First Timer Tire Rotation

[angib]

Just to throw a spanner into these works:
- North American seem to rotate tires religiously and are told to do so by tire manufacturers.
- Europeans generally don't rotate tires and are advised not to rotate by tire manufacturers.

My conclusion is that the concept of tire rotation (or not) is a belief system, not a technical fact. It may be convenient, so that all of a tire set get worn at the same rate, even if on a different axle.

Of course your dad told you that you had to rotate tires and I understand that there is/was no greater authority on anything than him.

But it may just be that there are really no firm rules on this subject.

[lrrowe]

I bought my 3500 lb axle 5x10 heavy duty utility trailer in 1995. It came with Goodyear Wrangler (passenger/truck?) tires on it. I have carried heavy loads and have made many long trips with it. The tires are now 21 years old and are just now starting to show their age with some cracking starting. I will finally replace them this spring.
But I never rotated or did anything else to them.

[Socal Tom]

Just to throw a spanner into these works:
- North American seem to rotate tires religiously and are told to do so by tire manufacturers.
- Europeans generally don't rotate tires and are advised not to rotate by tire manufacturers.

My conclusion is that the concept of tire rotation (or not) is a belief system, not a technical fact. It may be convenient, so that all of a tire set get worn at the same rate, even if on a different axle.

Of course your dad told you that you had to rotate tires and I understand that there is/was no greater authority on anything than him.

But it may just be that there are really no firm rules on this subject.

On front wheel drive cars, the rear tires will last a really long time if you leave them on the rear axle. ( I think most European cars are FWD). Read drive cars on the other hand get tire wear on the front and rear axles, and the wear is different, so rotating tires can increase the life of the tires overall.

Trailer tires get almost no wear, and I would check my wheel bearings and lugnuts, but tire rotation seems overkill.
Tom