Rotating TM Tires

[Carol]

Hi!

Does anyone regularly rotate tires on their TM? Is it necessary? Does it make sense? if so, would it be a 3 tire rotation (involving the spare) or just 2?

I haven't seen this discussed, but know that the Tow Vehicle tires need to be rotated periodically.

Carol

[arknoah]

I hadn't thought about that at all, but it makes sense. I do know that our dealer recommended repacking the bearings at least every three years, but I will give them a call to see what their thoughts are about tire rotation, as well as tire balancing.

[kempert]

I would think that the most important thing would be to check the tread depth on the tires. You would want to rotate them if one side shows more wear than the other.

[oilspot]

The tread design on the GY Marathons doesn't really need rotation. Don't get me wrong...rotating the tires wouldn't be bad; but I think it is unnecessary.

All season radials, or tires with individual tread blocks are a different story...

[mjlaupp]

If you are going to rotate the tires from side to side and they are radials, then you must do this rotation every 5K to 10K miles to prevent damage to the tires. Radial tires develop a set after a long run of miles in one direction.

If you are getting increased wear on one tire or one side of a tire then there is a problem with the axle or the wheels not the tires. Rotating the tires will only hide the problem, not cure it.

I don't plan to rotate the tires on my TM. I will probably replace them in three to five years mostly due to UV and O3 damage.

MJL

[Carol]

Hi!

Thanks for the replies and advise! The tires still look new and show no wear at all.

We haven't done as much traveling as some of you, but we will be putting on well over 3000 miles in Sept and Oct so we wanted to check everything out in advance.

Carol & Stan

[brulaz]

Old thread. But still of interest.

I originally rotated the tires when the curbside one showed greater wear on one edge. But then brought that to Trailmanor's attention and they replaced the whole axle and gave me new tires and wheels.

So far these haven't shown any signs of unusual wear. But we do travel a lot, and I was thinking that by including the spare into a regular rotation, I might save some money in the long run, and solve the sidewall bump problem that spares tend to have if not used.

Does anybody else do this?

[happybeebob]

Old thread. But still of interest.

I originally rotated the tires when the curbside one showed greater wear on one edge. But then brought that to Trailmanor's attention and they replaced the whole axle and gave me new tires and wheels.

So far these haven't shown any signs of unusual wear. But we do travel a lot, and I was thinking that by including the spare into a regular rotation, I might save some money in the long run, and solve the sidewall bump problem that spares tend to have if not used.

Does anybody else do this?

You are right in putting the spare in a rotation order since you travel with it a lot.It will help you get more use out of all the tires.I am going to use mine seasonal plus more or less local so won't be putting as many miles on but will use the manufacture date on the tires as the default for getting new ones rather than deep tread or nibs still on them.People on this forum have had blowouts and just being single axle it's just asking a lot of the tires.I'm just overly cautious I guess.

[scrubjaysnest]

a rotation schedule. Why buy 3 tires and only use 2:confused:

[brulaz]

The only problem I have is the ugly factor. The spare is on a steel wheel, not the nice Alloys of the regular wheels.

[Civil_War_Buff]

If you are going to rotate the tires from side to side and they are radials, then you must do this rotation every 5K to 10K miles to prevent damage to the tires. Radial tires develop a set after a long run of miles in one direction.

If you are getting increased wear on one tire or one side of a tire then there is a problem with the axle or the wheels not the tires. Rotating the tires will only hide the problem, not cure it.

I don't plan to rotate the tires on my TM. I will probably replace them in three to five years mostly due to UV and O3 damage.

MJL

Just an FYI, I had experienced inside edge tire wear and thought it was the axle too, I took it to a truck alignment shop because Dexter told me it had to be cold bent, but they wouldn't touch it, then I realized that the last time I repacked the bearings, I didn't "pre-load" the bearings. I have done that and no more inside edge wear.

The unsightly steel wheel comment must only apply to Elkmonts, all the wheels are the same on my TM.

[brulaz]

Just an FYI, I had experienced inside edge tire wear and thought it was the axle too, I took it to a truck alignment shop because Dexter told me it had to be cold bent, but they wouldn't touch it, then I realized that the last time I repacked the bearings, I didn't "pre-load" the bearings. I have done that and no more inside edge wear.


In our case the wear was on the tire's outside edge and only on the one (passenger side) tire. And that wheel had never come off for bearing repack or brakes or anything. The trailer was purchased new just 6 months earlier.

I guess by "pre-load" the bearings you mean fill them with grease? Will be re-packing them sometime soon so will be careful there.

[Civil_War_Buff]

I guess by "pre-load" the bearings you mean fill them with grease? Will be re-packing them sometime soon so will be careful there.

Actually Pre-loading is tightening the nut against the bearings to 50 Ft-Lbs while turning the hub, then you back the nut off, but don't turn the hub. Then just finger tighten the nut and then back off till the hole lines up for the cotter pin. That 50 pound pre-load is critical.

Outside wear could be axle or overloading.

[brulaz]

Actually Pre-loading is tightening the nut against the bearings to 50 Ft-Lbs while turning the hub, then you back the nut off, but don't turn the hub. Then just finger tighten the nut and then back off till the hole lines up for the cotter pin. That 50 pound pre-load is critical.

Ah. Yes, I've done that on the other side when fixing the brake wiring. Though my EZ-Lube axles uses a "retainer" that snaps over the spindle nut. Same idea though.

[happybeebob]

The only problem I have is the ugly factor. The spare is on a steel wheel, not the nice Alloys of the regular wheels.

The people We bought ours from had already done the lift mod and bought three new white rims and tires so it is not an issue with us.I can imagine a blowout though.Now that could be really ugly.

[TedKozenko]

I went back to posts from 2003 to see if there were other similar topics. There is a lot of good information in this post and another about rotating tires.

We have never been in any type of RV before purchasing our 2013 2720 last year and putting on almost 3,000 miles. We stored it covered, including the tires, for the winter with the wheels on double stacked Lynx Levelers on snow-covered ground with the corner jacks down but not enough to lift the wheels off the ground.

As we're readying for the season, I'm considering a three wheel rotation. My thought is:
1) Remove the curbside wheel, have it balanced, and install it on the streetside.
2) Remove the streetside wheel and separate the tire from the alloy rim.
3) Separate the spare tire from its steel rim, install it on the alloy rim, have it balanced, and install it on the curbside.
4) Install the original streetside tire as the steel rim spare and have it balanced.
Next year I would separate the steel spare again to put it on the curbside and repeating the steps.

Since this is our first time having an RV, is this acceptable or overkill? Does separating trailer tires from rims do anything to either? Would this potentially give more useable time to the tires?

Thanks.

[TM Pilot]

TedKozenko,

Your proposed method of swapping tires between the alloy and steel rims every year seems like too much wear and tear. If you are set on rotating the tires, why not buy a new matching alloy rim for the spare? You can then sell the steel rim or keep it for a 2nd spare.

If I decide to rotate in my spare tire every year (all 3 rims match), I'm considering just swapping it out with the driver's/street side only since that side of the trailer is the heavier side on my TM2619.

[tentcamper]

I'm not sure about rotating them side to side. The early radial tires for cars recommended not rotating them side to side because of the change of the tire spinning. Being these are ST tires and I never have worn out an ST tire, I don't want to chance messing them up by changing the rotation. I'm always replacing good looking tires because of the age of the tire, never because of the ware.

[davlin]

Ted,

If you average about 3,000 miles per year, you don't need to worry about rotating your tires. The sad truth is that your tires will wear out for age long before you get enough miles on them for tire rotation to be an issue. You would actually help the life of the spare by putting it in a rotation and letting it get some "flex" time on the road, but since you don't have a matching rim for it, I'm not sure it's worth the bother. Check your DOT manufacturer's date on the tires. When you hit four years (five if you like to live on edge), start shopping for three new ones.

And yes, it does make you cry a little when you replace a spare with zero miles on it. :(

Dave

[tentcamper]

I try to get my tires set up so I have one at a time. Since I jut bought TM and needed 3 new tires, I started off with 3 new tires. In 4 years I will do the street side one, the next year will be curb side one, and the next year the spare. Then change the tires when the date code is 4 years old.

I like it more just buying one at a time and not having them all from the same manufacturing batch.

[Redtail Cruiser]

Art, I like the idea of only replacing one tire a year. Street side first to save the plumbing from a blow-out, then curb side and then spare last. Much better to spread the cost out, than to spend $300+ all at once. I would only worry that a flat tire might mean your putting on a 5 to 6 year old spare, but that's why we have AAA-RV.

[tentcamper]

I agree, there is that risk. My thought will most likely change as time approaches and I become chicken.

I do hate being on the side of the road. I somehow on the last two camper got it worked out. But I think it was because they both had old spares and newer travel tires.

[moaboy]

Has anyone priced the 15 inch alloy wheel? How hard are they to come by used?

[tentcamper]

My tire shop told me they would be about $80 each plus $10 for lug nuts. Steel would be about 35.

I have seen them on CL for about $50 each

[TrailManorMan]

I have two of the alloy wheels extra, if you are interested pm me. 6 bolt 15 inch

[davlin]

I must confess that I'm a bit baffled by the "one tire at a time" idea. Isn't that (about) the same money over the same period of time as "all at once"?

Dave

[Redtail Cruiser]

...in giving this further thought, you would probably end up paying " more" buying tires one at a time. If you buy all three today for $300, your done for three or four years; however if you buy one for $100 today, you are probably going to spend more for that same tire next year and then even more the very next year.
Now you've spent about $325, instead of $300. :rolleyes:

[tentcamper]

moaboy, you sent me a PM but you are setup not to recive PM's. CL stands for CraigsList.com

[moaboy]

Thanks but odd as I have received other PMs.
Will check into it.

Some tire manufacturers will provide a rebate when you buy two or four tires at the same time, so buying them all at the same time might actually be cheaper.

[tentcamper]

I've always seen the rebate for 4 tires

[TrailManorMan]

I tried to pm a response to you and it wouldn't go thru also moaboy!