Trailer Tire Dry Rot in One Year ... Any suggestions to extend the life

[parker]

Seems I am buying Trailer tires every year or every other. The 8.5x8 Loadstars. I notice Dry-Rot Cracks in as little as One year.

In the Off-Season.. Trailer is stored on grass. I even put plywood covers over the tires to keep the sun off.

What can I do to extend the life ?

Do I need to get the tires Up off the grass ? (Can't see how that would enable the dry-rot , but maybe it's a contributor)

Perhaps the Loadstars are junk and I need to get a differnt Tire Brand.

 

[mezz]

I think there are too many of this particular size tire in the warehouses & are actually beginning to degrade before they even get to the consumer. 1 year, I would definetly bring to the attention of the dealer &/or mfg. I had a set of Carlisles on a trailer for 14 years, yep, 14 yrs. The only reason I changed them was because one of the tires egged out. This trailer sat & still sits out in the elements. The first set of new tires I put on cracked out on the side walls within one year. I was able to get the dealer to replace them. I don't recall the name brand, but, I know they were not Carlisle. BTW, I still have one of the original Carlisle tires as a spare.-Mezz

 

[MZEMS2]

I also have good luck with Carlisles. The most recent ones I bought came mounted on a rim already, and that was a loonngg time ago. I do like to keep them clean and use a little tire shine crap on 'em too. I would see if you can get at least a portion of the money back in an exchange or something.

 

[edmarino]

Trailer tires are code dated the same as car tires. Are you sure you are getting new tires?

 

[anonomoose]

Spray paint them (rustoleum works good)....and this stops it dead. I had the same issue with the tire mounted up on the rail of the trailer (utility) and it works to protect the tire from the sun and ozone which breaks down the components. I have done this on all sorts of tires since then. You may have to do it every year on tires you run.

I have also noticed that since 90 percent of the tires made today are made in China, the quality of the rubber may not be as good as what it used to be either.

I am not a tire expert, but the outer cracks do not seem to really matter with regard to the tire maintaining pressure or function...they still hold up even with the cracks....so I suspect that it is a cosmetic only issue.

 

[fatdaddy]

i would remove the tires and store them inside, I never leave anything out in the winter the dry air seems to suck the life out of them