Tires with dryrot, are they safe?

[thanson]

I would appreciate information of the dangers of running tires with hair line cracks (dryrot) in the sidewall areas on passenger vehicles. I took two 4 year old Uniroyal Larado's of my 5th wheel because they had developed cracks in the sidewalls and my rig weighs about 14,000 lbs. They have about 90% of the tread left. Would it be safe to run them on my 1 ton pickup? They are the same size as what I run on the front of my truck. How does dryrot effect the integrity of the tire? Thanks for any input. thanson

 

[Vaquero]

Dryrot

In my opinion, no they are not safe. The side wall is weaker than a "good" tire and the integrity of the side wall is where the tire gets its strength from. I would rather run them on a trailer than I would a pick-up, but even then you have a danger of having the sidewall blow out if loaded.

Just my $. 02, Kris

 

[paccool]

If they are not safe to run on a trailer, I sure wouldn't trust them on my truck!

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I just ditched a set of 1/2 worn tires due to dryrot/cracks near the bead..... just gotta bite the bullet sometimes.



Matt

 

[TowPro]

I would throw them out, but I think the PA inspection law for trailers said something about minor cracks are OK, I have heard others say "if you can get a penny in the crack, its to wide" Of course that law is as old as dirt.



Figure that $100. 00 saved by using that tire would cause much more then that in damage if (when) it goes.

 

[Blakers]

Maybe you can find someone who wants them for a smaller utility trailer for hauling mowers or something light, slow and local. They'd probably last for years in that function. In the worst case schenario, they would work fine on a piece of farm machinery. If you can't sell them, take them to an auction and someone will want them.

 

[thanson]

Thanks to each of your for your comments. I took the tires to a tire dealer and he looked at them and said the hair line cracks were surface layer rubber cracks and had not involved the side wall. thanson

 

[Rman]

Originally posted by Blakers

Maybe you can find someone who wants them for a smaller utility trailer for hauling mowers or something light, slow and local. They'd probably last for years in that function. In the worst case schenario, they would work fine on a piece of farm machinery. If you can't sell them, take them to an auction and someone will want them.

ditto on the auctions. they are great for this type of thing. If you're not comfortable with them then sell them. They'd still bring decent money at auctions, better then chuckin them.

 

[Pit Bull]

I would take them to the local tire store and get rid of them. I would not want anyone driving on them.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

If you want to get rid of them and not be liable for who uses them..... cut the sidewall with a holesaw and destroy the bead with an appropriate utensil.



That's what all the F*rd dealerships were doing to the Firestone recalled tires.



Matt

 

[Ron Bissett]

Trailer tires crack from Sun and the fact that the chemical that is put in the compound only works if the tires are used to the point that heat is caused and chemical is released to the walls . Keep them covered and use the trailer more often to work the tires and they will last longer . If in doubt check them out at the dealer. Ron in Metro Louisville KY:-{}

 

[Deezul1]

I was told by 3 different tire dealers that radial tires have a life of "ABOUT" 4 years and after that you can expect seperations which is what caused me to start asking in the first place. I had several tires with a lot of rubber on them come up with bubbles in the tread area and thats when I found out about the 4 year thing.