RV OWNER’S FIELD GUIDE · TOWING, CHASSIS & ROAD
Tire Aging & Dry Rot Guide
RV tires often fail from age before they fail from wear. A rig that sits parked most of the year can have plenty of tread depth and still be riding on tires that are structurally compromised.
Reading the DOT date code
Every tire has a DOT code on the sidewall ending in four digits — the first two are the week of manufacture, the last two the year. A code ending in “2321” means the 23rd week of 2021. Our rule: have tires inspected every year once they reach 5 years old, and plan replacement at 6–7 years regardless of remaining tread. Goodyear recommends replacing RV tires after 6 years of service, and Michelin calls for annual inspection after 5 years and replacement no later than 10 years from the manufacture date, spares included. Your tire maker’s guidance governs.
This matters more for RVs than daily-driven cars because RV tires spend long stretches parked under UV exposure and load, which accelerates the rubber breakdown that tread-wear alone doesn’t show.
What dry rot actually looks like
Fine cracking in the sidewall rubber, a faded or chalky surface texture, and cracks running between tread blocks are all early dry-rot signs — easy to miss on a quick walk-around, especially on the inner sidewall facing the rig. Any visible cracking deep enough to see cord or belt material underneath means immediate replacement, not “keep an eye on it.”
Storing an RV with tire covers, keeping tires off direct concrete contact when parked long-term, and avoiding letting pressure sit low for extended periods all slow the aging process, but none of them stop the clock entirely.
Shop for Tires by Size at Tire Rack →
OUR TOOL KIT
Tire gear we’d use
TST 507 TPMS (4 cap sensors, color display) — Pressure and temperature per tire, so a slow leak shows up before a blowout.
AstroAI digital tire pressure gauge — Check pressure cold, before you drive.
VIAIR 300P portable air compressor — 150 PSI, enough to air up a low tire at the roadside. Same pick as our recommended gear page.
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