Tire Repair vs Replace

[kampingkoge]

So I recently had to fix a flat tire on my pup, seems I had a puncture.  It was patched from the inside by a local tire store.  It is now my spare.  Tires are in excellent shape (4 1/2 years old with minimal miles).  The question I have is should you fix flat tires or replace them?  Understanding that tires are low in miles and years.

[mrsoreo57]

I'm not an expert on tires, however I have always considered "GOOD" tires to be essential to a safe and comfortable trip, SAFE being the important part. The cost of a couple tires is much cheaper than a blowout at highway speeds and ending with a totalled TV and PUP, and I won't go anywhere near the injury of loved ones point.
And it is my understanding that 4 1/2 yr old trailer tires ARE OLD TIRES, irregardless of the tread wear. Just my .02 cents.

[wavery]

mrsoreo57 is right.....4 1/2 years is the end of life for most trailer tires. Low mileage is not necessarily a good thing. Trailer tires typically die from a lack of use rather than high mileage. In fact, the more frequently the tire is used, the less likely it is to rot.

[austinado16]

I'm up for repair a flat tire in a car or truck, but not a trailer.  Trailer tires are just subjected to waaaaay to much heat and stress, and as has been mentioned, when they let go the fit can really hit the shan fast.

[sacrawf]

If I was only pulling the trailer to the local county or state park a few weekends a year, I would be comfortable with the repair and current age of the tires. But, if towing of any further distance, a few dollars spent for new tires would be wise prevention.

So I recently had to fix a flat tire on my pup, seems I had a puncture.  It was patched from the inside by a local tire store.  It is now my spare.  Tires are in excellent shape (4 1/2 years old with minimal miles).  The question I have is should you fix flat tires or replace them?  Understanding that tires are low in miles and years.

[flyfisherman]

I've had a PU tire repaired before, patched from the inside, and it had lasted the the same life as the tire on the opposite side. I think what is repairable is that the tire cord is not damaged. But if there's any doubt, replacement is the way to go. Same thing applies for the TV tires as well.




Fly

[perterra]

Heck this may be my first post.  :p


To my line of thought, repair is fine if done correctly, 4 1/2 years is gettin on up there in age. Depending on tire size, it could be really pushing it. Chances are with a decent size tow vehicle it wont be dangerous but that doesnt mean its not gonna blow out between Needles and Ludlow and you have a heat stroke trying to change it. For a trip more than a half day drive, I'd replace every couple of years. Only you can decide what sitting on the side of the road in Teec Nos Pos for 4 hours waiting for road service is worth to you.

[wavery]

Heck this may be my first post.  :p


To my line of thought, repair is fine if done correctly, 4 1/2 years is gettin on up there in age. Depending on tire size, it could be really pushing it. Chances are with a decent size tow vehicle it wont be dangerous but that doesnt mean its not gonna blow out between Needles and Ludlow and you have a heat stroke trying to change it. For a trip more than a half day drive, I'd replace every couple of years. Only you can decide what sitting on the side of the road in Teec Nos Pos for 4 hours waiting for road service is worth to you.

Well put and....................

WELCOME TO PopUpTimes!!!!

[brainpause]

I vote Replace.

Also, define "four and a half years." Have the tires been on the trailer 4.5 years, or are they 4.5 years old from the date code on the inside (occasionally outside) part of the tire ("inside", meaning the part that faces the middle of the trailer, not the inside of the tire that you cannot see without removing the tire from the rim).

The date code should be 4 digits. The first two digits are the week they were produced, and the last 2 digits are the year. For example, 3204 means it was produced in the 32nd week of 2004.

My tires will be replaced at or sooner than 5 years of age (from the date code), regardless of miles.

Larry