If the cracks are less than 2 deep the tire is fine to run. Make sure you know the age of your rv and automobile tires and always inspect your tires for signs of weather cracking before each trip. Thin cracking in sidewalls and the bottom of tread grooves is common enough. Just because theres a little tread left on your car tires doesnt mean its safe to keep driving on them.
But any crack that is deep or wide is a sign of serious trouble. Also, underinflated or overinflated tires place undue stress on tire sidewalls and cause fissures and flaws. At one point or another, its almost inevitable that they will strike the sidewall of your rv or trailer tires, often like a nest of little snakes swimming toward the tires. If the cracks are any deeper than 232 116 the tire should be replace immediately. Between 2 and 232 the tire is suspect and should be examined by your michelin dealer. If you have significant other that sews, even a guy can do that buy some canvas or vinyl and make them yourself. If you havent worn out a set of tires in 58 years, its worth replacing them for safetys sake, even if there is still good tread left on the tires. A quick check of the michelin website tire troubleshooter showed that this sort of weathering was normal. If your tires start to get really deep cracks after 35 years, you might consider replacing them for peace of mind. Here are pictures to help you decide and techniques to greatly extend the life of your tires.
Inspect the tire next inspect the tires to see where the most damage is building up so you know which areas to concentrate on with the protector product. The first two digits are the week, and the second two are the year the tire was produced. Mar 24, 2010 after getting the bike out of the garage for the first time this season, i noticed that my front tire has some cracking along the sidewall. This sort of rv tire sidewall cracking is an indication that the tread belt could separate just as you see them rubber crocodiles laying on the highways from a tire that has had a catastrophic failure. The sidewalls of the tire are where blowouts most often happen. Rv tires age out before they wear out in most cases. But i do think used tires are ok for vehicles under 4,000lbs. Tire sidewall cracks are an indication of extensive tire age with the cracks developing due to time, temperature, flexing and exposure to ozone and uv all of which are detrimental to tire life. In addition, signs of tread separation and sidewall cracking are a good indicator that the tire should be replaced most rvers will junk their campers tires that. I used to be a fan of michelin tires, but their rubber these days is terrible.
Premature cracking can slice the life of a rubber tire in half. Long periods of sitting causes the rubber to dry out, and when you take your camper out for a drive, the. It is important to consider that the cracks will not grow in just a couple of miles or maybe not even in 100 miles but if driven long enough would most certainly result in an air loss. If youre not sure about your tire cracking, bring your vehicle in to a kal tire store near. Page 1 of 2 tires have small sidewall cracks posted in general rv discussion. Aug 20, 2019 not that it matters, but the only tire problems ive had were with new american made tires, not any of the used tires ive bought. Have you noticed small cracks in the tread or on the sidewall of your tires.
New tires due to rv tire sidewall cracking usa rv nomads. Lots of fine tire sidewall cracks can be caused by exposure to sunlight, excessive heat, or ozone. Im getting the tt ready for our trip, took the covers off the tires, and there are some small cracks 46 inches mid sidewall one on one tire and two on another in the sidewalls of the tires on one side of the trailer. Sidewall cracking on rv tires is both normal and expected. Go to rv forums and ask what brands are best for the type of travels you intend to go on. That blowout will be very messyprobably damages to your tt, and often the other tire on that side gives up the ghost when it suddenly has double the weight load on it. Most rv folks put covers on their tires that face the sunshine. Load range no lower than the ones you have, and it might be worth it to go one level higher. How to keep tires from dry rotting and cracking you might think of your tires as fixed, unchanging vehicle components, but theyre actually some of the more alive elements of your vehicle. Only driven maybe 5,000 miles since then so all tire treads appear as new but front tires developing small cracks in sidewalls. Cracks in the sidewall are distressing, because they can lead to catastrophic failure of the tire. Box truck has michelin tires on front, either goodrich or goodyear on rear. Apr 19, 2017 all tires will develop tread and sidewall cracks over time, but youll probably wear out the tires tread before cracking ever becomes an issue.
How to erase cracked sidewalls on tires by jeffrey norman. They can be a spider web of small cracks, or a line of more significant cracks around the circumference of the tire. Weather cracking is common in rv tires from all manufacturers. Most manufacturers recommend tires be replaced 10 years from the date of origin. Some factors that influence how long a tire will last are. Scuff guard helps provide sidewall protection durawall technology helps resist sidewall cuts and punctures popular alternative tire sizes some manufacturers use slightly different size designations.
Weather cracking 101 at one point or another, its almost inevitable that they will strike the sidewall of your rv or trailer tires, often like a nest of little snakes swimming toward the tires shoulder. Tire cracking over time is normal, and its a sign that your tires have done their duty and now you need to replace the tires to keep your vehicle safe. Tire replacement guidelines and sidewall weathering tire replacement guidelines. Rv tire sidewall cracking is an indication that the tread belt could separate, leading to potential rv damage from catastrophic tire failure. It happens on all brands of tires, so dont believe anybody if they tell you differently. While weather cracking is common as special trailer tires age, there are ways to stall these. The forces on the tire between treads is not as large as the sidewall. Interestingly enough, when sun exposure or excessive cleaning is the cause of the small cracks, the sidewall of the tire facing outward will show damage, while the sidewall facing inward is rarely affected. Upon checking with our tire information brochure that came with the vehicle, my husband discovered that the tires may, in fact, be 10 years old, although we purchased them 2 weeks ago and the invoice also noted.
You would be best to have it looked at by a heartland dealer. A bubble in the sidewall of the tire indicates that the inner liner has been damaged to the point that its allowing air to escape. If your tire cracking exposes any belting, be sure to bring it in for an inspection immediately. From the picture, it appeared the tire had what i would call ozone or uv cosmetic cracking. Cracks where the slide comes in could also be indicative of the slide being adjusted wrong making it come in too tight causing too much stress on the sidewall. Surface cracked tires are no longer the plague of rv owners and classic cars. Weather cracking or checking occurs on all tires when they are exposed to heat and sunlight. There are lots of reasons for tire failure on rvs, like under inflation, over inflation, overloading and the age of the tires. Most mechanics shy away from sidewall repair for fear of liability should an accident result. Im getting the tt ready for our trip, took the covers off the tires, and there are some small cracks 46 inches midsidewallone on one tire and two on another in the sidewalls of the tires on one side of the trailer. Goodyears warranty for weather cracking is four years from purchase date or four years from manufacture date if proof of purchase is not available. You should look to replace your tires if cracks in the sidewall are greater than 232.
The owner was concerned about the tire durability as he had suffered a couple of blowouts previously. Not that it matters, but the only tire problems ive had were with new american made tires, not any of the used tires ive bought. With the price of rv tires, we dont want to buy new tires before we have to, but we also dont want to push things too far and have a blowout. Depending on their severity, they may be cosmetic in nature if they dont.
When exposed to sunlight and the elements they can develop those small cracks often referred to as weather checking, ozone cracking, or just plain sidewall cracking. Apr 29, 20 do you really need to replace those tires. Tire failure on rvs can be extremely dangerous and can cause extensive damage to your rv. Here is a video of my 4 12 year old michelin motor home tires cracking dry rotting on my 2015 newmar canyon star. If you do then you will have many miles of stressfree travels. These cracks would grow and could eventually result is air loss through small cracks in the sidewall. While signs of shallow cracking on the sidewall rubber or minor irregular wear are of concern, the presence of a bubble in the tire sidewall is a major safety concern that needs to be addressed immediately. How to protect your tires from cracking gold eagle co.
Jun 11, 2018 a tires age is determined by its birth date, not the date on which it was installed. Consumer complaints include sudden blowouts of new tires, tire separation, sidewall and tread cracks, poor inflation, dry rotting, and early signs of wear. The cracks will grow and evenutally the tire will have a blow out at highway speeds. The sidewall s threads must be intact to justify a repair job. Every tire price includes expert installation at a local auto dealer. The outer layer of rubber on the sidewall is simply a sealing layer to keep the elements away from the inner structural part of the tirein other words, those unsightly cracks are purely cosmetic. Weather conditions such as heat, cold and sunlight cause cracks to appear on the sidewalls and at the base of tires tread grooves. Weathering occurs when the rubber compound your tires are made of begins to break down. You cannot erase a sidewalls cracks, but you can seamlessly patch over them. Aside from sizes, weight ratings and speed ratings, it is important to look into the sidewall strength of your rv tires. While the vehicle was parked, my husband noticed cracks in one of the tires. Heres another quote from the michelin rv manual that refutes your statement about sidewall cracks.
Here are a few popular oeacceptable rv tire size equivalents. My wife drove it to work the next morning, called said it was flat again. Tire cracking is a problem more for stored vehicles such as rvs, classic cars and trailers. How to prevent tires from weather cracking it still runs. The owner was concerned about the tire durability as he had suffered a couple blowouts previously. On a small sidewall passenger tire, you probably do not notice the discoloration or the small surface cracks in the rubber. Tire failures involving any of these conditions can lead to serious injury or death. Those cracks arent bad, but you probably want to start planning for a.
Id never consider chinese tires for truckscars, but maybe ok for scooters and bicycles. Weather conditions such as heat, cold and sunlight cause cracks to appear on the sidewalls and at the base of tire s tread grooves. Its birth date is stamped right on the sidewall, and its called a dot code. Hairline cracks are a nonissue, but keep an eye on those. Tires are made to support a maximum specified load at a given tire pressure and it is important to maintain that pressure in order to achieve the best tire life and ridehandling of your motorhome. During tire inspections, check the sidewalls for signs of aging, referred to as weather checking or ozone cracking. If youre not sure about your tire cracking, bring your vehicle in. Usage per year more frequent usage will result in longer life. Tires have small sidewall cracks general rv discussion. Take your rv to the shop and have the suspect tire checked. Rv tire age can result in tire failure rv 101 education. Replace rv tires if the cracks are more than 232inch deep. The next facet of tire ownership is determining the correct air pressure for the load and size of the tires and then maintaining it. Rv tire safety with rv tire expert roger marble click on any image to enlarge.
We have sidewall cracking on all outside mounted tires michlin tires 25580r22. At least monitor them if they are older, and be sure to travel at the proper tire cold pressure, based on your rvs weight. This is because dry rot can affect the tire wall on both sides of the tire. But also take photos of it so you can let heartland customer service know also. Rv tire recommendation page 2 tires fmca rv forums. Antarctic tundra tires cruise through snow drifts at negative 40 degrees fahrenheit, and the typical suv tire rotates some 42 million times throughout its lifetime. In deciding when to replace rv tires, the best rule of thumb is no more than five years, or as often as you can afford to. May 14, 2014 find the age on the inner ring of the tire. If you cut or puncture the sidewall, or drove on a flat tire or one with very low inflationyouve probably damaged the tire beyond repair. Seek the opinion of an automobile expert on the tire. Feb 27, 2019 this is because dry rot can affect the tire wall on both sides of the tire.
Thankfully, there are ways to thwart early cracking. Many people associate ozone with the atmosphere, but the gas. If the wheel is still on the vehicle that of course makes it harder to see the inside tire wall. I would keep an eye out for a sale on your next set. Tire cracking, also known as dryrot, happens when the tires rubber starts to break down due to ozone, uv, roadsalt, chemicals, and grime you can slow down sidewall cracking by using an offtheshelf cleaner once a week. May 27, 2010 page 1 of 2 tires have small sidewall cracks posted in general rv discussion. Goodyear does not state a specific replacement age for rv tires because there are many conditions that dictate a tires life span. Aug 22, 2017 the next facet of tire ownership is determining the correct air pressure for the load and size of the tires and then maintaining it. A tires age is determined by its birth date, not the date on which it was installed. Go to an rv store and buy tire covers like those rv owners use cover the tires to keep the sun off them.
The antiaging chemicals used in the rubber compounds are more effective when the tire is exercised on a frequent basis. Today i want to discuss how the age of your rv tires, and exposure to the elements, can lead to tire failure. Following these simple tire storage tips can add life to your rv tires, but keep in mind that tire age and exposure to the elements are leading causes for tire failure. Kal tire is tire cracking a normal part of agerelated wear. How long can you safely keep driving with the tires that are on your rv is a question all rvers are faced with. Tire tread is always wearing and evolving as the miles accumulate, but the tire tread compound also changes according to season, temperature, and.
Its best to get them checked out because even though your tires are holding air just fine now, put them under load on a 105degree day and youre inviting trouble. Holes wider than 1 inch or longer than 4 inches are irreparable. Crack in fiberglass wall archive heartland owners forum. Jul 29, 2017 on a small sidewall passenger tire, you probably do not notice the discoloration or the small surface cracks in the rubber. Oct 17, 2019 however, this past winter while in arizona as we moved around between points within the state i noticed rv tire sidewall cracking small cracks in the sidewalls around the rim. Other than sizes and weight ratings, sidewall strength is an important component in class a motorhome tires. Many seasoned rv owners make the choice to use light truck tires on their rvs as they traditionally offer better sidewall strength. Class a motor home tires read this before buying any.
Weather cracking is a naturally occurring condition that results from exposure to heat and sunlight. Michelin recalls 100,000 in north america tire safety group. There appears to be a seam from production running around the right sidewall of the tire, and there are small cracks along this seam in several areas. In many cases this term is referred to as load range.
Weathering, cracking and crazing tend to appear in tire sidewalls after several years, and they may become a concern. More than two large cracks on the sidewalls also rules out repair. Rv tire recommendation page 2 tires fmca rv forums a. If the cracks have just showed you have a wile it is up to you as to how long you want to push it but keep in mind a shreded tire can really mess up a fender. At one point or another, its almost inevitable that they will strike the sidewall of your rv or trailer tires, often like a nest of little snakes swimming toward the tires shoulder.
I took the wifes miata down for an oil change and tire rotation and was contacted by the store that they had discovered a bubble in the sidewall and wanted to know what i wanted to do. Nascar racing tires operate at an average of 200260 degrees fahrenheit. If you can slip the corner of most credit cards or drivers license into the crack easily you need to be looking for new tires. Just like tire blooming, tirecracking is common on tires that dont get driven that much, like trailers, motorhomes, classic cars, collector and performance cars, grandmas car, and the church van. Tire cracking, also called weather cracking, occurs on all tires. Goodyear does not state a specific replacement age for rv tires because there are many conditions that dictate a tire s life span. These small cracks typically develop in the sidewalls or at the base of the tread grooves. Never ignore a bubble, blister, bulge, large cut or cracks. Some rv owners use light truck tires, as they are built to take a beating. Michelin xrv tire sidewall tire consumer complaint. Superficial tire sidewall cracking may not be an immediate safety concern, but sometimes cracks in tires that seem minor can get worse in no time.
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