As the spare wheel tyre isn't subject to flat spots or cracking, is it recommended that it should also be changed after 5-7 years (even if the tyre was new and never used)?
If kept out of the elements then they get an easier life and maybe OK.
I have 2 sets of wheels, I rotate the tyres every 5 years, replacing the oldest ones and keeping the replaced set as spares and winter wheels/tyres.
But that means my spares can be upto 10 years old. I will take this into consideration if i had to use them and keep the speeds low as a get me to a safe place to get the proper tyre replaced.
I agree totally with Grampian91 on this. Its the weather, salt and sun that dries out the rubber. My caravan is ten years old this year and the spare is still in the front box complete with the stickers still on the brand new tread. It only gets lifted out to check the pressure and check for any cracking. If it ever was needed then I feel sure that it would get us home in an emergency.
The trouble is that if you leave it for longer than seven years you have no idea how robust it will be if you have to use it. I perfectly understand that it seems a complete waste to throw away an unused tyre. The 5/7 year recommendation comes I think from the CC/NCC. You could always write to the tyre manufacturer for their input. I have often found manufacturers very informative on technical things.
Many thanks for all the replies received to which I have contacted my caravan insurance to see what their comments are but the person I spoke to said they had little information on tyres as it is expected that the caravan should be serviced annually and the engineer should advise accordingly if a particular tyre needs replacing. However, my caravan is being serviced in a couple of weeks time so I will see what the service engineer's views are as I expect he will suggest it needs replacing going by the manufacturing date on the spare tyre.
Thanks once again for all your comments.
If you get the "official" view on things like this, IE service engineer, insurance company etc, then, going on the value of your unit, you can then make an educated guess as to whether it is worth buying new bits of equipment or taking the chance of continuing to use out of date equipment.
Our van has no resale value, so much of the equipment, when it goes phutt, I either repair it myself or buy a second-hand replacement.
However when it comes to "running gear" I buy new. This is for my own safety and "value" does not come into it.
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Topic: Spare Wheel Tyre
