DearMissMermaid said:
I don't know how old my tires are and I don't want to know, I just say prayers and watched all the videos on how to handle tire blowouts on RV's. I hope I can get another year or two out of my tires, they have loads of tread and seem fine.
You, need to know, I attached a picture.
Notice the DOT on the tire in the pic. Now look at the last 4 numbers, the first 2; 37 indicate this tire was made the 37th week of the year, the last 2 are the year. So this tire was made the 37th week of 2010. So no matter if the tread looks new and no cracks in the sidewall, if over 6 years old it's time to replace to be safe at highway speeds. Also low tire pressure will cause a blowout. At highway speeds not only can a blowout cause damage to your vehicle, it can cause a rollover, or other crash.
On this forum I've seen 7 years used. I use 6 years as this is the date the Tire industry safety council uses. Also the State of Maryland uses this figure in recent legislation:
**Quote** (from http://www.tireindustry.org/govtaffairs.asp)
TIRE AGING
Legislation was introduced last week in the Maryland state legislature on tire aging. The bill would require manufacturers or distributors to affix on all tires a label stating the date of manufacture, a statement on tire aging (which would spell out that NHTSA recommends that tires be replaced after six years regardless of the remaining tread depth), and a receipt or invoice stating the date of manufacture. Consumers must sign a disclosure statement. Retailers must give a copy of the disclosure statement to the consumer and keep a copy of the signed disclaimer. Retailers who violate the proposed law would be subject to a $500 fine for each infraction.
*** End Quote ***
Although many don't recommend driving on old tires, if you must, a few things you can do;
1. Every day before travel make sure you have the maximum rated tire pressure in your tires.
a.) Some think that lowering the pressure makes a tire less likely to blow, but the opposite is true.
2. Carefully inspect each tire for defects.
a.) Run your hand across the tread from inside out, then outside in, on top, sides, front and back. If it
doesn't feel smooth both ways it may be primed to blow. For example, a bubble, or a raised
section of a tire can indicate a separation, this tire will fail soon.
3. Always drive with both hands firmly on the wheel at highway speeds, be prepared for the blowout.
4. If possible replace your steer tires as they are more apt to cause a rollover in the event of a blowout at
highway speeds than a rear tire.
5. Save up lots of money for repairs to your MH when the tire blows.