Tyres

[Bert2]

I have just checked my tyres prior to an MOT after having read an article on motor home tyres going out of date and insurance companies not paying out if it is proved that an accident was caused by tyre failure. As it showed how to check the age of tyres off I went to check, I have had the van about 3 years but it has only been on the road properly for about a year all tyres were well within legal tread depth and looked fine so you can imagine my shock when checking the date stamps I noticed one tyre was 21years old! for insurance purposes most firms quote between 7 and 10 years as maximum age accepted. needless to say I replaced that tyre as well as one approaching 7 years. It seems this is quite common in motor homes as they do not do the miles a year to wear the tyres out before they exceed the max age. so its worth checking most manufactures put a date code after the DOT stamp on the tyre check the manufactures web site to find the exact position and age markings as they vary. Hope this is of some use to somebody

[California Dreamin]

Whilst I absolutely agree with what you have said.....personally I wouldn't be throwing a perfectly good tyre away if there was no signs of cracking and the rubber still had it's pliable texture.
You often come across wheels that have been spares all their lives and still have that 'new' feel. Obviously you would need to keep a closer eye on such a tyre because deterioation is likely going to be more rapid once in use.
My main concern on this subject would be innapropriate tyre load ratings ie: owners fitting non genuine rims and low profile tyres that are not up to carrying the weight.

Martin

[kevtherev]

Tyres have a shelf life and a use by date and finaly a useless date.

The rubber that was designed to keep your van on the road an help you stop has long since past.
Put some fresh rubber on ASAP

Martin. ...it's not a perfectly good tyre, by a long chalk. Organic material degrades, rubber is organic and does not retain it's properties over time, regardless of appearance, those recommended use by dates are there for a reason.
Deterioration begins after vulcanisation.

[California Dreamin]

I find myself doing alot of agreeing lol......
But.....
Locked away in a nice dry and perfectly light tight spare wheel well the latex rubber degrades much...I say....much...more slowly than if it were on a wheel in the bright sunlight.
Therefore; the recommendations for shelf/service life ... have to be calculated for the 'extreme' ends of use.......for example; African desert etc etc as the manufacturer cannot know how the user will USE his product.
Trust me.....if it feels/looks and smells right....it is right.
The manufacturers wants you to buy tyres....funnily enough.

I must admit....that in my experience (as I said earlier) such a tyre (once in use) does degrade more rapidly than a new tyre but you just keep an eye on it like you would any tyre.

Martin

[kevtherev]

your advice is just plain dangerous.. sorry Martin
Natural rubber degrades straight after vulcanisation. Inside the tyre various compounds of oils, resins and synthetic/natural rubber used to make the various components start to dry out.
To slow this process in any way then the tyre must be deflated and removed from the rim and wrapped where it can be stored in a cool controlled environment
I have seen the warehouses where they are stored and they look nothing like the underside of a van
I have seen them because I built the ruddy things
Manufacturers , including the one I worked for, built tyres that lasted for many thousands of miles more than modern day tyres... but it was soon realised that with longevity came catastrophic failure. tread separation, from the steel belt was one failure that was most concern. Once the pliable compound that the belt was surrounded with dried out.. the tread rubber separated from the steel chords.
You will not get African tyres for sale in this country... because they are not made for this climate, manufacturers make tyres for climates not cars

Trust me.....

No thanks I won't

[Bert2]

Thanks for your input chaps,

I have asked around at work and most people I have asked were not aware how to tell the age of a tyre, and I must admit nor was I ! most peoples tyres wear out well before they breakdown with age, I asked a local garage to check my tyres and they picked up the worn ones but did not mention the one tyre that was 21 years old, also it must not be checked during MOTs as I have just had one and passed I had an advisory that a tyre was showing cracking but that was new compared to my 21 year old specimen. Just thought I would remind people when running these old beauties to make sure the tyres were not as old as the vans!

[California Dreamin]

You know me.....I like to play devils advocate.....because you know knowone can realy argue against manufacturers guidelines.
I respect your views Kev...I know what you are saying is technically correct and being a teacher of automotive technology I should know better than to go against this advice, it's just as a past service technician I seen litterally dozens of 'spare tyres' being used well past their so called 'serviceable life' with absolutely no ill effects apart from the extra vidgulance I indicated earlier.
To the novices out there reading this.....you have too completely contrasting answers and I am wrong because I just can't argue this one.....it won't stop me having an opinion and until I am persueded otherwise, that opinion won't change.
I still maintain the main related issue effecting T25's is incorrect tyre and wheel ratings, the age related issue although very real, represents the smallests of hazards in comparison to....what I call 'the main issue.
As always Kev...much respect.

Martin'



Martin

Martin

[AdrianC]

it's just as a past service technician I seen litterally dozens of 'spare tyres' being used well past their so called 'serviceable life' with absolutely no ill effects apart from the extra vidgulance I indicated earlier.

Until they actually need to use the grip that should be there but isn't any more.

'erselfs 2cv was on a set of Mich 125s that were getting on for a decade old (going by DOT-marked date), but still plenty of tread. This is a car that sits most of it's life in a nice dark, dry lockup. We swapped 'em for new. The change in roadholding was immeasurable.

[California Dreamin]

Yes indeed...when the rubber goes hard and shiny...thats why I emphasized feels/smells.
But like I say, I can't really argue this one and wouldn't expect the average 'user' to know that subtle difference anyway...perhaps I should have just kept me big gob shut in the first place.
I know there is someone out there understands where I'm coming from..

Martin

[Cruz]

I know there is someone out there understands where I'm coming from..

I do. You would rather not spend the money to replace it