Results for "tire age"

Engine Medium 1 hour research 274 👍 0

Fleetwood Excursion Tire Upgrade Guide: 255 to 275 Width Conversion

After upgrading my 2015 Fleetwood Excursion M-35B from 255 to 275 width tires, it started getting sketchy handling on highway turns. The current 255/70R22.5 tires are wearing out and I'd love to go wider with 275/70R22.5 for better stability, but I keep getting conflicting advice from different tire shops.

Some say it's fine, others warn about clearance issues and potential problems. I really need to know what specific measurements I should check before making this change. What wheel width do I need? How do I verify there's enough steering clearance? I don't want to buy expensive tires only to find out they don't fit properly or aren't safe for my RV's load requirements. …more

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Chassis Medium Varies 192 👍 1

RV Flat Tire on Highway: Emergency Steps & Specialized Roadside Service Tips

Every highway mile seems to be eating through my Tiffin Allegro motorhome tires way faster than it should, especially after that brutal double blowout on the back axle. When this happened to us, we found that regular AAA and typical roadside assistance don't always help with RVs. We were stranded and eventually had to use a service called Driving Solutions, who charged us $1600 for used tires after eight hours of waiting.

What's the proper procedure if this happens? Should I try to move to a safer location first, or stop immediately? Who should I call for help - are there specialized services that handle RV tires? I want to be prepared with the right contacts and know the safe steps to take, because I imagine regular tow trucks and tire services might not have the equipment or expertise to handle a large motorhome tire emergency on the interstate. …more

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Engine Easy Planning decision 177 👍 0

RV Tire Replacement: When to Replace by Age - Complete 7 Year Rule Guide

Pulled into three different tire shops asking about RV tire replacement and got three completely different answers about when tires actually need replacing. The unit has six tires with 2018 DOT date codes, making them 7 years old as of 2025. Mileage is approximately 28,000 miles, and visual inspection shows good tread depth with no apparent cracking, bulging, or other visible deterioration.

A tire technician who performed my state inspection indicated the tires appear serviceable from an external assessment standpoint. However, I understand there may be internal degradation factors not visible during standard inspection procedures.

What is the technical consensus on replacement timing for RV tires when age limits are reached but visible condition remains acceptable? Specifically looking for guidance on the 6-7 year replacement interval and whether internal rubber compound deterioration poses legitimate safety risks regardless of external appearance. …more

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Best RV Sewer Hoses & Kits

4.6 (31,500 reviews)

Engine Easy 15 minutes to inspect 166 👍 0

RV Tire Age Limits: Why Replace Michelin Tires After 7 Years Despite Good Tread

Called three different tire shops this month about my 2020 Newmar Ventana's Michelin 275/70R22.5 tires and all want them replaced just for being 6 years old despite perfect tread. I'm meticulous about tire maintenance - I check air pressure religiously before and after every trip, whether it's a short weekend getaway or an extended cross-country journey like the 5000-mile trip I just completed.

Despite my careful maintenance routine, I experienced a blowout on the right rear inside tire during the final leg of that recent long trip. When the roadside service technician came out to help, he recommended replacing all six tires specifically because of their age, even though the remaining tires still have plenty of tread depth and appear to be in excellent condition visually.

This has me confused because I've heard conflicting advice from other RV owners - some say well-maintained motorhome tires can safely last up to 10 years, while others insist on much shorter replacement intervals. I'm trying to understand what the actual safety guidelines are for RV tire replacement based on age versus tread wear. Should I really replace tires that still look good just because of when they were manufactured? What's the real story on how tire age affects safety, and how do I properly check the manufacturing date to make this decision? …more

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Engine Medium 30-45 minutes for installation 125 👍 0

Balance Beads with Internal TPMS Sensors - Real Experience

Since it's 2 AM and I need to hit the road at dawn, I'm desperately trying to figure out if balance beads will interfere with my RV's internal TPMS sensors. I keep reading about how great balance beads are for eliminating wheel vibration, but I'm terrified of damaging those expensive TPMS sensors inside the wheels.

What if the beads hit the sensors and break them? Or interfere with the signal? I can't afford to replace TPMS sensors if something goes wrong. Has anyone actually done this successfully, and are there special precautions I need to take with bead size or how they're installed? I need to know this is safe before I risk it. …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours for installation 120 👍 0

Sailun TerraMax HLT-C Tire Review: Are They Right for Your Class C Motorhome?

Since I'm planning to swap out my RV tires this Saturday — need to confirm these Sailun TerraMax HLT-C 225/75R16C E/10PLY tires are compatible with my Class C motorhome. I've been looking at the Sailun TerraMax HLT-C 225/75R16C E/10PLY tires since they seem like a good value, but I'm not sure if they're appropriate for a motorhome versus a trailer.

I know load ratings are important, but I'm honestly not entirely sure how to figure out if these tires would work safely on my rig. Should I be looking at my door placard or getting the actual weight measured? Any guidance would be really helpful since I don't want to make a costly mistake with something as important as tires. …more

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Engine Easy Planning decision 119 👍 0

When to Replace RV Tires by Age: 6-7 Year Rule Even if They Look Good - Safety Guide

Every time I look at those 2017 motorhome tires I replaced last week, I keep wondering if I jumped the gun when they still looked perfect. I recently purchased it and it came with the original Michelin tires, which puts them at about 7-8 years old now based on the DOT date codes. The previous owner was meticulous about storage - the RV was kept in a climate-controlled garage for most of its life and only has about 27,000 miles on it.

Here's what's puzzling me: these tires look absolutely pristine. I've inspected them thoroughly and can't find any visible signs of aging like sidewall cracking, dry rot, or unusual wear patterns. The tread depth is still excellent, and they hold air pressure perfectly. However, I keep reading conflicting information about tire age versus condition. Some sources say rubber degrades internally even when stored properly, while others suggest that well-maintained tires can safely exceed the typical replacement timeline.

I'm planning some extended travel in the coming months and want to make the safest decision. Should I replace these 7-8 year old Michelin tires even though they appear to be in excellent condition, or is it safe to continue using them based on their visual inspection and low mileage? What do RV tire experts generally recommend for the age-based replacement timeline? …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours shop time 118 👍 0

Toyo M-156 RV Tire Review: Replacing M-154 Steering Tires

After 50,000 miles, my Class A motorhome's 245/75R22.5 M-154 steering tires have uneven wear, sidewall cracks, AND are losing air pressure weekly. I've been running the Toyo M-154s for years and have been extremely satisfied with their performance, durability, and overall quality. However, I recently discovered that Toyo has discontinued the M-154 model and replaced it with the M-156.

From what I can see, the M-156 has a completely different tread pattern compared to the M-154, and I'm concerned about how this might affect performance. Specifically, I want to know if the construction quality and load ratings remain the same as the M-154, since those have been rock solid for me. I'm also curious about the road noise characteristics - the M-154s were reasonably quiet, but I'm wondering if the new tread design on the M-156 creates more or less road noise. Additionally, since this is a steering tire replacement, I want to confirm the proper replacement approach and whether there are any specific considerations I should keep in mind when switching from the M-154 to the M-156 design. …more

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Engine Easy 30 minutes 113 👍 0

Ford V10 RV Engine: Is Full Synthetic Oil Better Than Synthetic Blend for Performance?

Planning my next oil change but my viscosity readings are hitting breakdown at 3,000 miles when everything says synthetic blend should last 5,000 in my 2008 Ford V10. The owner's manual specifies Motorcraft 5W-20 synthetic blend oil, which I've been using consistently. However, I've identified that Costco's Kirkland brand offers 5W-20 full synthetic at a lower cost point than my current oil.

From a technical standpoint, would transitioning from synthetic blend to full synthetic oil provide any measurable benefits for RV engine protection? I need to verify that the Kirkland full synthetic meets Ford's engine specifications before making this change. What are the performance differences between these oil formulations for heavy-duty RV applications? …more

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Engine Easy 15 minutes 111 👍 0

RV Spare Tire Check: Verify Size and Pressure Before Every Trip

Every time I crawl under my Class C RV I stare at that spare tire that's been hanging there for years collecting road grime — check or replace? I mean, it's there in the compartment looking all tire-like, but I'm wondering if there's stuff I should be checking?

I keep hearing horror stories about people getting stranded because their spare was useless when they actually needed it. Turns out this happened to me - I discovered my spare was the wrong size (245 75R16 instead of 225 75R16), which could have been a major problem during a blowout.

What's the smart move here for spare tire maintenance? I learned to check not just the tire size, but also the air pressure. Mine was sitting at just 58psi, which thankfully I could fix with my air compressor.

I'd hate to be that person calling for help on the side of the highway! Anyone else have similar experiences? …more

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Engine Easy 1 hour to diagnose 108 👍 0

Ford E-450 Class C RV Front Squeak: Complete Diagnosis Guide for Brake

Between leaving my campsite last night and starting up this morning, my Ford E-450 Class C developed this awful front-end squeaking that definitely wasn't there before. My 2004 E-450 Class C with 54k miles has developed a squeak coming from the front end, and I'm not sure how to figure out what's causing it.

The squeak seems to happen at different times - sometimes when I'm braking, other times when going over bumps or rough roads. I've heard it could be anything from brake issues to suspension problems, but I honestly don't know how to tell the difference or what to check first.

Could someone help me understand how to properly diagnose where this front squeak is coming from? I'd really appreciate any step-by-step guidance on what to look for and how to identify whether it's a brake problem versus suspension issue. …more

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Best RV Solar Panel Kits

4.5 (12,700 reviews)

Engine Easy 1 hour to weigh and calculate 107 👍 0

How to Find the Correct Tire Pressure for Goodyear Fuel Max RSA RV Tires

Before, my old Class C worked fine with the dealer's generic tire pressure chart — but these new Goodyear Fuel Max RSA 245/70R19.5 load range H tires on my 2008 Winnebago Sightseer 29R are completely different. My loaded RV weighs 6,020 lbs on the front axle and 11,220 lbs on the rear axle based on my most recent scale weights.

I'm concerned that 100 PSI might be too high since my previous Goodyear G670RV tires ran fine at 85-90 PSI, and the handling feels different now, especially when towing. I want to make sure I'm running the correct tire pressure based on my actual axle weights rather than just using maximum ratings or generic guidelines. What's the proper way to determine the right inflation pressure for these Fuel Max RSA tires given my specific load conditions? …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 105 👍 0

F-53 Motorhome Leaf Springs: Complete Replacement Guide & Warning Signs to Watch

My F-53 motorhome still bounces like a trampoline over every bump despite replacing the shocks, checking alignment, and rebalancing the tires. I have a 1995 F-53 motorhome that's been in Arizona its whole life, so thankfully no rust issues.

I keep seeing posts about people replacing leaf springs on much newer rigs, and it's got me wondering if I should be doing the same. My coach is 30 years old now, but honestly I don't see any obvious sagging and the springs look okay to my untrained eye. I do have some worn bushings that I'm planning to replace.

What are the actual warning signs that leaf springs need to be completely replaced? Am I missing something obvious, or could my old Arizona springs actually still be fine? I don't want to spend money I don't need to, but I also don't want to ignore something important for safety. …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 102 👍 0

2001 Triple E Diesel Pusher Buying Guide: Critical Inspection Tips & Red Flags

Standing next to my neighbor's flawless 2001 Triple E Signature diesel pusher makes the concerning issues on this one I'm considering buying even more obvious. Never owned a diesel coach before, only gas units. At 24 years old, what are the critical inspection points I should focus on? Should I be concerned about the age, or is Triple E known for quality construction that holds up over time? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium Research and quotes: 2-3 weeks 101 👍 0

RV Extended Warranty Renewal: Best Options for Seniors

Spent seven years thinking I understood my RV warranty until American Guardian's 50,000-mile coverage expired and I realized I'm completely lost about what comes next. Initial premium: $10,700. Claims history: 4 successful claims totaling $6,913 in payouts, including complete Dometic Penguin 2 AC/HP unit replacement. All maintenance performed per manufacturer specifications.

At 75 years old with uncertain travel duration remaining, evaluating renewal options versus self-insurance strategy. Current consideration set includes AGWS renewal, Good Sam extended service plans, and Warrantech coverage. Recent major components replaced: 6 AGM house batteries (April 2023), 6 Michelin tires with retro-bands (August 2023), dual chassis batteries (fall 2024).

Given positive claims ratio (64.6% recovery) and disciplined maintenance approach, what would be the optimal warranty strategy moving forward? Should I prioritize renewal with proven provider, explore alternative coverage options, or transition to self-insurance given age demographics and asset condition? …more

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