We always tend to report on our tires shortly after purchase, when we still know almost nothing about them. Since few of us have enough money to replace tires when they're half-worn, how they perform later in their life is an important consideration.
So I have decided to post an end-of-life report. I am hoping this catches on, because once again, not many of us can afford to test a broad selection of tires for ourselves.
My current set is Bridgestone muddies. They were fitted about 3 1/2 years ago, but the date code indicates that they are just over 6 years old. Size is 32x11.5R15, but the actual rolling diameter now is close to 29", which has caused me a number of embarrassing incidents, especially lately. Because they are so small, I have less ground clearnace than most guys, and as a result I have hung it on the diffs a few times while following other guys.
The car (for those who don't know) is a '96 GQ with a fair amount of extra weight which is used enthusiastically on the road (It's my daily driver), on trails and for touring. I drive hard, and usually try all the toughest obstacles.
The tires have now done 73 000km. This is a set of five, rotated at least every 10k km, and with the spare being rotated through. I runn a TPMS system, so can state with confidence that the tires have never exceeded 61 degrees C.
Traction is mostly comparable with the old BF A/T's (my previous tires, which were considered pretty weak on tar). On the other hand, I have had a lot of punctures (not sidewalls, but in the thread itself). They are now cracking up quite badly, and two of them have multiple gaiters on the inside to try and stop the leaks. Two of them are now at the point where I am unable to stop all the leaks (one fortunately very slowly), and it seems as if the steel belting is puncturing the tires. They are quite badly cracked as well.
It is something we never check when buying new tyres. We buy them at a reduced price assuming they are "new". Instead the dealer just wants the tyre out of their shop. Speak to anybody in the tyre industry and they will tell you that the lifespan of a tyre is only 5 years. Tyres used daily is probably not at high risk but that caravan or trailer that gets used only 2 or 3 times a year is a high risk for failure.
Makes me want to go check the dates on my tyres NOW!
Thanks for the thread. It's interesting - I've also got Bridgestone M/T, but the newer "model code". Cannot remember what it is right now. They've currently been on for about a year, and about 30k km. They've been worked hard as well.
Mine currently still look very good, but they are wearing a little faster than I would have liked. I guess I'll get another years' use out of them before they'll need to be replaced.
Thanks for that report, very interesting. My A/T Bridgestones started wearing down unevenly, originally thought then wheel balance was out.
I hadn't known that the muddies had changed? Thought it was only the A/T's?
Peter Connan wrote: I hadn't known that the muddies had changed? Thought it was only the A/T's?
now the question is, what will you be getting to replace them?