How to prevent tire dry rot

One of the most neglected 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 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 crack 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 at a maximum of 10 years. Some tire companies even suggest a change in the six-year period because the degradation of the rubber can cause a serious accident and compromise your personal safety.

The most common causes of dry rot are lack of use, underinflated tires, and storage near excessive heat. Dry rot most often occurs on tires on RVs, vintage and classic cars, trucks, and jeeps due to infrequent vehicle use. 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 RV travel trailer, a fifth wheel trailer, a boat trailer, or even a horse trailer. In addition to your commuter vehicle, there are thousands of RVs with tires that also have dry rot problems that seem to occur more often than most commuter vehicles. Many trailer owners are alarmed when the tires on their RV, boat or horse trailer show signs of dry rot after just two years of ownership.

Of course, inactivity is not the only cause of tire dry rot. Low tire pressure and excessive UV exposure also aggravate 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 indicated 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 the year 2013. Even if you’ve only had the tires on your vehicle for a short period of time, if the manufacturing date was several years, there could be some degradation or detachment in the tire. Most tire manufacturer 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 thermo-oxidative degradation and is accelerated in warmer climates. If your vehicle is stored on black asphalt or any petroleum-based product or other heat-absorbing surface that naturally attracts UV rays, these tires will quickly deteriorate. Constant exposure to the sun can accelerate the effects of dry rot on tires.

So the question is, how can I prevent tire dry rot? The easiest way to protect yourself 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 a long period of time is in a climate-controlled garage. Since it’s expensive and often unavailable to most car, truck, RV, and trailer owners, protecting the tire’s rubber is the next best thing. Some trailer tire owners suggest that trailer tires have a board placed under the tire while in storage to keep them off UV-attracting asphalt. Others suggest that the trailer be raised off the ground with a jack and that the wheels 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 in their tires three or four times a year. The best recommended UV blocker is the one from 3M called 303 Protectant. The label says it’s good for UV protection of tires. There are many tire owners suggesting the use of ArmourAll, but my research indicates that ArmorAll 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. Without exposure to the sun, no ozone will be produced and your tires should easily last the recommended 6-7 years before they need 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 RVs. 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.