Trailer tire dry rot

[pete]

had two tires blow out on me last weekend due to dry rot,they were fine on short trips but when I took them out  on the highway...pow, first one,put on the spare,then 30 min later the spare goes luckily I was close to were I needed to go,limped in on 3 wheels,next day I had to try to find new trailer tires in ft.lauderdale not as easy as you would think.Any way got 4 new tires and a new spare made it home safe.Any one have any experience with this?Maybe a way to get some more life out of your tires? Just because your tires are good to go back and forth to your local ramp,better have them checked before making that keys trip.

[John Jones]

I see folks with big RVs have tire covers for when they are parked.  I assume it has to help whatever damage sunlight causes.  However I understand ozone causes part of it.  Maybe spray them regularly on both sides with one of the "tire wet" or protectant products.

[wingtime]

John has it right.  Tire covers will help with UV damage and dry rot.  Back when my family had an awning business we used to make a bunch of tire covers for RVs.  I have seen them for sale pretty cheap recently but I can't remember where.

[wingtime]

here ya go:

Wally world:  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Classic-Acces ... rs/5982686

[pete]

thanks for the tip...also found these

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-co ... 93714.html

[Aswaff400]

sunlight does wreak havoc on rubber, our atv trailer which is kept in the garage, used on a 300 mile trip once a month, tires still look like new after 5 years. our boat trailer which has never seen a garage in 5 years tires show some dry rot

[pete]

I picked up the wheel covers from harbor freight,only $7.99,also picked up one of those elastic spare tire covers at national tool for 15.99,will see how they work,by the way national tool has a large selection of trailer parts .Has anyone tried amorall or 303 on their tires?

[John Jones]

I'll have to get me some of them next time I'm down to Sarasota.

303 is good stuff but I have not tried it on tires.

My brother has managed body shops for 30 years.  He says Armor All ruins car vinyl but I don't know about tires.

[Glock Diver]

Had a blowout myself on I-75 around Venice, about 2 months ago.  Scary part was, I didn't even realize it until I was at the boat ramp and one of the girls said "hey, isn't there supposed to be a tire here?!"

For the record, if you don't already have Sea Tow with the Trailer package... it's worth the price!  I thought about changing the tire myself, but with the boat on the trailer, I didn't think my jack would have done the trick.  And I'm so glad I called Sea Tow, because the tow truck driver they sent had a HELLUVA time getting those 5 rusty lug nuts off!  And he's a pro!  Can you imagine how much trouble I would've had??

Pete- I get the impression that you take your boat out pretty frequently.  So the dry-rot question is puzzling.  I could be wrong, but I always thought dry rot occurred in tires that sit in one location for a long period of time (like RV's, or seasonal boat owners).  How often do you trailer your boat?

[slvrlng]

The UV part of sunlight causes the rubber to age and dry out. Hot to cold cycles also dry the rubber. Also armorall will accelerate this process.

[pete]

I use the boat alot,but most of my trips to the ramp are less than ten miles each way and not more than 40-45 mph,the problem happened when I got on I-95 for 2 hours at 65mph and the tires heated up,the tires probly would still be fine if I just did local short trips.Look at your tires, if you see cracking.thats dry rot.the uv, florida heat  and they were 8 years old took there toll

[John Jones]

You got your money's worth out of those tires several years ago.  ;)

[pete]

not complaining,just trying to save some one  else the same trouble,it just was something i never worried about till it happened.I consider myself to now be educated on the subject,thanks guys  

[John Jones]

I'm in the same situation.  My tires are 4 years old and just beginning to show the cracks.  My max tow is only down to Sarasota and not over 45-50 mph.  I would have to get new tires before I got on the highway.

Pressure comes in to play too.  I drove from New Orleans to Mobile Thursday afternoon and Mobile to Sarasota Sunday.  I have never seen so many people on the side of the road changing tires, including trailers.  I'd bet lunch 90% of them were under-inflated and the heat got to them.

[pete]

you know its funny that you say that,ever since I blew those tires I'm looking for chunks of rubber on the roadside,on I-95 there is litterally a constant trail of rubber chunks on the side of the road!Its nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem.