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Old 06-19-2019, 03:08 AM   #1
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New Tires...How often to rotate?

We got new tires on our travel trailer in March. We are just weekenders. How often do we need to rotate the tires on our camper? How many miles traveled between rotations? Your input is greatly appreciated in advance!! Thanks!!!
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Old 06-19-2019, 06:18 AM   #2
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We got new tires on our travel trailer in March. We are just weekenders. How often do we need to rotate the tires on our camper? How many miles traveled between rotations? Your input is greatly appreciated in advance!! Thanks!!!
Never. They will age out long before they wear out.


I have owned campers since 1985, currently own 3 two axle trailers. At 5 years (aged out ) the tread always looks great but the tires should be replaced. If they show unusual wear the axle is probably out of alignment. I have never rotated trailer tires.
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Old 06-19-2019, 06:24 AM   #3
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All my tires do a full rotation once about 5 feet of travel.
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Old 06-19-2019, 07:43 AM   #4
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Normally, no need to rotate RV trailer tires as you do passenger vehicles. No steer tires.
Enjoy RVing!!!!
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Old 06-19-2019, 08:02 AM   #5
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All my tires do a full rotation once about 5 feet of travel.
That's funny.

I have never rotated my trailer tires. If you are full timing then it would be a good idea.
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Old 06-19-2019, 11:45 AM   #6
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I read somewhere that if they sit for long they can get flat spots on them. That’s why I asked about rotating. We only use our camper about 5-7 times a year during summer months.
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Old 06-19-2019, 11:52 AM   #7
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I read somewhere that if they sit for long they can get flat spots on them. That’s why I asked about rotating. We only use our camper about 5-7 times a year during summer months.
Flat spots disappear after a mile or so when the tires warm up while "driving".

Most people start out on roads with low speed limits so they should "de-flat spot" well before hitting the freeway.

As for rotating to different positions, nothing to gain. If you have strange tire wear develop, get it to a shop and get the problem fixed. Rotation won't help.
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Old 06-19-2019, 11:52 AM   #8
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I read somewhere that if they sit for long they can get flat spots on them. That’s why I asked about rotating. We only use our camper about 5-7 times a year during summer months.
Use your camper more often...

Do not need to rotate front to back or side to side
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Old 06-19-2019, 12:26 PM   #9
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Repack bearings at 5k miles or once a year, which ever comes first. Use trip mileage reading on tv for each trip to keep running total. Since I have tires off to repack bearings, rotate front to back. My thinking is, I know there is a slight load in balance between axles even with my Blue Ox WD bars.
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Old 06-19-2019, 12:44 PM   #10
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I put my spare on once a year, Keep track of which tire you switched, so the next year you switch with the other tire.

OCD I guess?

Cheers
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Old 06-19-2019, 01:35 PM   #11
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I never have rotated. Only once did a tire appear to wear unevenly, so the remedy was to find out why and not rotate. The why was a slightly bent rim.
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Old 06-19-2019, 05:42 PM   #12
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Agree with those who propose rotating trailer tires is not needed. Unless there is a more serious problem with axle misalignment, then you will never notice any disparity in the tire wear patterns from tire to tire. If there is a discrepancy, then it is the result of poor misalignment, and should be corrected ASAP.

In 45+ years of RV-ing, we have never relied on mileage before changing out trailer tires. We change out at least every five years, except for the "China Bombs", which have lasted in some cases less than one year!! In the past 20+ years, we have insisted that every new RV purchase be equipped with tires made in the USA, or in France by Michelin (no longer available). So far, so good. Still have Michelins on our TV.
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Old 06-20-2019, 06:40 AM   #13
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That's funny.

I have never rotated my trailer tires. If you are full timing then it would be a good idea.
that went right over your head and never saw it
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Old 06-20-2019, 06:44 AM   #14
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Use your camper more often...

Do not need to rotate front to back or side to side
flat spots will go away after towing a few miles
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Old 06-20-2019, 07:11 AM   #15
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https://recstuff.com/pro-tips/traile...e-rotated-too/
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Old 06-20-2019, 07:48 AM   #16
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I would agree that 3 axle trailer tires should be rotated but not two axle.

I have never had tires wear out in 35 plus years of owning 2 or 3 trailers at a time with two axles. Mine have always aged out first. I currently own three two axle trailers all tires have like new tread never rotated tires.



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Old 06-20-2019, 10:47 AM   #17
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I put my spare on once a year, Keep track of which tire you switched, so the next year you switch with the other tire.

OCD I guess?

Cheers
Sounds like a good idea to me !!!
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Old 06-20-2019, 10:56 AM   #18
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I have rotated mine a couple of times about every 10,000 miles. I have it completely level while towing but turning it likes to pivot on the front axle and scrub the back tires so I rotate to keep the wear even. I have never done this on any previous trailer but then I never put as many miles on as we have with this trailer.
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Old 06-20-2019, 11:07 AM   #19
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No need to rotate. Some will get the wheels balanced but that's a waste because trailer drums can be very unbalanced and negate a balancing job at a shop. I know someone who spends the time to balance his TT wheels manually when their mounted on the TT, but you need to make some witness marks so it wheel and tire stay in the same relative positions.

On ST tires, make sure to follow these if you want good service life and to minimize the risk of a blowout:

- never tow overloaded.
- never tow under-inflated.
- never tow over the tire's speed rating.

Inflate the tires to max. sidewall psi. Periodically check pressure including on road trips.

Going to a scale is always highly recommended. Try and get the weight on each tire if at all possible because trailers can be heavier on one side or axle to axle. You want at least 15% reserve load capacity - the tire's load rating compared to actual weight on the tires. Tires can be okay based on total weight, but tires can sometimes be overloaded on one side (due to wt. of kitchen and/or slide.) Travelling with one or more full holding tanks can cause tires to be overloaded. Know your weights!

Oh, and don't keep ST tires past 5 years (based on date code) because they usually age out before they wear out.
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Old 06-20-2019, 11:10 AM   #20
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Trailer tires are neither drive nor steer, so there is no need to rotate unless you just can't get it off your mind. Like said ... if you have tread wear, you have other issues like bad camber, too much toe in or out, or axles not square to the trailer or perpendicular to one another.
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