I went and did it:

[speeder]

Originally Posted by javadog

Simple. The tires in question were tires that were put on cars undergoing restoration. They were never used, except to store the cars in my warehouse while work was being done and allow them to roll around occasionally. When the each of the projects were nearing completion, I put another set of new tires on the car. I watched in amazement when the old tires were put on the tire machine and the machine attempted to break the beads by pushing on the sidewalls. The sidewalls failed before the beads broke. The machine literally pushed the tool through the sidewall of the tire.

This wasn't a one-off. I had more than one car that went through this. I used to run tires until they wore out the tread. No more. After 5 years, they are on borrowed time with me.

No way I'd run across the country on tires as old as yours.

That’s scary stuff. You guys have me questioning my tires now. It’s going to be tough to trash tires this expensive that look perfect but maybe I’ll do it. I need to check the receipts and see how old they actually are. The front tires say, “regroovable”, like semi tires. Do these still have the same expiration date as regular tires?

[speeder]

I got the radiator out this morning and on my way to Minneapolis to drop it off. Turns out that it comes out the top, after dismantling the carrier in place. Not the worst job ever but takes a lot of patience the first time, not like you can hammer or pry on a radiator. It’s heavy but manageable once the carrier is off.

[Tim Hancock]

My tires all have a date marking on the sidewall. Do what you want, but I just am unwilling to risk a blowout with such heavily loaded tires (steer tire could result in accident and totaled rig.... rear tire could result in bodywork damage). I will likely drive mine about 40 miles for my salvage inspection and around the block a few times for testing, but next spring, I am getting newly dated fresh tires all the way around.

[rfuerst911sc]

I am no expert on this type of tire but there must be a build date on the side wall . I would find that date on all tires so you have that as real data . Maybe talk to a local tire guy you trust or have used in the past ?

Maybe check out some RV forums , this has to be a common issue with RV's regardless of motorhome or travel trailer . They tend to sit parked much more than they are used . If it were me I would replace the fronts at a minimum , you have no safety margin with only two front tires . When a rig that size starts swaying violently from a blown front tire it is hard to save it .

[RWebb]

maybe they were old when sold - look on the sidewall for date codes

I'm still curious how you decided on what tools to bring and if you pushed a RollAway up a ramp or what?

[javadog]

Originally Posted by speeder

That’s scary stuff. You guys have me questioning my tires now. It’s going to be tough to trash tires this expensive that look perfect but maybe I’ll do it. I need to check the receipts and see how old they actually are. The front tires say, “regroovable”, like semi tires. Do these still have the same expiration date as regular tires?

My guess would be yes. Semis wear their tires out at a faster rate, so the age of a recapped tire is probably way less than what you have. A semi can burn through a set of fronts in a year, or two.

[911boost]

While my toy hauler rv is a pull behind, I do not screw around with tires on it either. I have never had one blow out on mine but I have had to help friends when they do and it is a complete PITA. I change them fairly often and move those tires to my smaller trailer that does not carry nearly as much weight.

If I had one like you are Tim, I'd make sure it has fresh tires on it as well or I'd be stressed something would happen.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by RWebb

maybe they were old when sold - look on the sidewall for date codes

I'm still curious how you decided on what tools to bring and if you pushed a RollAway up a ramp or what?

Sorry, meant to answer this. I drove here in my F-250 back in April with most, (but not all), of my hand tools. I have a lot of tools. No compressor or air tools. The tools I have with me easily fit in a PU truck bed tool box. They are either in milk crates or heavy tool bags.

Hope that answers your question.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I am no expert on this type of tire but there must be a build date on the side wall . I would find that date on all tires so you have that as real data . Maybe talk to a local tire guy you trust or have used in the past ?

Maybe check out some RV forums , this has to be a common issue with RV's regardless of motorhome or travel trailer . They tend to sit parked much more than they are used . If it were me I would replace the fronts at a minimum , you have no safety margin with only two front tires . When a rig that size starts swaying violently from a blown front tire it is hard to save it .

Thanks, I’m going to do just that. I can ask some tire dealers that sell truck tires as well. Of course they have an incentive to tell you to replace them every 3 years or some very often scenario but I think that I can still get a straight answer from them.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by speeder

Sorry, meant to answer this. I drove here in my F-250 back in April with most, (but not all), of my hand tools. I have a lot of tools. No compressor or air tools. The tools I have with me easily fit in a PU truck bed tool box. They are either in milk crates or heavy tool bags.

Hope that answers your question.

Thanks!

A pic of you pushing a giant Snappy RollAway up a ramp into the Airstream would have been better tho...

or loading one into a Chinook on the back ramp

or...

[javadog]

A recent post from Tim Hancock's RV thread. I highlighted the important bit:

Originally Posted by Manda Racing

Tim’s is the high end Monaco— My Diplomat is 40’ tri slide w/TV shakes and vibrates so I have to stick my neck cushion behind it. My upper right drawer pops open and hits us in the head, and my Identical Onan latch system is beyond me so I’ve had to cargo strap it underneath for safety— it was sliding open at stop lights with a slamming noise. (Couldn’t see what was happening)

I’ve split side walls on both front tires that were aged out maybe 5–7 years but perfect.
Washed my roof the other day in the 108 heat.

[speeder]

Thanks. I stopped by a truck tire dealer today in rural WI., on my way back to cabin from Mpls. I asked about expiration of tires like mine and they said, “no more than 10 years.”

So now I’m really confused.

Like I said before, they would have an incentive to say a shorter time period. Still, I’m going to check the dates of the front tires and probably replace them but not throw them away-they could be replacement tires for the rears if they are newer or have more tread. It’s a dual rear wheel axle, so extra safety there.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by speeder

Thanks. I stopped by a truck tire dealer today in rural WI., on my way back to cabin from Mpls. I asked about expiration of tires like mine and they said, “no more than 10 years.”

So now I’m really confused.

Like I said before, they would have an incentive to say a shorter time period. Still, I’m going to check the dates of the front tires and probably replace them but not throw them away-they could be replacement tires for the rears if they are newer or have more tread. It’s a dual rear wheel axle, so extra safety there.

I have had people on my Monaco motorhome forum tell me anywhere from 5-8 years... There is no definitive answer, but I have seen the results of many front tire blowouts on these big heavy max tire loaded rigs and I don't want anything to do with a front blowout.

I think replacing your fronts would give you some peace of mind.

[javadog]

Just read the damn date codes on the tires and put us out of our misery. I can almost read one from your photos, I just can’t quite discern the numbers.

[Tim Hancock]

Here are a couple of my tire date codes to show you what to look for... A 2007 tire and a 2012 tire.

[Zeke]

When it come to tires you have to consider that is your only connection to the road. Not being facetious. I realize the GM motorcoach was ahead of it's time in many ways and the fact that it uses air bags is great. But, they were engineered in the 70's and we know a lot more now. Someone with a shock absorber (damper, if you prefer) like Paragon Products can dial in the shock rate based on the existing parameters.

So you're nearly perfect WRT the ride and handling. However, to complete the package you wouldn't want to use poor tire design. In the world of street use pick ups Michelin is recognized as the best riding tire you can buy. It's a truck tire designed for trucks know as an LT.

The state of the art Michelins may be hard to come by in a 16.5" wheel. If the year of the GMMC was one of the years they shipped with non-radial tire rims, they must be replaced. A great upgrade would be the Alcoa AL rim in a more standard size.

Not any tire will work given that the tire pressures used on a GMMC will be around 60 psi front and a little less in the rear, but they must be adjusted on each trip for the overall load at each axle. So 4 people with their siht and a full tank of fuel requires upping the pressures. People who constantly tow or overload the GMMC should buy E rated tires and use 80 lbs. That is not going to give you the limo ride.

The first thing to do is get the #'s off the rims and determine if they are the 2 year only radial tire style rims. Otherwise any tire dealer should refuse to mount radials and you're stuck with bias-ply steel belted tires.

[javadog]

Lookee here:

[Zeke]

I blew that up 500% and rotated it 180º. Not legible.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I blew that up 500% and rotated it 180º. Not legible.

Yeah, I did the same. No joy. I can't even tell if it's 3 digits or 4.

I can read the entire number just above it...

[speeder]

Originally Posted by javadog

Just read the damn date codes on the tires and put us out of our misery. I can almost read one from your photos, I just can’t quite discern the numbers.

Ok, I did it. What’s really creepy is that it looks like the original date code is carved out and replaced. The “new code” is 2011.

I just got off the phone w the tire dealer. Waiting for them to call me back w prices. They will be getting replaced before it goes another mile. Thanks for all the help!