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Post Info TOPIC: Spare tyre
Kev Pearce


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Spare tyre
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Hello everyone. I know tis had been done to death, and I have googled the question, but will ask the most informed forum in the land, anyway. The tyres on our van were manufactured in 2004. The van has been under cover except when on trips. We are going to replace the tyres although they are to all appearances fine. But given their age, we will replace them. The spare has not done one turn on a wheel and has been stored in the enclosed front boot of our 2004 Jayco Freedom, so has never been exposed to the weather, sunlight etc. Should we replace it? I will ask at the tryre place when we replace the two on-wheel tyres, but am seeking your experienced, non-biased opinions. Thank you.



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gemmybob


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For safeties sake I would discard the lot and start your trip with new safe ones, the solvents evaporate out of tyres overtime and the rubbers become weak and unsable, this disorts them and they become most dangerous and also unreliable, so best to scrap em and look after your investment with a set of good tyers. Any thing over about 8 years is to dangerous to risk your life and property on, let alone ruin what could be a great holiday because of an accident due to poor tyres.

 



-- Edited by gemmybob on Wednesday 17th of February 2016 03:48:50 PM

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Wombat 280


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Unfortunately tyres have a life span of around 8 years which on the family tug would be more than enough to wear them out but on a van or boat trailer 8 years possibly only equals abut 15- 20000 ks if you use the rig on a regular basis If your tug and van have the same size wheels then you can change them over but 8 years is about the life expectance.

Just getting ready for a long distance fishing trip and changed the 4 on my boat trailer and the two spares and they all looked like new when they went to the tip, almost cried .

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Happywanderer


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gemmybob wrote:

For safeties sake I would discard the lot and start your trip with new safe ones, the solvents evaporate out of tyres overtime and the rubbers become weak and unsable, this disorts them and they become most dangerous and also unreliable, so best to scrap em and look after your investment with a set of good tyers. Any thing over about 8 years is to dangerous to risk your life and property on, let alone ruin what could be a great holiday because of an accident due to poor tyres.

 



-- Edited by gemmybob on Wednesday 17th of February 2016 03:48:50 PM

 Hi to my old mate Bob. Have to agree with you.

For safeties sake replace them all.

When I bought my van 2 yrs ago I replaced all tyres. Two years and 40,000 ks later, I've had to replace them all again. I had one explode completely just before Xmas and one a few months before I found a large gash opening up one side of the tyre.

Better to be safe than sorry.



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Neil n Chris


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Good topic! We bought a second hand van, 4 years old, is the tyre manufacturing date actually on the tyre? would be good to know how old they are.

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Neil Annison
rockylizard


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Neil n Chris wrote:

Good topic! We bought a second hand van, 4 years old, is the tyre manufacturing date actually on the tyre? would be good to know how old they are.

 Gday...

This should assist Neil n Chris

http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/passenger/care/age.aspx

Tyre DOT Code.jpg

Cheers - John 



-- Edited by rockylizard on Wednesday 17th of February 2016 07:19:07 PM

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Kev Pearce


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Thank you everyone. I guessed/knew that would be the advice. Just reluctant to throw away what is an unused tyre. But will do so. This is a great forum and will be seeking road suitability for caravans as I progress with plans for our next trip which wil be rather lengthy (for us, anyway). Thanks again everyone.



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Neil n Chris


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Thank-you Rockylizard for that information! ...never too old to learn, I will be checking the van tyres as soon as the sun comes out tomorrow!! ...if it's not raining! ...we live in Albany after all!!

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Neil Annison
Bruce and Bev


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send some liquid up to Perth please Neil lol - we'll swap you some sun and heat

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Robshep


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Photos of one of two tyres that were spares on the back of the van for 7 years (with black vinyl covers on both of them, protecting or cooking (?) them) until recently.

Bought 2 new tyres and put them on the back of the van as the new spares.

The 7 year old, never been on the road spares, were put onto the van.

After 1000 kms one of the old spares disintegrated and when the other old spare was checked, it too was ready to explode.

Here it is;

It had a bulge extending half way across the tread area and for 50 cms along the tyre wall.

There were 3 cracks in the side wall that clearly exposed the tyre's inner workings.

I now have 4 brand new tyres!



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Robshep
Kev Pearce


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Thank you Robshep. You have clearly demonstrated in pictures what I am sure many of us needed to know. No worries. Will buy three tyres. Thanks again everyone.



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Radar


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Buy two of the best quality tyres you can afford.

If and only if you need to use your spare drive to the nearest sizeable town and then have it repaired or at worst buy a new one.

My reasoning is you have travelled for a number years not requiring the spare and by having good quality tyres on the caravan with a good load rating and with that will come a very good speed rating you should stay out of trouble for years to come.

Maybe with the money you have saved this time from not buying the 3rd tyre join a roadside assist progam, we have the best there is, RACQ Ultra Premium, the advantages are great, they will come and change the flat on your vehicles.

Enjoy your travels.



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