Urgent Tire Question
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Senior User
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From: Northern New Mexico
Urgent Tire Question
I have a 1999 F-250 superDuty PSD with upgraded springs and a solid 10K lbs rear towing rig. Tomorrow morning I have to haul a loaded 18 foot livestock trailer about 120 miles. I have four Hankook E rated 16 inch tires (not a dually). I just noticed that one of the tires has a crack that runs the entire circumfrance of the tire on the tread about two inches in from the outer wall. This crack is straight. I cannot tell how deep. It probably developed from tire overheating while extracating myself from a hole a couple of weeks ago. The tire was smoking pretty good.
Is this crack indicative of a potential catastrophic failure at high speed while towing a heavy load? Unfortunately, I just noticed that the spare is not the same size being the OEM tire. Since the rear diff is Limited Slip running differnt sized tires is not an option. Should I risk running this load or use another truck?
Advice from them who know would be greatly appreciated. I tend to overreact on tire issues.
Is this crack indicative of a potential catastrophic failure at high speed while towing a heavy load? Unfortunately, I just noticed that the spare is not the same size being the OEM tire. Since the rear diff is Limited Slip running differnt sized tires is not an option. Should I risk running this load or use another truck?
Advice from them who know would be greatly appreciated. I tend to overreact on tire issues.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Westchester IL
Pics would be great. But think about it..........A tire is $150. Are you worth that much? REPLACE IT. Risk vs Reward is ALL WRONG in this case.
Probably stress cracking by the way, which means replace it.
Probably stress cracking by the way, which means replace it.
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If the crack is as you described,, I think you are setting yourself up to throw rubber and have a blowout. This is of course opinion w/out pics. I would play safe when it comes to tires. A blowout could be really bad to deal with at highway speeds. Jim
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From: Bossier City, LA
Noticed the same thing on my toyhauler 2 years ago. 2 weeks later, first trip of the year, BLOWOUT on I-20. Next day, 5 new ones went on, including the spare. Ask yourself is your time and aggrevation worth it on a trip?
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From: Northern New Mexico
Unfortunately, I have no spare as the tire sales shop neglected to add it. The spare is the OEM 255R85 BFG AT. The other four are 265R70 "E" Hankook. There is a about a three to four inch diamter difference between these two tires since the Hankook's are so worn. They have worn down their mud lugs in 21,000 miles. Not a very good tire in my opinion. Anyway, there is no time to replace the tires before I haul the livestock. Gulp! It's 110 miles to the nearest tire shop. So, I guess I'll drive slow- around 50 MPH and hope for the best.Thanks for the advice. I will replace the tires as soon as possible.
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From: Peoria, IL
That's what I tired telling him to do. You can put the BFG AT on the front even though it is a different diameter, and then move one of the good front tires back to replace the bad rear tire. The truck will look and handle a little funny, but it is much safer than having a tire blowout on the rear when towing.
Think of how many cars come with a tiny spare tire, and it's fine for them. It's fine for you too as long as you run it up front, and don't put it in 4 wheel drive. I've got 35x12.5R20's on my truck right now and only have the stock 275/70R18 spare which is only a 33x10.5R18. I just know that if I ever have to use it I have to put it up front because it will destroy my LS rear end.
Think of how many cars come with a tiny spare tire, and it's fine for them. It's fine for you too as long as you run it up front, and don't put it in 4 wheel drive. I've got 35x12.5R20's on my truck right now and only have the stock 275/70R18 spare which is only a 33x10.5R18. I just know that if I ever have to use it I have to put it up front because it will destroy my LS rear end.
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From: Northern New Mexico
Beerstalker, I got your message about the mismatched front tire temporary solution. I appologize if you thought I was ignoring your suggestion.
The tire survived the trip at 55 mph and then about 35 - 40mph for the last fifteen miles over dirt road. When I got to the packing plant I remembered that over in the next town, about four miles, is a farm tire dealer. Sure enough he had Hankooks and Coopers in my size. I went with the Hankook MT 285/75/16/E as they are newly designed and improved; e.g. mud lugs on the sidewall near the tread. This was something Cooper did not have. They rode great coming back and I did try to get stuck in sand off the highway but failed. The tires seem to wrok good. The trailer stayed in the same town for a few days. I have no working lights or electric trailer brakes thanks to our goats munching the wires. having a new set of LED lights and an upgraded electric brake actuator installed. Last month the trailer was impounded by the Colorado State Patrol for operating at night with no lights (a total of seven vehichle code violations including no little white light illuminating the license plate).
Thanks to all you for your suggestions and encouragements.
The tire survived the trip at 55 mph and then about 35 - 40mph for the last fifteen miles over dirt road. When I got to the packing plant I remembered that over in the next town, about four miles, is a farm tire dealer. Sure enough he had Hankooks and Coopers in my size. I went with the Hankook MT 285/75/16/E as they are newly designed and improved; e.g. mud lugs on the sidewall near the tread. This was something Cooper did not have. They rode great coming back and I did try to get stuck in sand off the highway but failed. The tires seem to wrok good. The trailer stayed in the same town for a few days. I have no working lights or electric trailer brakes thanks to our goats munching the wires. having a new set of LED lights and an upgraded electric brake actuator installed. Last month the trailer was impounded by the Colorado State Patrol for operating at night with no lights (a total of seven vehichle code violations including no little white light illuminating the license plate).
Thanks to all you for your suggestions and encouragements.
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From: Peoria, IL
No prob, just wanted to give you a safer way to do it. I'm glad you were able to make the trip without any tire issues.
As far as the wiring goes that sucks. Gotta watch them goats. I know when I drive out to the barn at my parents house I really have to watch the horses cause they'll try to bite your truck. Nothing like a nice dent and scratch from horse teeth to make ya mad.
As far as the wiring goes that sucks. Gotta watch them goats. I know when I drive out to the barn at my parents house I really have to watch the horses cause they'll try to bite your truck. Nothing like a nice dent and scratch from horse teeth to make ya mad.
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