Tired Tyres? Forums

haggler

HI folks, I have read in a m/home mag that you should replace the tyres on a m/home every five years regardless of the mileage they have covered or tread depth remaining. There is a danger of a blow out apparently when they get to this ageand beyond. Now tyres for m/homes do not come cheap and to replace the whole set would be quite an expense. as anyone any thoughts on this or tales to tell? Thanks HAGGLER.

dusty

Hi Haggler,
I bought a 97 Hymer in Jan O4 with 63000Kms on th clock. In October prior to going to Spain and Portugal for 2 months I changed three of the tyres which had about 3mm of tread but left the rear n/side one which had about 5mm of tread. They were Michelin Campers and the fitter said they were the originals as they were produced in 1997. In January on my first day back in the UK after a further 15000Kms I had a blow out on the M11 on the rear nearside. It was scary for a few seconds but there was not too much about and I managed to keep it fairly straight. So it seems my tyres lasted about 8 years. Every 5 years irrespective of wear does seem a bit excessive.

eddied

Hi Haggler,
Having experienced two blowouts with tyres I thought looked OK re tread etc. in the past; now have no hesitation in reccomending a change of even low mileage tyres after 4/5 years standing/travelling/exposed to sunlight. Your life doesn't have a price tag!
Cheers
eddied

dodger148

Agree 100% with Eddied, you and your families life depend on these things a few hundred pounds/euros is a small price to pay. Last year we had a blow out on a tyre with perfect tread and little signs of wear (just under 5 years years old)

haggler

Thanks for your replies folks One of my worst nightmares is to have a tyre blow when travelling at speed so if replacing the tyres after five years is a way of avoiding that then I will not hesitate to do so...regardless of cost.I think its also a good idea to spend time visually checking your tyres for any defects and also whether they are inflated to the correct pressures.Best wishes and safe journeys....Haggler Razz

BERTHA

Can someone tell me where you can get wheel jackets.

I was looking through a magazine the other day and noticed a motorhome parked up with silver looking covers over the wheels.

They seem to go right over the top, similar to what those Formula 1 people use?????????

J

Texas

My rear tyres have been on the van since we bought it in 2000 (who knows how long before that?) the fronts were new.

As it always winters inside the garage from October - I take the wheels off - it doesn't seem to have any visible wall cracking, and always sails through the MOT.

I do paint it with a proper tyre substance prior to dragging it out of its cosy bed each April.

Texas

Shiner

I'm also in the process of changing tyres on my Ducato chassis because of cracking to the side walls. Have been confused though by local dealers who insist that a normal commercial 215/75/R16 van tyre is identical to those for "campers" except for a higher sped rating and query why I want to pay over the odds! Can anybody advise me on this please as I have had no luck in confirming this on web searches?
For info of person asking where to buy covers - I've just ordered two pairs from "Taylormade" - £30 total plus postage.
Shiner

Brambles

Shiner,
Your tyre supplier has just contraticted himself. Identical but a higher speed rating. A different speed rating of tyre will have different rubber compounds and possible differences in construction as well even though the tread pattern may look the same. Michelin XC camping tyres are manufactiured much stronger than van tyres to cope with abuse of rough ground and over inflation (and supposedly longer life). I think the side wall rubber is thicker as well and is generally a stiffer tyre than their 'van' tyres. However I believe one of the michelin Agilis range is recommended now by michelin for use on campervans.

Jon

GeorgeTelford · Account Deactivated

The 5 year thing is a advisory for motor caravaners and its absolute rubbish that tyres must be changed then regardless of wear and condition. Another Urban Legend in the making.

The tyres are Checked at MOT and if they are dodgy they will fail, I am not suggesting that this should be the only time they are checked. The beggining of each season (for part timers)

This problem with motorhomes is all tied in with what I said about low mileage vehicles elsewhere, some campervans sit in one position for 10 months + each year and although these tyres look mint nearly all over they are Stressed where the have been sat.

this is from an earlier thread here

http://www.motorhomefacts.com/posts5704-0.html