Tire dilemma….need advice.

[doonkin]

So I had my 4 TT tires replaced 4.5 years ago at JustTires. In the last 2 months 2 valve stems have failed and another has a split in the rubber stem n about to go. The tires seem fine.
JustTires refuse to replace stems as it’s over 4 years.

I usually change tires at 6years. They are giving me a decent price to replace all 4.
Question….Is failing stems a sign of imminent tire failure or not?
Would you guys just go ahead n replace tires or find a place that would just change stem.

I’m going on a big trip thru blazing hwy395 on way up to mammoth n am always terrified of a blowout in that **** zone w fam in the car.

Thanks, as always for great advice on this forum

 

[JFlightRisk]

If your tires are good, any tire shop can replace just the stems. I would have metal ones installed if they're rubber ones. Stem failure isn't an indication of tire issues.

 

[RogerR]

I got my last set from Sams Club, lifetime flat protection, balance, rotation and warranty for $20. Priced my tires at Goodyear and some other places and all about the same price but Sams had better warranty for less.

 

[CAG-JAY]

So I had my 4 TT tires replaced 4.5 years ago at JustTires. In the last 2 months 2 valve stems have failed and another has a split in the rubber stem n about to go. The tires seem fine.
JustTires refuse to replace stems as it’s over 4 years.

I usually change tires at 6years. They are giving me a decent price to replace all 4.
Question….Is failing stems a sign of imminent tire failure or not?
Would you guys just go ahead n replace tires or find a place that would just change stem.

I’m going on a big trip thru blazing hwy395 on way up to mammoth n am always terrified of a blowout in that **** zone w fam in the car.

Thanks, as always for great advice on this forum

If you look through the various threads here about tire replacement you will find that most including major tire companies recommend replacing RV tires, on TT, and others at 3-4 years. Your location says Glendale, so if that is Arizona 4.5 is too long. Dry rot, extreme torquing in turns/backup age RV tires before most car or truck, plus they sit for months in one spot. You can do as you like of course but I never ran over 4 and every time, promise, every time I did I had a failure. One climbing Sunset Point, in Friday getaway traffic with the outside temps at 110F. That was right after telling my wife that this was the last camping trip on these tires because they just turned 4. BTW asphalt temps are 140-160 F in those temps.



I suspect the valve stem failures is a warning. I would not be driving across country on 4+ year old tires.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

They used the very cheap valve stems. They just rotted out. If you are a DIY person, you might just get these and do them without removing the tires.
https://a.co/d/058Uh0f1

 

[Grumpy]

They used the very cheap valve stems.

If they even changed them.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

If they even changed them.

Wow! Hadn’t thought of that one. New “should” be a given!

 

[CAG-JAY]

They used the very cheap valve stems. They just rotted out. If you are a DIY person, you might just get these and do them without removing the tires.
https://a.co/d/058Uh0f1

Maybe, but do you want to depend upon that on 4.5 year old tires and risk your family?

 

[GarlicDude]

I changed out good looking Goodyear Endurance tires before a 5 week tour of the Southwest. 395 is a lonely highway and risking a tire failure could be a long wait for help and expensive help, let alone risking life and limb of your family and self.

 

[LuckyDuck]

I changed out good looking Goodyear Endurance tires before a 5 week tour of the Southwest. 395 is a lonely highway and risking a tire failure could be a long wait for help and expensive help, let alone risking life and limb of your family and self.

Funny, we did the same before a trip down 395 and over to the Grand Canyon/Utah. Still had a non-tire issue in the boonies of 395 and it was a little scary — no cell service for miles and the one highway patrolman who flew by didn’t even slow down. We limped to a spot with cell service, but it was no fun.

 

[Happy wife / happy life]

4 1/2 year old tires and Hwy 395, that’s a bad combination. These folks aren’t kidding Hwy 395 is one lonely place. Been there and I would not want to blow a tire or have any issues for that matter. Be safe and have a great trip.

 

[doonkin]

Yeah, you guys are right! I’ve nightmares about a blowout on that 395 in the height of summer. The RV gods are trying to tell me to change em time.
I’ll just try n get em to put metal stems on this time.

$800 well spent for piece of mind I guess. Glendale CA.

When it reaches that heat, do you run at max pressure? I got a tpms and seeing that temp/pressure rise is its own nail biter haha!

Always sage advice. Thankyou guys.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

So I had my 4 TT tires replaced 4.5 years ago at JustTires. In the last 2 months 2 valve stems have failed and another has a split in the rubber stem n about to go. The tires seem fine.
JustTires refuse to replace stems as it’s over 4 years.

I usually change tires at 6years. They are giving me a decent price to replace all 4.
Question….Is failing stems a sign of imminent tire failure or not?
Would you guys just go ahead n replace tires or find a place that would just change stem.

I’m going on a big trip thru blazing hwy395 on way up to mammoth n am always terrified of a blowout in that **** zone w fam in the car.

Thanks, as always for great advice on this forum

Get new tires. There's no other info needed except they are 4.5 yrs old. New tires a must for next long trip.

 

[LuckyDuck]

Yeah, you guys are right! I’ve nightmares about a blowout on that 395 in the height of summer. The RV gods are trying to tell me to change em time.
I’ll just try n get em to put metal stems on this time.

$800 well spent for piece of mind I guess. Glendale CA.

When it reaches that heat, do you run at max pressure? I got a tpms and seeing that temp/pressure rise is its own nail biter haha!

Always sage advice. Thankyou guys.

I air my tires to the max psi (65 for my GYE) in the morning when it’s normal ambient temp (before they are heated up in the sun). I don’t mess with them until I check them the next time under the same conditions.

 

[norty1]

I purchased metal stems for my rig and had the tire shop install them when the tires were replaced. They come in lengths, so don't get the longest ones. I bought mine at a auto parts place 2 pack for $5.00. Get a couple extras for the glove compartment. They last forever but who knows when you may need a spare.

Make sure the tire shop does not charge you for the stems if you furnish them.

 

[Russc25]

I air my tires to the max psi (65 for my GYE) in the morning when it’s normal ambient temp (before they are heated up in the sun). I don’t mess with them until I check them the next time under the same conditions.

The only right way to do it! Don't try to outthink it and compensate for anything, just do it right. I checked tires a week ago in the afternoon with the rig pointed east-west. The south tires had 3 psi more than the north ones just from sitting in the sun.

 

[DonC757]

It’s pretty easy to replace valve stems yourself. No special tools needed. Don’t need to break down the tire. Google Colby valves. They’re metal so they’re much stronger. Two for about 30 bucks. You can find them much cheaper if you go offbrand.

 

[jadatis]

From later post I make you have rubber valves.
Do you have external tmps sensors on them?
Then by centrifugal forces the valves are slinged against the rimm, wich can damage them in time.

Then going to metal valves, solves the problem.

 

[Tireman9]

So I had my 4 TT tires replaced 4.5 years ago at JustTires. In the last 2 months 2 valve stems have failed and another has a split in the rubber stem n about to go. The tires seem fine.
JustTires refuse to replace stems as it’s over 4 years.

I usually change tires at 6years. They are giving me a decent price to replace all 4.
Question….Is failing stems a sign of imminent tire failure or not?
Would you guys just go ahead n replace tires or find a place that would just change stem.

I’m going on a big trip thru blazing hwy395 on way up to mammoth n am always terrified of a blowout in that **** zone w fam in the car.

Thanks, as always for great advice on this forum

standard "snap-in" rubber stems are only rated for 65 psi. In my 50 years of working with and testing tires I have never seen a bolt in metal stem fail but have seen many rubber stems fail which then cause a tire to fail because of air loss.
If you are getting 6 years life you are doing better than the average RV owner. 5 years is the suggested time to change tires in RV usage.


I see bolt in stems at about $5 in many auto parts stores. "BOLT_IN" not rubber with thin metal around the rubber.

 

[Jagiven]

Have you checked the date code on the side wall? I lost a tire this past week. Put them on 7 years ago, date code said they were 10 years old. They looked great. I stopped about 80 miles before it shredded and it was fine.

I've been procrastinating changing tires as we want to replace the tt. Spent a day while on vacation finding and swapping out 4 tires. Would have done the spare, but could only find 4 tires.