Buying tires for your RV? Be sure the new tires are not old tires

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Using Your RV : RV care and upkeep

Buying tires for your RV? Be sure the new tires are not old tires

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The next time you buy a new tire for your car or RV be careful your new tire is not really an old tire. And when you buy a new or used RV, you should also check that its tires are not "prematurely old."

Across America, every day, tire retailers are installing old tires on RVs and cars, even though they are sold as brand new. How can this be? The answer is that the tires have been sitting on the shelf. And even though the tread looks like it has never seen pavement, the tire may be too dangerous to use.

Attorney Steve Browning says old tires being sold as new is not uncommon. "The bad thing is these companies know it's wrong, and they're doing it anyway." He says old tires can degrade without its owner every knowing or even suspecting anything is wrong. "The industry has now recognized that tires age, and when tires age they get more brittle and get potentially dangerous. The older the tire is the better chance of suffering a de-tread."

Before buying tires or buying a new or used vehicle, check the code on the inside of the tires' wall. The last four numbers reveal the tire's age. For example, the code 1605 means the tire was manufactured in the 16th week of 2005.

Consumer reporters from across the USA have inspected tires at major retailers including Sears and Wal-Mart. They have all found instances where old tires were being sold as new ones. Just because a tire has not seen road use, as time passes its rubber wears down naturally. A tire older than six years, no matter how much rubber is on its tread, is potentially dangerous and should be replaced.

If you're not sure of the age of the tires on your car, RV or trailer, take the time to check. It's important.

Common questions and answers about RV tires and safety.

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