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[rustynuts]

Evening all. Just out of curiosity I was wondering how old are the oldest tyres anyone out there is running?

I have just noticed a sidewall crack on one of mine; they have been unchanged in the 8 years I have owned the vehicle, and the date code shows a manufacture date of 2004.

I currently have 7.50 x 16 Michelin XPCs which seem to not be available any more. They are a road orientated mud and snow tyre which I was always happy with. I am thinking of Goodyear Wranglers as a replacement. Any comments on these before I buy?

[GRMac]

Not sure how old mine but I'm a huge fan of the Goodyear Wranglers, assuming you mean 7.50 size as I think they come in a different tread pattern for the larger/wider/coiler sized rims.

My father bought a set 18 years ago and a couple are still on the trailer.

[Porkscratching]

I've also got 2004 tyres on mine,  Camac 205s,  they look ok and certainly won't be replacing them without very good reason !  . ( They're good on the road, and fine on muddy fields too btw. )

[Mr Ed]

After installed, the tires, if they still have a footprint, should be examined maximum at 6 years, looking for damage or cracks by the sun or other element.

Although it has depth, with the sun and use, the rubber loses flexibility and therefore loses grip, so the recommendation to replace them if they are visibly cracked.


If there is no damage or cracks, I think that a maximum recommended period is about 8 to 10 years since its installation.
(Assuming that before installing them they were properly stored)

[Clifford Pope]

I've got a 1946 German ex-army trailer. Until about 10 years ago it had its original tyres. I never gave them much thought until suddenly one of them started melting and became octagonal when I was carrying a full load on the M4. I limped to a specialist vintage tyre supplier who happened to have the unusual size in stock.
I queried reusing the inner tubes, but he said they were fine - red natural rubber apparently  lasts indefinitely. They are still on the trailer.

[Exile]

I am thinking of Goodyear Wranglers as a replacement. Any comments on these before I buy?

These are Goodyear Wrangler in 205 x16.   Now fitted to an early Ninety.

A lovely tyre.

[rustynuts]

Wow, I doubt that anyone will beat 1946, although I bet someone out there has some wooden wheels with the original iron hoops from 1846 (any Amish around here? I guess not!).

So a new set of Wranglers it is.

Thanks all. 

[w3526602]

Hi,

I understand that the German MOT will fail tyres over 5 (?) years old. The date of manufacture is on the sidewall.

When I lived in the Swansea Valley, tidy part-worn car tyres were available for £10 each.

Thinking back, they were probably imported from Germany.

602

[Eve]

Mine has 205/16 Bandit A/T remoulds put on in November 1999. it's lived outside most of the time since then. Tyres still good with only minor crazing on the tread area, no sidewall bulges. Done just over 8k miles on them and passed its MOT on 1st July.

Maybe they just don't make tyres, or remoulds, like they used to 

However I don't push my luck and keep them inflated at 30 psi to reduce sidewall flex, rarely go above 45 mph, and never above 50.

[andrewR]

7.50x16s (kind of Avon-like) on rear from ~1992, done 50k miles. A cheaper Romanian 7.5x16 pair "Victoria" on the front from ~1996, slightly less mileage. Both pairs weren't expensive as I was not long out of University with associated debts when I purchased them.

The rear are actually almost out of tread now, and the front are cracking a bit between the treads. I'm in for a new set of Rangemaster 7.5x16 when I can get around to it, but I'll also need new rim(s). Annoyingly, just 1 of my 4 original rims is technically scrap, as the holes are a bit damaged/worn after a couple of loose-wheel episodes (Ooops). I think they're 5" rims, since they are original, although the 7.5x16's have had no problems on them. I'm thinking I'll need to buy a complete set of 4 new 5.5" rims, since 5" aren't available for purchase any more.

Andrew