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DOT date stamp on my Tires

Is this the DOT date on my tires? it is 375 and am i reading it right as 37th week 2005?
Thanks,
Dave
Dave & Cris
1989 36' U280 Grand Villa SBID #3407

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #1
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
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #2
Everything I find on line states that the date code is shown with four numbers, not three.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #3
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

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
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #4
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.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #5
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
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #6
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
Dave & Cris
1989 36' U280 Grand Villa SBID #3407

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #7
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
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #8
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
Dave & Cris
1989 36' U280 Grand Villa SBID #3407

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #9
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
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #10
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.

Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: DOT date stamp on my Tires

Reply #11
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
Dave & Cris
1989 36' U280 Grand Villa SBID #3407