Tire Queston - need some advice

[Foil Freak 1211]

OK, here is the situation. I am running BFG 285s that I have been happy with. The tires have about 20,000 miles on them, and I would say they have about 20,000 miles life remaining. Thursday on my way home, I hit something in the road and ruined one of my tires. The local tire store had to ship a replacement tire in, and it is now here. When I set an appointment to have the new tire put on, I was told that I should consider buying 3 additional new tires as having one tire with significantly more tread life left could possibly hurt the drive train of the truck. Is this guy blowing smoke, or is he telling me the truth? Need advice ASAP as I am leaving for Yellowstone at the end of the week.



Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

[Rattler]

I would not worry too much about the drivetrain, i would worry more about those 285 bfg's. I had a set a couple years ago that all 4 came apart at about 20000 miles. They split and you could see the belts. Randy

 

[Hammer]

Ryan. .

I wouldn't think any damage would come to your driveline,however,when doing a tire install on a 4x4(or any truck)its always better to replace them in pairs at least. Drivability is what you would find would be compromised by only doing one tire installs. What I mean is you have one tire on the axle with 50% of the tread depth remaining and then you install 1 new one,which way is the truck going to pull towards once they are on the front and under a braking load?. I understand cost and it may not what you want to hear,but,I'd slip the one other used on underneath as a spare and add a pair to your truck... ... . Andy

 

[Spooled-up]

I agree with Hammer. There will be a slight difference in the speed your axles turn if the tire size is different. Even the difference in tread depth will make a difference. I'd get two if it were me.

 

[JayWm]

Buy 2, keep the one good used tire as a spare.



Jay



p. s. if you were my customer at my tire store I would be recommending two.