Mixing old and new tires

[ccasteel]

I have two tires that are worn significantly more than the others. And my spare has never touched the ground. I'm considering buying one new tire to replace a worn one and put the spare into rotation. With the best of the worn becoming the spare.

I drive it regularly but it's not a dd anymore. My concern is the tires are all pretty old. Do you think it would be okay if three are old and one is new, even if the tread depth is roughly the same? These are BF Goodrich All Terrain TA's from 1996.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

I do. Keep the best two on the front. When you rotate them, just do front to back. When you get a new set, get five and rotate them properly.

 

[JohnnyC]

I do. Keep the best two on the front. When you rotate them, just do front to back. When you get a new set, get five and rotate them properly.

x2

as long as... bfg's arent beat to *^% and cracking w/dry rot

 

[Hugh Heifer]

x2

as long as... bfg's arent beat to *^% and cracking w/dry rot

The last set of BFGs I purchased finally blew out their side walls in Puerto Rico. They were on a daily driven Nissan. They were about 12 years old. They all went about the same time so they certainly have a useful life even if the tread is still good.

I am not looking forward to this happening on the 40. Five 35" KM2 don't come cheap! (Even for a guy who has a brother working near the top in sales at Michelin!)

 

[JohnnyC]

at Michelin

8.25r16's in XL or XZL would be nice

 

[Hugh Heifer]

at Michelin

8.25r16's in XL or XZL would be nice

I have been trying to get a family discount for years. He only gets my dad a set every so often because my dad is a jr and my brother is a III (same name so no questions asked ). They have some BS strict policy on employee discounts.

 

[inkpot]

While I have certainly run tires way over the expected lifespan, I would think 16 years would be pushing it. Maybe OK for a trail only rig, but I would not be comfortable cruising on the highway. I'm sure someone has run older tires longer farther, etc, but I would not. Just my humble opinion. John

 

[baas]

Here in Australia the tyre dealers are not allowed to put anything older than 10 years onto a rim - I had one spare that had not seen the tarmac but was around 14 years old when I purchased my truck - the tyre dealer was happy to return the casing but they would not even put it back.

I suppose like many things it is a risk/reward decision - how much will new tyres cost, will your insurance cover you if you are running older tyres and they fail, is it really worth the worry?

 

[GRM]

My experience with BFG's is that the rubber hardens quickly from UV rays. I've had to replace tires that were less the 2 years old due to UV damage.

If the tire was kept inside, I'd say your OK. But since the tire was outside, I'd buy a new tire. $200 of tire, is a lot cheaper than $2000 of body damage from a blown-out tire.

 

[ccasteel]

These are 31 x 10.50, no signs of dry rot and I've kept it garaged since I've owned it. Ultimately I would like to find some 16" steelies and some tall skinny tires. Yes, I know, me and half the other guys on mud. My current wheels are decent 15 x 8 aluminum, but it's just not my taste. If you look close, you can almost tell how much more worn the fronts are than the rears. Is this common? There doesn't appear to be uneven wear, just more. It was this way when I bought it and I've only added about 6000 miles.

 

[o Tee o]

I'd buy a new tire. $200 of tire, is a lot cheaper than $2000 of body damage from a blown-out tire.

X2 I would be happy to pay the $200 to save the heartache, (especially with a young family). Nice looking rig by the way!

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[cjgoode]

I was told to always put the best traded tires on the rear. The rear losing traction and swinging around is a lot more dangerous and a lot more probable with the lighter weight. Goes against my common sense but is what tire companies recommend.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/4243992

 

[o Tee o]

I'm with you on that one cjgoode, understeer is a lot easier to control than oversteer. My local rubber dealer has a warning notice glued to the counter stating he will not put new forward unless a waiver is signed.

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