Tractor hauler tire pressure

Anonymous-0 · Nov 12, 2008

I have a 80 Ford 350 that I pull a 18 ft trailer for my mowing tractor. I have a front tire with a very slow leak. I forgot to air it up when I left this morning so I pulled into a tire store for some air. The salesman comes out I told him I only needed some air. He gets down, and gives my tire a real close inspectin. He notices some weather checking. Then he finds the date which is 1992. He said he can't fill my tire, it might explode. I left with my low tire. So my tire is about 16 years old. How long can a tire still be safe to drive on. I have never gone by any tire date, only tire condition. Any thoughts. stan

Connie L · Nov 12, 2008

Tires are good for 12 years from the manufacturing date. Even if they have good tred left, but if the side walls are cracked they need to be replaced.

Kirk Grau · Nov 12, 2008

Not sure why we don't see more discussion on this here. Tire dates come up all the time in RV groups. Following is a link recommending not to use any tire over 6 years old regardless of tread wear. Are Ag tires manufactured differently or is it that they are mostly slow speed so it does not matter? I know I would not like to replace my rear tires that often. I also don't expect to replace the tires on my horse trailer for many years unless somebody really makes a good case.

Kirk
Tire Dates/RV discussion

buickanddeere · Nov 12, 2008

If there are no belts showing in the deepest cracks. It is getting past it"s prime at 16 years but should be ok. If it hasn"t been damaged by heat, overloading and excessive flexing.
The tire guy was at least 1/2 correct but also trying to make a sale.

ScottyHOMeY · Nov 12, 2008

Depends on the tire and the UV exposure. What's usually called dry rot on tires is just UV breakdown. As a rule, my trailer tires are shot and get replaced long before the tread wears out.

It's not as big a deal on tractor tires, only because they don't get as hot as road tires, and don't turn as fast so that they're not as apt to throw you into a ditch if they actually do blow out.

Myself, I wouldn't consider having a tire that old and in the condition you describe under my trailer, which carries a lot more weight-per-axle when loaded than my truck does. You might get by for a while if it's on your truck, but 16 years is a long time for a tire to last, and I wouldn't count on it under a heavy load.

Christopher S. · Nov 12, 2008

I had no idea what that meant, let alone you could tell how old the tire was from it. Cool

Jason1Pa · Nov 12, 2008

I just read about this in my local paper. They say replace a tire every 6 years no matter what. You can go by the code and see what year it was made. You can actually go out and buy a new tire,but the tire could of been stored 3 years in a warehouse and its already that old. So before you buy a tire check out the date it was made. I would not have tires that old on my trailer if it were mine,but you can do what you want.

DickL · Nov 12, 2008

I would have grinned at him and drove to the next gas station and put a quarter or two in there air dispenser and blown er up. Just had to put that tire shop on my list of places to not be able to see when driving by.
I could see it on a steering tire but on a trailer?

Walt Davies · Nov 12, 2008

I got one on my Saab Sonett that I bought in 1971 you think I should replace it. it one of the rear tires and has full thread on it. Its Michelin really good tires.
I have seen new tires blow out and real old tires last for ever. I think it really just depends on who made it and how it is kept. Never drive then under inflated that is what does the most damage.
Also don't over inflate yo get better gas mileage it will kill you because of the poor handling of the vehicle.
Walt

bc · Nov 12, 2008

He was just worried about getting sued when your old tire blows out on the trailer and takes out a school bus full of kids. The guy is supposed to be a tire expert and he'd get slapped hard in court when he has access to all the tire specs and should have known better.

Doubt if a trooper would let it go without a ticket if he did an inspection.

Moral of story is air it up yourself or get a new one.

Walmart won't even change your oil if it isn't showing on the stick unless you sign a damage waiver.

bruster · Nov 12, 2008

Even though I did tire work for over 25 years, I still had to be TIA certified to work in a tire bay for TA-Speedco-Petro.
The tire industry says.................
1-Tires cannot aired up if 20% under inflated.
2-Under inflated tires must be pulled off the rim, checked and repaired if needed
3-Nothing is mentioned about changing old tires, unless they have sidewall damage, or no tread

dhermesc · Nov 14, 2008

Sounds like he rated your tire based on everything, condition, age and inflation and his professional opinion was that he didn't even want to air it up. You might take notice of that.

Tractor hauler tire pressure

Anonymous-0

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Connie L

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Kirk Grau

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buickanddeere

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ScottyHOMeY

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Christopher S.

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Jason1Pa

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DickL

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Walt Davies

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bc

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bruster

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dhermesc

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