Changing tires on RV trailer - how to go about it

[Lake Huron]

FWIW, I just got an email that Discount Tire is having an instant $80 off sale on 2/11.

Not all Discount Tire shops, or any other tire shops for that matter, are the same. My local one is good and rarely needs direction on something. But I've heard horror stories on all of them not knowing their head from a hole in the ground.

[CAG]

I have been dealing with Discount since the 70's. During that time I have dealt with 5 or 6 different locations and on the road another one or two. I have never, and I repeat never had a bad experience. They have always been helpful and knowledgeable.

I live in the desert. It is hot, and the sun destroys tires in short order especially if they are on trailers. We make sharp turns with no differential to equalize pressure on tires and we leave them sitting in a storage location for months at a time. Sun and heat rots tires.

Discount has always recommended 3 years for a middle of the road grade tire and a max of 4 for good grade tires. I have had three blowouts. The first one was with TowMax China bombs that were the original tires. It cost $3500 to repair the damage to the toyhauler (I stayed on the tire company until the paid me for the damage). The second blowout happened at 3 years and 2 months and 10 miles after I told my wife that we were due for new tires. The third happened at 3 years and 1 month and my plans were to replace them after that trip.

All of the tires were better grade BUT I go back to the stress that we put on trailer tires and our extreme conditions here in the desert. So here is my take. If you want to test the limits, go for it but remember it is your life, your families life and your pocketbook that is going to take the hit, if you survive the blow out. $1000 in new tires is cheap compared to the alternative.

[Formulaone]

Originally Posted by Colorado

If you have to ask, take it to Discount Tire and have them do for you. Any reputable shop will know how to lift it and do it right.

I ask simply to get the low down on what everyone does.

I've built race cars, street cars, rebuilt engines and transmissions and installed them, done bodywork, painted cars, etc. As long as I have the right procedural knowledge, I can do the work.

RVs are like any vehicle - find out the appropriate process to do what you need and make sure you have the right tools and I'm good to go. I ask to make sure I don't do something I was unaware of and either mess up the job or create more work for myself than necessary.

[goducks]

Originally Posted by eow

I drop the front of the trailer, use jacks on both rear spring mounts to raise rear axle, remove both rear tires leaving rear axle supported and take them in to local tire shop with best price for new tires and balancing. Reinstall them in rear, and repeat for front after lifting up the front of the trailer.

x2. I do it like this because my local Discount tire store's parking lot is right off a main street and it's virtually impossible to pull a 31' TT in.

To the OP the age out is more like 5-7 years.

[Jagiven]

I brought our tt to Discount Tire, in the spring on our way home from winter storage. Parked ot in their lot, near their service bay. They changed all the tires right there. They even offer free rotation. Might take them up on it this spring.

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by Formulaone

I ask simply to get the low down on what everyone does.

I've built race cars, street cars, rebuilt engines and transmissions and installed them, done bodywork, painted cars, etc. As long as I have the right procedural knowledge, I can do the work.

RVs are like any vehicle - find out the appropriate process to do what you need and make sure you have the right tools and I'm good to go. I ask to make sure I don't do something I was unaware of and either mess up the job or create more work for myself than necessary.

Everyone will have a variation of what they do, regarding your question. Back in the day, I'd mount and balance all my tires myself. Now, I sit in the waiting room, and drink their free coffee.

You most certainly would be able to R&R yourself, by lifting one side of the trailer at a time by the frame, then loading them up, and taking a trip to the tire store, then returning home with them. That said, any reputable tire dealer will save you the time, and R&R the wheels at the shop as part of the sale. You should ask them to be sure to jack from the frame only, and torque the lugs per the spec. I always recheck them when I get home, anyway.

[jadatis]

If you have taken a little care of your tires, tgey can last up to 10 years even. And that is maintaining a high enaugh pressure for the load and speed used, and protection against UV light and the Ozon that goes with it.

What in America is 3 to 4 years, in Europe 6 years, and then even most ask if they cant last longer.

Michelin writes to let the tires be checked by a tire-specialist every year after 6 years of use, and preventively renew them after 10 years of use.
1 year profesional storing after DOT-date, can be seen as 5 weeks of use, and they write that 2 years after DOT date, can be sold as new.
Can sometimes mean only renewal after 12 years after DOT-date.

So savety can go hand in hand with enviromental responcibility. Tires are hard to recicle.

If you give weigt of trailer??? And tire-specifications, And the pressure you used, I can yudge if that is a pressure, at wich the tires last long. UV protection is covering the tires whenstanding still in much sunlight, you have to yudge that.

[garywilson]

I pull the trailer to Discount Tire and tell them to put on the best they have... tires are as important to me as brakes are.

My original tires lasted 5 1/2 years from date of manu... then one came apart on the road.

Unless the tread is gone, let DT be your guide. I'd do 5 years if they aren't damaged or worn. I just replaced on of my three year old tires because of wear. The others aren't going to last another year.

[tbwill]

I just purchased four Goodyear Endurance tires at Discount Tire. They had me pull the trailer in front of their last bay, then they jacked the whole trailer up with four floor jacks and replaced the tires. I was in and out within an hour, very happy with the service.

[Riverman]

I'd get Goodyear Endurance only.

[bankr63]

I bought my tires online from Maxxis direct, but only because my local tire dealer no longer carried that line. Took them to him and had them replaced by appointment. They pulled truck and trailer into to bay they use for transport trucks and trailers (commercial bay) and changed them with the trailer still hooked up to the truck. Was in and out in about an hour, under C$15 per rim (5 tires).

I would have bought the tires from the dealer if they could have sourced them easily for me, but they agree that it was easier for me to order direct from Maxxis (on sale) than have him go through the hoops.

Dealer was KalTire which I think is Canada only, but similar to Discount Tire.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by Riverman

I buy my tires online from Amazon (Goodyear Endurance for $99 each) and then take the trailer to a local tire guy and get them swapped out for $10 a tire, including balancing.

https://www.amazon.com/Goodyear-Endu.../dp/B076VNXLD3

I prefer to buy mine direct from Discount tire. I tell them the date code should not be more than 4 months out or I won't take them.

Same size as yours. Paid $440 out the door, mounted & balanced 18 months ago.

Any issues they are only a mile down the road. JMO

[MichaelO]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

I bought my Goodyear Endurance tires from Discount Tire when they were having a sale, but I did it the hard way.

I jacked up one side at a time and took the tires off myself and then took them to DT for mounting and balancing. Then I reinstalled them myself using a calibrated torque wrench. I didn't want to take the chance of them jacking it up by the axles, plus I am very fussy about getting the nuts torqued correctly. Took a little longer but got it done right the first time.

I have had issues with DT cross threading lug nuts on my pickup. The last time they messed up two on one wheel and then said they could not install new lugs and I would have to go to another shop to have the work done, but they would reimburse me the cost. Wasn't a Happy Camper!

And you still use them? I wouldn't.

[MichaelO]

I take mine to a local BigO tire shop that I trust. I pull the trailer there and they do the work right there. If I need the wheel bearings packed they can do that as well.

[spark of insanity]

I don't care what anyone says about Camping World. We have a tire and brake inspection from them every year. I have a spring break in April and it goes in then. This year after our 3 week tour out west last summer took its toll on a few problems we are getting fixed in April. Otherwise no problems there and back. Had a brand new car too. Was told by Discount Tire the jeep needs new tires and I need to shell out 500 for all four. Now where to get that money is beyond me. Otherwise would not go any where else for tires except Discount Tire but for the TT? Camping World. IMO not yours.

Happy Camping.

[deano]

I bought my goodyear endurance tires at discount tire. Find the best deal on the internet and they will price match it . Make an appointment and tow your trailer to them to install. Easy peasy . They will balance them also. I forgot to ask them to but they automatically did it anyway. Can't go wrong for all my experience with them.

[Fumes21]

Boy I have the original tires on my 2006 Jayco Eagle 35' 5th Wheel and they are barely worn. They are Goodyear Marathons, I keep them covered in the summer and the trailer is stored inside in a quonset in the winter.

I'm thinking of changing them this summer with Sailun's. I put on around 1,500 to 2,000 miles camping each summer.

[Will P]

Yes, all Discount Tire shops are different. Luckily I deal with a good one. I ordered tires on line and had them delivered to my house. Then I did what many of you have said-I jacked the FW up and took 2 tires to Discount tire then repeated the process. I thought I was masterful in the ways of replacing tires. When I picked up the FW I was chatting with the manager and he told me when a customer orders on line, even if tor Discount tires, that store gets no credit for the sale. They only make what they charge you for mount and balance and warranty. He also said he would match any price I found on the internet.I Later sold my FW and bought a used Jayco 27RBOK. It needed tires. The Discount dealer ordered the tire I wanted which only took 1 day. I towed it to Discount, unhooked and left it with them. Done in 1 more day and every one was happy.

[Will P]

tor should read through. Also on the tires for the Jayco he charged me the same price I had found on the internet. Just my 2 cents.

[harryjr]

Originally Posted by Will P

Yes, all Discount Tire shops are different. Luckily I deal with a good one. I ordered tires on line and had them delivered to my house. Then I did what many of you have said-I jacked the FW up and took 2 tires to Discount tire then repeated the process. I thought I was masterful in the ways of replacing tires. When I picked up the FW I was chatting with the manager and he told me when a customer orders on line, even if tor Discount tires, that store gets no credit for the sale. They only make what they charge you for mount and balance and warranty. He also said he would match any price I found on the internet.I Later sold my FW and bought a used Jayco 27RBOK. It needed tires. The Discount dealer ordered the tire I wanted which only took 1 day. I towed it to Discount, unhooked and left it with them. Done in 1 more day and every one was happy.

Always smart to take care of the people who are taking care of you.