Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocketsled
Our 2017’s were on their way out in 2020...I’m betting that’s all you can expect out of the TKs
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It's not just TK's that age out. ALL ST tires will suffer the same aging process. At least all the ST tires with polyester cording, "secret rubber forumla" and exposed to the UV, ozone and loading that RV use exposes them to.
My Carlisles, the GY Endurance, Maxxis, LionHead, all the ST tires with similar construction will deteriorate over time. it's not a matter of "where they are made" as much as it is that heat and UV deteriorate the tire structure making it weaken over time. Some manufacturers suggest (in older literature) that ST tires lose about 1/3 of their rated weight capacity in 3 years. That's 33% in 3 years or 11% per year (assuming a linear deterioration)...
Looking at a 225 75R15 LRE tire rated at 2830 pounds and on a 4400 pound axle, that's 5660 pounds of tire rating carrying 4400 pounds of axle rating, or a 22% safety margin. At the end of 3 years, if that tire has lost 30% of it's strength, it's able to carry 70% of 2830 pounds or 1981 pounds. So, in theory, even with the current 15% safety margin required by RVIA, most trailer tires will be "overloaded" in 2-3 years, even with excellent tire care....
That's when, if my concerns materialize, we'll start seeing "ST tire explosions" start to happen again.... That is, unless the majority of RV owners cut to the chase and replace their tires on a 3 year interval.... That's something I seriously doubt will happen... We can't even convince everyone to spend $5 for RV antifreeze <sigh>