How to prevent dry rot of tires

One of the most overlooked parts of any RV is the tires. Since tires are made of rubber, common sense tells us that rubber will degrade over time. When the chemicals and oils in the rubber begin to evaporate, the rubber loses its flexibility and becomes brittle. When the chemical bonds are broken, the result is a dry tire. This is when the tire’s rubber fades from black to a dull gray and small cracks begin to appear on the surface of the tire’s sidewalls and tread. In most cases, it is not safe to drive on tires with dry rot. The heat from long-distance driving will cause the rubber to expand and the tires to break down while driving. That’s one way to ruin a well-planned vacation!

For that reason, the tire industry has set the standard for tire replacement in no more than 10 years. Some tire companies even suggest a change in the six-year period because rubber degradation can cause a serious accident and compromise your personal safety.

The most common causes of dry rot are lack of use, under-inflated tires, and storage near excessive heat. Dry rot occurs most often on tires on RVs, vintage and classic cars, trucks, and jeeps due to infrequent use of the vehicle. An independent survey estimates that vintage and classic car owners rarely drive their prized possessions more than once a month. Not surprisingly, this phenomenon also exists in the tires of all types of trailers, whether it be a motorhome travel trailer, fifth wheel trailer, boat trailer, or even horse trailers. In addition to your daily commute vehicle, there are thousands of RVs with tires that also have dry rot problems that seem to occur more frequently than on more frequent daily use vehicles. Many trailer owners are alarmed when the tires on their RV, boat or horse trailer show signs of dry rot after only two years of ownership.

Of course, idleness is not the only cause of dry rot in tires. Low tire pressure and excessive UV exposure also exacerbate the problem. Under-inflated tires can wear out prematurely and become a safety issue. It is very important that vehicle owners trust the tire manufacturer to specify the proper inflation pressure for their tires. Although tire pressure is marked on the tires, it is important to remember that the pressure stamped on the tire is a maximum rating. Once a month, vehicle owners should check tire pressure with an inexpensive tire gauge, and the vehicle should be driven frequently.

In addition to tire pressure, there is a wealth of information that can be found on the outside of a tire. The tire identification number is a Department of Transportation code that identifies the week and year the tire was manufactured. The first two digits tell you the week of manufacture and the last two digits are the year. For example, if the last four digits are 1213, that means the tire was manufactured during the twelfth week of 2013. Even if you’ve had the tires on your vehicle for a short period of time, if the date of manufacture was several years ago years, there could be some degradation or detachment in the tire. Most tire manufacturers’ warranties cover your tires for four years from the date of purchase or five years from the week the tires were manufactured.

Probably the biggest threat to tire sidewall cracking (dry rot) is constant sun exposure. The tire degradation process is called thermooxidative degradation and is accelerated in hotter climates. If your vehicle is stored on black asphalt or any petroleum-based or other heat-absorbing surface that naturally attracts UV rays, these tires will deteriorate quickly. Constant sun exposure can accelerate the effects of dry rot on tires.

So the question is, how can I prevent dry rot tires? The easiest way to guard against dry rot is to check at least once a month that your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The ideal way to store any vehicle with tires for an extended period of time is in a climate-controlled garage. Since it’s expensive and often unavailable to most car, truck, RV, and trailer owners, the next best thing is to protect the tire’s rubber. Some trailer tire owners suggest that trailer tires have a board placed under the tire while in storage to keep them off the UV-attracting asphalt. Others suggest that the trailer be raised off the ground with a jack and that the tires be removed from the trailer and stored indoors if it is to be stored for 60 days or more.

Dry rot can only be fixed in the early stages. Many people put a UV blocker on their tires three or four times a year. The best recommended UV blocker is 3M’s 303 Protectant. The label says it’s good for UV protection of tires. There are many tire owners who suggest the use of ArmourAll, but my research indicates that ArmourAll has been shown to harm tires more than help.

The easiest and possibly least expensive way to protect your tires is with a tire and wheel cover. These vinyl covers block the sun’s rays and enclose the tire in the dark. With no sun exposure, no ozone will be produced and your tires should easily last the recommended 6-7 years before needing to be replaced.

Tire and wheel covers come in a variety of sizes, including single, double, and even triple axle sizes for RVs, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, and motor homes. They are also available in white, gray or black to match or coordinate with other protective covers used on RVs, motorhomes, vintage and classic cars, trucks and jeeps.

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