How long do tires last? Time not miles

[bigtoy]

Here is the story I bought a set of uniroyal mud tires in 6/2000 I put about 5K easy miles on these tires. The truck spent most of the time in the garage so very little UV exsposure. I removed the tires 2 1/2 years ago when I sold the truck (Chevy gasser) and stored them in my garage. These tires look like new, but concerned about the age (6 years). What do you think? Should I be worried about the age of the rubber. I am wanting to install them on my CTD.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I've read in Trailer Life that they recommend only keeping tires for 7 years, regardless of wear. I think you can check date of manufacture by looking at the DOT number - I am pretty sure the last four digits are month and year. Do you have Discount Tire stores in your area? If so, they will usually buy back tires, giving you credit towards the purchase of new shoes.

 

[DragonflyDriver]

If they look good they probably are. This reminds me, I've got a set on a boat trailer that are about 15 years old (stays indoors). Figure if they blow, the Dodge will drag it home. ;-)

 

[Nate]

My Dad has a few small carts/trailers that have tires from the mid 1970s on them. Still hold air enough to do the job and aren't falling apart. Granted we use this stuff around town. . nothing to crazy.

 

[GaryCarter]

Unless you're planning a long road trip, I say mount 'em up and roll. What have you got to lose- price of a mount & balance?

With indoor storage chances of deterioration are slim.



Gary

 

[rluft]

If they look good they probably are. This reminds me, I've got a set on a boat trailer that are about 15 years old (stays indoors). Figure if they blow, the Dodge will drag it home. ;-)

But do you really want to have the inconvience of a blowout on the way to the lake? Not to mention the damage that is liable to occur to the trailer and possibly the boat when the tread detaches and slings around.

 

[Nate]

Because a tire that's 6 years old will fall apart? :-laf



I would bet some of the tires you buy "new" are close to that age.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

That's why you check the date of manufacture. I had two tires separate tread on my 5er last year (bad tires, not old). It cost me over $1500 to get the damage to the trailer fixed, plus put a serious crimp in my weekend plans. Can you run tires over 7 years old? Probably. Is it worth it to me to do it? No. If they are in that good of shape, find a tire store that will trade them in. You can probably get $50 each for them.



I personally would buy new tires. Not worth the headache and collateral damage the possible blowout will cause. Murphy's law, it will happen at the worst time.

 

[mberry]

I begged my parents to buy new tires when they bought their latest motorhome. It's a 1997 model and had 8200 miles on it. Now it has 9200 miles on it with the original Michelin tires. Scares me to death every time they take it somewhere! Like Foil said, it's just not worth it to me to have to worry about it.

 

[DragonflyDriver]

That's why you check the date of manufacture. I had two tires separate tread on my 5er last year (bad tires, not old). It cost me over $1500 to get the damage to the trailer fixed, plus put a serious crimp in my weekend plans. Can you run tires over 7 years old? Probably. Is it worth it to me to do it? No. If they are in that good of shape, find a tire store that will trade them in. You can probably get $50 each for them.



I personally would buy new tires. Not worth the headache and collateral damage the possible blowout will cause. Murphy's law, it will happen at the worst time.

Hold the phone. You're preaching against "old" tires but yours weren't old. So from your story, we're screwed anyway!

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

Hold the phone. You're preaching against "old" tires but yours weren't old. So from your story, we're screwed anyway!

Correct that I am preaching against old tires, but I did not blame my issue on old tires. My point was that if the tire blows, your not just out the cost of the tire, but also likely damage to the truck as well.

 

[MRFost]

The modern tire is manufactured using chemicals that retard oxydation/degradation.

Most tires that fail do so because the carcass fabric has failed. This happens when small cracks in the rubber allow moisture into the fabric, and the fabric ROTS.

So, if the anti-oxidants in the rubber have reserved the tire such that there are NO small cracks, the tires are likely OK to use. If the tires are any age, and there are small cracks where water could get to the cord, discard those tires immediately.



Oh, the other reason that tire carcasses fail is heat -- so keep your tires properly aired up. Tires get hot when they are flexing (too little air. )

 

[bigtoy]

Thanks for the replies, there are absolutely no cracks in these tires. I wish I could say the same for some of my other tires!

 

[JSchooley]

I have heard that tires on trailers deteriorate faster with age because they are not used regularly. If true this might also apply to Auto and truck tires.



I would call the manufacturer of the tires and go with their recommendation. I have first hand knowledge of the expense that can be incurred by a blow out.