Time to think about changing tyres
My motorhome will be five years old in a couple of weeks time. We have done about 19000 miles in that time and tread depth is still fine. I will get the dealer to have a good look at the tyres when it's serviced. When we caravanned the advice was to always to change between five and seven years old, does this also apply to motorhomes? I am still in two minds about swapping motorhomes, although the second mind is not so keen
If we don't change I was thinking I would swap the steel wheels for alloys and do the tyres at the same time. But, I would prefer not to be rushed to allow time to decide either way.
David
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it may not be the case with yourself but many motorcaravans do very low mileages so tyres degenerate from standing in one position for extended periods.I would personally always change tyres after 5/6 years even on the wife,s shopping car.As a matter of interest.....why alloys?ok they look pretty but must be an attraction for lowlife plus the cost! Both my car and caravan were due tyre changes this year.......so I replaced both!!!!!!!!!!
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It’s age again, David. The sidewalls of the tyres on our last MH were starting to crack when the van was 5 yrs old. The tyres, inevitably, were a bit older.
I'd get them checked by a tyre depot you trust rather than a MH dealer.
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On the contrary MM, feeling responsible.....
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I'm tempted to offer a swap for my alloys as I dislike them so much. I'm thinking of going the other way. Alloys are lighter but they tarnish over time and there is no way of hiding that other than repairing them. If you do change, ensure the alloys are suitable for the axle loadings on your vehicle.
You need to work from the date your motorhome tyres were manufactured. Mine have four different dates but they are all dated in 2012 for a motorhome registered in July 2013.
Continental and Michelin Camping tyres can last up to 10 years. Wisdom is to get them checked by an expert every year, or more, after 5 years - should be part of the service. I've always changed mine at 7 years unless the tread has worn. My front tyres will probably be changed later this year because of the tread [30,000 miles+], my rear tyres will be good for another couple of years or more.
Bear in mind Camping tyres are not always available. They are built in batches. It's not quite feast or famine but you might find you have to wait for them.
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At that mileage, age of tyre and still a generous tread they should easily last a couple more years, unless they show even minimal cracking, but changing to alloys seems a step too far.
Okay, they might look better than the steels but as mentioned earlier they also look 'better' to any tea leaf.
Alloys tend to damage easily, 'scuffing' the kerb isn't unknown, and replacing them wouldn't be cheap.
Spending the money saved on the alloys might get you the best tyre available - and any spare cash put towards the next MH - rather than your vehicle looking pretty when parked on the Campsite with gleaming alloys.
This isn't a 'mid life' crisis buy, is it ?
It's your money and choice.
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“Age of tyre” is something we don’t know K&M. Tyres are inevitbly older than the new MH they’re fitted to. I think it’s unwise to assume they’ll “easily last a couple more years” without getting them checked by someone who knows about tyres which is why I recommend going to a trusted tyre depot.
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Returning from a visit to stepson in Devon, we happened upon friends in their MH who had just had a blowout on the Taunton bypass. The tyre was under 5 years old, so even that isn't a guarantee.
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The tyre manufacture date is a four digit number on the sidewall of every tyre.
For example - 1114 - is November 2014 and checking that number lets you know how old the tyre is - irrespective of the age of the vehicle it is on.
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Nearly ...... 11th week of 2014 not 11th month
Sorry, my mistake - but you get the drift ?
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We always try to advise people that 7 yrs is a maximum ,some listen ,some dont
.What size are they David? If you are thinking of selling the motorhome then put commercial van tyres on to keep the cost down ,but if you are keeping the motorhome then you may want to think about either Michelin Agilis Camping or Continental Camper.thyere is also a mid-range tyre called Landsail which is good quality and they manufacture an All season tyre of which we have fitted quite a few sets to motorhome and they are giving good results.hope this helps Brian & Jo
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Tyres can go at any time, our tyres are getting on a bit, we get them checked with our local garage at servicing and MOT, we'll replace them as needed. We had a nail in one in the autumn and had a repair done, still going ok. They are an expensive item, I think we've probably got another year in ours but it depends on various factors.
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Not immediately, but do agree they should be checked regularly. I have a look at mine when I check the pressures and sometimes even more frequently. What you cannot see is what is going on under the rims and in my limited experience that is where trouble starts with older tyres which is why 7 years use is the limit for me, especially as I do not carry a spare wheel.
peedee
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Thanks for the responses thus far. The tyres on my motorhome are Michelin Agilis Camper's. As I was on the way out today I noted that one of the tyres had the code 0212 on the sidewall which I take to mean they were made in February 2012 so they were fitted a year after they were made.
Some have questioned about changing to alloys. My thoughts were for several reasons. A) I think they look better.
I would not have to use push on plastic wheel covers which cost money to replace. C) Whilst they might get scuffed would that be any worse than rusty steel rims? D) I use a TyrePal tyre pressure system and in order to check the pressures I have to remove the wheel covers which is a bit of a bind.I did replace one tyre last year because it had a cut the tread which looked a bit nasty.
David
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The "new " caravan had 3 new tyres fitted by the dealer at pdi even though the oriinals could only have been a maximum of 3 years old assuming they were a year old when the caravan was built.The "new" towcar has tyres dated 2017 although first registered at the end of 2015.(26,000 miles on clock.
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Hi David ,ref.alloy wheels ,yes in my opinion alloy wheels look better but it is a matter of personal taste .there is no doubt that they do mark easier than steel wheel .But we have just sold our motorhome ,we have had it for 3yrs and there is hardly a mark on the wheels .just a question of extra care and when parked on the drive at home it always had wheel covers on ,they do make a big difference .I personally wouldnt have a motorhome without alloy wheels but thats my preference
Brian & Jo
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