When to replace tires on TT

blackoak2006 · 10-08-2016, 02:03 PM

I know that this has probably been discussed many times before, but I just took possession of a (new to me) TT. It is a 2010 Jayco Jay flight. It has been used very little, and probably less than 200 miles on the tires. They are ST 205/75R15's with a load range of a C. They are Goodyear Marathon Radial tires with a date code of "3409". I am getting ready to do a trip from Arkansas to Talladega Alabama, and was wanting opinions of whether or not to try doing this trip without changing tires. I figure that I "might" pull it off with no problems, but was just wanting opinions from people that have been doing this longer than me. Just hate to waste 4 tires, but really don't want one exploding on me and messing up the trailer. Next part is if I do change tires, ....... do need help there too.

dalebra · 10-08-2016, 02:26 PM

Well I had a 2007 TT and in the spring of 2014 I had a blowout and $4k worth of damage. Obviously the tires have all the tread like they are new. I found the problem to be age and UV which causes the rubber to break down. A dealer told me to replace the tires every 6-7 years.

BTW my tire that blew was a the exact same tire you have.

Marcm157 · 10-08-2016, 02:39 PM

I would change them now. Typically 5 years is a respectable run for trailer tires. Yours are from 2009 so you are pushing your luck as far as I'm concerned...

John H · 10-08-2016, 03:13 PM

We purchased a 2008 Jayflight 22FB this spring and it had the original Goodyear Marathons on it, the previous owner did not put very many miles on it. After reading on the RV forums about tires I decided to install new Maxxis tires on the trailer, as the tire shop removed the old tires the fellow showed me the cracks that were between the tread groves, the tires looked good otherwise. I think we made the right decision.
John

Seann45 · 10-08-2016, 03:17 PM

I would change them out now.. and please remember that trailer tires (ST) have a 65 mph speed rating...

eldermike · 10-08-2016, 04:29 PM

My limit is 3 years. I have never had blowout damage and we tow many miles each year and are now on our 5'th RV over 30 years time. I don't run OEM tires more than the miles required to get to a tire store. Maxxis tires are best for those that run E rating or less. My current tire is G614's and they will be replaced after 3 years use. As a personal rule of thumb OEM tires should be replaced with at least one load range higher than spec tires for the rig. Thats my 2 cents.

Paintinfool3 · 10-08-2016, 04:32 PM

I replaced my oem tires second season with maxxis and I wouldn't go over 4 or 5 years on any without replacing them ... I have had many blowouts with trailer tires that looked great but totally destroyed themselves and parts of the trailer as a result

ReelCool · 10-08-2016, 04:38 PM

We purchased a new to us 2015 (actually 2 years old by the build date) and the tires looked like they had very little wear. However, my husband replaced all four with load range D. Two years ago, my husband was driving our motorhome to the Keys and I was up ahead pulling the boat. I experienced my first blowout ever with the boat trailer 25 miles from nowhere. The tires were 2-3 yrs old. So now we have a rule we replace all tires every two years even through we do not put many miles on them.

bushflying · 10-08-2016, 09:22 PM

Just wondering how may miles people are getting out of their TT tires.
Ready to turn 12k miles in 2 years and it looks like Ill need to get new tires for next season. I have a 2016 28BHBE

Rustysocket · 10-09-2016, 12:13 AM

If you have any question about the integrity of the tires it is much cheaper in the long run to replace just the tires rather than rebuild the underbelly of your trailer. It's one thing to get a flat, it's entirely a different ordeal to have a catastrophic failure and damage your rig and have to buy whatever they have in stock on the road. RV'ing isn't cheap.

John H · 10-09-2016, 05:40 AM

I was told 5-6 years under normal driving conditions if you maintain proper air pressure. I also plan to cover them when not using the trailer.

blackoak2006 · 10-09-2016, 07:36 AM

Thanks all, new tires it is! See ya on the road!

Atlee · 10-10-2016, 08:09 AM

I currently have over 25k miles on my Maxxis tires. Put them on my Koala trailer in July 2013. The tire tread still looks excellent, and I haven't seen any cracks (even minute ones) in the sidewalls yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushflying

Just wondering how may miles people are getting out of their TT tires.
Ready to turn 12k miles in 2 years and it looks like Ill need to get new tires for next season. I have a 2016 28BHBE

bankr63 · 10-10-2016, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushflying

Just wondering how may miles people are getting out of their TT tires.
Ready to turn 12k miles in 2 years and it looks like Ill need to get new tires for next season. I have a 2016 28BHBE

I think "most" people won't know. Trailer tires are probably replaced due to age more often than they are replaced due to wear. Full timers will wear out tires, but all those folks (IMO the majority) who tow a few times a year, to a CG within a couple hundred miles, will probably never wear out a set of tires.

And +1 vote for change them; they're way old!
and +1 vote for Maxxis; putting on a fresh set in the spring and everything I have read says they are the best at this time.

Ryan1974 · 10-10-2016, 10:45 AM

Replace for sure it would be a no brainier to me. Not the cheapest way for sure but the safest.

mike837go · 10-10-2016, 10:54 AM

Easy rule of thumb:

5 years
Noticeable tread wear (uneven or wear bars easily noticed below the tread)
Cracking sidewalls

Whichever comes first.

Replace all of them.

(If uneven wear noticed, get the axles fixed!)

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