Do I need new Tires?

[GeoBoy]

I have a 2005 Silverado 3500 with 37,000 miles on him and I am planning a trip out west this year, about 6,000 miles towing my TT. Should I put new tires on before the trip? The truck is always garaged when not towing and is not exposed to the weather. The original tires look good with no checking but they are 8 years old.

[Lowsuv]

It depends on the actual inspection of course .
On my last two GM pickups I replaced the original OEM tires with a next higher size Michelin Highway tire .
I have 60,000 miles on my current 265/75R16 load range E Michelins .
I was going to replace them last summer but they were still not close enough to the wear bars .
In October I switched over to my studded cooper snow tires which are mounted on the factory gm aluminum wheels .
Each summer I pile on the miles towing my boat , doing other outdoor stuff , and towing my TT .
Summer tires are not critical for tread traction in Central Oregon because we get no more than 2 inches of rain from May to October .
My winter tires are replaced when there is still 3 /16" left for snow traction .
I am not afraid to use my 60,000 mile Michelin summer tires down to the wear bars , because there is no signs of cracking .
Another consideration is that my 265 are load rated 3415 # each and the oem 245 were rated 3042 # each .
My truck weighs 6800 # running around and about 8300# fully loaded when towing my TT .
So it depends on what kinds of loads you carry , the weight rating of your tires , and the close inspection for cracking and other imperfections .

[Fast_Mopar]

Eight year old tires need to be replaced before towing on a long trip. You will have more peace of mind if you do it. Sometimes the aging effects are difficult to see, but they are there.

[coolbreeze01]

I'd run 'em. Had many spare tires over 8 years old. Didn't need them often, but never a problem when they were put to work. Have a smooth trip.

[RWDIII]

Time for new tires.
look at the date code,probably 9 to 10 years.
OEM tires are always what they got for the cheapest price.

[ksss]

Me Again wrote:
If they still look good, put them on Craigslist and sell them for a 150-200 bucks and install new ones!

Chris

That's what I would do as well. If those are the OEM tires, even with only 37K on them, they don't owe you anything. Remember GM didn't go out and find the best tire on the market to roll that pickup off the assembly line. I have yet to buy a pickup and run the OEM tires beyond the time it took to go from the dealership to the tire shop.

[Me_Again]

If they still look good, put them on Craigslist and sell them for a 150-200 bucks and install new ones. I installed new tires on DW 2004 Buick Rainier last year as they were aging out also!

Chris

[Francesca_Knowl]

donn0128 wrote:
LOOK! That is the only way to know for sure. A thorough inspection is the only answer. IF you don't know what your looking for take it to a good tire store and ask them to inspect the tires for you. Stand over their shoulder and watch and ask questions.

Good advice- your tires may have enough life left to go another season or more. Michelin (for example) doesn't specifically call for age-related replacement of its LT/P tires until after they're ten years old. See page 18/19 at this link

BUT:

After five years, they do recommend annual inspections "by a specialist". And that means someone who knows what to look for both inside and out, not just the teeny bopper at the corner tire store who takes a look at the wear bars.

The inside of a tire is where early warning signs of impending disaster can be seen, so if you go this route do make sure that whoever inspects yours demounts them and knows what to look for both inside and out.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

donn0128 wrote:
LOOK! That is the only way to know for sure. A thorough inspection is the only answer. IF you don't know what your looking for take it to a good tire store and ask them to inspect the tires for you. Stand over their shoulder and watch and ask questions.

5 will get you 10 the tire store will say you need new tires. :B Go figure hu? 😉

If you take it to "my" Les Schwab tire dealer I'm 99.999999999999999999999% certain no matter what the tire looks like they will recommend replacement. :R

As the economy gets worse around here I'm beginning to see a tread! :B

[donn0128]

LOOK! That is the only way to know for sure. A thorough inspection is the only answer. IF you don't know what your looking for take it to a good tire store and ask them to inspect the tires for you. Stand over their shoulder and watch and ask questions.

[midnightsadie]

tires start roting the day there made, your lucky no problem , I,m in the same boat 8yr olds look great but there dried out we just can,t see it, I,m geting new tires before spring.

[spoon059]

2005, I'm guessing you don't have a tire pressure monitor system. I would replace them due to the age and enjoy the trip, rather than be worried and possibly lose a tire while on the trip. I just replaced all 4 trailer tires (only 5 years old) prior to my upcoming 2000 mile roundtrip to Florida. It cost me a couple hundred dollars, but I will feel more comfortable knowing the tires are new and hopefully trouble free.

[Hank85713]

we did when we went last year. Tires were looking good (BFG TA's) but since we would be out for a while just went and bought the new tires for peace of mind. Gave the old tires to BIL for his work truck, guys at the tire shop cried as they wanted them for themselves!