Tipp of the Week: Check your RV tires
Hello, Tipp City! Marc the Cop here,
Summer is upon us. For those who like to hit the road in their recreational vehicles, I wanted to caution you about driving without inspecting your RV's tires. Whether you have a travel trailer or a Class A, B, or C Recreational vehicle, those tires can make or break a perfect weekend jaunt or an extended trip. Two weeks ago, as we were traveling back to Ohio from Florida, I noticed an unusual number of travel trailers on the side of the road. Trailer tire failure can cause hundreds, even thousands, of dollars of damage to an RV. I strongly suggest having some roadside assistance service, such as Good Sam or AAA.
Finding the date code on your RV tires is crucial for safety and maintenance. RV tires may appear to have good tread, but age can significantly impact their integrity. Over time, rubber degrades, leading to cracks, separation, and potential blowouts—especially under heavy RV loads. That’s why it’s essential to check the tire’s age using its date code and understand when replacement is recommended. Look for the DOT code on the tire’s sidewall to locate the date code. The Department of Transportation issues this code, which begins with the letters “DOT” followed by a combination of letters and numbers. The complete code may be on only one side of the tire, typically the side facing outward. The date code is the last four digits of the DOT sequence. For example, if you see DOT 1A2B 3CDE 2519, the last four digits “2519” mean the tire was manufactured in the 25th week of 2019. If your tires only have a three-digit date code (e.g., 249), they were made before 2000 and should be replaced immediately.
Understanding how old “too old” is for RV tires is also important. Most RV tire manufacturers and safety experts recommend replacing tires every 5 to 7 years, regardless of tread wear. Even if the tires look fine, the internal structure can weaken with age, increasing the risk of a blowout. After five years, have your tires professionally inspected annually. After seven years, replacement is strongly advised—even if they haven’t hit their mileage limit. Storage conditions, UV exposure, temperature extremes, and under- or over-inflation can accelerate tire aging. To extend tire life, store your RV on blocks or jack stands when not in use, keep tires out of direct sunlight using covers, and check tire pressure regularly.
In summary, finding your RV tire’s date code is simple once you know what to look for—inspect the sidewall for the last four digits of the DOT code. Once you see the manufacture date, you can determine if it’s time for new tires. Replacing old tires can prevent catastrophic failures on the road and keep your RVing experience safe and worry-free. Be sure to have proper tire inflation as well. Always consult your RV owner’s manual and the tire manufacturer’s guide for the most accurate pressure recommendation based on your specific setup. Remember the 9 PM routine! The 9 PM routine is a nightly reminder for residents to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock their vehicle doors, secure their residences, turn on exterior lights, and activate all alarms and security systems.
That is all for this week! Please be safe and care for one another.
I'll see you in church on Sunday!
Sgt. Marc Basye (Ret.)
Do you have a suggestion for the Tip of the Week? Your input is valuable to us. You can email me at Marcthecop@tippgazette.com!
The opinions and statements in this column are those of the author, who is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. This column is for entertainment purposes only. Persons referred to may be fictional for comedic purposes only.
