Tyre age

Elsisneat
Elsisneat Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited November 2021 in Parts & Accessories #1

Hi. Sorry if this has been asked before but first time user 

my caravan is in need of new tyres due to their age limit. 

I understand from reading club advice that they recommend changing tyres at 5 years old, however I also find that the industry standard regards tyres as ‘New’ and fit for sale up to 5 years from Manufactured date. I have messaged a few online suppliers who say they can’t provide the manufacture date in advance. 
it seems bizarre that new tyres could be of an age when supplied that almost immediately leaves them requiring replacement. 
Any advice appreciated 

Comments

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,223
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    edited November 2021 #2

    When I last replaced caravan tyres I used etyres and they advised me against one of there specials as they had checked the manufacture date knowing I wanted to use them on a caravan.

    On my current van I plan to replace at 7 years and no later. I will run to this time scale as the van is stored indoors when not used in a fairly dark garage. Over winter it has been stored on axle stands since new although last year was on tyre savers for a change.

    Colin

  • Elsisneat
    Elsisneat Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited November 2021 #3

    Thanks. 
    my tyres are now 7 years old. Looking to replace them in the new year ready for next season. Just wondering how the advice can be 5 years if they can be sold up to 5 years as well as how to ensure I’m buying recently manufactured tyres if suppliers can keep them for so long. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2021 #4

    Ask at a local independent tyre supplier rather than the high street Kwik Fit/etc. I told my tyre supplier what I was fitting the tyres to and they fully understood & we checked the dates before they were fitted to my caravan

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,773
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    edited November 2021 #5

    I did the same when our dealer agreed to change the tyres under warranty on our 2 year old van after a mix-up about tyre pressures.  I used our local (very good) garage and explained about the dates and they managed to get a set which were 'only' a few months old.  Probably the best I was going to do.

  • Elsisneat
    Elsisneat Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited November 2021 #6

    Thanks guys. 
    just seems ridiculous that tyres can be deemed fit to sell at 5 years old but also deemed unfit to use at the same age. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2021 #7

    there's no legal maximum age to use a tyre, just a recommended max

    (I think they've recently changed it for commercial ... 🤔)

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2021 #8

    It was after the bus crash on the M1caused by a blow out? on a tyre that was 12years or older? 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2021 #9

    it was actually nearly 20 yr old 

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23320526

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,223
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    edited November 2021 #10

    As regards "there's no legal maximum age to use a tyre, just a recommended max"

    I also keep an eye on my car tyres. We run a 2014 VW UP that still had original tyres on but has only covered 26K from new. At MOT time in Feb it passed without any advisory notes, but I noticed slight cracking in the tread grooves and replaced the front two. I've just replaced the back two ready for the winter. Having had Winter tyres on a previous car and noted how good All Seasons are I've gone this route. 2 X Hankooks for £114 inc fit/balance is only a few £ more than a decent normal tyre.

     

    Colin

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2021 #11

    ... I also keep an eye on my car tyres.

    EmilysMum's car does minimal mileage each year so will be unlikely to wear out the tyres on her car. We also have a Smart Roadster that also does very little mileage ... it did 300 miles last year between MOTs 😯 ... its tyres are as new re tread but age wise, they're getting on a bit.

  • Karmann 600
    Karmann 600 Forum Participant Posts: 33
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    edited November 2021 #12

    Worried about the DOT of a new tyre, maybe a safe way to be sure you get a tyre with a young DOT would be to buy a tyre manufactured in the UK, Avon, Michelin,Pirelli and Bridgestone just to name a few. With the current delivery times of goods from abroad I personally would not buy foreign manufactured tyres. I change my tyres every 5 years with having the DOT 1 year old when bought.

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,223
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    edited November 2021 #13

    Whilst I agree that tyres are taking longer to arrive from the continent than previously [I've recently ordered some], buying a UK manufactured tyre is not going to guarantee a newer product. The mainland European market is huge compared to the UK with a far higher turnover and hence the likelihood that what you buy should be fresher.

    Colin

  • Amesford
    Amesford Club Member Posts: 695
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    edited November 2021 #14

    our old tyres were 7 years old when we changed them in June 2021 so the tyres on our 2015 van  must have been 12 months old when fitted by swift, During the vans 2020 service the engineer advised us they would be ok for another 12 months and so were changed prior to this years service 

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853
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    edited November 2021 #15

    Re my caravan tyres, at the 5 yr age point if the tyres are ok carry on but will always change them at the 7 yr point.  In my early caravanning days, when I was ignorant of potential tyre problems due to age of tyre, I once had one explode on a French autoroute luckily no additional damage done.  It was quite a frightening experience and from that point on I have been religious about checking the tyres regularly and changing them at the 7 yr point regardless.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Club Member Posts: 10,224
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    edited November 2021 #16

    I remember checking the tyres on my 1980 caravan the day before a continental tour to discover quite deep splits between the treads. They were probably about 9-10 years old.embarassed Left early the following morning for a 'pit stop' on the outskirts of Dover.  I'm fastidious about covering them these days to reduce UV damage and, when it was still the caravan, chocked the chassis for the winter. The motorhome still gets used periodically throughout the year.

  • obbernockle
    obbernockle Forum Participant Posts: 616
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    edited November 2021 #17

    What makes you think they are manufactured in the UK?

  • JollyKernow
    JollyKernow Forum Participant Posts: 2,629
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    edited November 2021 #18

    Evening

    The tyres on my pvc are now 8 years old! I regularly check for cracks etc as I've had a front wheel blowout before in another van due to degradation (scary). 1 is six months newer than the other 4. As I'll only be doing minimal mileage this winter I'll have a new set in March next year. Anything more than 6 months old at fitting will be rejected. I'm with CY above, I religiously use my tyre covers even if only parked for a couple of days.

    Anyone got a preference tyre wise for a pvc? I'm not interested in camper tyres just a decent van tyre.

    JK

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,335
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    edited May 2022 #19

    I suggest you ask your insurers. Does your service engineer supply tyres? Just a thought.