Tail wheel meets truck tire: Replace?

[piaffepony]

2012 dodge 4500 w/ 19.5" 225/70R M&S Goodyears bought in 2017 with low miles (Feed/hay/bedding and horse trailer use mainly).

My well- intentioned city slicker fiance was fueling up the tractor via transfer tank on my truck so he could help mow pastures. He roughed up my right front tire (and wheel cover) with the tail wheel on my brush hog. Oof

My duals are the same tire but Michilens. They were also purchased in 2017 but a few months later (dual blew hauling horses out of state, options were limited). I'm guessing I'll need to replace both front tires? Think it's good enough to drive 35min to the truck shop?

Also, there is a good sized hole in the wheel cover (or at least I hope it's just the wheel cover! ) Any recommendations on where I can buy a reasonably priced replacement?

 

[Jchonline]

First things first. Time for a new Fiancé!

Your options for the front are related to wear. You can actually buy 1 new tire of the same tread type, but it needs to be ground to the same tread wear as the other tire on the front. Tirerack.com will do this for a minimal fee. It is kind of a waste because you are removing good tread from a new tire.

I would probably see what 2 new ones cost, then price 1 with having it ground down then make a decision. If you drive the truck a bunch I would go with 2 new ones.

As for the rim/wheel coverI would look at junkyards to see if one is available for cheap. If not a new one will be $$. It doesn't look that bad...might just end up leaving it as is and finding a lug nut cover. Is that lug nut under it bent or is it ok?

 

[Xfaxman]

Think it's good enough to drive 35min to the truck shop?

If it is holding air pressure it should be good to go.

 

[ning]

2012 dodge 4500 w/ 19.5" 225/70R M&S Goodyears bought in 2017 with low miles (Feed/hay/bedding and horse trailer use mainly).

My well- intentioned city slicker fiance was fueling up the tractor via transfer tank on my truck so he could help mow pastures. He roughed up my right front tire (and wheel cover) with the tail wheel on my brush hog. Oof

My duals are the same tire but Michilens. They were also purchased in 2017 but a few months later (dual blew hauling horses out of state, options were limited). I'm guessing I'll need to replace both front tires? Think it's good enough to drive 35min to the truck shop?

Also, there is a good sized hole in the wheel cover (or at least I hope it's just the wheel cover! ) Any recommendations on where I can buy a reasonably priced replacement? View attachment 705141View attachment 705142View attachment 705143View attachment 705144

The most important question is the sidewall because of the blowout risk there - how much of a gouge is it? Is it mostly a surface scratch, or can you see any threads or steel in it? honestly I've seen worse on a MTB tire that's a twentieth the thickness of that tire.

Secondly, look at the gouge in the tread blocks; look in the tread groove and try to see if the cut goes deeper than the channels between blocks. If it's only as deep as the block or not even that much, pretend like you got some tire siping done early for the winter and just keep an eye on it.

My guess is that the tire's fine. If you want, drive to the tire store and have them check it out, but they probably will tell you to replace it for two reasons - 1, make a sale, and 2, they don't want to say it's fine even if they think it's 99% fine but potentially be liable for being wrong.

Personally I'd drive it at slower speeds for the next while (take back roads if necessary, stay below 45) and see how that sidewall is holding up. If it develops a bulge, replace it ASAP. Worst case for the tread blocks is you'll lose a chunk of rubber and you'll feel vibration and need to replace the tire, but I strongly doubt you'll have trouble there.

 

[LD48750]

I wouldn't worry about it.

Doesn't look bad to me, drive it.

As for the hubcap, it's a TRUCK, not the presidential limmo.

 

[piaffepony]

I wouldn't worry about it.

Doesn't look bad to me, drive it.

As for the hubcap, it's a TRUCK, not the presidential limmo.

Well that wheel cover had an occasional loud clanking from a rock that got wedged up in there a while back so I'm not too terribly bummed to replace it.

I was more worried about the safety aspect. I go get 1+ ton loads approx every other week but especially when hauling my 38' horse trailer.

 

[ruffdog]

The tire is labeled "groovable" so it is a thick carcus tire. I would still use the tire and make him do house cleaning.

 

[ponytug]

How much are your horses worth? How much is that 38' trailer?

That tire is what, $500 $700, new? And, it is already four years old.

Sure, the tire looks ok from 1,000 miles away, but why risk it? Side wall damage is especially hard to assess as the tire is weakest in a sidewall. (I once tore one open on an unseen curb backing very slowly out of a parking spot. 5" long gap just by rubbing on the curb.) Front tire blow outs are rarely pretty, as there is no dually buddy there to take up the slack, and your 4500 has a lot of weight on that tire.

I wouldn't risk it. That is a working truck.

YMMV...

All the best,

Peter

 

[Midniteoyl]

The risk is yours, so you decide how much of it you are willing to accept, but personally I'd call it fine and just keep on eye on it for the next few miles. This is the front so not much worry with loaded trailers putting a ton of weight on it.

It's definitely good enough to get to the tire shop for an expert opinion.

 

[Jchonline]

If you are towing loads with it regularly, yes I would have it replaced. I would also probably drive it 35 min to get a new one myself…but you do what you think is safest.….like force the Fiancé to drive it while you have a beer on the couch.