Hi Folks read the above advice ETC with great interest."YES" it is of the most importance to check your tyres on a regular basis.(BUT HOW MANY ACTUALLY DO) be honest.
Many people buy second hand caravans some are virtually vetran models[if a car you would not pay road fund licence]
Unless you get the original manual with the van you would not know wether the correct tyre's are fitted or not. How many people check the tyres other than looking at the tread.
What about year tyre was made have wheels been changed for ally's of correct diameter.???
How many companies actually put plate in gas locker stating permmitable tyre combinations Perhaps it should be come law. If you actually think about it it's a mine field.
I check the walls of my tyres on a regular basis inwall and out using a small tarp to lay on,a good torch and a old rear view mirror without frame bonded to piece of 20x10mm timber about 35 cms long I have never had a problem and I am 76 in March nor a blowout on a road or motor way.
I have done this ever since I witnessed a side wall blowout on a caravan while on a motorway many years ago.
I was the vehicle behind and (I virtully s**t my self)
at what I witnessed this was the second time I have witnessed a blow out (there so avoidable)
You remember the old saying clunk click every trip well I say check your tyre pressures and walls every trip especially if you know your tyre's are coming up to 5 year old only take you ten mins night before you leave home or site.
Many people say its 7 years you only need to change your tyres, this might be true if your constantly on the move like travelling folk, but lets be honest yours and mine caravans stand idle longer than being towed even if your retired like me. The tyres on a car stay supple because of usage and mileage. I average about 30,000 miles to a set of front tyres now days but 15/20years ago I would get 70/75,000 because there was more vulcanised rubber and less silicone than in present day tyres.
But not the same road grip in all weathers,
I had a brand new Ford escort estate 1990's fitted with Continental tyres which did 68.000 m on front, nearside
rear 81,000 steal bands started to come through tread, off side rear changed 92,000m tread 2mm car changed at 93,00 miles 40 months old timing belt snapped pulling into company car park new car Astra estate horrible purple because boss got good deal(no one would buy colour)
The one consideration not mentioned so far is the age of the tyre.
The recommendation is to change the tyres when they are about 5 years old and no later that 7 years.
I had the tyres changed on my last van at about 6 years, however there wasn't much apparent wear to them and I could have easily considered them still fit for use, had the fitter not highlighted the less than obvious failings on the sidewall.
I suppose one could say change at 5yrs for those not able to inspect tyres & no older that 7 if you can although personally I wouldn't leave them that long, consequences of blowout are too severe. Flailing tread can smash plastic wheel recess & trim.
As pointed out in earlier post. Close inspection is required to find hairline cracks in tread & sidewall. Can be done before every trip really as tyres can crack at under 5yrs.
Naturlist123 said 'The tyres on a car stay supple because of usage and mileage.'
This is not the case in fact its the reverse.Rubber hardens in use with age, and this process causes a reduction in grip as well. You can see this on small light cars where the rate of tyre wear is low, so they last a long time. Below is a response from Michelin posted elsewhere which deals with the age of tyres:
"Tyres are made up of different kinds of material and rubber compounds with properties which give the tyre performances which are essential in order for it to function properly.
These component properties change over time, especially when the tyre is rolling.
In fact, if a tyre is stored correctly, it changes little. To give a rough estimation, a year of tyre usage will change the properties of the materials more than if the tyre is stored for 15 years (if the tyres are stored correctly).
For each tyre, this change is dependent on a number of elements such as the climatic conditions, storage conditions, conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance, etc.) to which the tyre is subjected during its life.
The changes linked to tyre usage are quite variable so much so that it is impossible to predict exactly how long a certain tyre can be used for.
This is why, after 5 years of use, we recommend an annual inspection of the tyres (including those for the spare wheel) by a professional. We also recommend that tyres are replaced before reaching 10 years or more, even if these tyres appear to be good enough to be used and if they haven’t yet reached the legal wear limit."
So according to Michelin, tyres do not have to be changed as soon as they reach 5 or 7 years (an industry myth?) but they must be inspected. Condition is everything, age is not
This will of course be a 'professional' that sells tyres? The worth of this forum as it informs. One does not need to be a 'professional' to inspect a tyre for cracks & damage. The information is out there & simple enough for owners to make their own informed decision.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Tyres, really shocked
