There have been many reports of accidents taking place because RV owners waited too long to change their tires. A tire blowout can cause thousands of dollars of damage and a lot worse if you do not replace them soon enough.
On average, most top tire brands claim their tires should last for 7 years. However, they also say after 5 years you should take those tires off the rims each year and inspect the interior of the tire. That is because the hidden issues cause all the problems.
To learn more about this topic, just continue to read our article. It explores the issue so you have the best information possible. It pays to watch the age of your tires and make sure to replace them when they get too old.
Some manufacturers will say that their tires will last up to 10 years but after the 5th year, you need to do yearly inspections to make sure the rubber is still in top condition.
Other manufacturers may only give you a 7-year lifespan and one owner found out the hard way. 3 months after his 7th year expired, a tire blew. After the 5th year, it is a judgment call.
The interior inspections will guide you and let you know when you are getting close to the time you need to change those tires. Also, your yearly driving will give you an idea of how long your tires will last.
It is said that if you are driving between 12,000 and 15,000 miles every year, then do not expect those tires to last 7 or 10 years. That amount of mileage each wear limits the tire’s lifespan to 3 to 5 years.
Poor tire condition is the source of the majority of accidents that take place each year. So while your friends may not like that you cover your tires, it is a good action to take to protect your tires and have them last a little longer.
To be totally honest here, there is no objective standard that tells you how long a tire will last. Under ideal conditions you can expect to get 7 to 10 years out of your tires BUT only if you buy from reputable companies like Michelin, Good Year, and so on.
If you buy the tires that are made by the many Chinese brands, do not expect a long life span. In between those two extremes, you may find brands whose tires only last 5 years.
But that is just the construction side of tire life. If you drive down roads that are not very clean, nails, glass, and other sharp objects can end the tire’s life even a day after buying and installing them.
There are just too many factors involved when it comes to tire longevity. Even the top brands have tire models that will not last a long time as they are not made as well as their premier tire models.
As stated earlier, the miles you drive each year will wear out your tires at different rates.
So far only 2 factors have been mentioned that cause tires to not make the full claimed lifespan. Here are some more factors to consider:
1. Worn tires are not the same as aging tires
Worn tires are those tires that are driven a lot and the tread wears out very quickly. These tires are used a lot. However, RV tires are not used a lot in most cases and they will age out before they wear out.
Their treads look almost new but the rubber’s integrity has been compromised due to age. Don’t let looks fool you.
2. Curbs, potholes, broken pavement, poorly graded railroad crossings, unpaved roads and more
These road conditions take their toll on tires and will shorten their lifespan immensely. The damage may come indirectly as these road issues damage suspension and alignment causing more wear and tear than should have been caused.
Watch those roads you drive down and check your suspension and alignment regularly to enhance your tire’s lifetime.
3. Bad weather conditions
Tires work harder in the snow and the rain. When they work harder to maintain traction, they also wear down quickly. One way to prevent or delay this problem is to make sure you have tires designed for bad weather conditions
4. Poor driving habits
If you accelerate too fast, brake sharply, or do hard cornering, not to mention other bad driving habits, then chances are your tires will wear out quicker than you thought.
5. Poor maintenance habits
You need to check the tire pressure regularly as well as keep those tires aligned and rotated to prolong their lifespans.
While most RV owners do not drive RVs designed like a big rig, it is still important for those few owners to know when they should replace their tires. Semi-truck tires are not the same as regular tires for RVs, cars, or trucks.
They are designed to hold a lot more weight so their lifespans are not that great. The experts have reached a consensus about the longevity of the tires made for these heavy vehicles- 3 to 6 years.
If your tires are more than 6 years old, they need to be replaced now. Mileage, road conditions, the weather, and other factors will apply here as well.
If you cover your tires when parked, don’t let your neighbor’s mocking stop you from doing it. You need to protect your tires as the sun will shorten their lifespan as well.
Take care of your tires so you can get the longest life out of them. But keep in mind that there will always be obstacles in the road that will ruin your tires no matter how well you protect them.