Replace trailer tires @ 5 years old even if they look great?

[Watermark_Farm]

My trailer is at the shop today getting wheels/brakes done, and I asked my very trusted tire guy to go look at the tires while the wheels are off. The tires are a little over 5 years old. They are very heavy duty truck tires, better than trailer tires (this is a 3 horse aluminum gooseneck).

Tire guy said they look really good, no sidewall checking, etc, and he doesn’t really think I need to change them.

I drive the trailer several times a week, so it’s moved often.

I have always changed my trailer tires every 5 years. Not sure what to do here. It’s $$ to get new ones, but I’m terrified of having a blowout.

Input?

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

Are they outside exposed to sun?

[walkers]

Tires last 5 yrs at most doesn’t matter what they look like. Your tire guy is completely wrong be careful using him ,make sure you get the right tires for your trailer.
All tires age just like us doesn’t matter if they are "heavy duty"why would you not use the right tires for your trailer?Those tires you are using are giving your horses a rough ride…………

[DHCarrotfeeder]

Personally, I’m always most concerned about the spare tire. That one is almost always neglected. But I digress.

The five year rule is popular because it’s simple, it’s a round number and the tire resellers both sound smart and make money from it. Real-world environmental conditions, (lack of) maintenance, tread wear, and usage usually don’t invalidate it. But it’s technically wrong because five years is not any more intelligent hard limit than 4 years or ten years.

The reality is that it varies quite a bit, and some manufacturers recommend replacing every ten years at a minimum, not five years.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/Safety1nNum3ers/css/images/stats/9719_S1N_Tires_Nwsltr_June13_062713_v4_tag-1.pdf

So take a measured look at it. Personally I would have no issues using a 5 year old tire, if they were very carefully inspected and the service history supports the longer usage, I’d use them for a few more years with similarly detailed inspections each year. But probably not ten years, given their criticality.

YMMV. Literally.

[Foxglove]

I would put new tires on it. I haul alone, and a lot. I put new tires on every 3 years. If I didn’t haul as much as I do, I’d put tires on every 5 years. At least get a second opinion. One of the people I show with pointed out that it wasn’t necessary to change tires as often as I did --he said he “never” changed his tires until the tread was showing. On his way home from that very show, he blew a tire, wrecked a rim, and broke an axle. Big $ and big hassle as he was a long way from home and fully loaded. One of the hardest things I ever had to do was NOT say, “I told you so,” the next time I saw him. Do a little research on TRAILER tires --you’ll find that the 3-5 year is the recommended replacement. http://westlandcamping.com/how-long-do-trailer-tires-last/ FYI I sell my used tires --I keep the receipts to show how old they are. People who don’t use their trailers as much as I do will buy a set of used tires if you can verify how old they are.

Foxglove

[Jim_R]

I have been lucky that every time I put new tires on it was an easy decision. I don’t know how many years they are good for . But if you are thinking about it and use your trailer often I would put a new set on. Are you trying to get another year or two? You will have to buy new tires sooner or later so just for the piece of mind I would do it sooner. It sounds like you are really on the ball with your care and the way you maintain your trailer, so as my Pop always said when we left the tire dealer “nothing like a new pair of sneaks”. I love rolling down the road with new tires.

[Watermark_Farm]

@DHCarrotfeeder;8147860

Personally, I’m always most concerned about the spare tire. That one is almost always neglected. But I digress.

Haha, so true! Also, I’m thinking that I want to keep a second spare in there because I’ve heard so many stories of people having two blowouts on trips from hell.

I’m replacing the tires today. Thanks everyone for your input.

[Heart_s_Journey]

I keep my tires covered and that has greatly helped in the life of the tires. I replaced the tires on my trailer after 7 years and while they still looked good, the age concerned me.

I never had a blowout with the trailer (have had it 9 years). I replaced them with the exact same tire, Goodyear Warranglers, Load G as it’s a 2H GN LQ. I do travel fairly otften and camp, but also keep USRider just in case…

When buying tires you need to make sure to buy the right type of tire and check out the age of the tire itself. Alot of tire companies sell tires that are already a couple years old when they’re installed, so you’ve already lost some time on the durability.

[Watermark_Farm]

Well, $715 later I have new tires, ST rated 12 ply trailer tires. Thanks again for all the helpful advice. Next stop: sign up for US rider…

[Tom_King]

I never have, but the first thing I did when we bought our first horse trailer was to build a trailer shed that not only keeps rain and sky dirt off, but sun too.