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RV Tire Age: How to Read the DOT Date Code

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Summary

The last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall are the week and year the tire was made; NHTSA’s example 0308 means the third week of 2008. NHTSA notes some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires six to ten years old regardless of treadwear, so check your RV and tire maker’s advice.

Read the full step-by-step guide, with every official source.

Each illustration links to the guide it comes from.

A gloved hand touches the sidewall of a large motorhome tire on gravel, with a teal tire-pressure gauge on the ground
Read the four-digit date code on every tire sidewall.Illustrative image created with AI tools. Not a photo of a real person, campground or RV brand.From the guide: How Old Is Too Old for RV Tires? Reading the DOT Date Code
A person seen from behind checks tire pressure on the dual rear wheels of a white motorhome
Check tire pressure cold, against the vehicle’s label.Illustrative image created with AI tools. Not a photo of a real person, campground or RV brand.From the guide: How Old Is Too Old for RV Tires? Reading the DOT Date Code
Extreme close-up of a large RV tire sidewall with a raised rectangular area of embossed bumps and lines, raking golden light showing rubber texture
The DOT code ends in four digits: the week and year the tire was made.Illustrative image created with AI tools. Not a photo of a real person, campground or RV brand.Watch the video: RV Tire Age: How to Read the DOT Date Code
A gloved hand presses a teal tire pressure gauge onto the valve stem of a dual rear wheel on a white motorhome, gauge face showing only plain dial ticks, gravel ground
Check tire pressure cold, using the number on the vehicle’s label.Illustrative image created with AI tools. Not a photo of a real person, campground or RV brand.Watch the video: RV Tire Age: How to Read the DOT Date Code
Row of new black RV tires leaning against a clean garage wall, soft daylight
A tire can look new and still be old: the date code tells its age.Illustrative image created with AI tools. Not a photo of a real person, campground or RV brand.Watch the video: RV Tire Age: How to Read the DOT Date Code

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Full transcript

0:02 How old is too old for RV tires?

0:06 Start with the DOT date code.

0:08 On the sidewall, find the code that starts with DOT.

0:12 The last four digits are the week and year the tire was made.

0:16 NHTSA's example: 0308 means the third week of 2008.

0:23 NHTSA notes that some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are six to ten years old, regardless of treadwear.

0:31 Check your RV and tire maker's advice.

0:34 Check pressure when tires are cold, meaning not driven for at least three hours, and use the pressure on the vehicle's label, not the number molded on the tire.

0:44 Replace a tire when its tread wears down to 2/32 inch.

0:48 Don't forget the spare and the inner duals.

0:51 The full tire checklist is at OpenSkiesRV.com.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the date on an RV tire?

In the tire identification number after the letters DOT on the sidewall. The last four digits are the week and year. It may be on the inner side only.

Do RV tires expire after a set number of years?

There is no single federal age limit. NHTSA says some vehicle and tire makers recommend replacing tires six to 10 years old regardless of tread. Check your RV and tire maker’s guidance.

What pressure should RV tires be?

The pressure on the vehicle’s tire label or in the owner’s manual, checked cold. NHTSA says not to use the number on the tire sidewall.

Sources

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Education only: general information, not legal, insurance, mechanical or other professional advice for your situation. Rules, fees, recalls and campground policies change and vary by state, park and manufacturer, so check the official source we link, your RV’s manual or a qualified technician before you act. We may earn money from ads and paid links; our advice isn’t for sale.