Tyres on my campervan
There is often a thread on CT about changing caravan tyres every five or six years but what about my campervan. It has winter tyres for a few months each year. It lives in a carport so the sun doesn't hurt them. It is used as a second car so it's on the
move and doesn't get flat spots. I will never wear them out so how often should I change them ?
Comments
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given its use, it'll probably wear them out before the tyres are much more than 5 or 6 yrs old. Keep an eye on them for cracked/perished side walls. The tyres on my Smart looked as new as far as wear on the tread was concerned .... it's not heavy enough
to wear them out, but when I had a proper look at the side walls it was obvious they all needed changing.0 -
The recommendation is to check your tyres more frequently for cracks etc after 5 years - better still get a tyre garage to do this. It's irrelevant what behicle it is. And it is from the date the tyre was made, which might be a year or so old when fitted.
My last set lasted 8 years and even then only one was showing cracking but I decided to replace all of them.0 -
Michelin tyres seem very prone to sidewall failure - even when the tread is good. I've had michelin tyres fail of two previous vans, and the ones on my current van need replacing.
I've been advised that there are many better and cheaper tyres available for motorhome use.
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I check them at least twice a year when swooping from summer to winter tyres but given the mileage and the driving style they could last for ten years . The MOT might spot anything I miss but there doesn't seem to be a "best before" date.
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Michelin tyres seem very prone to sidewall failure - even when the tread is good. I've had michelin tyres fail of two previous vans, and the ones on my current van need replacing.
I've been advised that there are many better and cheaper tyres available for motorhome use.
Presumably you have been in contact with Michelin about this serious problem?
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Presumably you have been in contact with Michelin about this serious problem?
You presume wrongly. I've simply replaced them with better tyres. They were at an age where most tyres would need replaced, but the Michelins retained a good tread and no obvious fault - until the sidewalls failed.
All my local dealers seemed aware of the problem and none recommended them for motorhomes.
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Does nobody know the life of a tyre ?
If you go on to the Michelin website there is information re. the life of tyres. Most of what one hears/sees on sites such as this tends to be incorrect.
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Does nobody know the life of a tyre ?
If you go on to the Michelin website there is information re. the life of tyres. Most of what one hears/sees on sites such as this tends to be incorrect.
Write your comments here... Thanks, very helpful. Just had an online chat with The Michelin Man ,he wanted very precise details and said that the tyres should be changed after ten years.
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Ten years is pushing your luck IMHO. Motorhomes often travel fully laden most of the time and can also stand in one position for extended periods if they are not used regularly. Exposure to sunlight for prolonged periods can also cause premature deterioration.
I agree with PD, 5-6 years is about right. You just need to be aware that should your tyres fail at speed, the consequences could be disastrous ! It's not worth the risk in my opinion.
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Ten years is pushing your luck IMHO. Motorhomes often travel fully laden most of the time and can also stand in one position for extended periods if they are not used regularly. Exposure to sunlight for prolonged periods can also cause premature deterioration.
I agree with PD, 5-6 years is about right. You just need to be aware that should your tyres fail at speed, the consequences could be disastrous ! It's not worth the risk in my opinion.
Write your comments here...
You may be right about motorhomes but as I said my campervan is used regularly, it lives out of the sun in a car port and carries less than 50% of its payload . Since Michelin have an interest in giving a conservative estimate I'll go with them.
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I still would not push my luck further than 6 years. What you don't see by visual inspection is the state of the tyre at the rim of the wheel until you remove the tyre. The ones on my caravan just about fell off after 7 years. I even change my car tyres after 6 years.
peedee
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Most car tyres are worn down before that.
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Michelin and other companies are starting to give standard advice.
Tyre life....10 years as long as the correct inspections are carried out every 12 months......Obviously a quick glance from the owner or the local tyre depot expert doesn't really qualify????? Does it?
Tyre pressures....rear axle tyres should be run at 80 PSI.This covers all eventualities?????
I change every 5 to 6 years and my Agilis campers are run at 50 and 55 PSI as advised by Michelin....in black and white!
What a grey world we live in
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Most car tyres are worn down before that.
Not mine CY our total mileage is shared between three vehicles with the motorhome doing the most with an average of 7,000 miles a year. I have an 08 plated V70 with only 24,000 miles on the clock and a Micra run around on a 58 plate with only 25,000 on the clock.
peedee
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Ok, tyre life is generally agreed as 5/6 yrs......What about the spare that has never been used and is permanently in the shade under the van, checked periodically for the correct pressure?......
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Well, I've had a Michelin tyre failure at 4 years - on a German autobahn. Now at 5 years, all four Michelin tyres on my camper are showing cracking on the sidewalls although the tread is still good. I regularly check the tyre pressures and keep them at
the recommended pressure.I can only speak from experience and I have found that tyre dealers have not recommend them.
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Does nobody know the life of a tyre ?
If you go on to the Michelin website there is information re. the life of tyres. Most of what one hears/sees on sites such as this tends to be incorrect.
Write your comments here... Thanks, very helpful. Just had an online chat with The Michelin Man ,he wanted very precise details and said that the tyres should be changed after ten years.
So, who do you take notice of, the man from Michelin or those with an opinion? My tyres have been on for 6 years/34000 miles (two will need renewing in January) and except for wear, are fine. I keep the pressures up and inspect them regularly.
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