How Often Should Trailer Tires be Replaced

Question:

I have a tandem boat trailer in south Florida. I have read that you should replace tires every 3 to 5 years regardless of tread wear. My tires, ST205/75/D14 were manufactured in early 2013, but purchased and installed in May 2014. The trailer when not in use sits on a blacktop parking storage lot. One side are in the direct sun daily. They appear to be fine, but I know that I can not see sidewall breakdown and appearance is not a good indicator. My question: When determining when to replace my tires, should I use the manufacture date or the install date, as in my case there is one year that separates them? Also, is the 3 to 5 year time period I referenced accurate? Thank you.

asked by: Peter

Helpful Expert Reply:

Generally trailer tires should be replaced every 5 to 6 years regardless of mileage and use. This "clock" can be started once the tires are mounted to your trailer, assuming they were stored in a controlled environment between the manufacturer date and the day they were mounted.

Storing your trailer outside where the tires are exposed to the sun all day may certainly shorten their lifespan by leading to cracks or dry rot. I suggest checking for any fine cracks on the tire sidewalls that would indicate the need for them to be replaced. Since the trailer is stored in a year-round hot climate, I strongly recommend using tire covers to protect the tires from the sun.

For your ST205/75/D14 tires, I recommend the Adco Ultra Tyre Gard RV Wheel Covers # 290-3953. These will protect your trailer tires from damaging UV rays and other environmental hazards and are confirmed to fit this size tire. I have attached a short demonstration video on this product for you to check out.

expert reply by: Chris R