We just returned from a trip and experienced two blowouts on our travel trailer within three days of each other. Weights are well within limits and tire pressure is on the money. Tire covers have been used during idle times. Last year I experienced one blowout. All three were in different locations (dual axles).
The common denominator seems to be original factory tires all with a date stamp of mid 2004. The trailer is a 2005. Last year I did 5,000 miles out West with the heat and harsh conditions to go along with it. This year I went to Maine/New Hampshire and experienced just awful road conditions. I am told that regardless of tread depth and a tires' appearance, that trailer tires begin to deteriorate from the inside and it becomes unsafe around the four to five year mark. All the tires seem to be made in China and a C rating is the best I can find for 14" tires. Here are my questions:
1) Is the deterioration thing accurate?
2)Under the conditions stated should I consider myself lucky?
Darn, by the time you find out you have a flat, a lot of damage can be done to the wheel well area.
Mark Says:
Unfortunately when you combine really bad road conditions with older tires you have a recipe for tire blowouts. Hard impacts (like potholes) can even cause blowouts on newer tires. Five to six years is the time to start thinking about replacing tires on RVs, and yes they can do a great deal of damage that can be costly to repair. I've seen it many times.
It is true that tire damage often begins from the inside of the tire and you won't always be aware of it until it fails. You didn't mention the brand of tires on the trailer from the time it was new. It might be possible the manufacturer didn't use the best tires available for the application. When you replace the tires make sure you get trailer tires rated for the loaded weight that will be placed on the axles. Carlisle tires are a common brand used on trailers.
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I hear the claim that the weights are OK but I wonder if this actual individual weights or axle weights divided by 2 or side to side divided by the number of tires on a side or worst of all just the total weight of the unit. While it is true that the recommended time to replace RV tires is 5 to 7 years, tires simply do not "blow-out" for no reason.
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