Community Forums

davidki · 06-09-2023, 05:36 AM

Time to replace the tires...
In 2007 we bought a new Sierra 2500hd crew cab with the 6.6' bed and as of today, we have about 16,000 miles on it. We really only use it once in a while to tow our Jayco 26rks (about 7k lbs bumper pull) and our horse trailer occasionally. We use it for small errands and picking things up for the farm. The current Tires are Bridgestone and are as you can imagine excellent shape, air pressure always kept up. The truck is kept in the RV garage 99% of the time when not towing.. Our trips are always with in 200 miles of the house and 3 to 4x per year. The tires are not showing any cracking or deteriation so my question is... should i bite the bullet and just go and change them even thought there is very little wear and from looking at them they are in good shape. we have just booked a date to the Smokey's in September, that is about 200 miles from the house.. 90% highway at 65mph. And, if the consensus is to change them what is the best all around AT tire these days to buy? I'd like to have a little more meat on the tire as we only have a 2wd and sometimes gravel and dirt roads could use a more aggressive tire but that is probably on on a few occasion's. Ok, Tell me what you think and if it's change them ... to what? I beleive they are 265-70- r17 And Yep, it is a 2007 with about 16,000 miles!

Skip426 · 06-09-2023, 09:12 AM

JMHO : 16 years old and 1,000 miles a year ; it may seem like overkill to replace them ; but there can be deterioration inside the tire .

You're obviously concerned , or you wouldn't be here asking ; so replace the tires .

kdauto · 06-09-2023, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidki

Time to replace the tires...
In 2007 we bought a new Sierra 2500hd crew cab with the 6.6' bed and as of today, we have about 16,000 miles on it. We really only use it once in a while to tow our Jayco 26rks (about 7k lbs bumper pull) and our horse trailer occasionally. We use it for small errands and picking things up for the farm. The current Tires are Bridgestone and are as you can imagine excellent shape, air pressure always kept up. The truck is kept in the RV garage 99% of the time when not towing.. Our trips are always with in 200 miles of the house and 3 to 4x per year. The tires are not showing any cracking or deteriation so my question is... should i bite the bullet and just go and change them even thought there is very little wear and from looking at them they are in good shape. we have just booked a date to the Smokey's in September, that is about 200 miles from the house.. 90% highway at 65mph. And, if the consensus is to change them what is the best all around AT tire these days to buy? I'd like to have a little more meat on the tire as we only have a 2wd and sometimes gravel and dirt roads could use a more aggressive tire but that is probably on on a few occasion's. Ok, Tell me what you think and if it's change them ... to what? I beleive they are 265-70- r17 And Yep, it is a 2007 with about 16,000 miles!

I'm a mechanic/repair shop owner and sell and repair tires. Honestly, I'd probably inspect each tire real close up on a lift if possible. Shine a strong flashlight or trouble light on the tread blocks and around the rim edge looking for cracks or dry rot. Your 2007 vintage tires have way more UV protection than any of the newer (say,2011+) tires ever had. I am still running 2007 Nokian summer tires on my old Suburban.

If you have a long trip,say,400-500 mile+ in hot weather you'd be safer to replace them. For 200 mile trips like you describe, I'd be checking them out carefully a few times a year. Deterioration won't happen from the inside out. Tread blocks and sidewalls will show cracking before anything else.

ArtJoyce · 06-09-2023, 01:54 PM

Back when ford had the issue with some some suv's rolling over. Tires, tire presure was one of the things we heard about. But about the same time tire companies stop mounting, reparing tires that were over 10 year old. I hear this was related to the studies conducted on the ford rollover.

I think if I was using it for hauling trailers and long trips they would be changed when they are 10 years old. For around the house on flat land I would drive with the old tires. Mountains, no.

davidki · 06-09-2023, 04:39 PM

Thanks for the input and if we were just going to use the truck around town, picking up stuff for the farm and the occasional short camping trip I'd agree that the tires that is on it is probably fine...

After looking at some of our ideas for future travel... Our trip to the Smokey's in September and perhaps a few other campgrounds before the end of the year I think I"M just going to bite the bullet ... The prices I've seen over the range of Bridgestone and Michelins range around $1200 to $1400 may just be the safe thing to do and if they last another 10 -12 years... I'd say I'd be good with that.

davidki · 06-09-2023, 05:32 PM

I found it interesting that Costco Michelin xt/2 ( think) has 2 part numbers and one of them refer to being a "Ford" model...

BeatCJ · 06-11-2023, 08:21 AM

One of the major factors in tire rubber deterioration is UV damage. By parking your truck inside, you reduce lot of that. I agree with the recommendation to closely inspect all 5 tires, and if you don't find weather checking on ANY of the 5 I would run them. Your usage is very easy on your tires.

If you do decide to replace, I have had very good luck with Nokian on both my wife's Subaru and my 3500 DRW truck. I have Falken Rubitrek A/Ts (no Nokians in the warehouse, poor planning on my part) on my truck now, and have been happy. I have towed 3 4000 mile trips to Arizona in the spring, had snow every time, and haven't had any disappointments.

davidki · 06-11-2023, 07:27 PM

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.. Yes, the truck stays in the RV garage when not in use. I'm not sure if I can find a shop here in town to inspect the tires.. Maybe Discount Tire would but they also said they can't repair an tire older than 10 years... I"ll see what else I might be able to find.

Willhelm · 06-11-2023, 08:43 PM

I believe tires have a shelf life of about 7 years from the date they were manufactured, there is a 4 date code on the tire. once you get pass the years, its kinda up to you

BeatCJ · 06-11-2023, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidki

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.. Yes, the truck stays in the RV garage when not in use. I'm not sure if I can find a shop here in town to inspect the tires.. Maybe Discount Tire would but they also said they can't repair an tire older than 10 years... I"ll see what else I might be able to find.

Nobody will recommend that you keep them, too afraid of liability. Manufacturers recommendations will guide them to telling you they have to be replaced. I understand why, as technology in refining had improved, the VOC content has gone down. So the synthetic rubber compounds in tires oxidize more quickly. You can extend the life by using the vehicle on a somewhat regular basis to keep the VOCs mobile in the tires, and keeping them out of the sun.

Where I work, our vehicles see limited mileage, and are stored inside. We use 15 years to age out tires, it seems the best combination of economy and risk management. Reliability is a requirement in my business, we have NEVER in 35 years had an age related flat tire/blowout. We have had a couple lost to mechanical damage, picked up a screwdriver, lost one to a rock cut, one got curbed at 35 mph.

davidki · 06-12-2023, 05:23 AM

beatCJ, Thanks for the additional information. at about $1400 to replace them with new Michelins and not to have to think about them on our trips I am leaning on just bite the bullet and changing them out... We are now at 16.5 years since we purchased the truck and even though they don't look or ride bad it's just a gut feeling... I'd hate to leave and 100 miles down the road have a blow out or worse... and to know that for $1400 I could have averted that... at our age, I am sure it will be the last set of tires we will be getting for the truck :-)

I'll make this offer though, we live just outside of Lebanon Tn. When I change out the tires if someone would like to pick them up I can have them put in the back of the truck and carry them home... Just let me know if anyone would like them.

BeatCJ · 06-12-2023, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidki

it's just a gut feeling... I'd hate to leave and 100 miles down the road have a blow out or worse... and to know that for $1400 I could have averted that...

Worth every single penny.