Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

The tires on my tag axle are very old, made in 1994 according to the
guy at the tire shop. However, they show zero signs of problem as far
as cracking or anything else. Should I throw them out solely based
upon the age, or should I just keep an eye on them like any other tire?

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

I'd replace the tires. It will cost less to replace them now than paying for
a tire (or two) when out on the road.

On 9/30/07, Scott Forman <sforman@...> wrote:
>
> The tires on my tag axle are very old, made in 1994 according to the
> guy at the tire shop. However, they show zero signs of problem as far
> as cracking or anything else. Should I throw them out solely based
> upon the age, or should I just keep an eye on them like any other tire?
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
>
>



--
Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Scott the tires themselves would be the cheapest cost. What really gets
expensive is the repairs required after a blowout. The damage a blowout can
do to the body, wheel well and any cabling, hoses etc that transverse
through the wheel well area really adds up.

On 30/09/2007, Scott Forman <sforman@...> wrote:
>
> The tires on my tag axle are very old, made in 1994 according to the
> guy at the tire shop. However, they show zero signs of problem as far
> as cracking or anything else. Should I throw them out solely based
> upon the age, or should I just keep an eye on them like any other tire?
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
>
>



--
Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson
94 WLWB


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My drive tires and tag tires were roughly 10 years old one year ago with no
visual evidence of any significant problems. When the tires were removed the
side walls looked like cottage cheese in particular the inside wall of the
duals. They were ready to go at anytime. fwiw.
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL
Royale Conversion
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Forman
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 1:48 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Tire age vs wear


The tires on my tag axle are very old, made in 1994 according to the
guy at the tire shop. However, they show zero signs of problem as far
as cracking or anything else. Should I throw them out solely based
upon the age, or should I just keep an eye on them like any other tire?

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Scott, my tag tires were made in '99 and I'm going to replace 'em
first thing next spring. Actually, I'll put on new steer tires and
move those to the tag (my drive & steer tires were made in '04 and
still look like new) so I can always keep the newest tires up front.
From everything I've read and everyone I've talked to, 8 years is the
max you want to go regardless of how nice they look, so I'd replace
those pronto.

-Ryan

On 9/30/07, Scott Forman <sforman@...> wrote:
>
> The tires on my tag axle are very old, made in 1994 according to the
> guy at the tire shop. However, they show zero signs of problem as far
> as cracking or anything else. Should I throw them out solely based
> upon the age, or should I just keep an eye on them like any other tire?
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>

Leroy, When you say "inside" you are referring to the part of the
tire in which the tube would be in contact (if you in fact had tubed
tires)? If you stripped the tires off the wheels and the insides
looked good would you use them or is that a stupid question? The
reason I ask is that I was ready to replace my ten year old tires and
the tire dealership told me I didn't need to replace them because
they showed absolutely no signs of weather deterioration.(He didn't
look inside obviously). Now I am questioning his judgment. Hard to
spring for tires when the TIRE DEALER says they are not needed. Old
rubber is old rubber is old rubber is what I am reading to be the
prevailing wisdom? I don't want to wast money but I feel this is
pretty important. I guess what I am asking is if anyone supports the
opinion of this particular tire dealer speak up. I assumed the
fellow to be just exceptionally honest. Maybe he is just wrong?
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC










>
> My drive tires and tag tires were roughly 10 years old one year ago
with no visual evidence of any significant problems. When the tires
were removed the side walls looked like cottage cheese in particular
the inside wall of the duals. They were ready to go at anytime. fwiw.
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
> Niceville, FL
> Royale Conversion
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Scott Forman
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 1:48 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Tire age vs wear
>
>
> The tires on my tag axle are very old, made in 1994 according to
the
> guy at the tire shop. However, they show zero signs of problem as
far
> as cracking or anything else. Should I throw them out solely
based
> upon the age, or should I just keep an eye on them like any other
tire?
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

I have Alcoa rims and tubeless tires. The external sidewalls showed no signs of
checking or cracks. The tread was excellent. I decided to change them anyway
because of age from Michelin to Sumitomo(No brand preference, just cost was
considered). I was amazed at what I saw when the old tires were removed. The
sidewalls were toast. I could bend them with my bare hands. I now have a
schedule to change tires every 5 years needed or not.
A single blown tires can cost you thousands, torn up undercarriage, hoses and
possibly yours or someone else's life. It's only money.
Is it Michelin that says "Your life is riding on your tires"? Whom ever it is is
correct.
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL
Royale Conversion
----- Original Message -----
From: bubblerboy64
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 7:29 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Tire age vs wear


Leroy, When you say "inside" you are referring to the part of the
tire in which the tube would be in contact (if you in fact had tubed
tires)? If you stripped the tires off the wheels and the insides
looked good would you use them or is that a stupid question? The
reason I ask is that I was ready to replace my ten year old tires and
the tire dealership told me I didn't need to replace them because
they showed absolutely no signs of weather deterioration.(He didn't
look inside obviously). Now I am questioning his judgment. Hard to
spring for tires when the TIRE DEALER says they are not needed. Old
rubber is old rubber is old rubber is what I am reading to be the
prevailing wisdom? I don't want to wast money but I feel this is
pretty important. I guess what I am asking is if anyone supports the
opinion of this particular tire dealer speak up. I assumed the
fellow to be just exceptionally honest. Maybe he is just wrong?
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC

>
> My drive tires and tag tires were roughly 10 years old one year ago
with no visual evidence of any significant problems. When the tires
were removed the side walls looked like cottage cheese in particular
the inside wall of the duals. They were ready to go at anytime. fwiw.
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
> Niceville, FL
> Royale Conversion
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Scott Forman
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 1:48 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Tire age vs wear
>
>
> The tires on my tag axle are very old, made in 1994 according to
the
> guy at the tire shop. However, they show zero signs of problem as
far
> as cracking or anything else. Should I throw them out solely
based
> upon the age, or should I just keep an eye on them like any other
tire?
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'd ask the tire dealer to put it in writing and agree cover any
damages cost by a blown tire based on his opinion. (Was it the owner
of the tire store or hired help that didn't want to handle a heavy
tire that day?)

The only way to be sure a tire is 'safe' is to inspect it thoroughly
-- inside and out. If the tire isn't unmounted for an inspection, you
have only looked at half the possible area of deterioration.

Most tire companies suggest that 7 years is the maximum safe life
span for a tire. There is one tire made for RVs (by Michelin, I
think) that claims to have a 10 year life span.

Personally, considering the odds, I wouldn't want to gamble on 10
year old tires -- but that's just me.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



On Sep 30, 2007, at 5:29 PM, bubblerboy64 wrote:

> Leroy, When you say "inside" you are referring to the part of the
> tire in which the tube would be in contact (if you in fact had tubed
> tires)? If you stripped the tires off the wheels and the insides
> looked good would you use them or is that a stupid question? The
> reason I ask is that I was ready to replace my ten year old tires and
> the tire dealership told me I didn't need to replace them because
> they showed absolutely no signs of weather deterioration.(He didn't
> look inside obviously). Now I am questioning his judgment. Hard to
> spring for tires when the TIRE DEALER says they are not needed. Old
> rubber is old rubber is old rubber is what I am reading to be the
> prevailing wisdom? I don't want to wast money but I feel this is
> pretty important. I guess what I am asking is if anyone supports the
> opinion of this particular tire dealer speak up. I assumed the
> fellow to be just exceptionally honest. Maybe he is just wrong?
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Well said guys! None of us should push our luck with tires on the beasts we
drive. Our local tire store said to come back at 4 years and they will give
a good trade allowance for our current tires. They can sell them to an OTR
driver who will wear them out in the next year of two.

On 9/30/07, Leroy Eckert wrote:
>
> I have Alcoa rims and tubeless tires. The external sidewalls showed no
> signs of checking or cracks. The tread was excellent. I decided to change
> them anyway because of age from Michelin to Sumitomo(No brand preference,
> just cost was considered). I was amazed at what I saw when the old tires
> were removed. The sidewalls were toast. I could bend them with my bare
> hands. I now have a schedule to change tires every 5 years needed or not.
> A single blown tires can cost you thousands, torn up undercarriage, hoses
> and possibly yours or someone else's life. It's only money.
> Is it Michelin that says "Your life is riding on your tires"? Whom ever it
> is is correct.
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
> Niceville, FL
> Royale Conversion
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: bubblerboy64
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 7:29 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Tire age vs wear
>
> Leroy, When you say "inside" you are referring to the part of the
> tire in which the tube would be in contact (if you in fact had tubed
> tires)? If you stripped the tires off the wheels and the insides
> looked good would you use them or is that a stupid question? The
> reason I ask is that I was ready to replace my ten year old tires and
> the tire dealership told me I didn't need to replace them because
> they showed absolutely no signs of weather deterioration.(He didn't
> look inside obviously). Now I am questioning his judgment. Hard to
> spring for tires when the TIRE DEALER says they are not needed. Old
> rubber is old rubber is old rubber is what I am reading to be the
> prevailing wisdom? I don't want to wast money but I feel this is
> pretty important. I guess what I am asking is if anyone supports the
> opinion of this particular tire dealer speak up. I assumed the
> fellow to be just exceptionally honest. Maybe he is just wrong?
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>
> >
> > My drive tires and tag tires were roughly 10 years old one year ago
> with no visual evidence of any significant problems. When the tires
> were removed the side walls looked like cottage cheese in particular
> the inside wall of the duals. They were ready to go at anytime. fwiw.
> > Leroy Eckert
> > 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
> > Niceville, FL
> > Royale Conversion
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Scott Forman
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 1:48 PM
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Tire age vs wear
> >
> >
> > The tires on my tag axle are very old, made in 1994 according to
> the
> > guy at the tire shop. However, they show zero signs of problem as
> far
> > as cracking or anything else. Should I throw them out solely
> based
> > upon the age, or should I just keep an eye on them like any other
> tire?
> >
> > Scott Forman
> > 86 PT38
> > Memphis
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>



--
Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, CA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Curt, I put the old set from my bus on my 10 wheeler dumptruck (Old
as 9 years-). There was little wear on them and I am hoping to get 8
months ( same as a set of recaps). If you want to rotate tires off
your bus call me I'll buy them.

A good program is to rotate a new set on the front of the bus every 2
years. that way you will always steer new tires and will be running
on tires less than 6 years old. Your budget is one tire per the year
(@$400.tire =$35.00 per month). ( @$300. for 11r22.5's, my dumptruck
tire budget is $332.month.)


GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa



-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Curt Sprenger"
wrote:
>
> Well said guys! None of us should push our luck with tires on the
beasts we
> drive. Our local tire store said to come back at 4 years and they
will give
> a good trade allowance for our current tires. They can sell them to
an OTR
> driver who will wear them out in the next year of two.
>