Tire tread depth, what's a sensible limit ?

[Ridgeway]

My Vanco's have only done 27,000km, not sure why but I had thought I'd get about 40,000km's out of them, does this sound reasonable ?

Checked the tread depth at the weekend and was surprised to see 5-6mm on the front and 7mm remaining on the rears.

What depth do you start to think about changing tires at ?

 

[EX51SSS]

Personally I'd change at no less than 3mm

 

[WillH]

I got 40k miles from a recent pair, 3mm tread left. They were swapped rear to front at 25k miles.

 

[Jim]

I had some Michelin Camper tyres on a Hymer that were 14 years old, had done 55000 miles and the tread was completely legal. You will rarely need to change your tyres because of tread depth. people change motorhome tyres for cracked sidewalls or because they are out of age. A lot of people change tyres when they are five years old no matter what the condition. a few go as old as seven years but that's as old as I've seen recommended.

Experts tell us that tyres are perishing whether they are being used or not. This degeneration can be accelerated when tyre pressures are not maintained and the vehicle is left standing. Most people will check their tire pressures after a layup before they drive. But pressures are often ignored during the layup or long-term winter camp and this is when the damage is done. An old date code on the tyre won't get your license endorsed like low tread might but it's probably just as important.

 

[Lenny HB]

4mm for me, winter limits in some countries e.g. Germany is 3mm.

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[Yorick]

If you live somewhere warm and dry, tyres work better when they are bald. More rubber on the road like Formula 1 cars

 

[joka250]

Compare your current tread depth with the original. I don't know the standard for truck and van tyres but car tyres are usually 8.5mm on premium tyres. Van tyres aren't going to be less than that.

 

[EX51SSS]

Compare your current tread depth with the original. I don't know the standard for truck and van tyres but car tyres are usually 8.5mm on premium tyres. Van tyres aren't going to be less than that.

Tbf, I'm wondering why the original depth matters. Surely it's the depth now that matters.
I've read on this and other forums regarding the age etc of tyres and to change at a certain age varying from 5 years to 10 years (obviously being within the legal limit).
However, more importantly that age is the condition. I have my tyres examined twice a year by my local tyre fitters and although they were given a clean bill of health last year, I decided to change all round as they were 12 years old and got a good price to renew all round and these will certainly do me for the next 10 years or so with regular examination.

 

[joka250]

Tbf, I'm wondering why the original depth matters. Surely it's the depth now that matters.
I've read on this and other forums regarding the age etc of tyres and to change at a certain age varying from 5 years to 10 years (obviously being within the legal limit).
However, more importantly that age is the condition. I have my tyres examined twice a year by my local tyre fitters and although they were given a clean bill of health last year, I decided to change all round as they were 12 years old and got a good price to renew all round and these will certainly do me for the next 10 years or so with regular examination.

I think @Jim advice covered age and condition but in the event the tyres are e.g. 3years old it gives the opportunity to assess, subject to regular checks, the likely lifespan of the tyres. With tyres you can't have too much info.

 

[EX51SSS]

I think @Jim advice covered age and condition but in the event the tyres are e.g. 3years old it gives the opportunity to assess, subject to regular checks, the likely lifespan of the tyres. With tyres you can't have too much info.

Tbf, yes he did. However, as regards assessments, I'll go to the fitters in May before I go away and that is less than 12 months on the Moho. I'll have them assessed again around November

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[Ridgeway]

I'll check with one of the camper owners where we store the van as well. I know on cars here anything less than 5mm and the garage starts expecting to be sorting you out with 4 new tires, but i'm sure 4mm is also fine. These tires are 5yrs old and look good (to me) so hopefully I'll get some more years out of them yet. The 40k miles mentioned above is 64k KM vs my current 27k KM although all the other factors that have been mentioned need taking into consideration. For fun I may check out some prices although suspect when we do change them i'll get them in France.

 

[Stealaway]

You could be shocked at the price of French tyres in France. They seem at least 25% more than here. It not necessarily always rip off Britain

 

[Emmit]

Why don't you change the front to back. (and vice versa) That way they should even up to last to 40,000kms.

 

[elamessa]

You could be shocked at the price of French tyres in France. They seem at least 25% more than here. It not necessarily always rip off Britain

Tyres here in France for example.. Continental 215/70 R15 CP 109 €112
Same tyre in the UK via Black Circle is £113.69.

I have always found tyres here in France to be on a par if not cheaper than the UK!!

 

[Stealaway]

What about Michelin?

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[elamessa]

What about Michelin?

€113