding a correct replacement tire at the end of the rainbow are about zero.

Being and staying safe, for yourself, your family, and for others on the road around you, is part of the price of RV'ing. Being "Penny Wise and Pound Foolish" is not safe RV'ing.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

In using an aged out tire, one not only places their own equipment and family at risk, but also those on the road around them. An aged out tire may last 500 miles before failing or 5 miles before failing.

Just this last month were in places, (on major highways in Utah) where the "Next Services" were 110 miles away, and the outside temps were well over 110 degrees. Even taking the middle point, that's still 50 miles of bad road before finding help and, in that example, the chances of finding a correct replacement tire at the end of the rainbow are about zero.

Being and staying safe, for yourself, your family, and for others on the road around you, is part of the price of RV'ing. Being "Penny Wise and Pound Foolish" is not safe RV'ing.

What is an "aged out" tire?

3 years? 5 Years? 10Years(industry standard)? Or physical evidence of aging procured by inspection?

The article quoted earlier actually said that tires were made of rubber.
Even if used as a generic term, the article went on to compare tire aging with rubber band aging which would be comparing tire compound polyester with latex!
Many people want to quote industry standards then go on to say not to trust them by such and such percentage, accusing the people we are supposed to trust of not figuring in any margins for safety...

This is true for more than just tires, we constantly hear of people being accused of threatening public safety while staying within the ratings and standards set by the manufacturers or legal limits.

What you say sounds reasonable, but without common definitions, we have Babel.

OH! this is so confusing!

[gordon2]

Look everything is a gamble. I had a trailer tire with a huge bulge / bubble after only 600 miles, one year of age.. The shop said a lot of the tires we are using are Chinese junk and they see failures like this a lot. So you spends your money and you takes your chances. I try to do reasonable risk management without breaking the bank. You have good information now to do the same.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Look everything is a gamble. I had a trailer tire with a huge bulge / bubble after only 600 miles, one year of age.. The shop said a lot of the tires we are using are Chinese junk and they see failures like this a lot. So you spends your money and you takes your chances. I try to do reasonable risk management without breaking the bank. You have good information now to do the same.

DITTO!

[stevebaz]

I use to buy tires from Americas tire with lifetime warranty. They replaced the tire until it hit the wear bars. A couple of years ago they changed their warranty to lifetime for the life of the tire and in the small print they added lifetime of tire limited to 6 years. I also ran into this with my offroad tires bought from a national vendor. They also limited tire life to 6 years and will not repair a tire older than that. I'm sure this has allot to do with their liability insurance and to control warren costs.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by stevebaz

I use to buy tires from Americas tire with lifetime warranty. They replaced the tire until it hit the wear bars. A couple of years ago they changed their warranty to lifetime for the life of the tire and in the small print they added lifetime of tire limited to 6 years. I also ran into this with my offroad tires bought from a national vendor. They also limited tire life to 6 years and will not repair a tire older than that. I'm sure this has allot to do with their liability insurance and to control warren costs.

"America's Tire" is the same company as "Discount Tire".

Quote from their website...
"Discount Tire and America's Tire are two unique names for one nationwide company."

"Any purchase made at any Discount Tire or America's Tire store can be serviced at locations bearing either name."



I buy lots of tires and have them serviced at my local "Discount Tire".
Their policy for mounting or repair (not warranty) is 10years.
I have confirmed this with the recent purchase of my last set of Carlisles. In fact they said they would not mount a never used Marathon of mine for spare use since it was reaching their limit of ten years.

As for warranty, Here is a quote from their website...

"How Does It Work?
If a tire covered by the Certificate for Refund, Repair or Replacement fails due to a defect or an unrepairable road hazard, and still has legal tread (3/32") remaining across the tire, and it has been in use less than 3 years from date of purchase, America's Tire will give a refund of the full purchase price, together with the applicable sales tax and give you the option to purchase the same new or comparable tire at the refund price, with the payment of any applicable sales tax. There is no prorating, no disqualification for any reason such as run-on damage and no mileage adjustment. It is the very best tire certificate program we know of.
How to Purchase the Certificate"

Tread life beyond three years is prorated on remaining tread with zero at 3/32nds. Just a couple months ago I had the treadlife warranty on my Michelin Hydroedge tires honored after 7 years

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by floyd

How to Purchase the Certificate"

In other words, you are buying a warranty in addition to buying a tire?

[Byron Kinnaman]

Here's my take on tires 5 to 6 years old or older. Comparing the cost of tires vs the cost of the trailer, tires are pretty cheap. Therefore in my opinion I would rather change the tires the 5 to 6 years and reduce the risk of a blow out like I witnessed on 16' Scamp. The damage to the Scamp was much more costly than the tire. Hmmm.. Think it's getting close to time to replace my Scamp tires.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

In other words, you are buying a warranty in addition to buying a tire?

Not me.. I NEVER buy optional warranties, but yes the certificates are optional and not worth it to me.

[Glenn Baglo]

I never buy additional warranties either, but that's what the "How does it work" paragraph appears to be describing.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Here's my take on tires 5 to 6 years old or older. Comparing the cost of tires vs the cost of the trailer, tires are pretty cheap. Therefore in my opinion I would rather change the tires the 5 to 6 years and reduce the risk of a blow out like I witnessed on 16' Scamp. The damage to the Scamp was much more costly than the tire. Hmmm.. Think it's getting close to time to replace my Scamp tires.

The only problem with that theory is that the greatest risk of tire failure under your plan is during the first year. Of course that risk starts to go back up after ten years or so.
So, changing tires too often can be nearly as risky as changing them too seldom.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by floyd

The only problem with that theory is that the greatest risk of tire failure under your plan is during the first year. Of course that risk starts to go back up after ten years or so.
So, changing tires too often can be nearly as risky as changing them too seldom.

I don't think that's true. Might have been 30 to 40 years ago, but today I doubt it. Would you like find some stats to prove your point?

[Glenn Baglo]

Well, put it this way.
Thirty per cent of drivers involved in an accident are DUI.
Seventy per cent are not DUI.
Stands to reason that there is less chance of being in an accident if you are DUI.

Not?