Tire(ing) Question

[Lin]

When pulling my rear tires for some work, I found that the set on the driver's side was severely cracked on the inside of both tires.  The tires looked perfect on the visible side.  I want to replace them now and was thinking of getting some used tires.  I found a couple but they are drive tires.  The I have only had all position tires up till now.  Does it make a difference if one set of duals are all position and the other set are drives?  Anything else to be aware of?

[robertglines1]

One of the big things to watch is circumference they must be close to equal. I think within 3/4 inch or i will damage your rear end. also allot of drive tires have a more aggressive tread. To measure run tape around center  tread  of  tires.   Bob

[gus]

Lin,

It should make no difference if both rear sets are the same diameter and type (Radial, tubeless, etc).

However, this is highly unlikely since even tires of the same brand and size, but different models, are often not the same diameter.

You might try placing one of each in the same position on each side, a pair of one old with one new. At least they will match even if they are slightly different diameters.

With drivers, as you know, they probably shouldn't ever be rotated to the front. This is the reason I always go with all positions if possible, but I'm not dead sure they can't be used on the front. TomC will know since he is a trucker.

[TomC]

Traction tires can and do make a lot of highway noise.  I'd advise staying with your steer type tires.  Ideally-all 4 tires should be replaced at the same time.  If not-try to keep the diameters all the same.  Good Luck, TomC

[Jeremy]

My bus came with drive tyres, and I'd be interested to know if anyone has an opinion on whether these are worth having from a traction point of view, especially given the occasional off-tarmac use our buses get around campsites etc. My experience locally here was that all-position tyres were a fair bit cheaper to buy than drive tyres, which gave me a dilemma when I needed new ones.

Jeremy

[Lin]

Well, since I have the same tires on the front as the other two duals (those four were bought together), I could move them to the rear.  They should be about the same diameter.  Of course, that would mean getting new steers.

Jeremy, I live on a dirt road and have never had any traction issues, but we have a sand and clay mix.

  Do you think the washboard keeps the tires clean?

[robertglines1]

I think you got the answer. Wonder why tires on one side cracked? Another subject for another time.Best of luck   Bob

[Lin]

Robert,

The tires that crack were older.  Since they were on the bus when we bought it, I am not sure how old they are.  The interesting thing though is that, as mentioned, the outsides of the tires looked perfect.  I assume that the cumulative affect of age and brake heat caused them to crack on the inside only.  I have just purchased some Centramatics for the duals.   I understand that they, aside from balancing, help to dissipate heat.

[pvcces]

On the other hand, some people might try to conceal checked tires. Usually, sunlight does a lot of the damage. I have no idea about the ones that you have. You might try reading the DOT code on the tires to find out how old they are.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey

[Jriddle]

I think one should replace the steer tires and rotate steers back as often as you can. I would much rather have new tires on the front. New tires can give problems but I would rather bet on new tires.

My thoughts

John

[Joe Camper]

Lin the tires have dates branded into them

Look for an oval DOT brand on the sidewall, there will be 4 numbers before it. the first 2 #s were the week and the 3rd and 4th #s are the year of manufacture.

It will only be branded on 1 side.

If you put a short tire next to a taller one on the drives the short one will be bald in no time flat do not ever do that.

[Lin]

just so i understand how to read the dates, I looked for numbers on the tires I bought a couple of years ago.  After the DOT number were four digits the read "3307".  This would be a reasonable date based on when a purchased the tires.  If that is right, the numbers in the same place on the cracked tires were "410".  Would that mean 41st week of 2000?

[gus]

I agree with John, I always put the new ones on the front but I also always buy all position tires so this is easy.

[happycamperbrat]

3307 would mean the 33rd week of 2007...... but for the 3 digits 410 I have no idea! I havent seen tires with just 3 digits for date of manufacture

[buswarrior]

41st week of 1990.

3 digits were from before 2000.

You can scrap that one, or put it on off road/field duty.

happy coaching!
buswarrior