Tires look brand new, but are 11 years old. Keep or discard?

[Hay Dude]

Something not brought up yet, is that this size of tires have different intended axle use categories ...

Steer tires are the highest standard of perfection, and the most costly, they "can" be used in the other two categories (drive, trailer)

Drive tires though, can't be used on the steer axle, but can be used on a trailer ...

Trailer tires can not be used in the other two applications ...

However, for long life, it's best to use the proper tire for each application ... While you could put a steer tire on the drive axle, it won't last as long as a dedicated drive tires, as the drives are designed to "flex" more when torque is applied, think how the drag racers wrinkle up a rear tire launching off the line, that's hard on a tire, and it's done to a lesser degree every time I take off, or pull a hill ...

When we get a new truck, we order it with the tires we want (brand/model) ... Once the steer tires wear down to 8/32" (4/32" is legal minimum) they become trailer tires, and we get new steers ... Drive tires get worn down to 6/32" (2/32" is legal minimum) they get rotated to the trailer ... Once down to 2/32" they get turned in to be recapped.

I use drive tires on the steer axles of my 4WD trucks.
No issues.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I use drive tires on the steer axles of my 4WD trucks.
No issues.

I'm guessing your talking about a pickup truck, not a semi-truck?

I use All Terrain tires on my Pickup truck, they are not axle application dependent ... Semi-trucks have a whole lotta laws that apply

 

[Hay Dude]

I'm guessing your talking about a pickup truck, not a semi-truck?

I have them on my Ram 5500

I use All Terrain tires on my Pickup truck, they are not axle application dependent ... Semi-trucks have a whole lotta laws that apply

I had them on my previous class 8 35,000 GVWR dump truck.

Current class 8 42,000 GVWR dump truck has milder drive tires on front, but these are also used as super single drive tires.

My point is, drive tires are used on steer axles all the time (front discharge concrete mixer, 4x4/6x6 digger derrick, etc.)

 

[Tomtint]

I gave a set of tires and wheels to a friend of mine that were basically new tread wise.. Had maybe 5K miles on them. But they had sat in my cool dry basement for 10 or so years and I knew id never use them. He put them on his F250 and one blew out at 60 mph about 10k miles later. The tread was dry and separated from the carcass of the tire.

 

[Gregster613]

Most all tires of this size have a separate rating for single or duals ...

Here is mine ...

View attachment 3978876

View attachment 3978877

At 6600 Lbs per tire in a dual set up ...is 26,400 Lbs per axle ... Most axles are only rated for 20,000 Lbs, and a tandem axle group with duals (8 tires) is only rated for 34,000 Lbs going down the road, unless you axles are spec'd higher, AND you pay for an overweight permit ...

These tire photos are good, but would someone please post a photo showing where to find the year manufactured info and if it's a code please decode it.
I went and looked at my various tires and - aside from the tire size - all I could find was "made in usa". No mention of when! No mention of when. Thanks.

 

[ultrarunner]

I never drive the antiques anywhere that speed… some have a 20 mph top speed others a little more… 45 is a good cruising speed for those…

Maybe the onus should be speed dependent?

Some of my AG tires have limitations right on the tire.

 

[ultrarunner]

These tire photos are good, but would someone please post a photo showing where to find the year manufactured info and if it's a code please decode it.
I went and looked at my various tires and - aside from the tire size - all I could find was "made in usa". No mention of when! No mention of when. Thanks.

https://www.goodyear.com/en_US/learn/tire-basics/tire-date-code.html

Some tires predate the dating…

 

[Shawn T. W.]

My point is, drive tires are used on steer axles all the time (front discharge concrete mixer, 4x4/6x6 digger derrick, etc.

I guess I was wrong, as it's not the law, but common practice on road trucks, but it's not gonna handle as good on the road as a steer tire, nor last as long ... I also learned that there is a fourth category "All Position" ...

From these three websites ... The second link also states no age requirement on this size/type of use tires ...

Semi Tires - Wear Patterns & FMCSA Regulation Guidance - DOTReady - DOT Compliance Made Easy

Explore the intricacies of Semi Tires wear patterns and FMCSA regulations. From leading manufacturers and important terms to key regulations.

dot-ready.com

Everything You Need to Know About DOT Tire Regulations

The DOT tire regulations help reduce crashes and accident-related injuries and fatalities. Register for a Hazmat School course now to learn more!

www.hazmatschool.com

Federal Register :: Request Access

www.ecfr.gov

 

[Shawn T. W.]

These tire photos are good, but would someone please post a photo showing where to find the year manufactured info and if it's a code please decode it.
I went and looked at my various tires and - aside from the tire size - all I could find was "made in usa". No mention of when! No mention of when. Thanks.

From that previous picture ...

A close up ...

The "50" stands for the 50th month week, and the "24" stands for the year 2024 ... My truck was built in April 2025.

 

[plowhog]

From that previous picture ...

View attachment 3979090


A close up ...

View attachment 3979091

The "50" stands for the 50th month, and the "24" stands for the year 2024 ... My truck was built in April 2025.

I think you meant 50th week ......