BFG AT internal tire damage from running at 22 psi

[semlin]

So I got a nailhole flat on one of my 265 bfg at's last week. Took it into the tire shop for a repair. The guy brings me over to look inside the tire. There are several tears running perpendicular across the tread face on the inside almost from sidewall to sidewall. The guy says it looks like damage from running with low air pressure and that he would be worried about a blowout and I should check all four tires and think about replacing or a warranty claim when I get home (no attempt to sell me a tire and he knew I was passing through). I have never run them at less than 22 lbs psi offroad and usually 25 psi, and I run them at 40psi on highway. They are 18 months old and have maybe 12000 miles on them and look perfect from the outside. They have seen a few hundred miles of offroad duty, mostly on half decent logging roads.

So anyway, back in town now I may try a warranty claim from the tire dealer but whether it works or not this is a warning to all you BFG owners out there that maybe 22 psi is not enough for the weight of the truck.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Something's not right, as 22lbs of pressure would be plenty to avoid damage unless you're running at freeway speeds. I'd check the others and I suspect you'll find they're fine - indicating that 22psi is indeed not an issue. My guess is that the one that was flatted was run a ways at low pressure. Doesn't take long at all. I ruined a Michelin just getting it stopped from 65 when I ran over a piece of metal and heard the air escaping. It looked fine on the outside, but was as you describe on the inside.

The BFG you have has been criticized for external delaminating issues, but not what you describe.

DougM

 

[Junk]

I agree with Doug. It could be you ran it too long with low pressure before you knew you had a nail flat?

 

[woody]

I towbarred my FJ40 with BFG-MT's at 10psi for over 100 miles many many many times when I was too cheap for a trailer and too lazy to air up...never one issue with the tires.

If it's all 4 tires, check the serial numbers and see if they are close...possible there is a bad batch out there, and definitely warranteeable

 

[FirstToy]

idahodoug,
can you elaborate on the delaminating issue? I've considered getting BFG AT's at some point since they seem so highly rated.

 

[MoJ]

Bet BFG will replace them no problem. However, I don't think I'd mention that you ran them at 22 psi. I've never had a problem with the four sets of BFG's I've owned over the years.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

I agree with moj here.
blame the tears on the puncture and trying to stop.
I know that bridgestone potenzas will completely eat the internal sidewall if you are doing 70 and hit and nail. found that one out on the last trip form bellingham to Salt Lake City.
chances are it is from the aire leak not from 4 wheeling. I have run mine as low as 18 and had no issues.
Dave

 

[IdahoDoug]

Toy,

This is from memory and it's not my tire so I wasn't really interested. There were a lot of discussions on 80s Cool and other boards that the BFG KO's were having some kind of problem that could be seen externally. BFG was replacing them quite willingly. The Australians were having the problem as well as here in the US and I think there was also one set in Europe that I read about so it appeared to be relatively widespread. This is old news now as I believe BFG handled it well and took care of folks - haven't heard of any in more than a year. I like them as a solid all around choice.

DougM

 

[Junk]

Doug, I could be wrong , but from what I can remember, I think those were just about if not all in OZ and they were the old AT - not the KO. See if someone pops in that knows more about but I've never had issues with them.

 

[Safado]

I did the same thing on one of my ATs...hit something in the road and it went flat fast. I had maybe gone 100 ft at 35 MPH when I could feel something different and heard the groan. I kept it as a spare.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Yeah, I may be wrong as well, so be sure to look into it a bit. It shouldn't concern you as I believe that the issue was handled quickly by BFG. I've never owned the BFG A/T but have about 3000 miles and 2 week long trips to Moab on a set of them (corporate rig) on them. Nice all rounder and reasonable on the road for an open tread.

DougM

 

[Hltoppr]

BFGs, made by Michelin, have a rating IIRC to be run as low as about 8psi, even lower than the Michelin XZL and XCL. They're actually one of the only tires which is rated for that low a pressure on an "emergency" basis (sand, etc. not to exceed 10mph.)

There should be really no problem with running them at 22-25psi for short periods of time on the road. My bet is that BFG will replace them no problemo..

-H-

 

[e9999]

well, was it (were they) replaced under warranty?
E

 

[semlin]

nope damage from flats from road hazards are not covered. and now it has another slow leak.

 

[basalt51]

Where did you get it? You didn't get the "road hazard" waranty? Did you ever have the other tires checked?

 

[rdublin]

I ran my 295/75 BFG AT KOs on Rubicon at 13-15 psi. Lost one to a rock after leaving the overlook heading to Tahoe. There were not any internal problems with the tire when it was dismounted. Just ran them at Surf N Turf at 18 psi on the dunes, aired up and drove 300+ miles back to Folsom at 75+ mph. Perhaps I should take them down to be checked? I have a full replacement warranty on them through America's Tire.