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Agree with marge6, but I'll expand the reasoning in the hope that you do NOT consider continuing with existing tyres!
Lots of factors to take into account with tyres, and their longevity. Outdoor exposure to sun (UV rays) causes marked deterioration, shielding them as you have done in a garage will have helped. Standing in the same position for long periods can cause 'flat spots', these don't always recover once in use again, and the distortion at the flat spot can initiate cracking. The flat spot also introduces lots of vibration to the trailer which tends to rattle fixtures and fitting loose!
Trailer tyres are often pushed to near safety limits on both load and operating pressure, this doesn't leave much latitude for deterioration of their capabilities. The elastomeric compounds ('rubber') of tyres just deteriorates with sheer age and becomes embrittled, there is an argument that used tyres stay more supple than unused stored tyres as the plasticising agents are better distributed in the compound by the constant flexing.
External appearance is not the only factor in judging when to replace, they may appear perfect, but they will not be as durable, and therefore safe as newer tyres. When they start to fail, it will likely be at a much accelerated rate, maybe between your journey out and your return journey home!
And yes, tyres are recommended to be replaced every 5 years or 7 years MAX after manufacture. I think it's fair to say you've had more than your moneys worth out of these tyres, and for the relative small cost of replacing them, 20 odd year old tyres (they will be older than your trailer, as manufactured and held in stock for use!) NEED replacing for safety's sake.
The consequences of trailer tyre failure tend to be dramatic and often very expensive in collateral damage, as you are generally unaware of the impending catastrophic failure as there is little or no feel or feedback for the towing driver until 'bang' and you are suddenly in charge of a very unwieldy trailer battering itself to pieces! A friend had his very nice caravan written off when a tyre went, and the now much lowered chassis contacted the road (speed hump I believe!) forcing parts through the floor and wrecking the interior, and the disintegrating tyre flailed around and destroyed the bodywork around the wheel arch! Very messy, quite scary, and all very quick!
Lots of good advice here: https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/blog/practical-tips-and-ideas/repairs-and-maintenance/tips-for-tyre-maintenance/
Sorry, cant help much on the issue of leaving it in corner steadies whilst you remove wheels, as not familiar with your specific trailer, but in general principles, the corner steadies are NOT intended to be jacks and are rarely rated to carry entire weight of the trailer, and risk failure/damage if you try. Failing a specific jacking point being fitted/specified for the chassis, then it's normal for the axle just inboard of the wheel being the only safe place to jack. Caravan chassis rails are generally not strong enough to be used as a jacking point without specified jacking points having been added. The trailer MUST be hitched to the tow car when jacking otherwise it risks slewing and falling off jack! As always never work on a vehicle supported only by a jack, axle stands should be used.
Without wishing to be rude, but being quite blunt, your lack of knowledge suggests new tyre fitting may be safest (for both you and the caravan) left to your mobile engineer to supervise.
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Topic: Replacing tyres on 2002 Pennine pullman
via mobile 19/8/2021 at 1:55pm
