Tire Aging

[GBL]

I'm sure it is in here someplace but I couldn't find it.

I've got some Michelin trailer tires that are ~6 years old and I'm wondering when to replace them. It's an aluminum horse trailer and I can't risk blowouts as it can damage the trailer as well as put my expensive horses at risk.

We've had numerous horse friends who've had blowouts just due to the age of the tires.

There seems to be a myriad of recommendations on this as follows:

- The British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA) recommended practice issued June, 2001, states "BRMA members strongly recommend that unused tyres should not be put into service if they are over six years old and that all tyres should be replaced ten years from the date of their manufacture."

- The Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) recommended practice issued May, 2005, states "customers are encouraged to have their vehicle tires promptly inspected after five years of use to determine if the tires can continue to be used (recommends spare tires be inspected as well). Furthermore, even when the tires look usable, it is recommended that all tires (including spare tires) that were made more than ten years ago be replaced with new tires.

- Several European vehicle manufacturers of high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans identify that "under no circumstances should tires older than 6 years be used" in their vehicle owner's manual. However, it should be noted that European recommendations must include driving conditions that include roads like the German Autobahn, which allows vehicles to be legally driven at their top speeds for extended periods of time.

- While American driving conditions don't include the high-speed challenges of the German Autobahn, Chrysler and Ford Motor Company joined their European colleagues in 2005 by recommending that tires installed as Original Equipment be replaced after six years of service. (General Motors declined to offer a recommendation until a more scientific analysis of driving conditions and tire aging could be completed).

Anyone have further input on this.....

 

[kam327]

I've read recently that several tire manufacturers recommend replacement at 6 years.

 

[Rand]

depending on where you live and the actual tire

usually between 4-10 years is reasonable.


oh and how much bad tire shine you put on the sidewall.

 

[jegs]

6 years. And inspect and repack the wheel bearings on a regular basis depending on how often you use the trailer.

 

[Fleetmon]

Yup, I agree that most tire manufacturers recommend six years, espaecially if living in a very hot, very cold, or climate with extreme temperature diffences due to the different seasons....it appears they've covered practically every angle you could encounter except maybe San Diego or other with a rather moderate, year round temperature.

A little off topic but my 1996 Dakota was stolen in 2010 with the original tires....tread looked great but the sideways were showing cracking and dry rot....the thieves actually did me a favor when they slashed the tires after their joy ride since four new tires cost me $100 (cost of ins deductable).

 

[Donald]

Possibly buying up one load rating and that way if you blow one, the other should be able to handle the load at least until you can pull over and stop.

I found that a local tire guy had E rated for the same price he had D. Now even sure he had any D rated for the size I wanted.

And carry a spare.

 

[Danh]

I guess somewhere in the 6 to 10 year range seems reasonable, but there are variables: tires parked outdoors age faster than those garaged, tires parked in direct sunlight age faster still, an ozone-producing electric motor ages tires, urban areas are worse than rural, tire "treatments" probably don't help either.

And dealers aren't much help: I had a set of lightly used winter tires replaced because they were 10 years old. Later saw them for sale there.

There is a real difference in "feel" between new and old tires. New rubber is pliable and feels just slightly oily. Older tires feel dry and stiff.

So I use 6 to 10 years depending on storing conditions and feel of the tire. Of course, weather-checking of sidewalls is a real giveaway that replacement is due.

 

[Fleetmon]

This reminder probably does not apply since you carry live cargo (horses) but if the tires have EVER gone flat or, worse, run low on air, replace them.

Like said, your tires have probably never been in a low-air state but many utility/boat trailer tires are mistreated and are a blow-out waiting to happen. My experiences have been live-cargo haulers (cattle, pigs, turkeys, and especially horses) typically keep a close eye on their tires and tire pressures.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: Danh
an ozone-producing electric motor


I've never heard of such a thing. Which kind of motor is it? Most EV / Hybrid motor that I know of is AC brushless and should not "arc" and produce ozone.

 

[stephen9666]

The Michelin website says two things about this.

First, they have a 6 year warranty on their tires:
http://www.michelinman.com/automotive-tires/warranty.page#limited_warranty
Quote:
as well as a limited warranty which covers defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the original usable tread, or for 6 years from date of purchase,


In the warranty book, it also says this (emphasis added by me):
http://www.michelinman.com/mediabin/Appr...romise_Plan.pdf
Quote:
Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist
at least annually. Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only
of their tires’ visual condition and inflation pressure but also of any change
in dynamic performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration,
which could be an indication that the tires need to be removed from
service to prevent tire failure. It is impossible to predict when tires should
be replaced based on their calendar age alone. However the older a tire
the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the service related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected
during use. While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10
years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the
date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a
precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not
reached the legal wear limit.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Originally Posted By: Danh
an ozone-producing electric motor


I've never heard of such a thing. Which kind of motor is it? Most EV / Hybrid motor that I know of is AC brushless and should not "arc" and produce ozone.


I think it was referring to storing the vehicle in a garage where there may be electric motors that have brushes and can produce ozone. I know the motor in my shop vac has brushes.

 

[Danh]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Originally Posted By: Danh
an ozone-producing electric motor


I've never heard of such a thing. Which kind of motor is it? Most EV / Hybrid motor that I know of is AC brushless and should not "arc" and produce ozone.


I think it was referring to storing the vehicle in a garage where there may be electric motors that have brushes and can produce ozone. I know the motor in my shop vac has brushes.


That's what I meant: things like garage refrigerators. Thanks.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

Lol, how many fridges use brushed motors?

 

[FZ1]

Trailer tires are different than car tires. 3-6 years for trailer tires.

 

[daves87rs]

Because of unexpected things weather and drivers (and for the extra safety of the animals, I'd replace them to be on the safe side. I guessing the trailer sits outside....

Even though my tires still look good after 9 years, they are in the process of going bye bye now....

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: FZ1
Trailer tires are different than car tires.


I also agree that trailer tires are potentially different from car tires with respect to aging. But in my experience with car tires, if you park it indoors, then the tires can last a very long time, outside in the sun, not so much. I have tires maybe 4 years old on a car parked outside and they look much worse than the original tires on my 1999 car.

 

[SubLGT]

"........While the industry has settled in on practices that urge motorists to replace tires after six years, regardless of tread, this message is not finding its way into practice and many service shops are still ignorant about the hazards of tire age, particularly in warm climates.”

NHTSA’s 2007 report noted that confidential insurance data submitted to the agency showed that 77% of the tire-related claims to its hotline came from 27% of its policyholders in five warm-climate states – 84% of those tires were more than six years old..........."

http://www.tirereview.com/Article/110170/srss_kane_thinks_nhtsa_is_ready_to_tackle_tire_age.aspx

 

[Ken2]

Quote:
Michelin trailer tires
Michelin doesn't make "trailer" tires. They do make one tire that is superb for trailers, their XPS Rib LT235/85R16-E (3024#@80 psi) which has a steel casing. Goodyear makes a Unisteel G614RST LT235/85R16-G (3750#@110 psi) but I'd rather have the Michelin unless I needed this weight rating.

Yes, six years old, replace them. Be sure to get them balanced for longer tire life, longer life of the suspension components, and better horse comfort.

 

[Kestas]

Quote:
Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’ visual condition and inflation pressure but also of any change in dynamic performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration, which could be an indication that the tires need to be removed from service to prevent tire failure. It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their calendar age alone. However the older a tire the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the service related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.

Though there is merit to this recommendation, I see a lot of practical problems.
- Who, at the the tire service level, will have the training and expertise to properly assess tires for problems (other than age-cracking)?
- Who, among the owners, will be diligent in spending the time and paying money for this service for tires that are over 5 years old?
- Can tire specialists, who are quite willing to sell you new tires, really be unbiased in their assessment?