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Topic: Just so you know (TIRES)

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Just so you know (TIRES) (1/25)
 7/10/11 11:21am
Babyblue 78
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1978 Corvette Light Blue Pulled from the swamps of Miami! Its a driver and back on the road!


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Mark

show details 6:59 PM (15 hours ago)

I know you all know this but just a reminder. I had recently had my steering rebuilt and have driven the car just a little since then. The other night I drove about 5 miles and had some sideways motion but thinking it was the steering, and pulling to the left.The vibration was more pronounced at slow speeds and stopping.Checked the tires and pressures all looked normal.ok long story short.This morning after doing some chores outside I was going to drive to Reading Pa for a car club show at a chevy dealer. Just got on the interstate and about 6 minutes down the road the vibration got worse and now at a higher speed,at this point I realized it was not the steering, at that point it was the 4 th of July all over again. The tire came apart with a big bang,got her to the side and by an exit so had room to pull over. Smacked up the body behind the wheel a bit, paint is missing but no cracks or dents, just rubber to remove. I made sure the spare (1978 original orange tire with little tread itself) was good psi days prior but never thought I would ever use it...I .thought wrong. The belt just came apart and dry rot is suspected, tires bought in2006 and good tread on them would never had suspected.but you guys all know this...I have only had the car for 3 years with very little milage on them but the car was bought from the alligator catcher in the swamps of Florida so what did I expect.So just a heads up to others how could you have known this, no physical evidence from the outside and mucho tread. If I had the carburetor opened on the inside lane it would have been ugly it was the right rear but if the front???? Ok sorry for the long thread but if it reminds someone else to prevent the same thing, this would save me some body and paint work,was not planning to paint the car until I retire some small areasneed it but wanted to get it looking really nice with a new paint now it sort of looks ragged on the side? Oh well, so I have 3 other tires that look really good but afraid of driving on them. Goodrich 225/70r/15 so now looking for 4 new tires???? Any sugestions...Always something, this is the last thing I thought I would need this summer but can't drive it without them!



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Just so you know (TIRES) (2/25)
 7/10/11 12:05pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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Glad nothing really bad happened! As you say, it coulda been much worse.
Sure makes me wonder about mine, too. I've had the same tires on mine since '97. The car stays covered, inside the garage, so sun damage/dry rot is(theoretically) kept to a minimum, but...ya never know. What you described as a sideways motion was the steel belt in the tire moving. A sure sign of impending failure.
Sorry to hear about the blowout, but certainly happy that you're ok, and the car is not heavily damaged.


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Just so you know (TIRES) (3/25)
 7/10/11 1:20pm
CCasey
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New Albany, OH - USA

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1980 Coupe / Snowcrest White / L48, 350 / Comp Cam / Edelbrock Heads / Cyclone Intake / Holley Carb / Holley Fuel Pump / Patriot Headers / Dual Exhaust / Magnaflow Mufflers / 1964 Coupe / Riverside Red / L76, 327, 365hp


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I purchased my 1964 in April.  Everything looked great - even the Michelin steel belted radials. Last week I was driving about 35 MPH and heard a slapping sound coming from the left-rear.  Before I could pull over, part of the belt ripped off the tire and peeled off some of the paint and scuffed up a lot of the rear quarter panel.  Upon closer examination of the tires, they were made in the 39th week of 1985.  But like I said, to the naked eye they looked fine.  I talked to the previous two owners and neither one of them drove the car very much.  The last owner had the car for 7 years but only drove it about 500 miles.  Same for the guy before him.
I gues the thing to remember is that it is just as important to be aware of the age of the tires as it is the mileage on them.
 
CCasey2011-07-10 10:25:22

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Chuck

Just so you know (TIRES) (4/25)
 7/10/11 5:00pm
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

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The industry standard seems to be about six years, regardless of mileage, if tread is left.  A few months ago I replaced the tires on one of my cars...less than 6k miles on them but they were about nine years old.  Whenever I drove the car the tires rode like they were square...they never had done that before.

That was the signal for me to replace them.  A new set of tires is less expensive than body damage that can result from a tire coming apart at speed.
Just so you know (TIRES) (5/25)
 7/10/11 9:34pm
DaveMLifetime Member
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Flanders, NJ - USA

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1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.


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I remember reading an article a few years back on tires and they said that after 6 years you should replace tires no matter what the milage is. They said that the rubber compound starts to break down internally at that point and there is no way to tell how safe the tire is at that age. So better off playing it safe and replacing those tires after 6 years.
By the way I'm glad you're OK.
Dave


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Just so you know (TIRES) (6/25)
 7/10/11 11:01pm
KDADDY79
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Dutchess County, NY - USA

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Glad you didn't wreck it!

The tires I just replaced on my '79 were installed in '03. They had plenty of tread left on 'em, too.

Whoever started with the info. on aging tires around here deserves a big ol' attaboy.

Again, I'm glad nothing too bad happened to you and your Vette.

Kevin

Just so you know (TIRES) (7/25)
 7/11/11 12:55am
rod7515Lifetime Member
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Red Lion, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic


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Mark, Sorry to see that happen. Glad it didnt cause an accident! Cars can be replaced. Really glad you werent hurt in any way. How old were the actual tires?
You can find the build date on your tire. It usually follows the DOT number and it can be on either side.  heres a sample of date codes for tires this tire was made the 35 (week) of 2010 (10)
Often tires can sit on a shelf in a warehouse for years before it is sold or shipped to a tire dealer. It really becomes a problem if the fifo (first in first out)system in the warehouse isnt followed. As you can see my tires are already over a year old and they have never been on the road yet. Now as Joel said being inside out of the weather probably keeps them a little better off but even they tend to fail from time to time.
Hope you get a new set of 4 quick so you can get back on the road.
Rodney
rod75152011-07-11 10:16:59

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Just so you know (TIRES) (8/25)
 7/11/11 6:50am
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

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1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Mark, as the others said, glad you're ok. Looks like the rim survived as well. Wake up call for me as my stare tire carrier only goes in for long distance drives...like you, I also have BFG TAs, about 3 years old with less than 1000 miles on them. I know it's hard to switch tires when there's so much tread left on them, but reality does check in once in a while.

Again, glad you and the car are both ok!!
Just so you know (TIRES) (9/25)
 7/11/11 7:03am
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

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Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible


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Thanks for the wake up call.  I've owned my car for five years and while the tires have good tread, I've never checked the dates.  I will once I get home (on the road for work again).
 
Glad everyone is ok people-wise.  Sorry to hear about the banged up cars.


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Just so you know (TIRES) (10/25)
 7/11/11 10:05am
MK's78
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Dover, DE - USA

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1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette-White/Red 99% Original


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For Rod7515,
 
 
Got a set of Firehawk Indy 500's (P225/70R15) on my 78 and the only numbers I could find on the tire that was large enough to read is: 503 5008 on 3 tires and 503 5108 on the 4th one.
 
Besides this being a great thread concerning our C3 tires are the above numbers the build date code????
 
 
Thanks in advance for any insight..............
 
mk's78
Just so you know (TIRES) (11/25)
 7/11/11 1:23pm
rod7515Lifetime Member
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Red Lion, PA - USA

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1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic


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Mike and follow C3VR members, I dont know what I was thinking last night when I posted but I had to go back and edit to correct what I said. It was late and I was sneaking in some reading while doing my month end closing for work which I am late on! (Again)! Any way the build date always follows the DOT number and can be either a 3 digit or 4 digit number. Its usually only on one side of the tire and can be inside or outside depending on Manufacturer and mounting. If its only a 3 digit number the first 2 will be the week of the year and the last digit will be the year. 3 digits are 90's tire. 4 digits are usually the 2000 and newer. Hope this clears up my mistake!
Rodney


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Just so you know (TIRES) (12/25)
 7/11/11 9:44pm
eboLifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

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#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


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My original Goodyear GT off my 1980 have 14K on them they look like new untill you look deep into the treads and see dry cracks. So they are stored up in the garage. Firestone Indy 500 are on the car. Just not worth the chance. Tires are about the cheapest things you can put on your C3.

Evil Smileebo



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Just so you know (TIRES) (13/25)
 7/15/11 4:47pm
Babyblue 78
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1978 Corvette Light Blue Pulled from the swamps of Miami! Its a driver and back on the road!


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Smile  Thanks all for your feedback on the tire life! I was not trying to scare anybody about blown tires but never expected it. I  have had the car for about 4 years and the tires looked like one of the better items when I bought the car (DRIVER IN NEED OF MANY REPAIRS). So by looks and tread wear I did not think anything more about them. I contacted Goodrich about the raised white lettering some time back and the Dot showed 2006.  Well today I have 4 new Goodrich Radia T/A's on and so I don't have to worry about the other 3 tires.  I am pretty upset about the rear body of the car and the only way to make it look better is paint. Not in shape to repaint the whole car and not sure it's worth tryiong to touch up (Driver) until ready to do the complete car but it was presentable before the tire blow out.  The tire dealer siad the tire look good and tread was 65% left so he had no clue why it let loose,other than age and where did the tire sit before I purchased the car? I think this is a one in a few so again sorry to cause a stir but wanted to know what others thought about it, again just loking like they did you would have not bought new tires. But like the dealer said they are better by driving on them then let it sit in the garage so that is what I am going to do...First to clean off the factory covering material they put on them to shine it all up...
 
As many  of you have stated I bought Wesley's tire cleaner and glad I read the instructions....DO NOT GET ANY SPRAY ON THE ALUMINUM RIMS !!!!!!!!!!ALMOST HAVE TO SPONGE IT ON AND THEN HOSE IT OFF.   Now I consider myself a tire expert and on to the lazy headlight door opening problem...


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Just so you know (TIRES) (14/25)
 7/15/11 5:00pm
The RookLifetime Member
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Pittsburgh, PA - USA

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1979 L-82, 3 spd auto, car was originally Lt. Beige currently painted Sportsman Red, Doeskin leather interior, 103,000 miles......


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[QUOTE=ebo]

My original Goodyear GT off my 1980 have 14K on them they look like new untill you look deep into the treads and see dry cracks. So they are stored up in the garage. Firestone Indy 500 are on the car. Just not worth the chance. Tires are about the cheapest things you can put on your C3.

Evil Smileebo

[/QUOTE]
NO sir you are wrong!!!!
....my free car care products were the cheapest thing you put on your C3Rolling On The Floor LaughingRolling On The Floor Laughing
 
sorry couldnt resist
....back to the orignal thread already in progress.........
Just so you know (TIRES) (15/25)
 7/15/11 5:07pm
Babyblue 78
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1978 Corvette Light Blue Pulled from the swamps of Miami! Its a driver and back on the road!


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Cheaper then a paint job!

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Just so you know (TIRES) (16/25)
 7/15/11 11:30pm
CCasey
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New Albany, OH - USA

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1980 Coupe / Snowcrest White / L48, 350 / Comp Cam / Edelbrock Heads / Cyclone Intake / Holley Carb / Holley Fuel Pump / Patriot Headers / Dual Exhaust / Magnaflow Mufflers / 1964 Coupe / Riverside Red / L76, 327, 365hp


Joined: 8/17/2010
Posts: 173

[QUOTE=Babyblue 78]Cheaper then a paint job![/QUOTE]
 
You got that right!  My '64 is going to end up costing me a pretty penny to get right and will be in the paint shop for about 3 weeks.


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Just so you know (TIRES) (17/25)
 7/16/11 9:40pm
Babyblue 78
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1978 Corvette Light Blue Pulled from the swamps of Miami! Its a driver and back on the road!


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Posts: 280

Ok back on the road again and nice to have 4 new tires! Not the easiest to find them without ordering but got the Goodrich Radial T/A that were on the car when I purchased it.Should last me for a couple of years.  Again thanks for your replys and info and now onto a post on the dash replacement forum. 
 
Thanks ,
 
BB78


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Just so you know (TIRES) (18/25)
 7/16/11 9:54pm
Babyblue 78
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1978 Corvette Light Blue Pulled from the swamps of Miami! Its a driver and back on the road!


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    Sorry forgot the pics!  BB78
 
                                                                                                                            
 


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Just so you know (TIRES) (19/25)
 7/16/11 9:56pm
Jaws79Lifetime Member
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Sykesville, MD - USA

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1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops


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Looking good! Betcha they ride better, too!
 
Barry
 
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Just so you know (TIRES) (20/25)
 7/16/11 10:39pm
Babyblue 78
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1978 Corvette Light Blue Pulled from the swamps of Miami! Its a driver and back on the road!


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Anytime you ride in a Corvette Light Blue it's a better ride.Cool

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Just so you know (TIRES) (21/25)
 7/16/11 11:10pm
Jaws79Lifetime Member
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Sykesville, MD - USA

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YOU KNOW IT!!!!!!!
 
Barry
 
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Just so you know (TIRES) (22/25)
 7/17/11 11:23am
philip
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Marana, AZ - USA

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1982 Silver Blue


Joined: 4/8/2010
Posts: 104

When I purchased my 82 the tires all had good tread and a 97 date code. The car was 35 miles from my house and I had the owner bring it to me as I would not drive it with those tires. My concerns were a failure and body damage and if that happened it would be his problem and not mine.
The car was placed on 4 jack stands the next day, tires/wheels removed and taken to town for replacements. My first drive was worry free and very enjoyable.
For my vehicles tires get replaced when they are past certain ages. Cars and trucks no more than 5 years, motorcycle 3 years and my trailers every 4 years. It is also important to ask to see the date codes when buying new tires. Dealers will not sell you a tire with a old date if they know you are knowledgeable. My buddy bought 4 tires for his truck when he purchased it in 2007, all 4 were dated 2003 and 2 failed 3 years later causing damage to his vehicle.
I recently switched from BFG TA radials to BFG g-Force tires. What a difference. Smoother ride, great handling even in wet weather.
Just so you know (TIRES) (23/25)
 7/17/11 11:56am
Babyblue 78
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1978 Corvette Light Blue Pulled from the swamps of Miami! Its a driver and back on the road!


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Posts: 280

Good info, with everything else going on in the world I was not thinking tires as they were 06 and look good. I had enough other things to do to get the driver going that that  did not stick out as  the next thing needed. I know now!  BB78

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Just so you know (TIRES) (24/25)
 7/17/11 3:45pm
rod7515Lifetime Member
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Red Lion, PA - USA

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1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic


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Posts: 1182

Phil, Its good to know that you keep a close eye on the age of your tires. I sell about 35 - 40 tires a month in my shop. I never used to look for a date code until about 2 years ago when the special aired on TV about tire failure and age of tires. I now look at every tire I sell. I have never received a tire since I began watching that has been more then 6 months old. I cant speak for the age of tires before that special was aired. I have been selling tires since I was 16 years old working for my dad. In all that time I dont remember any of the tires failing with the exception of the firestone issue on the Fords. I never sold Firestone so I cant say what the true problem there was. I think it was under inflation. I think we should start a new thread asking members to check their tire dates and let everyone know how old their tires are. That might get an old unsafe tire noticed where it may go undetected if no one looks. I know I bought my 74 5 years ago and the tires werent new at that time although they probably only have about 5000 total miles on them. I think I will replace them this fall. Lets see how many will answer the tire age question. I'll start a thread.
Rodney


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Just so you know (TIRES) (25/25)
 7/17/11 4:22pm
philip
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Marana, AZ - USA

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1982 Silver Blue


Joined: 4/8/2010
Posts: 104

That special educated a lot of people about tires, but unfortunately not enough.
I had this happen about 8 years ago, notice the tread looks new, it was a trailer tire that had come apart at 70 mph.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/64elcamino/editfile018.jpg
and have watched for cracking and bubbles ever since. When I found out about date codes I payed attention to those also. Are you guys aware that ALL trailer tires are only rated for a top speed of 65 mph. I didn't and now only tow at 65 mph where in the past it was closer to 80.
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