Towing with OLD tires

[Dan]

While camping last weekend, I met my "neighbor" at the CG who was a really nice guy. He was proud of his 1991 FW and it was in very good shape. BUT, I about snorted coffee out my nose when he said he was running on the original tires! Twenty-six year old tires? Yikes!!

[bigt8600]

They don't make things like they used to?

Thats incredible. Growing up, my family had so many blow outs and tire problems it is the first thing my trailer will get as far as expensive upgrades. I can't believe the tires arent completely disintegrated for being 26 years old.

[Sundancer330]

I hope I don't pass that guy one day when they all blow at once.

[Murff]

I have my doubts!

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Dan

While camping last weekend, I met my "neighbor" at the CG who was a really nice guy. He was proud of his 1991 FW and it was in very good shape. BUT, I about snorted coffee out my nose when he said he was running on the original tires! Twenty-six year old tires? Yikes!!

I can believe it. I was done at a friend's seasonal tt, where all rigs must vacate each fall as the CG is on a flood plan. There's was an 80's era tt, with highly weather cracked tires. I noticed this year it had new treads.

Now I have a model t, I know lots of.people who run 50 year old tires. They do not like the new tires. I run 15 year old tires. I did blow up last year my spare. I would guess it was 60+ year old Ward's tire. It was not weathered. I suspect the old cords just gave up.

[FPM III]

26 YO tires? I'd bet any money those tires were US made and not "China Bombs". I had one of those blow-out last year about this time and the spare I used was the original (16 YO and US made) tire from when I bought the TT new back in 2000. It got me home in one piece and I immediately replaced all five with new tires.

[Dan]

I would be skeptical too, but there are three things that lead me to believe the gent:
1. Nothing to gain by lying
2. He stores the trailer in a barn, so no UV damage to speak of, and,
3. My DW looked at them later and told me they were like slicks, virtually no tread left.

[Marcm157]

My Raniers didn't last 26 days before I swapped them out for a set of Maxxis. 3 things I don't skimp or cheap out on are brakes, bearings and tires...

[Doug]

When we did our NY State trip last month, young couple next door with 4 kids borrowing Mom.dad's 2001 camper. They had driven 7 hours to camp.
When they were leaving, they needed some help with hitching up. They said parents hadn't used camper for awhile but had brakes etc all checked before their trip.
I noticed tires were aged looking. Checked the DOT date with him and sure enough 1501
Original tires from 2001, 15 years old. Side walls were dry rotted.

They made it home and Mom/Dad purchased new tires all the way around.

I told him I'd stop at closest tire store on the way out. I figured 50/50 chance they'd make it home.

I change my tires every 5 years. They are not that expensive.

Doug