What to do about replacing just one drive tire?

[belfert]

It looks like I will have to replace one of my inside duals on Monday.  I discovered a large bulge on the inside of the tire today.

The tires were purchased in 2006 and have around 30,000 miles on them.  Can I get by with just one new tire, or will it be a problem if I don't replace all four?  I just made one of the steer tires a tag tire.  I could possibly move that tire to the drive axle and get a new/used tag tire.  I just got new steer tires so no moving those to the tags.

[Kwajdiver]

What about putting a used tire on it?  Call around to locale tire stores.

Bill

[belfert]

What about putting a used tire on it?  Call around to locale tire stores.

Won't I have issues with a used tire not matching the diameter of the current drive tires?  My thinking is I should move the tag tire I just moved from the front to the drive position and then get a used or new tire for the tag.  I guess we'll see what the tire place says tomorrow.

[trucktramp]

Putting on a new tire next to a used one won't hurt anything.  It will however, cause the new tire to wear faster than normal because it will be carrying more weight than the older tire.  If you decide to go with used, have your tire guy measure the good tire and match with what he has to sell so that you get similar diameters.

[TomC]

If you don't want to replace all 4, the recommendation to replace the one with a used tire is the best.  If you can select a used tire that is about the same diameter, that will be the best (tread pattern is not important).  Buying a new tire will be larger causing it to run hot because of taking more of the weight (as previously mentioned) and cause the differential to be constantly rotating since the higher tire will be running slower then the worn tires on the other side.  Personally-I would buy 4 new tires-are the other 3 going to do the same bubbling thing?  Also-Look into installing a recap. Quality recaps are good on dualies.  Half of the rubber you see on the road is from new tires blowing up.  The number one killer of tires is from low air pressure causing excessive heat. Best to have some sort of wireless pressure monitoring system like PressurePro. Good Luck, TomC

[belfert]

I'm pretty sure the tire was never run low on pressure.  It was still at full PSI when I checked all the tires yesterday.  I am literally in the middle of installing a Pressure Pro system.  I have to mount the monitor itself and I will be done.

[bobofthenorth]

Just for clarification, the issue with a new tire next to a worn tire in a dual setup is not so much the difference in weight but rather the difference in circumference.  Since both duals have to turn at the same RPM and both have different circumferences you set up a situation where both tires are constantly scrubbing which will actually wear them both out. 

[sommersed]

I have mixed new with old, but used the chalk line method to make sure that the wear pattern was the same on both tires.  Different inflation pressures may be necessary to make this happen.

A chalk line (or several) across both tires, then driven a couple of miles in a straight line provides wear pattern.

Ed

[bkelly1011]

In addition to what bobofthenorth noted, the scrubbing caused by the differential in diameter can build up heat - so on longer trips it's a potential fire hazard as well.  Good idea to avoid that.

[Don4107]

I would change both tires on that side.  Look for 2 new or used matching tires close to the same diameter as the existing tires.   Take the good tire and use it for a tag, spare or trade in.

Good luck