Motorhome tyres - how frequently do you replace?

[Moped]

Reading the topic on replacement cam belts and water pumps it made me aware of a cost after 5 years that I was not aware of. The two cars that we have both have cam chains which only ever require examination every 80000 miles or so and there is a recommendation of a change at 160000 miles with no years limit. Basically we will never get there with the cars.

So disappointed to discover that the Ducato needs a replacement every 5 years.

Now another expense at the 5 year stage and every 5 years subsequently appears to be tyres. Again with the cars they don’t get replaced until they are down to the legal minimum but it appears that with a motorhome they need replacing at 5 years regardless of wear even though we are unlikely to wear them down to the legal limit, or even half that judging by current wear rates.

And this might even have to include the spare tyre even though (hopefully) it will be unused.

So the question is, assuming tyres still have plenty of legal tread, do you actually renew your tyres, including the spare, at the 5 year stage, or do you extend this period to say 6 or 7 years?

Or do you only swap the tyres when they are down to the legal minimum?

I am not about to start rotating the tyres around to average out wear rates as even in 7 years the front tyres that drive the motorhome are unlikely to wear down to the legal minimum.

And is tyre age a factor when an HGV motorhome is MOT’d?

 

[trevskoda]

I run them right down unless I see sidewall cracks or distorsion, I have had a new one go wonky and one years back expload

 

[Deleted member 25160]

I'm with Trev.
ISTR there is something about them deteriorating when not used, as they require flexing to "massage" the plasticiser content that keeps the rubber supple. As we have a smallish van, used at least weekly, we should be ok on this.
I can see that monster RV's could have a problem here...

 

[colinm]

Continetal recommend tyres changed at 10 years old, so maybe you'd like to explain why you think it should be 5.

 

[RichardHelen262]

Change when tread is at legal limit or as Trev as said if there are signs of cracking/ deterioration on them.
My tyres are 8 years old and still look good so they will be staying on.

 

[Moped]

Michelin

Continetal recommend tyres changed at 10 years old, so maybe you'd like to explain why you think it should be 5.

I did a motorhome/caravan tyre life search and this was the information fed back by various sites due to the type of use of caravans and motorhomes and the specific tyres designed for these vehicles. I have not checked specific manufacturer recommendations. I will check out the Continental recommendation which is good news if that is indeed the case. We have OEM Michelins CP rated tyres fitted.

 

[Fisherman]

The general rule of thumb is 10 years or every 20,000 miles.
But that is for normal use, motorhomes running fully laden to the max may be an additional consideration. But the time span begins from date of manufacture, not installation date. I reckon you should take a good look at your tyres every few months, and don’t forget to check the inside walls also for signs of cracking, it’s much more common on the outside, but it can occur on the inside. But I would tend to think around 7-8 years for motorhomes would be about right. But don’t forget what keeps you on the road, safety must come first.

 

[Val54]

We changed ours at 8 years old as the family are taking the van to France this summer and I wouldn't want them to have any serious issues. I would probably have left them for another year otherwise.
Michelin blurb is here ..

https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/change-tyres/how-long-do-tyres-last

5 years is reckoned to be the shelf life of a new tyre before fitting and for vehicles over 3.5 t, tyres on the front axle over 10 years old are illegal ... (there are exceptions to this)

 

[mistericeman]

Normal vehicles used regularly shouldn't be an issue as the tyres get flexed and not left in one spot ....
Motorhomes used regularly probably the same ....

Your more usual motorhome usage of being left parked in one spot for long periods are likely more problematic ....

After the experience of having a tyre carcass fail late last year on the trip home from Wales ....
I'll likely be considering replacing tyres earlier ...
Fortunately it happened at slow speed on a flat straight road
Rather than on the decent from Trawsfynydd to Bala Or on the motorway ..

 

[Norfolk NewBoy]

My MOT tester, at a commercial garage, usually discusses tyre age with me whilst inspecting each wheel. He reckons 5y is a recommended time to change but accepts that MH owners do not do many miles so keeping them longer is OK.
However, given that they are one of the most safety-related aspects of the vehicle, erring on the side of caution is probably a good idea.

TBH, mine have been on for about 10y and the spare for 12y; to make matters worse, the rears (rwd) are all-weather Yokohama whilst the front and spare are ordinary Continental. I ought to bite the bullet and replace all of them, despite the tread being ample!
However, family problems mean that I'm not likely to use the van for more than the odd weekend this year and probably not more than 100 miles from home.

Gordon

 

[mark61]

Usually change mine around 50000 miles which is usually around 3/4 years. Always plenty of thread left but walls get a bit damaged. Give old ones to mates who off road, they don't mind a bit of wall damage, but I don't want them on a van that enjoys stretching her legs, only on autobahns of course.

 

[Compo]

interesting what make of tyre is that ????

 

[TeamRienza]

My Michelin Aglis CP fronts which were 3414 when van was new in 2016 (though 2015 model) were replaced in October 2019 after 32,800 miles. They were approaching the legal limit for wear.

My rears which were the same were replaced a few weeks ago as they were going to be 9 years old this season. They had 46,600 miles on them. I just felt that this was the right time as the tread would possibly have reached limit sometime this year.

All my tyres are in first class condition, no sidewall cracks, no fading to grey, but then I regularly paint them with foreverblack tyre gel which smartens them up but also contains UV inhibitors. The tyres facing the sun when parked have purpose made covers which helps protect them. I lie under the van every month (weekly when away) to check inner tyre walls. Big mileage is the best maintainence I reckon.
Interestingly a tyre company regards tyres which are up to 5 years old as new if they are properly stored in a dark cool location before first fitting. 10 years seems to be an industry wide recommendation of end of life. Undoubtedly tyres could go longer but I dare say safeguarding their position is a factor in stating 10 years.
The Oponeo website used to have many interesting articles on tyres. This is were I picked up the information I have included here.

Davy

 

[mark61]

interesting what make of tyre is that ????

BF Goodrich AT2's.
The original AT's were well known for their high mileage, often reading of people with over 80000 on them.
I don't think the AT2's last as many miles, probably because they are 3PMSF

 

[Moped]

I like the idea of using a UV inhibitor treatment on the sidewalls. Will investigate.

 

[trevskoda]

Normal vehicles used regularly shouldn't be an issue as the tyres get flexed and not left in one spot ....
Motorhomes used regularly probably the same ....

Your more usual motorhome usage of being left parked in one spot for long periods are likely more problematic ....

After the experience of having a tyre carcass fail late last year on the trip home from Wales ....
I'll likely be considering replacing tyres earlier ...
Fortunately it happened at slow speed on a flat straight road
Rather than on the decent from Trawsfynydd to Bala Or on the motorway ..
View attachment 117842View attachment 117843

I see you dont do much real work with all them rings LOL.

 

[TeamRienza]

I like the idea of using a UV inhibitor treatment on the sidewalls. Will investigate.

This is the foreverblack product that I recommend.

Forever Black

Forever Black was founded in 1994 with the introduction of their Bumper & Trim Re-conditioner, which fast became Americas number one choice for restoring black bumpers and trim. Since then additional products have been added to the line - including the universally popular Tyre Gel.Forever BLACK...

www.motorgeek.co.uk

Be aware there are two products. I used to use the bumper trim one on my previous Motorhome. It was excellent.
The tyre gel I normally buy via Amazon. While it is not cheap, a bottle does my 16 inch wheels about 5 times. I normally use a small paintbrush and apply it every 2-3 months. Leaves the tyres looking well with a Matt black finish.

Davy

 

[jagmanx]

Sidewall deterioration maybe a problem if motorhome is not used much over winter.
So buy low cost tyres but sensible and replace them more often !

 

[wildebus]

Reading the topic on replacement cam belts and water pumps it made me aware of a cost after 5 years that I was not aware of. The two cars that we have both have cam chains which only ever require examination every 80000 miles or so and there is a recommendation of a change at 160000 miles with no years limit. Basically we will never get there with the cars.

So disappointed to discover that the Ducato needs a replacement every 5 years.

no different to cars with Cambelts.
My Peugeot 405 1.9 had a 36,000/3 year belt change stipulation!

Now another expense at the 5 year stage and every 5 years subsequently appears to be tyres. Again with the cars they don’t get replaced until they are down to the legal minimum but it appears that with a motorhome they need replacing at 5 years regardless of wear even though we are unlikely to wear them down to the legal limit, or even half that judging by current wear rates.

And this might even have to include the spare tyre even though (hopefully) it will be unused.

So the question is, assuming tyres still have plenty of legal tread, do you actually renew your tyres, including the spare, at the 5 year stage, or do you extend this period to say 6 or 7 years?

Or do you only swap the tyres when they are down to the legal minimum?

I swap them when needed. So not on age. but neither do I wait to hit the UK legal minimum.
I've been 'waiting' to change the tyres on my car as I would like Cross-Climates, but I am not going to change them when there is still plenty of tread left on decent brand tyres even though they are now 6 years old.

I am not about to start rotating the tyres around to average out wear rates as even in 7 years the front tyres that drive the motorhome are unlikely to wear down to the legal minimum.

Handy thing to do though. The UK Legal Limit is VERY low. It should be noted for people going abroad that a tyre at the UK Legal Limit would be illegal if it were on a vehicle tested in the EU. I don't know if it would be illegal to use in the EU, but would not be surprised as other Country specific tyre rules apply to vehicles USED in those countries, not just registered e.g. Winter Tyres.
Personally I would never run a tyre down to the UK limit.

And is tyre age a factor when an HGV motorhome is MOT’d?

An "HGV" Motorhome has the same testing requirements that a 900kg Car has regards tyres.

I don't think the MOT tester is required - or even officially allowed to - check the tyres for age, load or speed ratings and their check is limited to checking for damage and tread thickness on a Class 4 MOT.

 

[Heppy]

I have Michelin campers on the rear of my 2010 Autocruise dated 2008 Both still in good condition. I ask the mot man each year if they need changing but he says no still in great condition.