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2 new tires, fr or back?

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
I need to replace 2 of my tires. The other two still have tons of life in them so please don't tell me to replace those.
The question is where to put the new tires, the front or the back?
Which set wears more or has anyone ever noticed a difference?

Thanks,
Scott

PS, the new tires are the exact same tires as the existing ones.
29 REPLIES 29

BurbMan
Explorer II
Explorer II
In that case I would just put them where the old ones were....again if there is very little difference in tread depth it doesn't much matter.

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
BurbMan wrote:
Pretty sure the OP is replacing tires on the TT, not the truck, and hence why this thread is posted in the TT forum.

Scott, I really don't think it matters if the new tires are on the front axle or rear axle of the TT. Are you replacing for age or wear?


Thanks Burbman, I'm replacing because 2 of them have a small bump in the sides. Tire shop says it's a separation and is covered by warranty. The other two tires are young and have very little wear.

midnightsadie
Explorer II
Explorer II
then you get all four new.

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
Thanks for the answers. I realize now that my post was pretty ambiguous - the tires are for my TT.

scbwr
Explorer II
Explorer II
If we're talking about a TT, from what I've read, the rear tires have to do more flexing when turning, backing up,etc., so new tires should go on the back.

I'd also keep in mind that age has a big bearing on whether to replace a tire, regardless if it looks like it has plenty of tread. The time frame can vary depending on where you live (amount of UV deterioration) and where and how you store your unit.
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coolbreeze01
Explorer
Explorer
I would replace 4, plus the spare if its over 4 years old.
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BurbMan
Explorer II
Explorer II
Pretty sure the OP is replacing tires on the TT, not the truck, and hence why this thread is posted in the TT forum.

Scott, I really don't think it matters if the new tires are on the front axle or rear axle of the TT. Are you replacing for age or wear?

chevor
Explorer
Explorer
You can't compare a vehicle with 8 drive tires to a vehicle with 2. Of course it takes more tread to turn 8 drive wheels.

jaycocreek
Explorer II
Explorer II
gbopp wrote:
Tires on Front or Back

Tire Rack, Front or Back

Popular Mechanics, Front or Rear


Let's see if I got this right. :B

Were not supposed to listen to the tire folks when it comes to St or LT tires for the trailer but we are for which place to put new tires on a tow vehicle.:)

My advice and opinion is to ask any trucker what he thinks because he is on the road 24/7 and sees more wrecks than he or she would like unlike the local tire shop worker.
On snow I would rather have the rear tires spin than the front not turn. A blowout in the front pulling a trailer sets all kinds of scenarios off which usually end up in disaster.

When recaps were the norm I used to run them everywhere but the front. If you look at semis, the tires start with the best up front and they get worse as you go back,especially on the trailer and I don't understand that as I kept good tires all around on my trucks, especially the front. Blowouts cost a trucker time and time is money in the trucking industry.
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Campfire_Time
Explorer
Explorer
You posted this in the Travel Trailer forum, are you replacing 2 tires on your trailer, or on your truck? The answer will be different for each.

If it's your truck, put the new ones on the front to start. Fronts wear faster than the rear so be sure to rotate every 8-10k miles.

However, I wonder why only 2 tires need replacement? Were these on the front? Did you have some front end issues?

If its for your trailer, replace all 4 no matter what they look like. 6 years is about the max for trailer tires.
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jaycocreek
Explorer II
Explorer II
Tire failure in the front is a disaster while failure in the rear is more controllable.
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danoren
Explorer
Explorer
Talked with an expert that suggested to put the 2 new ones in the back, the reason is that you can control the front ones but not the ones in the back.
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jaycocreek
Explorer II
Explorer II
I realize that your truck is not a semi truck but the rule of thumb is always to take care of the front first. There what keeps you alive. I follow that with my personal rigs. I would always put the new tires on the front.
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midnightsadie
Explorer II
Explorer II
I will ask if the treads great? BUT how old are they. I took off six big buck tires that could pass for hardly used, why? 8yrs old and I new they were rotting even thow they looked good . replace them all.