Community Forums

blove8 · 06-02-2014, 07:26 AM

My DW and I have been looking at used TTs and this weekend saw one at a dealership. When I asked the salesperson about the cracks between the tire treads and mentioned it needing new tires, he said that the new tires are like that nowadays. This doesn't seem right to me, any thoughts or insight from experienced TTers?

Davdeb1 · 06-02-2014, 07:34 AM

He's stupid, or lying. Go somewhere else.

palehorse89 · 06-02-2014, 07:35 AM

Any tire that is cracked anywhere on it is a sign of dry rot, age, and is not normal. The rubber is loosing its ability to "Flex" thus cracking occurs......meaning the rubber is getting hard.

rideandslide · 06-02-2014, 07:44 AM

New tires if you buy it . Salesman are salesman ( not all ), so do your own research, unfortunately ,that comes with getting screwed in the past, life is a learning curve !!!

Jim

ZOOKER · 06-02-2014, 07:45 AM

I always look for the date code on any tire purchase. It's in the sidewall close to the rim in an elongated oval and will have D.o.t. dept. of trans- the numbers equates to week and year like 1214 would be 12th week of 2014. Tires are expensive and need to be replaced @ around 6 years. And seriously cracks are not normal and will only get worse. Don't trust the amount of tread...date code tells all. Salesmen never bend the truth do they?

rideandslide · 06-02-2014, 07:59 AM

Great point ZOOKER !!! I bought my last set of tires online and two of them them were way out of date, they replaced them with no problems.
blove8 My best advive, is look for leaks, and rot in the framing, that's where i got screwed in my first and current TT, but with a lot of work, we are on de road.

rideandslide · 06-02-2014, 08:02 AM

Rot and rust never sleeps !!!

blove8 · 06-02-2014, 08:40 AM

Thanks for the replies all. I didn't think what he was saying seemed right. I'll make a habit of looking at the date codes along with the wear/dry rot from now on.

rideandslide · 06-02-2014, 08:53 AM

As a rule of thumb,any used TT i will buy i replace the tires, bearings , races, and electric brake assembly,then i just know the basic safety things are covered.

blove8 · 06-02-2014, 09:07 AM

Excellent tip rideandslide, I'll be putting that on my list as well. Thanks.

rideandslide · 06-02-2014, 09:47 AM

None of them are expensive , but them again , I'm pretty mechanical. Done it all.on our first and current TT. Love the lifestyle,and already looking to up grade. Any help i can be ,let me know .

rideandslide · 06-02-2014, 09:48 AM

My first thing is look for rot in the framing !!!!!!!!

blove8 · 06-02-2014, 10:33 AM

Any sure fire ways of determining such rot? I've studied up on this a bit and am aware to look for such issues but I'm always open to new/better resources if you have any.

Ray,IN · 06-02-2014, 10:59 AM

The most common cause of cracking is age, next is long-term sun exposure during storage. Most ST tire manufacturers recommend replacement at 3 years to reduce the odds of tire failure, and keeping them at maximum inflation (because nearly all the time ST tires are operating near/at maximum load rating)