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Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How Long Do Trailer Tires Last?
Regarding the longevity of trailer tires, one may wonder, “How long do trailer tires last?” This question is crucial for trailer owners who rely on their tires for safe and efficient transportation. Being familiar with the facts about your camper tires will keep you safe and help you save money, as you will only buy new camper tires when necessary.
- Longevity depends on usage, maintenance, and tire quality.
- Trailer tires typically last 5 to 7 years.
- Manufacturers advise replacement every 3 to 5 years.
- Rubber deterioration occurs over time, impacting performance.
- Frequently used tires under heavy loads wear out faster.
- Maintenance, like proper inflation, extends tire lifespan.
When you do not know the facts about camper tires, it becomes more likely that you will experience a tire burst. And this is not a fun experience. It is inconvenient and can be pretty dangerous.
In this post, I will share facts about travel trailer tires. I will tell you exactly how long they last and the good practices that will help you increase their life expectancy.
How Long Do Trailer Tires Last?
Well, the answer you will get from most people and experts when you ask this question is five years. While this is generally true, there is something I would like to point out.
And that is the fact that travel trailers are never alike. Travel trailer owners are also never alike.
I am trying to say that travel trailers are different in terms of their weight, load capacities, and even the number of tires.
These differences affect how long camper tires last. The differences in how travel trailer owners drive and care for their tires also affect how long camper tires last.
As mentioned before, many experts and even camper owners believe that camper tires should be replaced every five years. While this is not bad advice, it is marketing language. It is language meant to drive the sale of camper tires.
Generally, camper tires are made to last for more than 6,000 miles. So, the mileage should determine when you replace your camper tires, not how long you have had them. When any or all your camper tires clock five years, you should scrutinize them.
If there are signs that they are old, then replace them. If they do not have cracks in the walls and their tread lines look fine, you could probably use them for a little longer.
However, with this said, if you have an untrained eye, it will be a bit difficult to tell if your camper tires need replacing.
To be safe, you should replace your tires when they clock 8,000 miles. This is regardless of whether they still look new or if it is still way earlier than five years. Once a camper tire clocks 8,000 miles, it is on its deathbed, and it becomes a risk to use.
It could blow out and cause an accident or blow out catch fire, and set your RV on fire. Scenarios that I know you do not even want to imagine. So once your tires clock 8,000 miles, get new ones as soon as possible.
What Reduces the Life Expectancy of Camper Tires?
Now you know that camper tires can serve you for a long time. However, we all know that camper tires sometimes blow out or fail much earlier than expected.
This is usually because they are exposed to conditions or factors that accelerate aging or deterioration.
In this section, I will share the factors that accelerate tire aging. Having this information at the back of your mind will help you slow camper tire deterioration and know how soon you should expect to replace your tires.
Factors that reduce the life expectancy of camper tires include overloading, poor maintenance, extreme temperatures, too much idling, and high mileage.
1. Overloading
You should find out your travel trailer tires’ weight capacity and ensure you never go over it. This is because blowouts become more likely when your tires have to bear more weight. So overloading is a no-no if you want your camper tires to last long.
2. Poor Maintenance
When you do not adequately care for your tires, they become much more likely to blow out or fail during use. For instance, if you do not inflate your tires to the right level before traveling long distances, they will wear out much faster.
So, take proper care of your camper tires if you want them to serve you for thousands of miles.
3. Exposure To Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures will affect your travel trailer tires badly. They will make them deteriorate. Extreme fast-changing temperatures will also damage your camper.
So try to avoid areas with extreme heat or cold or parking your trailer in icy water or at an angle that exposes them to the intense sun for a while.
4. Too Much Idling
If you buy a travel trailer or any other type of RV and do not use it frequently, it will become vulnerable to dry rot. This will make them less flexible and more likely to blow out or fail.
So, if your trailer has been idling for too long, do not even risk going with it for a trip. Change the tires before doing anything else.
5. High Mileage
While too much idling is terrible for your RV tires, too much traveling is wrong. Of course, this is to be expected since traveling frequently or racking up tens, hundreds, or thousands of miles will naturally wear your tires.
6. Lack of Wheel Alignment and Tire Rotation
If you do not take your RV for a while alignment and tire rotation, you may end up putting too much pressure on one or two of your camper tires, resulting in a tire burst.
How to Take Care of Your Trailer Tires to Make Them Last Longer
Before I even share tips to help you maintain your camper tires with you, there is one thing I need to share with you. And that is the fact that, regardless of what you do, you cannot prolong the life of a bad-quality or old tire.
By this, I mean that if you end up buying a tire that is not good quality, no matter what you do, you will not keep it going. It will fail sooner rather than later.
Similarly, if you buy an old tire, even if unused, it will fail sooner rather than later. So, to avoid purchasing another tire or set of tires soon and prevent the risk of a tire burst, get good quality tires from a reputable dealer.
Follow these tips to ensure your quality camper tires serve you for thousands of miles:
1. Maintain Pressure Properly
All tires have their optimum pressure level. Ensure you maintain the pressure of each camper tire at the optimum level. Inflating any tire too much will increase the risk of a tire burst, especially if you subsequently want to travel on a hot and dry highway.
Leaving any tire with insufficient pressure will make it less capable of handling the load/ pressure it is supposed to hold and increase the chances of failure. So, always maintain pressure at the right level.
2. Get Your Tires Inspected Annually
Get your RV tires checked by a professional at least once every year. Experienced mechanics have the skills and tools to detect and prevent specific tire issues before they even occur.
If they find something wrong, they can also repair it before you travel far and experience a tire failure or burst in the middle of nowhere.
3. Avoid Rough Roads Where Possible
RV tires are not made for rough roads. They can handle rough roads, but driving them regularly on such roads will make them wear faster and increase the chances of a tire burst or failure.
If you must travel on a rough road, do it slowly and not at a high speed to protect your tires.
4. Keep Your Trailer Tires Covered
Always carry covers for your trailer tires when you go roaming the world with your RV. And then, when you stop for the night or the next couple of days, cover up your tires. Covering your tires will protect them from the elements.
For example, covering your tires could protect them from direct sunlight and UV rays during the day. And from frigid temperatures during the night.
So cultivate the habit of keeping your tires covered to protect them and increase their longevity.
5. Replace Your Tires in Pairs
When you find one of your trailer tires worn out, replace it with the one on the opposite end. This will ensure both tires grip the road the same way and your trailer moves without compromising any of its other tires.
6. Break In Your New Tires
Most travel trailer tires require to be broken in to operate optimally. If you don’t and you drive at high speeds or take sharp turns, they could fail, resulting in an accident or a tire burst.
Unfortunately, there is no way to break in tires but to fix them and drive your camper at not-so-high speeds. Once your new tires are broken in (after they clock around 500 miles), they will function optimally, and you can travel at the speeds you like.
Do Trailer Tires Have An Expiration Date?
Do trailer tires have an expiration date? This is a common question among trailer owners, and the answer is not a simple yes or no. While trailer tires do not have a specific expiration date like food or medicine, they have a recommended lifespan.
It is recommended to check the manufacture date of your trailer tires, which can be found by plugging in the DOT code. If your tire is older than 3-5 years, it is essential to inspect it for signs of dry rot. Dry rot can weaken the tire’s structure and make it more prone to failure.
Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that the tread of your trailer tires is in good shape. Worn-out tread can affect the tire’s grip and stability, increasing the risk of accidents. Therefore, regularly checking the condition of your trailer tires is essential for maintaining safety on the road.
Final Words
In conclusion, the longevity of trailer tires is influenced by various factors, including usage, maintenance, and tire quality. On average, trailer tires can last anywhere from 5 to 7 years.
However, manufacturers typically recommend replacing them every 3 to 5 years to ensure optimal performance and safety. This is because rubber tends to deteriorate over time, negatively affecting the tire’s performance.
Additionally, tires frequently used under heavy loads tend to wear out faster than those used less frequently or under lighter loads.
Therefore, it is essential to consider these factors when determining the lifespan of trailer tires. Proper maintenance, such as regular inflation checks and other recommended maintenance procedures, can also help extend the lifespan of trailer tires.
By considering these factors and practicing good maintenance habits, trailer owners can ensure that their tires last as long as possible before needing replacement.
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