I have looked at many topics on various forums, and have detailed instructions from a variety of magazines indicating the meaning of the numbers and letters imprinted on the sidewall of the tyres. However the details on the tyres fitted to our caravan do not resemble anything that I can find.
The details on the tyres are :-- HANKOOK RA08 RADIAL
175R14C 99/98Q, opposite the size markings is states RA08 99448 KR9111
We purchaesd the van 2 yrs ago, and the previus owner stated that they had new tyres fitted less than two years previous.
I can see no cracks or damage to the tyres, and I have kept the tyres covered when the van is parked on the drive, and I tend to rotate the tyres every 3-4 months or so.
Think it's a legal requirement to have DOT code on the, I may be wrong but all tyres on our vehicles have DOT codes my car, wife's car, my two m/bikes and caravan. What brand of tyre are they?
From what I have read online so far, the tyres could either be from the 44th week of 2008 (99448) or the 11th week of 2001 (KR9111)
Remember, that although the tyres may have been purchased in 2009 they may have been manufactured before this, and sat around in storage for several months.
Tyres are sold in the International market so need to conform to all the various laws around the world.
I believe then the 'DOT' mark is one law, is a code in itself and Canadian in origin, the date code is another law and happens to follow it.
The date code itself obviously needs to be changed each week so is different to most of the rest of the embossed writing on the sidewall. As well as only being on one side of the tyre, (what would have been the more easily reached bottom die of the moulding machine) it's generally imprinted, not embossed.
In short then it is on one side only, not embossed but imprinted, follows the 'DOT' marking but not part of it, so can be a couple of inches further along.
Thankyou all for your input. I have now taken both wheels off the caravan and found the DOT markings on the inside of one of them and on the spare. Nothing showing on the other one.
The spare is brand new and never been fitted, stickers are still in place.
However previous owner must be a stranger to the truth as the only markings found indicate manufacture in 2003, which means as the van is first registered in 2004, they the tyres must be the originals from new.
Taking van to local tyre dealer later in week for three new tyres.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Cannot identify age of tyres
Both my car and motor caravan tyres have the DOT info on the tyres, but my neighbour's caravan doesn't
