Tire Wear Question

Dkentaz65 · 05-16-2021, 09:14 PM

Well, had my first blow out on my 5th wheel this past trip. My tires were 4 years old, took them to discount tire for inspection and inflation and were told they would be fine for summer. I do store my rig in our RV garage so it's not outside in the Az hot sun. I know nobody can predict if and when a tire will definitely fail but wanted your thoughts on what causes the type of wear from this picture I'm including? This was only on the right side of my 5th wheel whereas the left was wearing pretty evenly. I always made sure they were inflated to proper air pressure of 80 psi.

Second question: I know you're supposed to check and inflate tires when they are cold but how cold? Meaning in Az, cold could be 70 degrees whereas Wyoming, I was seeing temps at 59 degrees... my psi was down almost 10lbs plus in Wyoming. Should I have inflated them to 80 there knowing I'd be back in Az where tire temps get much higher?

wiredgeorge · 05-17-2021, 04:25 AM

Cold as in not having driven on them such as first thing in the morning. I would be careful on those tires as four years they are likely aged out. As for the uneven wear, perhaps an axle is bent or the tires should have been balanced on the rim and rotated once in awhile. I would be in the market for new tires if I were in your shoes. Go to the UserCP at the top left and click and find the SIGNATURE button and make a signature with year, make and model of your camper and tow vehicle and perhaps will receive more contextual responses to questions. The brand and model of tire that might be best depends a lot on your tire size as many favorites for larger campers don't come in smaller (14" or 15") sizes.

**flybouy** · 05-17-2021, 05:08 AM

How are you determining the tire age? Tires have a "born on date". The date the tire was made can be found in a casting in the sidewall. It's 4 numbers in an oval surround. Those are the week and year the tire was made. I've heard people that have bought new campers with tires that are 2 or 3 years old and folks who have bought replacement tires that were as many as 5 years old.

I'm no tire expert and from your photo it looks to me like noth outer treads are wearing which is a classic indication of underinflation. That may just be the camera angle so it's strictly a guess.

**sourdough** · 05-17-2021, 06:10 AM

From the pic it does look like both outside treads are worn if my quadfocals are functioning. Also, if you are judging the age by how long you've had the trailer etc. you really need to look at that date stamp on the tires (and I would be looking at the brand as well). You don't give the year of your RV but if those are OE tires I would have replaced them....yesterday. Also most RV manufacturers advise that their tires "age" out and should be replaced in 3-5 years. I'll bet yours are at the very max or have exceeded that timeline.

Dkentaz65 · 05-17-2021, 07:46 AM

Thank you for the replies! The original tires are 0217 date stamped which was 2nd week of 2017. I purchased rig in April that year. I knew they were coming up on the time to replace. I heard about balancing them and rotating but never had the tires rotated or balanced. I looked under my underbelly and the axles look fine but how do you know if they're "bent"? I just don't want the new tires wearing the same way which are now G rated 110 psi tires. I always aired the old ones up to 80 psi before my trips so I'm assuming either they leaked out and became under inflated, or it was due to not rotating them or the axle is bent (which they look fine to me but I'm no expert on this).

Should you have your suspension adjusted periodically on a 5th wheel? My Brother in Law mentioned that as a possible cause to the tires wearing like that.

Dkentaz65 · 05-17-2021, 07:47 AM

Thank you WiredGeorge for the advice and I did go in and update my UserCP Signature line...

.

**sourdough** · 05-17-2021, 08:30 AM

Your trailer has a gvw of 13,000lbs. Have you scaled it? If not at 80psi you are running the equivalent of a LRE tire (memory). For 13k I believe that would be underinflated IMO. You have LRG tires on it, why are you running at 80 psi. vs 110?

jasin1 · 05-17-2021, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkentaz65

Thank you for the replies! The original tires are 0217 date stamped which was 2nd week of 2017. I purchased rig in April that year. I knew they were coming up on the time to replace. I heard about balancing them and rotating but never had the tires rotated or balanced. I looked under my underbelly and the axles look fine but how do you know if they're "bent"? I just don't want the new tires wearing the same way which are now G rated 110 psi tires. I always aired the old ones up to 80 psi before my trips so I'm assuming either they leaked out and became under inflated, or it was due to not rotating them or the axle is bent (which they look fine to me but I'm no expert on this).

Should you have your suspension adjusted periodically on a 5th wheel? My Brother in Law mentioned that as a possible cause to the tires wearing like that.

When you switched to g rates tires did you switch wheels as well? Have you verified the old wheels will support 110 psi?

Dkentaz65 · 05-17-2021, 10:46 AM

Hi, I got 4 new tires after the one blew. Instead of E rated 10ply, I went with 14ply G rated tires which has 110 psi. I wasn't putting 110 psi into my E rated old tires... I was inflating them to 80 per the requirements but they still wore out on the edges...

Javi · 05-17-2021, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkentaz65

Hi, I got 4 new tires after the one blew. Instead of E rated 10ply, I went with 14ply G rated tires which has 110 psi. I wasn't putting 110 psi into my E rated old tires... I was inflating them to 80 per the requirements but they still wore out on the edges...

If you haven't already done so, I'd get the new tires balanced as quickly as possible.. and I'd suggest a good TPMS ... truth be told (at least in my case) I consider it more important as a tire gauge than I do a blowout preventer..

I turn it on early before we're going to load up and check the tires quickly.. if they're all within 5-6 pounds of the 110 psi my tires require, I'm good to go.. If not I'll adjust.. It also lets me see if there is an unequal difference between the tires before being hit by the sun or travel. All of mine will be within 2-3 pounds cold.

**sourdough** · 05-17-2021, 11:12 AM

As Jasin mentioned, do you know the weight/pressure limit of your wheels? I suspect they will max out at 80psi (LRE) so inflating those Gs to 80 was probably a good thing. It is hopefully stamped on the back of the wheels.

The LRE is what came from the factory by what I've found....which left my mind apparently in the previous post.

I imagine the wheels are rated for that tire but no more, and at 3520 capacity they should be about right for the trailer. As I gather my wits about me (I hope) I reread that the wear was on one side only and on the outside edges only of both tires on that side? Or was the wear on both edges? If it's on only one edge of those tires are they under the heavier side with 3 slides? Maybe a weight issue?

travelin texans · 05-17-2021, 11:15 AM

Trailer tires tend to wear the edges due scrubbing in tight turns especially backing into 90 degree sites. But alignment could also be an issue. All rv axles are bent slightly to achieve proper castor/camber.
Not sure if it's the angle of the photo, but to me it appears that the belt has separated in that tire shown.
You also didn't state the brand of tires that blew, there are several OEM tires that definitely fall into the China bomb category & 4-5 years on those tires is 3.5-4.5 years too long . Nor did you state the replacement brand of tires.

Dkentaz65 · 05-17-2021, 12:00 PM

Thank you for the chart. I do have the Lippert Links TPMS monitor - just put them on for this last trip. So, need to recalibrate them to the new tires. I did check and did some research - the wheels will hold the psi rating, however, need to make sure you have the correct valve stem, which I do thankfully - all Steel to handle 110 psi. One thing I will say, the Lippert TPMS monitor requires you to have your phone on display all times vs. the others having a separate display you put inside your tow vehicle. I don't usually look at my phone while driving.. one of the downsides I guess.

Thank you everyone for your information! Now getting a quote to fix the damages done by the blowout.. not major thankfully!! Insurance deductible = $500 and I've been told this will range between $1K to $2.5K to make it look new.

Maybe we'll run into each other some day - heading to Crater Lake on June 3rd albeit with 4 new tires.

.

Ken / Claudia · 05-17-2021, 01:28 PM

Replace the spare also. Even if you never used it once. It is rotting from the inside out.
Check posts on spares blowing up.

Dkentaz65 · 05-17-2021, 06:09 PM

HI Danny, the tires wore on the edges vs. middle. they were on the lighter side of the rig as well. What I've read from etrailer.com is that the G rated same size tire will fit the wheel and will handle the 110psi. What is more important is the valve stem used on the new G tires which are same size as my old ones. They have to be steel to handle the 110psi which I went out to my garage to check... LOL.

Dkentaz65 · 05-17-2021, 06:33 PM

I've attached the original tire. It was a Provider ST235/80/R16 E Rated.

Replacement brand is TowMaster ASC ST 235/80/R16 G Rated 14ply.

notanlines · 05-18-2021, 12:45 AM

Darin, watch that new tire (tires) VERY, VERY closely. You've gone from the pan to the fire with brands. Towmaster is well known on the web as 'Blowmaster." They are the ultimate Chine-bombs.

skids · 05-27-2021, 06:07 AM

From the pic, I would bet on tread separation from the carcass...

Mikelff · 05-27-2021, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkentaz65

I've attached the original tire. It was a Provider ST235/80/R16 E Rated.

Replacement brand is TowMaster ASC ST 235/80/R16 G Rated 14ply.

One big issue you had with your old E rated tires is that Keystone was using E rated tires at that time that were under rated for the weight of the rigs they were putting out the door. They went to F, and G rated tires around 2019 depending on if it was a High Country or Montana brand. I had the same issue you had and went with G rated Sailuns. With your G rated tires and wheels rated for 110psi, and steel valve stems you will be in much better shape. Your edge wear is either an alignment issue or scuffing. Usually scuffing happens on both sides of the tire, inside and outside, but are usually not excessive. You can take your rig to a trailer service shop that can do alignments, or keep an eye on the new tires and see if the new tires wear better and even. If you start to see excessive wear, head for the shop for an alignment. When you experience big temperature or altitude changes you definitely need to check your tire pressure as they can fluctuate quite a bit. I always check my pressure every couple days when traveling. Also, check the torque on your wheel lugs before you head out on a trip. I torque to 120 lbs. Hope this helps.

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