RV tires have a much shorter safe lifespan than car tires, but the failure point isn’t tread wear — it’s age-related deterioration that happens regardless of miles driven. Most RVs sit parked far more than they travel, which means your tires are likely aging out long before they wear out. The rubber compounds break down from UV exposure, ozone, and simple time, leading to sidewall cracking and potential blowouts.
The date code stamped on your tire sidewall tells you when it was manufactured, not when it was installed. Look for a four-digit number inside an oval — the first two digits are the week, the last two are the year. A tire marked ‘2318’ was made in the 23rd week of 2018. Many experts recommend replacing RV tires at six years regardless of appearance, though this varies by usage, storage conditions, and tire quality.
Here’s what catches owners off guard: you might buy a ‘new’ RV with tires that are already two or three years old. Manufacturers and dealers often install tires that have been sitting in warehouses, and there’s no requirement to disclose manufacturing dates. Additionally, replacement tires at some shops may have been in inventory for months or years before installation.
Before buying any RV, check tire dates yourself — don’t rely on visual inspection alone. When shopping for replacement tires, ask about manufacturing dates and avoid anything over a year old if possible. If you store your RV outside, consider tire covers to slow UV degradation. Some owners set phone reminders based on manufacturing dates rather than waiting for visible signs of aging, since internal deterioration happens before external cracking becomes obvious.