Tyre change

RogerP1956 replied on 18/08/2022 11:10

RogerP1956

Posted on 18/08/2022 11:10

The tyres on my 2017 TA Crusader Storm are nearly six years old (4316) and I am considering changing them, because I am supposed to.

I have had a (very) good look at the tyres and they are in excellent condition, no cracks no damage, no perishing. They have probably done less than 10,000 miles, the caravan is stored at home on it's legs with the wheels off of the ground and the only time they see the sun is the 18 (non peak summer) weeks a year that we are on site.

There is an element of tight fistedness here but I can't get past the feeling that it is such a waste throwing away what I consider to be perfectly good tyres.

Any thoughts.

31 replies

obbernockle replied on 19/08/2022 21:51

obbernockle

Posted on 19/08/2022 20:09 by eribaMotters

I'm confused on the Commercial Tyre comment. What is wrong with them? The weight of "normal" caravans is such that they generally require the load rating of a Commercial Tyre.

Colin

Posted on 19/08/2022 21:51

Tyres on certain commercial vehicles have to be changed before a certain age by law. (This followed a horrendous accident in which many children were badly injured, and afterwards the very old tyres were found to have been partly the cause.

Some caravan and motor caravan tyres may be commercial grade, but the vehicles are not included in the law mentioned.

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EmilysDad replied on 19/08/2022 22:38

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EmilysDad

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Posted on 19/08/2022 21:51 by obbernockle

Tyres on certain commercial vehicles have to be changed before a certain age by law. (This followed a horrendous accident in which many children were badly injured, and afterwards the very old tyres were found to have been partly the cause.

Some caravan and motor caravan tyres may be commercial grade, but the vehicles are not included in the law mentioned.

Posted on 19/08/2022 22:38

I'm glad someone knew what I meant ....

KeefySher replied on 21/08/2022 14:03

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KeefySher

Caravanner

Posted on 18/08/2022 22:43 by

Based on your two post it seems that you have taken the time and put in the effort to care for your tyres very well. As you say it is relatively easy to visually inspect the tyres [for cuts, cracks, etc, etc]. However, the one thing you cannot see is the material degradation simply due to age and exposure to the elements particularly sun light. That said as the tyres have been generally protected and not been left exposed to UV except when used I would expect the degradation to be minimal. Perhaps it is now time to benefit from your diligence and keep using them for a few more years.

Posted on 21/08/2022 14:03

It's O3 that is the issue. O3 causes flex crack growth in the tyres, which is the problem. O3 concentrate increase where electric motors are in operation, so fridge / motor mover comes into play. Most likely tyre on side with fridge will exhibit cracking first.

Tyres are black to deal with UV. The filler used is a cheap by product of processing oil. O3 protection is by more expensive compound ingredients, hence more scope to cut costs and subsequently quality of tyres.

KeefySher replied on 21/08/2022 17:25

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KeefySher

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Posted on 19/08/2022 21:51 by obbernockle

Tyres on certain commercial vehicles have to be changed before a certain age by law. (This followed a horrendous accident in which many children were badly injured, and afterwards the very old tyres were found to have been partly the cause.

Some caravan and motor caravan tyres may be commercial grade, but the vehicles are not included in the law mentioned.

Posted on 21/08/2022 17:25

Was not a partial cause that a tyre on the bus had had a bodged retread? Was perfectly legal and probably higher quality to retread than some cheap tat quality new tyres from sources of dubious origin.

watto64 replied on 21/08/2022 17:54

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watto64

Caravanner

Posted on 21/08/2022 17:54

If you do decide to change your tyres i can recommend 'tyres on the drive'. I have no affiliation with them but have been a customer for car and caravan tyres for many years..

ABM replied on 22/08/2022 09:19

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ABM

Motorhomer

Posted on 22/08/2022 09:19

I could certainly do with a 'slimmer' spare tyre

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RogerP1956 replied on 22/08/2022 15:51

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RogerP1956

Caravanner

Posted on 18/08/2022 20:29 by eribaMotters

To change at 5 years or 7 years? Some tyre wall breakdown and cracking you will see, others you will not. If my van was stored outside on it's wheels I'd change at 5. As it has been garage stored when not used and on axle stands most winters, one it was on tyre savers, I'm going to replace for it's 7th year.

If you looked at the financial side, a £70 tyre lasts 7 years, so £10 a year, or £20 as most vans have two when I last looked. We are towing vans that could cost up to £30/35K so is it really worth possibly risking your pride and joy for such a comparatively small outlay? Just think £20 is one night on a CL or definitely less than one night on a main site.

Colin

Posted on 22/08/2022 15:51

You say that some damage I will not see, this is the sort of information that prompted this thread, I have not found anywhere that details invisible tyre damage so if this really is a possibility I would change them straight away. This would also make a nonsense of taking them to a tyre dealer for inspection.

In my view my tyres have had a charmed life and are only one small step away from being garage stored. They only touch the ground when travelling, only see direct sunlight when travelling or on site and we don't holiday in the height of the summer and being stored over winter close to the house in a narrow drive, probably have never seen a frost.

Four tyres (about £280) so £56 a year after 5 years. not really a problem I just hate the idea of throwing away what I consider perfectly good tyres.

RogerP1956 replied on 22/08/2022 16:03

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RogerP1956

Caravanner

Posted on 18/08/2022 20:45 by Tinwheeler

It’s your choice, Roger, but I can’t help wondering why you asked for our thoughts🤷🏻‍♂️

I have huge difficulty in accepting you can thoroughly examine the inside walls of your tyres from underneath your van with a torch.

However, may your journeys all be safe ones.👍🏻

Posted on 22/08/2022 16:03

I am confident in my inspection technique and as I have mentioned I can't find any information that tyres can have invisible damage. We have a wide range of "experts" in club together and the reason for the posting was to see if there was someone, perhaps working for a tyre manufacturer. Also it can never harm to raise awareness of the importance of checking tyres.

I use an inspection lamp with a wide LED floodlight head, laying on the ground (while I still can) the darkness under the van means you concentrate more on what is seen in the beam of the torch, spin the wheels and check every inch of the tyre by sight and feel.

4 wheels on my wagon!!