High-Tec retread tires

[Straight6Jeff]

I had the tires mounted yesterday, and what a difference. Teh guys that mounted them said they balanced better than factory new tires, and the quality of the caps was outstanding.



I went with the retreads because I was looking at over a grand for 7 new all terrain tires. 7 of the OTR Mud terrain with green diamonds was $575 delivered, from South dakota.



I couldn't bear another winter of getting stuck in an inch of snow while my factory tires polished the snow into ice. Well, this past weekend, we got over two feet of snow. Monday was interesting. If it wasn't for the retacked trac-loc, I would have been stuck numerous times. There was a street that travel that hgad 18 inches of slush on it. The only way I got through was to get a huge running start. Last night he street had the same amount of slush. I stopped in teh middle to see how the tires would fair... . I drove out under complete control, no running start needed.



The tires do sing at highway speeds, and there is some resonance, but not bothersome. The Cases that the caps are on are Bridgstone 775?



Worth checking out if you are on a budget and want a quality tire.



The tire guy who mounted them said "it's too bad more people don't realize that quality recaps are a safe option. "

 

[RustyJC]

To each his/her own. My truck, however, spends its working life towing a 36' 13,500 lb 5th wheel RV that puts us on the road at 10,380 GVW (10,500 GVWR) and 21,180 GCW (21,500 GCWR). One place I won't skimp is on tires - I see too many "gators" on the Interstate to put my trust in retreads. I had a tread separation on our previous 5ver's Goodyear Marathons - aside from the safety factor, it did $2400 in damage to the 5ver. Of the other 3 tires that hadn't yet failed, 2 showed "eggs" on the sidewall that indicated tread separation had started.



Our current 5ver's OEM Goodyear Wrangler HT LT235/85R-16E's have been changed over to the all-steel Michelin XPS Ribs, and when the truck's OEM Wranglers are ready for replacement, it will probably get a set of Michelins as well.



Rusty

 

[HoleshotHolset]

That's good info Jeff...



Preventative maintenance is something more people need to take into consideration with tires. They're not the type of thing you want to buy - install - and then run until they pop.



I imagine 80% of all tires on the road are probably under inflated, over-weighted, or improperly balanced. All of these things lead to premature failure.



I'm with Jeff on this one. QUALITY recaps are fine. Let's see how he makes out with his set. If the lifetime of the product is anything like his first impressions - he got one heck of a good deal.



Matt

 

[y-knot]

I am glade you liked them, and while they may not be for everyone, they seem to fit your needs very well. Re-treads have come along way, and may very well suite the needs of others on this site. Good luck.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

Preventative maintenance is something more people need to take into consideration with tires. They're not the type of thing you want to buy - install - and then run until they pop.



I imagine 80% of all tires on the road are probably under inflated, over-weighted, or improperly balanced.

If this has any reference to my post, the tires on our previous 5th wheel were checked before we left the campground and were at the maximum inflation pressure. The tread separation failure took place 20 minutes and 15 miles after leaving the campground and pulling out on I-10. The tires had probably 15,000 miles on them and were 3 years old.



Rusty

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Rusty,



I wasn't pointing the finger at that part of your post at all...



This is what I was responding to...

"One place I won't skimp is on tires - I see too many "gators" on the Interstate to put my trust in retreads. "



The folks that end up spreading 'gators' (or having other types of blowouts... ) all over the highway are probably not the best at making sure their tires are up to par before taking off.



Your failure had nothing to do with recaps or negligence - in your case, it sounds like a manufacturing defect more than anything.



Matt

 

[Straight6Jeff]

I did a lot of research on retreading before I went that route. Of the many state's DOT boards I went to, they staed that over half of all gators on the road are from new tires, not recaps. Also, the DOT stated that it was actually rare for a tire to just blow, it had underlying causes such as a flat or damaged sidewall.



Remember the whole firestone, explorer fiasco? It proved that underinflation will toast a new tire quickly. That had nothing to do with retreads.



Now before the flames start and the self-defense mechanisms start, I am in no way trying to push retreads on anyone. I was liking for something different from the big name companies. A huge driving force was to provide business to a smaller company that has a quality product.

 

[RustyJC]

Matt, the Goodyear Marathons on our previous 5ver were indeed the subject of a silent recall and were replaced by Goodyear, who also paid for the repair of the 5ver.



Jeff, no flames from me. As we say in Texas, "Different horses for different courses. " For my application (running at the truck's GVWR and GCWR and with the 5ver's tires at 90% of their load rating), I just chose a different approach due to the demands I put on these tires, especially in Texas summertime temperatures. If retreads work for your application, great.



Rusty

 

[Ron Bissett]

If tires are not cracked or have damage to side wall , Recap can and do offer a good way for safe dependable tire solution and save up to 50% or more. Air them up and check them often and you should get plenty of miles out of them. Ron Bissett in Louisville KY

 

[David_VT]

got to love UPS

Working in a new place miles from home, getting ready to take a school bus for my CDL test... .



UPS guy walks up to the bus and says. .



"David, I love these new tires I just brought you. Shall I leave them in your pickup? And how much were those?"



Same driver that leaves packages in our vehicles where ever we might be. Seems he hates the back road we live on! God help us if we ever sell our trucks locally



----Sorry for the long winded story---

My hitech retreads just arrived and like the UPS driver, I think they look pretty gnarly. I can't wait to see if the traction is as good as advertised...



David

 

[JRG]

You wouldn't have a web address would you?

Do you know if they do studded tires?



JRG

 

[krs]

JRG,



I believe that'll be: http://www.high-tec-retreading.com/



I've got a set of 235/85x16 ordered for snow. They sound like they know their business.



This NW storm really caught us napping and we were immobilized. So I'll put the tires on a set of old chrome wheels I've got in the barn and use one truck for any future winter messes like this.

 

[JRG]

Just talked to them, very nice. Said that most of their tires are pinned for studs, and that they should have a 17" tire in 2-6 weeks. A set of tires are running under $400 shipped to your door. A perfect option for me to run winter studded tires on my factory rims.



JRG

 

[Stomp]

I had a set of OTR 265/75R16's from high-tech and got 8000 miles on them so I decided to go with a set of Bridgestone Revo AT's. I dont have any complaints with the retreds, but they sure didnt last long. I drive my pickup like I stole it so tires dont usually dont last that long. I did however get 30,000 out of a set of retreds, but I cant remember the name of them.



I figured that I would try a new set to see if I could get some miles out of them. The difference in price was $350. Could have bought two sets of retreads for the price that I paid for my bridgestones.



Let us know how many miles you get out of them.



Stomp

 

[krs]

"Let us know how many miles you get out of them. "



It'll be a while. I asked for a soft compound if available because traction is more important to me than milage in these tires. They told me that they use a soft compound for their mud tires because most buyers want them for soft slippery use in mud, snow, or ice conditions. Mine will go on a set of spare wheels and will ONLY be used when it's nasty around here. Since I understand that the last time it got this bad here was eight years ago I'm not sure when I'll be able to report about wear (hopefully, never).

 

[Jim's slt]

Boy! have I thrown some gators in my day...



Most of them are trucking company's that are on a budget, IMHO retreads have NO business on a commercial vehicle gvwr 80,000



I would use them on a daily driver for winter they don't have a

place in the towing equation, Or in my neck of the woods it's to hot,and I drive too fast. My wife's studded tires for winter are repuds. they are full caps and are on toyo casings like yours are on bridgstones. the'll go forever for that use.



Jim

 

[E7mack96]

I use retreads.



I have my own casings capped and returned.



There is no problem with a retread. The biggest problem is a driver not ckecking his tire pressures.



I go behind all my drivers and will usually find a low tire.



I have had brand new (within several thousand miles of in-service) virgin tires blow the tread off. It ,in every case, was because the tire was way low on air.





Re-treads save me over $100. 00 per tire and that is multiplied by 6 trucks and 18 tires per truck.



Thats a lot of bread.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

A few years ago a co-worker said he used to work at Bandag. He said their re-treads were as good as a new tire. He had absolutley no doubt the way he said it.

 

[Jim's slt]

TOO EACH IS OWN

 

[Leon R]

I know up here in BC that retreads are not allowed on steering axles, at least on commercial vehicles, school busses etc. Obviously the legislators must have some reason to restrict them to the rear wheels.