Truck tire life span?

[WoodiE]

Ok so my tires on my pick'em up truck are to the point where replacing them is needed. I go to two local tire places to get quotes and while I was at one them of I told them what I was looking for, Bridgestone Duel A/T 265x70x17, which is what was on the truck when I got it.

The sales rep asked why I wanted Bridgestone and I told him cause that's what's on it now and I haven't had any issues with them. He gave me a quote for them but also recommended a different brand, Michelin and said that they used to stock Bridgestone but don't know after many customers complained about only getting about 40,000 miles on them... funny enough my pick'em up truck has 45k on it now.

I've never paid attention in the past but what is the "average" life span of a tire on a truck? Is 40,000 really considered a short life?

 

[Metalhead Matt]

40,000 miles seems about on the money. Depending on how aggressive the tread pattern is. The weight of the vehicle has a little to do with this too. Most tires compound gets harder as they wear, so even if there is some tread left at 40,000 miles, they are usually down to the hardest part of the rubber. Even on a 50-60,000 mile tire. Which obviously makes them handle and hook up less effectively.

 

[Rolex]

Even at low mileage, tires should be replaced at 5 years. The compounds dry out making the tire prone to blowouts with debris or pot holes. You also don't get the proper grip with it as it ages.

I have 50,000 mile Firestone Indy 500s, known as 'sticky' tires due to the extra silicone, and even though I only have 20,000 miles on them, I'll be replacing them in another 6 months just to stay safe. Tires have ALWAYS been my #1 safety feature in any car I've ever had.

 

[digger]

A lot of the guys at work love Bridgestone. One guy driving a 4-cyl Toyota has changed his. Says they are too heavy?

Ol' lady's Durango had Goodyear on it. 47,000 miles. Figure they were on it new.
Had em on my little Dakota. With the positive traction rear end and being lighter in the rear, if the roads were wet, it would get out from under ya quick. Couldn't give me a set.

I've put the Mastercraft tires on hers and also the Bronco. They hold good. But I'm thinking about 25,000 miles is about the best you would get with them.

Didn't know the tires got harder with age. Maybe that was what was wrong with the Goodyears on my pickup.
Still had plenty of tread, but I got scared of them.

 

[robmob]

As much as it pains me to say so, Rolex is correct regarding the age of the tire.

Look at any tire that has been on for about 5 years and you will start to see what I call checks (little cracks) along the tire just above where it's mounted to the wheel. When you start to see these, it is time to replace your tires regardless of how many miles you have on them.

40-50k miles is about right for A/T tires. That is about what my 4Runner gets out of a set. I have had Bridgestone (stockers), Dunlop and the current set is Michelin which went on Jan '09.

 

[HPIguy]

I will add to the above, if you're after mileage, then stay away from BFG all terrains. They're pretty soft, I've had them on three different rigs of varying weight, and the most I got out of a set was 24,000 miles rotating them religiously. Then again, they got used regularly off road too, which I'm sure shortened their life some.

 

[beason]

i jsut put the bf goodwrench long trail ta tours on my titan, and so far i like them. I've read a lot a good reviews for them as well.

they are warrantied for 60k miles, so if they fall short, i will get them prorated on another set.

discount tire also has a $50 rebate going on.

 

[Rolex]

As much as it pains me to say so, Rolex is correct

 

[2revo1maxx]

Tire compounds do get a little harder with age, but not wear. The reason why they wear less and less as they go is because new tread will flex causing wear on all sides of each tread block. The shorter a tread block gets, the less it will flex, which means the tread block will become flatter instead of slightly rounded. 40,000 is good on any tire. Forget about those 80,000 mile tires, it's crap. A high mileage tire warranty only means you'll get a discount on your next set. Unless you're extremely persuasive or lucky.

When I got my 350z last august it had the original 2003 front tires on it. The tread didn't look bad, but it was all cracked between the grooves. I wish I had known that before going 130 mph :whhooo: on my way home from the dealer.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

I had a set of 35 in nitto mud grapplers that lasted 20,000. lol. But my current setup, nitto terra grappler's have lasted so far about 50k and have plenty left on em.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

My dad's truck had Generals and they lasted a good 45k before he finally replaced them. My mom has BFG Rugged Trails and they have 45k on them. New tires are in the plans for the next oil change.

 

[olds97_lss]

Does uniroyal make truck tires?

That's what I run on my boats and I get pretty close to 80K on them before I'm down to wear bars. I get about 2.5 years of running out of a set... man... my commute sucks!

I know I'm talking "car" tires here, but my cars are heavy SOB's that can be hard on tires since I drive the cars like they aren't heavy SOB's.

 

[RC Addict]

I will add to the above, if you're after mileage, then stay away from BFG all terrains.

My last set of BFG A/T's had 42,000 miles on them and still had enough tread that I got $45 per-tire credit on them when I bought new ones. My latest set has less than 25,000 miles on them and still have half the tread left but are getting the cracks above the bead all the way around (they have been mounted for four years). I will be replacing them with yet another set of BFG's--this time going up from 285/70/16's to 305/70/16's.

It's all in monitoring the air pressure and rotations. I rotate every four months regardless of mileage.

Gotta wonder this: The last set got Armor All religiously and the latest set only once or twice. Anyone think the extra silicone kept the old set from cracking like the new set? Both were four year old sets. Damn, I put 42,000 miles on my truck the first four years and only 25,000 the last four years??? I gotta go home more...

I had a set of 35 in nitto mud grapplers that lasted 20,000. lol.

My buddy gets about that kinda wear out of the Nitto's and the BFG Mud tires. 'Course he is the manager of the Discount Tire I deal with and he gets two free sets of tires a year...