I took a trip two months ago and did the same pre trip check and didn't see anything like that on any of the tires,, I am surprised and extremely disappointed, I am not bashing Maxxis, I am hoping to learn what happened?? @ $102 a tire you would think they would last the five years? The tires on that side do sit in water when it rains, don't believe thats an issue just grading in storage, When I pulled it out the ground was wet so they had mud on them, thats why they look so ugly, the passenger side looks clean. ,maybe I need to put 2x6's down for it to sit on and cover??