Updating spare tire?

[Golfnbike13]

I'm planning to replace my 4 original tires (Castle Rocks), the date code is 04/2020 and served their purpose after 5,500 miles so upgrading to something better. My question is should I spend additional money to replace/update the spare?

The current spare looks fine, and was actually used for about 300 miles as one original had an internal belt separation. My original plan was replace all 5, but I hate to spend the additional money on a new upgraded spare that could age out before use, so thinking just hang on to the current spare since they are usually for temp use. It's easy to tell someone else to spend the money, but what would you do?

[Rhumblefish]

Pragmatically speaking, 3/3,000 seems early... 3 years is the bottom end of what I've seen recommended for replacement, they've still only seen 1,000 miles per year (that's a single, long distance trip and back). Granted, trailer tires typically age out and have different use characteristics than car/truck tires, so they ARE losing capacity, even as they sit (in particular outside, and also if the rig isn't moved very often).

But time and distance aren't the ONLY guidelines for tire replacement.

Assuming that all five tires are the same (all Castle Rocks), that they've been used and well cared for with no issues, and are all good condition (save for age) and IF you'll be winterizing and storing the trailer, I'd –*AT THE VERY LEAST – winter on these tires and not pick up new tires till the start of camping season next year. Likewise, as trailer tires age out (potentially losing up to 1/3 of their capacity after 3 years).

That being said, I'd be tempted to keep them on, watch them carefully (inspect before, during and after every trip) get an entire nother season out of them before replacing ALL FIVE. You do have TPMS, right? If not, that's another tool that you can use to help use your tires appropriately (and can help diagnose issues before real problems occur).

Some reading:
https://mechanicalelements.com/when-...trailer-tires/

Just my .02. Hope this helps.

[Golfnbike13]

Originally Posted by Rhumblefish

Pragmatically speaking, 3/3,000 seems early... 3 years is the bottom end of what I've seen recommended for replacement, they've still only seen 1,000 miles per year (that's a single, long distance trip and back). Granted, trailer tires typically age out and have different use characteristics than car/truck tires, so they ARE losing capacity, even as they sit (in particular outside, and also if the rig isn't moved very often).

But time and distance aren't the ONLY guidelines for tire replacement.

Assuming that all five tires are the same (all Castle Rocks), that they've been used and well cared for with no issues, and are all good condition (save for age) and IF you'll be winterizing and storing the trailer, I'd –*AT THE VERY LEAST – winter on these tires and not pick up new tires till the start of camping season next year. Likewise, as trailer tires age out (potentially losing up to 1/3 of their capacity after 3 years).

That being said, I'd be tempted to keep them on, watch them carefully (inspect before, during and after every trip) get an entire nother season out of them before replacing ALL FIVE. You do have TPMS, right? If not, that's another tool that you can use to help use your tires appropriately (and can help diagnose issues before real problems occur).

Some reading:
https://mechanicalelements.com/when-...trailer-tires/

Just my .02. Hope this helps.

We camp through November and start back in March, so winter is just 2-3 months of storage. I did have an issue with one tire having internal belt separation, it's not useable so had to use the spare to get back. As of now I don't have a spare and got a trip coming up so gotta get something. Sorry about the mileage mistake, they actually have 5,516 miles on them and are 4 years old. But in all honesty the other 3 original don't look great.

[t_bare]

Get rid of all five of the Castle Rocks as soon as convenient and consider yourself lucky none of them let go and cost you time and money. This is what I did and was grateful that when one blew it only cost me a little time and effort on the side of the road as I was planning to change them anyway. Two and half year old Castle Rock pictured.

t_bare

[Golfnbike13]

I've kept check on them and monitor with TPS and cover when not in use, but removed one that started wearing a bald spot from internal belt separation or that probably would have happened. They served their purpose but don't want to push them for that reason. Any tire can blowout, especially with lack of maintenance.

[RobbieH]

Originally Posted by t_bare

Get rid of all five of the Castle Rocks as soon as convenient and consider yourself lucky none of them let go and cost you time and money. This is what I did and was grateful that when one blew it only cost me a little time and effort on the side of the road as I was planning to change them anyway. Two and half year old Castle Rock pictured.

t_bare

Same thing exactly happened to me.

[Reverse_snowbird]

We'd replace all 5.
You've already had problems with the tires and don't have a spare. So you're going to be putting one of those problematic tires as your spare.
I don't think it would be the risk of relying on one of those original tires as a spare.

Spend the money for all 5 tires and you'll sleep better at night.

[Rhumblefish]

Originally Posted by Golfnbike13

We camp through November and start back in March, so winter is just 2-3 months of storage. I did have an issue with one tire having internal belt separation, it's not useable so had to use the spare to get back. As of now I don't have a spare and got a trip coming up so gotta get something. Sorry about the mileage mistake, they actually have 5,516 miles on them and are 4 years old. But in all honesty the other 3 original don't look great.

Understood. 4yr + 5,500 is about as far as I would trust 'em, too. Sounds like you've got a handle on it. Replace all five of them and count yourself lucky. Goodyear Endurance has treated me right on my 22.

I don't want to add to your burden, but - if you don't have TPMS - it's a lifesaver and I'd strongly recommend adding (esp if you're getting new tires all the way around). Personally speaking, I'm a TST 507 man myself, and prefer the sensors that mount to the rims INSIDE the tires.

Just my .02. Hope this helps.

[REL]

Yes

[Mike134]

This forum as of now has 178,450 members.

How many posts have you seen about exploding tires? 30? 40? 178,000?

The risk of exploding tires might be overly exaggerated. Bad news when it happens to you, but were the tires under inflated? Damaged from hitting a curb while turning. Other factors to consider?

Myself I'll change out the spare at 7-8 years. I'm Midwest spare is covered and on the shady side of the house when parked. You folks in AZ with 20-30 days of 100+ temperatures in a row I can see wanting to change tires after 5-6 years.

Just my 2 beer opinion.

Safe travels

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by Golfnbike13

I'm planning to replace my 4 original tires (Castle Rocks), the date code is 04/2020 and served their purpose after 5,500 miles so upgrading to something better. My question is should I spend additional money to replace/update the spare?

The current spare looks fine, and was actually used for about 300 miles as one original had an internal belt separation. My original plan was replace all 5, but I hate to spend the additional money on a new upgraded spare that could age out before use, so thinking just hang on to the current spare since they are usually for temp use. It's easy to tell someone else to spend the money, but what would you do?

Short answer. ABSOLUTELY replace all 5!

Tires age out and rarely wear out. Even a new, never-on-the-ground, spare that is 5+ years old will be questionably reliable. I sure wouldn't trust it.

That is why we purchased 5 new Carlisle trailer-rated tires and upgraded the Load Range rating by one letter.

Bob

[llr]

I kept the spare but I replaced the junk tires at less then a year old. At that age, on castle rocks, I would change all 5 at once.
As someone pointed out the percent of tires with catastrophic failures may be low, however the repair cost to the camper can be very high.