Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Gravy1159 on August 09, 2011, 09:37:38 pm

Title: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: Gravy1159 on August 09, 2011, 09:37:38 pm
Is this the DOT date on my tires? it is 375 and am i reading it right as 37th week 2005?
Thanks,
Dave
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: Michelle on August 09, 2011, 09:43:27 pm
Is this the DOT date on my tires? it is 375 and am i reading it right as 37th week 2005?


I don't think so.  Since 2000, the date code has 4 digits.  37th week of 2005 would be 3705. 

-M
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: George Stoltz on August 09, 2011, 09:45:25 pm
Everything I find on line states that the date code is shown with four numbers, not three.
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: Michelle on August 09, 2011, 09:51:26 pm
Everything I find on line states that the date code is shown with four numbers, not three.

After 2000, yes.  Prior to 2000 a 3 digit code was used.

Tire Tech Information - Determining the Age of a Tire (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11)

The Tire Identification Number for tires produced prior to 2000 was based on the assumption that tires would not be in service for ten years. While they were required to provided the same information as today's tires, the week and year the tire was produced was contained in the last three digits. The 2 digits used to identify the week a tire was manufactured immediately preceded a single digit used to identify the year.

If 375 is the date code on the tires, at best they would be 37th week of 1995.

-M
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: George Stoltz on August 09, 2011, 10:10:38 pm
Gravy,

Don't drive far.  Don't drive fast and avoid driving in extreme hot weather -- until you can get new tires. Those 16-year-old-tires are ticking time bombs. When a tire blows out it often does a lot of damage to surrounding fiberglass -- to say nothing about putting the occupants in danger.
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: wolfe10 on August 09, 2011, 10:20:37 pm
Correct.  The complete DOT number is molded into only ONE sidewall of each tire.  The last three digits of tires produced before 1/1/2000 indicate the WEEK and YEAR of production.

Beginning 1/1/2000 tires have a four digit date code showing WEEK and YEAR.

As suggested, shop for tires before moving it.

Brett
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: Gravy1159 on August 09, 2011, 10:39:15 pm
Thanks everyone. That is what i was thinking it ment. I was hoping not but i'm looking for tires already too. Thanks for getting me the link to the dates.

Dave
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: Michelle on August 09, 2011, 11:02:01 pm
Thanks everyone. That is what i was thinking it ment. I was hoping not but i'm looking for tires already

Dave,

At least you knew to ask.  How many RVers don't, and then end up with a greater expense (or worse) due to tire failure?  And you also know to check the DOT codes on the replacement tires you buy.  Check each one, too.  They don't always come from the same batch/shipment and you want them as fresh as possible (since RV tires most often need replacement due to age, not mileage).

Michelle
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: Gravy1159 on August 09, 2011, 11:17:02 pm
Thanks everyone. That is what i was thinking it ment. I was hoping not but i'm looking for tires already

Dave,

At least you knew to ask.  How many RVers don't, and then end up with a greater expense (or worse) due to tire failure?  And you also know to check the DOT codes on the replacement tires you buy.  Check each one, too.  They don't always come from the same batch/shipment and you want them as fresh as possible (since RV tires most often need replacement due to age, not mileage).

Michelle


Like i said before... i'm glad i found this site for our new coach. I will have more questions as we get ready to head out in November.
Thanks
Dave
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: wolfe10 on August 10, 2011, 08:55:29 am
An obvious point, but when shopping for new tires, verify that the DOT code shows they are 3 or less months old.  Buying a 2-3 year old tire is not a good idea.

Brett
Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: P. Wyatt Sabourin on August 10, 2011, 11:31:57 am
DOT code "375" indicates week 37 of 1985.
DOT code "375*" indicates week 37 of 1995.

Some manufacturers used a small triangle, or a delta sign instead of a "*" during the 1990's.
This subtle difference can be difficult to detect because the 90's indicator is not always within the smooth flat circular surface where the date numbers are embossed.

Title: Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires
Post by: Gravy1159 on August 10, 2011, 04:03:39 pm
Thanks, I did find a receipt in all of the binders from the original owner that did replace the tires in April of 1996. So that date would be from the 1995 time frame. they are going before i go any where with this coach. What a time bomb waiting to go off.
Thanks all.
Dave