Gentlemen, Check your trailer tires

[Ham]

As I mentioned previously, I had a trailer tire disintegrate on the way home the last time I used my boat. I was unaware that trailer tires have about a 5 year lifespan. Mine were garage kept and were made months (not years) before they were put on the trailer. You can determine the age of your tires by checking The 4 digit code following DOT on the side walk of your tire. First two digits indicate week made/ next two indicate year made). My tires had been on the boat just over 7 years.

I talked to cajunangler after tirepocolypse and he advised me to replace all four tires. Looking online confirmed this course of action. My local tire shop was not at all surprised by my tale of woe. They said swap them out at about 4 years of use.

upon inspection I had another tire that was starting to seperate. It would likely have broken apart very soon.

i got lucky in that my delaminating tire did not affect the other tire nor did it damage my trailer fender or boat. It being a tandem trailer gave me time to get to a safe location to put my spare tire on the trailer. 

My sincere advice is to check your tires and change them when needed at a time and place of your choosing. 

[Mitch f]

Check your bearing buddies often too!

[Al Agnew]

Great advice.  I had a tire disintegrate like that about two years after I got my boat, and I don't use the boat all that much, so I doubt if it had more than 4000 miles on it.  I bought more expensive tires to replace the tires on the trailer.  They've been doing well now for about five years, but I do need to check them.

[Ham]

I've had flats and even true blow outs, but I've never had a tire come all to pieces like that one did. I do hope that this is a one and done experience for me.

 

[Gavin]

Had one disintegrate on my camper earlier this year. Replaced all 5. 

 

[Ham]

Same deal. I think that was a wise choice on your part.

 

[Gavin]

Family on board when I tow the camper so it's got to be safe. Tires were? 8 years old? Dunno? Know now. Have bearing buddies on the camper even though it does not see water. Need to grease those up too.

[MentorPilot]

Your advice is spot on.  I have had the same problems on the road and learned, the hard way, about the 5 year life.  My tires had been used little... they looked great and had lots of tread left.  I will add that the smaller the tire, and the faster it is driven, the higher the potential for failure.  

[BFTMASTER]

It's not just you or your family, but the other people on the road you may endanger when your tire blows

[MOPanfisher]

Time for me to replace the original tires on my trailer, I assume they are the bias ply type.  Planning on going to a radial type for better use and wear.  Anything else I need to think about on the tires, brand etc.