Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Do I have to replace all 6 tires or can I just replace the front?

October 28, 2018, 08:24:30 pm

We've noticed that our front tires look like they need to be replaced while the rear tires all look good.  Is it necessary to replace all 6 tires at the same time or can we just go with replacing the front right now?  We'll definitely be getting an alignment along with new tires, too.

 We have a 2014 TK with the original tires on it.

(I tried doing a search for this but the results I got were not helpful.)

Re: Do I have to replace all 6 tires or can I just replace the front?

Reply #2 – October 29, 2018, 08:25:10 am

Yes, you can replace only the two front tires now.  But, keep in mind that your rear tires will "age-out" in a couple of years and should be replaced by then no matter how good the tread looks.  Safe Travels.

Re: Do I have to replace all 6 tires or can I just replace the front?

Reply #4 – October 29, 2018, 10:24:12 am

"We have a 2014 TK with the original tires on it."
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The apparent (do you have photos of the tires?) need to replace 4-year old tires is unusual *unless* the tires have been consistently underinflated for the load, the front axle weight is over spec, the alignment (all settings, but particularly caster and camber) is off, the front end components, i.e., steering linkage, ball joints, etc., are worn, the tires have not been covered to prevent sun damage when the rig sits for any time, and/or the tires were "defective" in some way. (Are these tires Michelins that were possibly subject to a recall?)

Possible issues listed above may not be a complete list; I would certainly check for underlying reasons why the tires seem to need replacement before the "usual" interval. You may want to have the tires, wheels, and front end components evaluated by a skilled tire and front end shop before replacing them.

After diagnosis and correction (and a thorough check of the rear tires; same or similar failure reasons as stated for the fronts), I'd replace all 6 tires. If/when you do have tires replaced, make sure to get "fresh", matching date tires (my window is 4-6 weeks old; yours may be different) and that the tires (fronts and outside duals) are installed with the date coded side of the tire facing out. 

As always, YMMV.

Re: Do I have to replace all 6 tires or can I just replace the front?

Reply #6 – October 29, 2018, 12:47:14 pm

Good chance your 2014 LD never had its front end aligned after pickup .
The chassis is delivered with generic alignment, due to Ford not knowing the how much the finished RV will weigh or what it's weight distribution will be.
It is recommend to drive a new RV for a couple thousand miles, for the suspension to settle, and then to fully load it and have it weighed (to set the tire pressure) and then aligned .

Most owners do not rotate all six tires, instead just doing the fronts at 5-6000 mile intervals. The rear tires especially, if they have extended stems, usually are not rotate often, if at all, since they wear at a lower rate than the front tires.
I now rotate the rear tires from side to side every 10,000 miles or so to prevent the inside rear, passenger tire from being exposed to the exhaust heat for its entire life.
An inner tire blow-out last summer made me a believer, plus heat shields were added to the exhaust to decrease the tire's heat exposure.
Exhaust heat shields | Flickr

Changing just the front tires is fine, keep track the age of the rear tires, they should be changed at six or fewer years, per Michelin recommendations (their tire's warranty ends at six years).
I would be temped to change all 6 or 7 tires and start fresh. With a new spare tire, it can be added to the front tire rotation.
Purchase your new tires from a shop that will rotate them for free.
My preferred tire shop is America's Tires, due to their good service and a large number of stores, widely spread about.

Larry

Re: Do I have to replace all 6 tires or can I just replace the front?

Reply #8 – October 29, 2018, 08:28:55 pm

Interesting topic but I have a terrible time convincing myself to dispose of 6, 10 year old tires that have 2/3rd's rubber left even though I know everyone is absolutely correct. I hate this topic......

Jon.....

Re: Do I have to replace all 6 tires or can I just replace the front?

Reply #10 – October 30, 2018, 05:59:50 am

Here in France, old tires get burned in protests and strikes, a continual pastime.  The greasy black smoke makes great footage on the news. There will be many many more burned next week when all the autoroutes, national and departmental routes will be shut down for a national day of protest over the recent fuel tax increase. But I wonder what the environmental protestors will say bout the pall of smoke?

My tires alway age out, and I confess to pushing my tolerance beyond 7 years. But not much over. My vehicles spend a lot of time garaged and are lovingly inflated and inspected regularly.

Re: Do I have to replace all 6 tires or can I just replace the front?

Reply #12 – October 30, 2018, 10:09:16 am

When I was at a Big O tire place getting a front wheel alignment (at 35,000 miles) the tech pointed  out my tires had signs of tire rot.    Most folks including me needed to be shown what tire rot looks like.   Now I know.   

Take home lesson time on tires is just as important as milage on tires.