From the picture, it appeared the tire had what i would call ozone or uv cosmetic cracking. Were the people and support you need to make your new tires a good investment. I am very faithful about covering, conditioning and the coach is always leveled. The recreational vehicle safety foundation rvsef is an organization partially funded by michelin that performs weighing and other educational services. Michelin radial truck tire sizes are designated by the nominal section width in inches or millimeters and the wheel diameter e. I called michelin, but they say that is normal weathering. Those tires only had about 35k miles on them on tires with a 75k expected life.
We have sidewall cracking on all outside mounted tires michlin tires 25580r22. This type of tire sidewall cracking is sometimes called ozone cracking or weathering. Weather cracking is common in rv tires from all manufacturers. Michelin tire says while most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years.
Using tire covers at least minimizes direct exposure to sunlight. I run this very same michelin tire on my suv and have. So the rv owners cannot determine the tires correct pressure. As a tire continues to degrade and dry out, dry rot can occur. Tire safety group articles, recall notice michelin recalls 100,000 in north america michelin recalls 100,000 in north america on july 12, 20, michelin issued a voluntary recall of defective tires sold to consumers in the united states, canada, and mexico. As a tire rotates during operation, it will naturally generate internal heat, resulting in an increase of inflation.
These tires are typically found on such vehicles as suvs. Surface cracked tires are no longer the plague of rv owners and classic cars. Michelin recommends using a professional weighing group or organization to perform the weighing of your motorhomerv. Sold the rv and put all new tires on it before selling. Michelin warranty tires fmca rv forums a community. During tire inspections, check the sidewalls for signs of aging, referred to as weather checking or ozone cracking. All 4 tires had heat cracks between each tread all the way around. On the last hm i went from michelin s to toyos when the cracks in the michelin s got very obivious about 4 years and 17,000mi. Nov 22, 2014 despite the maximum 10year life suggested by michelin, very few owners obtain this life due to sidewall cracking.
When parked for an extended period of time, this additive shows up as cracking on the sidewall. Michelin north america has announced a voluntary recall of 377 michelin crossclimate tm suv tires sold in canada. Despite the maximum 10year life suggested by michelin, very few owners obtain this life due to sidewall cracking. I recently attended a seminar on rv tires the presenter was not from michelin who said michelin puts an additive in their tires to reduce dry rot. Weather conditions such as heat, cold and sunlight cause cracks to appear on the sidewalls and at the base of tires tread grooves. You should look to replace your tires if cracks in the sidewall are greater than 2 32. Michelin rv tires 5 therefore, more frequent checks may be required during cold weather conditions. Aug 03, 2015 michelin tires are known for sidewall cracking, sometimes enough to require replacing. Michelin was founded in clermontferrand, france in 1889 and is named after its founding brothers, edouard and andre michelin. First of all must say that the michelin tire buy program does save us all money when purchasing new tires. Providing a quality product and good customer service could create a much more positive view of the michelin xrv even when there are a few faulty rv trailer tires that do fall through the cracks. My tire dealer is going to replace them, but michelin will not reimburse them as michelin denies there is a. In addition to the tires for cars, crossovers, sport utility vehicles and light trucks available through tire rack, michelin also produces tires for airplanes, bicyclesmotorcycles, earthmovers, farm equipment and trucks. Just because theres a little tread left on your car tires doesnt mean its safe to keep driving on them.
During the pretrip inspection, be sure to check the tires for signs of aging, weather checking, andor ozone cracking these show up as tiny cracks in the rubber. Avoid the use of petroleum based tire cleaning products as they can exhaust the tires oxidation and weathering agents within the rubber compounds, resulting in cracking. Youll find independent advice, good tires, quality service, and a comfortable place to wait. Extending the life of your rv tires out to a decade is possible if you know how to. Goodyear rv tires, michelin rv tires, and thervgeeks. Cracks between treads is cosmetic and are not a worry unless they are growing or opening. The owner was concerned about the tire durability as he had suffered a couple of blowouts previously. Here is a video of my 4 12 year old michelin motor home tires cracking dry rotting on my 2015 newmar canyon star. On the next mh, on the front, i went from goodyears to toyos at 3 years and 21,000mi when the goodyears were wearing really bad rivering.
If inner body belts of the tire is exposed in the ozone cracking, the tire needs to be replaced asap. Michelin ltx ms tire sidewall tire consumer complaint. Tires that sit can develop flat spots and visible surface cracks that eventually lead to tire failure when the tire is heated up in travel. Tire tread is always wearing and evolving as the miles accumulate, but the tire tread compound also changes according to season, temperature, and. Michelin recalls 100,000 in north america michelin recalls 100,000 in north america on july 12, 20, michelin issued a voluntary recall of defective tires sold to consumers in the united states, canada, and mexico. Oct 15, 2018 replace rv tires if the cracks are more than 232inch deep.
Weather cracking is a naturally occurring condition that results from exposure to heat and sunlight. If you havent worn out a set of tires in 58 years, its worth replacing them for. If the cracks are any deeper than 232 inch, the tire should be replaced immediately. If you havent worn out a set of tires in 58 years, its worth replacing them for safetys sake, even if there is still good tread left on the tires. When it comes to cleaning tires, we recommend you follow this advice from our friends at michelin. This is why tires that are stored in a garage can still get tire cracks. Put 8,500 miles on them before i found cracking on both inside duallys. I have michelin tires on all four of my vehicles and have never had one crack even on 6 year old tires. Sidewall cracking or separation is very unusual from michelin s, pretty sure discount tire can help you out in getting. Avoid outdoor pressure checks when the temperature is below freezing, as ice can form in the valve stem and create a slow leak. Here are a few popular oeacceptable rv tire size equivalents. Tire cracking, also called weather cracking, occurs on all tires. Tire cracking, also known as dryrot, happens when the tires rubber starts to break down due to ozone, uv, roadsalt, chemicals, and grime you can slow down sidewall cracking by using an offtheshelf cleaner once a week.
They can be a spider web of small cracks, or a line of more significant cracks around the circumference of the tire. Tread depth is an indication of whether the tire can safely remain in service. But the michelin warranty is not worth much as far as i am concerned. In addition, signs of tread separation and sidewall cracking are a good. Weather conditions such as heat, cold and sunlight cause cracks to appear on the sidewalls and at the base of tire s tread grooves. Even my michelin dealer for my shop said ford should cover it. The cracking on the michelin sidewall is not always a flaw. Truck tire sizes contain dimension and load index information. I run this very same michelin tire on my suv and have since about 1985 when it was just the michelin x. I had a pontiac back in the mid 90s with michelins mxv4 or similarthat were great no cracking or anything awesome tires, had them for years.
I really wonder why fmca doesnt look into this much deeper as a lot of rv owners are getting ripped off by michelin. I have an rv with 6 michelin tires, after 12,000 miles side wall rupture on front tire called for me to replace both fronts. With rv tires that roll and flex frequently, they wind up pushing emollients and waxes to the surface of the tire which protects them from ozone, cracking, and from drying out as quickly. My rv has less than 6,000 original miles on it and i bought it brand new with michelin tires 2358022. However, this cracking can be accelerated by too much exposure to heat, vehicle exhaust, ozone and sunlight, as well as electric generators and motors that have armature brushes. Jul 14, 2016 i used to be a fan of michelin tires, but their rubber these days is terrible. Tires were installed on my tahoe 102011 so under 5 12 years the tire code says they were manufactured the 22nd week of 2011. Theres a reason you see tire covers over many rv tires in storage lots and this would be it. Iirc, the michelin line xrv are the tires having a chronic problem with cracking. Expert rv tire maintenance tips motorhome magazine. Before too long, the rv season will be in full swing. A blowout, or tire failure, leads to a less responsive vehicle or possibly even a complete loss of vehicle control.
How to prevent tires from weather cracking it still runs. Rv tire recommendation page 2 tires fmca rv forums a. The michelins on my rig were original when i bought the coach in april of 2011. Find the right rv tire for you below, along with proper maintenance and storage tips. Less than 632 tread depth may require replacement to maintain sufficient traction and handling performance. I have those types of cracks on my michelin tires and brought them to costco, where i bought them, and was told that they are surface cracks which wont affect the integrity or safety of the tire.
Jul 29, 2017 the cracking on the michelin sidewall is not always a flaw. At least, it seems that way when its time to buy new ones. Because all tires are made of rubber, all tires will eventually exhibit some type of cracking condition, usually late in their life. These longterm storage rules also apply to when your rv is parked at one campground for more than a month. Its like having a virtual coach to help optimize lap times, improve your driving skills, and unleash the full potential of your michelin pilot sport cup 2 connect tires. At first i saw small cracks starting, then after a few months and one trip down to mb, south carolina and back 2200k miles those small cracks all joined up end to end. Michelin recommends using a professional weighing group or organization to perform the weighing of your motorhome rv. I just replaced all 4 tires on my 2000 olds silhouette van. Ive been in the tire business for over 10 years and cant believe the tires arent covered. I use michelin s unique ozone or weather cracking visual tool to determine if your tire cracking is cosmetic nonwarrantable, or severe warrantable. If the tire is older than 5 years, discount tire company will make you pay for new tires, if its less than that, we will certificate one out, which means we will basically give you a trade in value on the tires for new ones. All four tires shows cracks on sidewall and thread. How to keep tires from dry rotting and cracking you might think of your tires as fixed, unchanging vehicle components, but theyre actually some of the more alive elements of your vehicle. How to maximize the life of motorhome tires motorhome magazine.
Weathering, cracking and crazing tend to appear in tire sidewalls after several years, and they may become a concern. As the structural integrity of the tire worsens, the risk of a blowout increases. What does it mean when my tires start to show signs of aging, ozone cracking or weather cracking. With michelin track connect, you can dominate the track. Tires recommended and which to avoid class a escapees. When exposed to sunlight and the elements they can develop those small cracks often referred to as weather checking, ozone cracking, or just plain sidewall cracking. So, when i purchased this used truck, it already had fiveyearold tires. Tires are marked on the sidewall 05 which i assumed, were manufactured in the fifth week of 20. Since motorhomes are usually driven less than automobiles, this means they sit parked in places such as rv resorts, garages, driveways and storage lots. Im sure the tires were replaced before i bought it not sure when,bought the truck used. Tires are one of the most expensive parts of rving. And a tire blowout at highway speeds would create an immediate.
However, rv trailer tires cater to a much different type of customer than heavy vehicles and automobiles. Michelin recalls 100,000 in north america tire safety group. Great tire with long wear but ive never had one i didnt wear out with road miles rather than time. Only driven maybe 5,000 miles since then so all tire treads appear as new but front tires developing small cracks in sidewalls. There are many here who will relate how michelin wouldnt stand by their 4 yo tires, or loudly advise you to never buy a michelin product again. If your tires start to get really deep cracks after 35 years, you might consider replacing them for peace of mind. Tire cracks can allow the underlying structures within a tire to become exposed. Well, thought that i bought a good set of tires when i bought michelin defender. Michelin track connect the connected tire solution. We would all like for our tires to last as long as possible but on the other hand, we dont want to drive on tires too long and risk having a blowout and damage our rv or even destroy itand maybe destroy us too.
Michelin xrv tires cracking mine are on my 2015 ventana with less than 24,000 miles on them. I ran michelin x and xas tires on cars, 40,000 miles on a tire was a big deal. I live in southern california and i take very good care of my motorhome including covering the tires when in storage which is the majority of the time. You cant reverse tirecracking but can slow it down by using an offtheshelf cleaner once a week. I have put on about 10,000 more miles on the vehicle with the cracks like yours and have no ill effects so i believe the costco guy. As with most mechanical things, the care we give them has a lot to do with whetherwhen they start sidewall cracking. As far as lasting longer, michelin website says their rv tires are good for up to 10 years. Now michelin rv tires are very highly rated, especially the xrvs, so i did not worry too. I used to be a fan of michelin tires, but their rubber these days is terrible. Rv tire recommendation page 2 tires fmca rv forums. Michelin tires are known for sidewall cracking, sometimes enough to require replacing. Now michelin rv tires are very highly rated, especially the xrvs, so i did not worry too much about them either. Tire dressings that contain petroleum products, alcohol, or silicones may cause premature aging and sidewall cracking.
Between 2 inch and 232 inch, the tire is suspect and should be examined by a local michelin rv tire dealer. Michelin rv tires 3 determining michelin tire size 1. Buy car tires, truck tires and suv tires online michelin. The dot code on the michelin rv tires showed a manufacture date in early 2004. While tire rack does not carry a large variety of rv tires, we do have two great choices from continental. Consult your local goodyear rv tire retailer to confirm that your tires need replacement if you measure less than 632 tread depth remaining.
Jan 30, 2017 theres a reason you see tire covers over many rv tires in storage lots and this would be it. Goodyears warranty for weather cracking is four years from purchase date or four years from manufacture date if proof of purchase is not available. Box truck has michelin tires on front, either goodrich or goodyear on rear. The good news is, michelin appears to be standing good for them.
Many of us have michelin tires older than six years that have no signs of cracking or aging. Michelin recommends i wish i had the direct quote but i dont that after five years their tires be inspected by a qualified michelin tire rep every year and definately be replaced at 10 years whether there is cracking or not. Now they are cracking to the point that the tread could easily separate. The outer layer of rubber on the sidewall is simply a sealing layer to keep the elements away from the inner structural part of the tirein other words, those unsightly cracks are purely cosmetic. Tire cracking is a problem more for stored vehicles such as rvs, classic cars and trailers. They also had very tiny sidewall cracks in a few areas.
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