tubetweak

I agree with most posts on this subject except that the real problem is getting 120psi into tires that need it. My motorhome is weighed and the MFG put on low profile tires with a 16 Ply Rating that requires 120 psi in order to carry the load properly. I have never been to a Pilot/Flying J that can install more than 100 psi. My Camping World only has a compressor that will install 100psi. Love's truck stops usually have a service area that can install 120psi in your tires. My coach, when tires are warm and properly inflated, show 126psi to 127 psi. If tires are warm, you have to know this. A cold inflation of 120psi will show more when tires get warm. If for some reason you cannot find air and you know your tires are a few pounds under the required psi, then drive slower and stop a little more often to get out of the coach, walk around and with the back of your hand, feel the sidewalls of the tires. If one is overheated enough to cause a problem, you will probably be able to feel the "Hot" tire. The others may be very warm, but not as hot as another. Doing this can possibly get you to an exit soon so you can properly fill the tires to recommended inflation pressures. Filling a truck tire to 120psi from 0 would take quite a while with a low pressure (and low CFM) (Cubic Feet per Minute) compressor. But to fill a low tire from 112 psi to 120 or 122psi should not take that long with an air compressor that operates at a maximum of 150 to 165psi, with a rating of 5.0CFM @90 psi. You will need much more CFM if you fill your tires completely from 0psi a lot. If you have a shop and do this very often, you would want more like 175psi to 200psi working pressure and at least 10CFM.

I am a commercial tire dealer. I am dealer for Michelin, Goodyear and also sell some Bridgestone truck tires. Michelin does not say 10 years. They say they "While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit." They also say " This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible. That is why, in addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance by consumers, it is recommended to have RV/Motorhome tires, including spare tires, inspected regularly by a qualified tire specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s suitability for continued service. Tires that have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. " As a tire dealer, and with over 30 years commercial tire experience, including retreading, I cannot look inside the body of the tire and tell you the heat history or strength of the bond between the rubber and the steel in the tire. It all depends on the heat history of this tire and the severity of other problems caused from "scrubs, bumps, scuffs, potholes hit, curbs climbed, etc....). Plus new tire quality during construction, etc.. As a trained tire dealer, much of this "evidence" is very hard to see. Sometimes having to look inside the tire is the only way to see the extent of the damage. As an RV'er myself, I'm done with the tire at the end of it's warranty... usually 5 years. I drive the RV for fun and family time, vacations, etc. To me it is worth peace of mind knowing that I am driving on safe tires and they are still covered under the manufacturers warranty. If I am on a vacation with my Family... the last thing I want is tire trouble on the road! Here is the Michelin warranty... "MICHELIN® truck tires bearing the MICHELIN® name and complete serial and identification numbers, used in consumer service, such as on a motorhome, according to the instructions contained in this Operator’s Manual, are covered by this limited warranty against defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the original tread, or five years from the date of purchase, whichever occurs first. At that time, all warranties, expressed or implied, expire. Michelin/Goodyear/Bridgestone??? Depends on Vehicle Manufacturer, wheel specs, weight in all wheel positions, etc.... You need to consult a professional for your exact coach. Different tires for different purposes and not all brands are "the best"... depending on exact tire for your exact coach and weight requirements. Some sizes in certain brands can carry more load because the "Load Range" is different. But it also depends on the wheels too. If you go up from a Load Range H to a Load Range J in the same size, you can usually add aditional air pressure to carry more load... but only if the wheel is rated for the extra pressure. You need to know this before upsizing or uping the "Load Rating". There are many good tires out there to do specific jobs. There are also a lot of "not so good" tires since they may not do the job you are wanting them to do. Every brand has both! When I sell Michelin tires to RV'ers, I will always recommend the Michelin Advantage Program through FMCA. It is a great program that can save you money on Michelin tires. But that does not make the decision on which tire to recommend. It all depends on the situation, use, weight of the coach, etc... I have Goodyear tires on my coach because they came on it. They are good, smooth tires after properly balancing them. (They were not properly balanced from the factory). I will keep them until they get 4 years old or so. When it comes up time for replacement, (5 yrs MAXIMUM for me), I will evaluate needs from weight ratings and how I am using the vehicle and offerings from tire companies that match my needs and make an educated decision at that time. (I will probably not go with Bridgestone or Toyo since they do usually ride slightly harsher because of Manufacturing differences in their sidewalls). But Michelin, Goodyear and Continental are all in the running as far as I am concerned. It will depend totally on what is needed to best suit my coach and my driving habits.

Forgot to mention... the tires might be great for another use for the next few years. (Local/Regional/Delivery, etc...) I'm just not going to take the chance with them on my motor home after then. Plenty of local businesses could use them at a reasonable price for local delivery truck. Hello Craigslist!

Well, as a brand new-be to FMCA and RV-ing, and a commercial tire dealer for over 37 years (full time) , here is my OPINION. (Just call me Bubba) I am commercially trained by both Michelin and Goodyear, but not a Manufacturer owned store. I am an Independent Tire Dealer. I am also very familiar with retreading having been the owner of a Bandag Retreading franchise and have kept very close relations with the major tire and rubber associations in the U.S. throughout the years. The future of a tire depends mostly on it's history! How long to run them? I trust 5 to 6 years the way I drive on my own vehicles, but that could be very different for the next guy. The problem is that I, as a tire dealer, cannot see inside that tire casing without Holograph, NDI, NHD, (etc...) to detect the separations and small penetrations throughout the tire casing. A tire's worn and used condition is all about it's history of heat generation, penetrations, impacts and maintenance procedures. An owner of a vehicle has a better understanding of their own vehicle's tire history and maintenance than I do. About all I can do, as a tire dealer, is observe the condition on the outside and see if I can see any signs of weather checking, heat discoloration, noticeable signs of impact or penetrations, and measure the remaining tread depth in order to help educate the customer and try to make an educated recommendation based on what I have seen during the inspection. I could go on.... but I won't. For ME ( this is only what I do but may not be what I would recommend for you since I have not inspected your tires) I will not wear my tires beyond about 1/2 tread and I will not wear my tires for more than 5 to 6 years (for longer over the road trips). I don't care if it is my car, truck or RV. Even if their condition looks great. The reason... because I like having the extra safety factor of deeper tread depth to evacuate the water from the tires at highway speeds, the extra traction during adverse winter conditions and for my own peace of mind. I don't like spending a trip worrying about things like that. When driving hot roads loaded with family and vacation gear, I am not going to take that chance. Likewise, I will do the same for belts, hoses, valve stems, batteries or anything else that can wear out or be subjected to high heat over a period of time. My tires are only about 12 months old on my motorhome and about 18 months old from the D.O.T. date (date manufactured). I keep air maintained weekly. If I still have the same Motorhome 5 years from now, based on my own experience with tire failures on my own vehicles and from what I see from time to time on most all brands of tires, I will put new tires on it. Maybe before. If I had a fleet of 100 trucks and needed to squeeze pennies in order to make a profit, I might make a different decision. But for me on a motorhome, I'm going to do everything I can to avoid a travel problem like tire separation. I am not going to take them to their extreme limits. If you know your tire's history well and you have taken excellent care of them and you want to wear them further, that is completely up to you and the chances you are willing to take. There is no perfect answer. The Rubber Manufacturers Association cannot even make the call. Manufacturer brands disagree. We will surely not settle this question here.