When to replace trailer tires?

[ecileh]

I have a 2005 Hawk 2 horse BP that I bought from a work friend. She only used it a hand full of times and put less than 1000 miles on it in all the years she owned it.

I bought it 3 years ago and have been hauling all over the place to hunts. I’d guess I probably put about 2000 miles a year on it. The tires still have plenty of tread and look to be in good shape, but I am pretty sure they are the original set. (I asked her today and she said she didn’t remember replacing them, but her husband may have done it at some point.)

Any words of wisdom on whether or not to replace on the general principle that they are probably a decade old now?

[Guilherme]

Tires have a useful life measured in both miles and years. The year number varies between 6 and 10 depending on who you ask.

Here are some interesting links:

http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-how-to/trailer-tech/rolling-along-safely-a-tire-guide/

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireLife.do

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTrailerTireFacts.do

G.

[i_3dogs]

Trailer tiers should be changed every 4-5 years regardless of tread just because they generally sit for longer periods of time between usage and are subject to dry rot and cracking

[goodhors]

Take the trailer to a Tire Service, ask them to age/date the tires by the makers number. Then ask their opinion of tire condition. Trailer always stored inside, no light on tires, will probably have longer life tires than tires outside with sun to age the sidewalls sooner.

Know that most trailer tires die of age, sunshine killing the sidewalls, than need replacing because of mileage use. So even if good-looking, the old tires may need replacing “just because” chance of blowout, going flat, are high. Tire folks can point out age, wear problems or give them the OK for further use.

Check the spare as well. You want it useful if needed. We usually keep the best of the old tires as the “new” spare tire. Saves buying a new tire cost, for tire most likely to see little use before aging out.

[GoForAGallop]

I’ve heard the same numbers Guilherme posted.

I just bought a 2000 trailer. The tires are fine, but the owners couldn’t tell me if they had ever been replaced. So I bought it knowing that I would be replacing the tires in the near future.

Considering it’s about $400 to get some nice quality tires on ($500 if you include the spare, which you probably should), that seems like a price worth paying to not have a potentially fatal (or at the very least, VERY annoying) blowout on the highway. If you average it over even a 5-year lifespan for the tires, it’s $100/year.

[ecileh]

Thanks, everyone.

My instinct was to replace them–nice to have some validation.

[candyappy]

Follow your instinct.
My tires had plenty of tread but my trailer sits most of the time. My husband pulled them off and checked them all before we moved several years ago. They looked good. 300 miles down the road one fell apart and on further inspection another was starting to do the same.

It is a wonderful experience to drive through no mans land on a Saturday afternoon in 90 degree weather to find a place that is even open and has the tires you need with 2 horses and a cow on your trailer.

We did and they not only put 4 new tires on ASAP they did it with all the animals on the trailer and made room in their shop so the animals were out of the blazing sun. Price was good too.

[grinanride]

Hi,
5 years max, there is a date code of 4 digits in a small oval stamped on the tires, it can be on the front or back of the trailer, for example 1405 would be the 14th week of 2005, might be interesting to check that out
Risa
Happy Trails Trailers .com
Balanced Ride Trailers .com