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Old 02-04-2019, 12:02 PM   #1
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Tire problem?

How concerned should I be? Two of my "China bombs" have developed what looks like "slits". See attached photos. The tires seem otherwise sound. They only have 9500 miles and very good tread left. The one with the small curved "slit" has always needed air added before each trip, but the other one has barely ever needed more than a few pounds if any at all. I keep them at 50 lbs when towing. I have one never used spare and could swap one out...or should I go straight to a Goodyear and get the Endurance? I am currently 2000 miles from home and planned to swap them out when I get back ... in April.Click image for larger version

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Old 02-04-2019, 12:12 PM   #2
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Those tires look aged out or darn close to it. The circumferential crack above it has me more worried. What is the date code stamped on those tires? I'd think those are at least 5-6 years old.
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Old 02-04-2019, 12:18 PM   #3
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Those tires look aged out or darn close to it. The circumferential crack above it has me more worried. What is the date code stamped on those tires? I'd think those are at least 5-6 years old.
Date is 1114 , so 4 years 2 months. So, I should make a trip to Goodyear soonest?
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Old 02-04-2019, 12:25 PM   #4
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Can't see the whole tire but on at least one it looks like some curb "bruising" too.

Regardless of age I'd be replacing these tires.

Goodyears would be a good recommendation for you. They have extra rubber "curb guard" molded into their sidewalls
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Old 02-04-2019, 12:29 PM   #5
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Tire problem?

The cost of new tires is insignificant relative to blow out damage, time in the shop, etc.

Recommend replace immediately. As noted GY endurance is a good choice.

Go up one load range if possible.

We have had 3 blowouts in the last 3 mo. Two of them before the trailer was out of its one year warranty period (<10k mi). Tire company happily paid for replacements but not the damage to the trailer.
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Old 02-04-2019, 12:31 PM   #6
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At that age with the cracking that is visible I would be replacing them all.
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Old 02-04-2019, 12:35 PM   #7
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Also, I check pressures every time before moving the trailer and use a TPMS.
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Old 02-04-2019, 01:01 PM   #8
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I have a 2016, Replaced castle rocks in 2018. Cracking in tread.
Going into it I told myself new tires every 4 years, regardless if miles on them. Yes I was two years short. Now I cover them when in storage. Between trips in summer and all winter long.
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Old 02-04-2019, 01:21 PM   #9
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Those tires are a ticking time-bomb. Replace them now to avoid becoming a statistic.
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Old 02-04-2019, 01:42 PM   #10
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As mentioned... time for new ones.
My recommendations are Goodyear Endurance, Maxxis 8008 or Carlisle HD.
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Old 02-04-2019, 05:49 PM   #11
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Yep, I see age cracking, you will likely have tread separation in the middle of no where. Replace them.
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Old 02-04-2019, 06:22 PM   #12
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Thanks all. I have an appt. with Goodyear close to where we're currently parked. Saturday we'll have all 4 of them replaced with new E range GY Endurance tires. I just need to make it another 29 miles from campsite to the shop.
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Old 02-04-2019, 06:35 PM   #13
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29 miles should be no problem. As others have said they are aged out.

In 40 years of trailer towing I have never seen much if any tread wear but at 4-6 years time to replace. Never had a blow out yet, I currently have 16 china bombs on my six trailers.


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Old 02-04-2019, 07:04 PM   #14
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Date is 1114 , so 4 years 2 months. So, I should make a trip to Goodyear soonest?
Actually, the 11 is the week, not month. The DOT date codes are the week then the year.

If I am doing my math correct, that will make them 5 years old next month.
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Old 02-04-2019, 07:40 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by geigerdj View Post
How concerned should I be? Two of my "China bombs" have developed what looks like "slits". See attached photos. The tires seem otherwise sound. They only have 9500 miles and very good tread left. The one with the small curved "slit" has always needed air added before each trip, but the other one has barely ever needed more than a few pounds if any at all. I keep them at 50 lbs when towing. I have one never used spare and could swap one out...or should I go straight to a Goodyear and get the Endurance? I am currently 2000 miles from home and planned to swap them out when I get back ... in April.Attachment 196154Attachment 196155
Well if you don't get new tires before you leave I'm sure you'll find a place along the way that will help you after your blow out .
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Old 02-05-2019, 09:34 AM   #16
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Actually, the 11 is the week, not month. The DOT date codes are the week then the year.

If I am doing my math correct, that will make them 5 years old next month.
Thanks! Now that you say it, I did know that (weeks not months) but have crs ...
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Old 02-05-2019, 09:53 AM   #17
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but have crs ...
I understand completely. They say that losing your memory is the second sign of old age. I can't remember what the first one is.
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Old 02-05-2019, 10:13 AM   #18
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Thanks all. I have an appt. with Goodyear close to where we're currently parked. Saturday we'll have all 4 of them replaced with new E range GY Endurance tires. I just need to make it another 29 miles from campsite to the shop.
Might want to consider replacing the spare as well.
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Old 02-05-2019, 07:13 PM   #19
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After towing with the Goodyear Endurance. i was so pleassed I replaced the apre with a Goodyear Endurance.
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Old 02-05-2019, 07:37 PM   #20
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We just replaced our tires (which turned out to be anywhere from 5 to 9 years old, yikes) with Goodyear Endurance that are one rating up from original equipment, which also have an 87mph speed rating. This was key to the success of our 4000 mile trip from New York to the Florida Keys and back in January. Yes, there are many cheaper tires but I appreciate the speed rating, the extra capacity, and thick sidewall rib. I probably paid about $200 more than the cheapest tires I could find, but I think it was well worth it. Having had a flat on our trip to Maine, which was caused by tire failure, not road hazard, and looking at the others, I knew we had been living on borrowed time.
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