How long should a tire last?

[Mike Nel]

In theory, in an ideal world, if money wasn't a problem. How long would you drive on a set of tires before you toss them for the next set?

[KurtG]

Not more than 7 years, no matter what mileage. And obviously if you do higher mileage then 1mm of tread left before the wear indicators.

This assumes there is no snot plug in the side wall of the tyre [emoji2957]

[KurtG]

Besides being worn, I would say before the expiry date.

Sent from my SNE-LX1 using Tapatalk

And what is the expiry date?

[Mad Manny]

Not sure if the OP is referring to time or distance, but 'How long' refers to time...

Ideally maximum 7 years, but definitely not over 10 years, even if the tyres are still good...

[KurtG]

Manny, after 10 years a tyre isn’t any good. Rubber is a chemical that age hardens so even though it “looks good”, it certainly isn’t

[Mad Manny]

The problem is a Leisure Trailer...

It is highly unlikely anyone will ever where out the tyres on a Leisure Trailer.
Most normal people will get to 10 years and the tyres are still good.
It's a shame to cast away a set of perfectly good tyres purely due to age.
Some people don't - but you should.

What I'm doing is to:
1. Standardise my fleet on Goodyear Wrangler AT's 245/75 15's.
2. Then I've changed my Conqueror to the same Rim & Tyres.
3. The Trailer will 'share' with one of my work bakkies - the 2003 KB300Lx.
4. I will then rotate the 3 trailer wheels & the 5 bakkie tyres together so that, in 5 or 6 years, all 8 wear out together.

[BushWacker]

Key aspects should be :
* age of manufacture ... different to purchase! esp for imports as shelf-time is wasted time.
* warranty life
* wear limits ... can use a matchstick width as a guide to check tread depth etc (mainly legal and ‘on-road’ safety relevance to tar use ...) off road tread needs to be effective for traction at generally lower speeds and trickier surfaces ...
*side-cuts and damage and long exposure to sun
etc etc

A key aspect of tyres is are they rated/suited to axle load they will bear ... for some the drivers and passenger loads are more relevant than for others ...

below gives some reference aspects:

https://www.twt.co.za/tyre-size-fitment-guide

[Wave]

As said above, time, 5 - 7 years, on a trailer, max 10 years with regular inspection, any signs of cracks and toss them. As MadMan says, it's a shame, I think my trailers 9 year old tyres look excellent, no cracks or anything, since I've owned it I've kept the weight off the wheels when not in use and my trailer parks under a carport, under a cover, so the tyres only see sun & rain when in use, but the tyres are old, the tread still looks about 95%, the spare is brand new, still has the pubes/moulding spikes on it.

As for the original question; depends on usage, if its a platkar, run to the wear bar or any section of tread that reached 1mm (edges of tread come to mind) as most turning wheels (ie; the fronts) wear the shoulders off before the centre tread is at 1mm, this is not roadworthy and I would hate to fight an insurance claim because of that.

On a 4x4, if you're going to use it off road then pointless running the tread all the way down to 1mm, the loss of grip over and in obstacles is just not worth it, (Try running a 1-2mm tyre in soft sand or mud) so you have to decide depending on tyre tread pattern how far down you are willing to run the tyre's wear before it starts to become inefficient as a proper 4x4 tyre. This is the reason I run 2 sets of mags, one with "sh!tty" Bridgestone 693 A/T tyres for good fuel consumption, good wet weather handling etc. and the other set to play, also keeps the tread deep for proper play, yes I will probably have to toss these tyres on date, not wear, but for an everyday car I do not want to waste 4x4 tread on the tar. My 5c

[Mike Nel]

Good answer Wave

[Apocalypse]

It is highly unlikely anyone will ever where out the tyres on a Leisure Trailer.

'wear'

you are a bad grammar nazi.

[Apocalypse]

Muds are useless as muds once they are halfway worn. they aren't even as good as an AT. half worn ATs aren't much better than Highway tyres.

they might still be legal but they are not performing.

even the 1mm tread on a legal road tyre isn't much better than a slick in the wet.

there is no such thing as an expiry date on tyres. they have a manufacturing date on them.

Age is more about storage - a tyre will remain 'good' for decades if it's in a reasonably cool, dark place. Shove it in a Tin shack in the sun (especially unmounted) and the heat and cold will make the rubber hard in 2 years.

Stand them in the sun and weather and the UV and heat/cold cycles will crack and dry up the tyre even if it's mounted , but especially if there is weight on it.

Let them stand in water or oil or chemicals and the oils will leech out leaving them buggered.

same goes for all rubber - hoses, belts, (Manny, your gimp suit too) you need to let rubber flex a bit from work and keep them clean and oiled to prevent them deteriorating.

I Ideally, they need to he stood up, preferable mounted and inflated, without weight on them, out of the sun, in a cool environment cleaned often, and driven on at least once a month to let them flex and work.

I'd certainly rather use a 20 year old tyre that has been looked after well than a 2 year old tyre on the bonnet or back door of a vehicle that is stood in the sun for most of it's life.

[Mad Manny]

Apoc, I understand what you are saying, numerous factors & conditions can influence a tyres longivity.
But we use 7 years as a 'Standard Rule of Thumb'.

The National Speed Limit in SA is 120km/h.

Ideally it should be dependent on conditions, experience & vehicle.
For example: A Porsche 911, in perfect condition, driven by a healthy experienced driver, on a warm mild day, is safer at 160km/h...
than a...
12 year old high miler Hi-Ace with bald tyres & worn brakes & a Vise Grip as a Steering driven by a hungover inattentive Taxi Driver with Glaucoma who is texting on his 5 year old mini Nokia with a cracked screen.
He is unsafe at any speed.

But we use 120kmph as a rule - just as we use 7 years as a rule,

You need to judge for yourself if you can shorten or extend that figure, just as I drive slower if carrying a load, or towing.

So 7 years is it, but use your discretion...

[Mad Manny]

I'd certainly rather use a 20 year old tyre that has been looked after well than a 2 year old tyre on the bonnet or back door of a vehicle that has stood in the sun for most of it's life.

A certain manufacturer (I won't mention names, but it was founded by Andre Renault) used to store the spare in the engine bay on top of the motor...

[Apocalypse]

Apoc, I understand what you are saying, numerous factors & conditions can influence a tyres longivity.
But we use 7 years as a 'Standard Rule of Thumb'.

Who decided on this rule of thumb?

To whom does it apply? see, the NRTA is easy. it applies to anyone who uses a public road.

This made up tyre rule doesn't...

Here are some actual enforceable rules about tyres...

[Apocalypse]

I'd certainly rather use a 20 year old tyre that has been looked after well than a 2 year old tyre on the bonnet or back door of a vehicle that has stood in the sun for most of it's life.

A certain manufacturer (I won't mention names, but it was founded by Andre Renault) used to store the spare in the engine bay on top of the motor...

Many sports cars did.... it wasn't good for the tyres, that's for sure!