2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tire Life ?

[4570]

How long can i expect tires to last side wall wise . I have Michelins LT245/75R 16 that are about 5 1/2 years old . Tread is like new but the side walls are all cracked . Most cracks are radially around but there are a few that are vertical and bulging slightly . I guess when i replace these i will get the cheapest 10 ply i can find since tread wear isnt the problem. Arnie

 

[JCyrbok]

my stock michelins wore out n the front at 48k, but that was due to back aligment prblems and ball joints. The tread wore uneven. I did have some side wall cracks and a small chunk missing where the wife parked the truck by "feel" on the curb. It looked to me like the side walls were thin or that there was an "outer" side wall, that was cracked.



I replaced with Toyo Open County A/T's in the stock size, but since ur have a 4x2 u really wouldnt need an aggressive tread.



Hope this helps

J-

 

[Loren]

Arnie,



The rubber in tires is imbued with a substance that will protect the outside from "dry rot". This substance is used up as the tire sits, but if you drive on the tire and flex it more substance will migrate to the surface to protect it.



Tires that sit without running will develop this cracking long before the tread wears out. It's common with trailer tires.



This may be what has happened to yours.



Just a thought.



Loren

 

[Neibe]

My tires had these cracks and atire store told me not to worry about them. Also,my truck never sits is driven everyday.

 

[WestTN]

Also, the cheapest tire you can find may not last as long. Sometimes the cheap way is the most expensive.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I found that if you spray the side walls once a week with Armorall tire foam they seem to last alot longer. Maybe just coincidence, but it's worked great for me.

 

[CyberRanger]

Unless Armorall has changed their formula, you don't want to use it on your tires. All of their products contain alchohol, petroleum-based solvents or silicone, & in the long run, will damage your tires & vinyl. Don't believe me? Go check their website...



Armorall



All three of those break down rubber eventually contributing to cracking & dry rot.



Natural oil based products, like Lemon Pledge, do a far better job of protecting your tires. I learned this years ago from a friend who had a show car.



Lemon Pledge Trigger



The sun is the single, most damaging condition you can subject your tires to. If you don't drive something a lot, cover the tires to protect from UV rays. And no, SPF 50 won't work!

 

[Cliffman]

I get all that but is it safe to drive a 6 year old tire with plenty of tread but small crackes in the side wall?

 

[JMcCoy]

I would not drive at highway speeds on dry rotted tires. An off road hunting buggy, I would say go for it. People die every day from old, dry rotted, tires blowing out. You say your tires are about 5 1/2 years old. Look at the manufacture date code on the side. The're probably much older than you think. The tires are the only thing between your truck and the road. Is yours, your family's, or your fellow motorist's lives worth trying to stretch your milage on a set of tires. I understand budgets are a concern these days, and I applause you searching for advise before just riding it out on the old tires. Remember, it's you and your family in the truck, not their's. No offense intended to anyone in this post. Quality tires are a passionate topic for me. Just my $. 02. Good luck

 

[AWallace]

Think michelin says no more than 6 years. I have been researching tires also as I need a set. I believe I saw that on their site. About 5 years ago returning from a trip carrying a 2k camper and no cracks on 5 year old tires one blew. $1,700 damage. Don't risk it. I was only doing about 40 mph when it happen or it could have been worse. Like you my time runs out before tread. They like them michelins to much when you have to pull them with half tread left.

 

[Cliffman]

I would not drive at highway speeds on dry rotted tires. An off road hunting buggy, I would say go for it. People die every day from old, dry rotted, tires blowing out. You say your tires are about 5 1/2 years old. Look at the manufacture date code on the side. The're probably much older than you think. The tires are the only thing between your truck and the road. Is yours, your family's, or your fellow motorist's lives worth trying to stretch your milage on a set of tires. I understand budgets are a concern these days, and I applause you searching for advise before just riding it out on the old tires. Remember, it's you and your family in the truck, not their's. No offense intended to anyone in this post. Quality tires are a passionate topic for me. Just my $. 02. Good luck

I did check the date code. On my 15k RV the date is 2003 and on my truck there 2004.

 

[AWallace]

I change my RV tires after 6 1/2 to 7 years regardless of the tread. I pulled off one set that had about 15k miles look like brand new. On RV tires 7 years total. My RV is inside when not in use. Try to keep the tires covered to block the sun.

 

[Grizzly]

I change my RV tires after 6 1/2 to 7 years regardless of the tread. I pulled off one set that had about 15k miles look like brand new. On RV tires 7 years total. My RV is inside when not in use. Try to keep the tires covered to block the sun.

If your RV tires are ST, made in China tires, you should change them out every three years. That's the recommended life for all ST tires.



An LT tire, whether on your truck or trailer, are recommended for not more than six years. The recommended tire life is from the date stamped on the sidewall of the tire and not when you purchased them. Some tire stores have tires that may be eight years old or more and sell them as new. It's very important to always check the date stamped in the box on the sidewall.



george

 

[KBrennan]

Best practice is when cracking is found and the tire is over 5 years of age is change them out. I had a set of Coopers that developed sidewall cracking and the left front (Driver's side) tire had tread seperation at 75 MPH. Not something i want to go through again. The tire stayed inflated but was treadless with all the steel belts exposed. Put on the spare and bought a new set when I got home. These tires had 50K miles give or take a few and were about 4 years old. I tow a 12K lb 5th wheel so that helped in the wear on the tire. The next set of Coopers developed cracks about the same milage and time frame. I changed them out for Bridgestone Duelers. great tires and will not go back to anyother.

 

[AWallace]

I always look at the date especially when buying them sometimes they have been on the rack for a while. I have looked at the Cooper ATR or H/T both have a 50k tread life warrenty. I have also looked at the Uniroyal Laredo HD/H a commercial tire made to carry heavy loads and is said to be more puncture resistant on rough roads. I wanted one with stiffer side walls and made in the US. It seems they all only have a 2 ply side wall. I haven't looked at the Bridgestones.



On my 5er I run Goodyear wrangler LT 235/75 16E rated. That is what came on it so I went back with them. Had on problems with them.

 

[Grizzly]

I always look at the date especially when buying them sometimes they have been on the rack for a while. I have looked at the Cooper ATR or H/T both have a 50k tread life warrenty. I have also looked at the Uniroyal Laredo HD/H a commercial tire made to carry heavy loads and is said to be more puncture resistant on rough roads. I wanted one with stiffer side walls and made in the US. It seems they all only have a 2 ply side wall. I haven't looked at the Bridgestones.



On my 5er I run Goodyear wrangler LT 235/75 16E rated. That is what came on it so I went back with them. Had on problems with them.

On my 5th wheel I run Michelin XPS Rib LT 235, 85R16, LR "E". They have steel cord sidewalls and are better punchure resistant than any other tire. They are USA made and have stiffer sidewalls.