BFG KO2 vs Firestone X/T

bbaldwin237 said:
But you can't really make a blanket statement without knowing the condition of the tires. Maybe they're cracked and dried out? Also, some shops will stop servicing tires as they get in the 6-10 year range. Every shop is different it seems. I think Costco might only be 5 years!?
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True enough, but at that age/mileage its highly unlikely - but any adult can look at them and figure that much out. Tire shops are in the business of selling tires. Although I wouldn't advise it, I was running a 30 year old tire just fine - looked great, so I ran it for several months. However, I didn't know at the time it was that old, it pre-dated the current way they're marked. I also ran a trailer tire retread "Miller" that was at least 50 years old on a utility trailer. Thing was as hard as a rock, probably wouldn't have gone flat even if I let all the air out of it. Discount's cut off is 10 years, which I think is reasonable overall. They wouldn't patch a 12 year old, so I plugged the thing and ran it for six months. Old tires get punctured easily I've found.
 
Zorba said:
True enough, but at that age/mileage its highly unlikely - but any adult can look at them and figure that much out. Tire shops are in the business of selling tires. Although I wouldn't advise it, I was running a 30 year old tire just fine - looked great, so I ran it for several months. However, I didn't know at the time it was that old, it pre-dated the current way they're marked. I also ran a trailer tire retread "Miller" that was at least 50 years old on a utility trailer. Thing was as hard as a rock, probably wouldn't have gone flat even if I let all the air out of it. Discount's cut off is 10 years, which I think is reasonable overall. They wouldn't patch a 12 year old, so I plugged the thing and ran it for six months. Old tires get punctured easily I've found.
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I agree, just saying it can't be a blanket statement of "don't replace 6 year old tires." I deal with the public and you can't assume that everyone can figure things out for themselves (not saying that about the RP, just a general statement).

I've definitely run older tires and not had issues. I drive my truck so little that they'll be old and ruined before they're worn out!
 
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KO2s here, the only place I don't like this tire is in mud, which around here is slick, heavy clay. The KO2s really don't dig enough to deal with much, but to be honest, I've seen bulldozers get stuck in it. I've had no issues with rain or snow (we get heavy, wet snow), and in the dry they get enough traction to break parts. I think it's a good, true all terrain tire.
 
Zorba said:
In my opinion - and we know what that's worth - replacing 7 year old tires with 6K miles on them is ridiculous.
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I would wager that the guy who experienced this blowout of a 7-year-old tire no longer thinks that replacement of low mileage aged tires is ridiculous.

1738950900944.png
 
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One America’s (Discount) Tire told me 6 years. I asked them to show me that policy, but they said it’s just standard practice. I went to a different America’s Tire who rotated and rebalanced the tires for me.

One thing that was mentioned by the second America’s Tire location, which I can’t verify because I am not a materials scientist for a major tire brand—is that rubber compounds used in modern tires break down faster than previous generations of tires. I have heard of increased silica content for grip or cold weather performance. Maybe that causes the degradation they were referring to? Like I said, I don’t know.

The tires on there seem fine, other than the lack of grip in the rain in twisty low speed turns. You have to exercise quite a bit of throttle control, as it steps out fairly easily compared to our other vehicles—including 40 year old pickups with double the hp. My right leg isn’t numb either. I grew up racing MX and and continue to participate in various activities where balancing traction was a required skill.
 
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Mr. Bills said:
Here is his description of the incident:

"Tried for an overnight trip to the coast last weekend. Made it 15 miles and this happened on a very busy freeway in a large city."

And another photo:

View attachment 591081

https://www.reddit.com/r/GoRVing/comments/14rxwqd/first_blowout_rving_7_year_old_tires_i_should/#lightbox

.
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I wonder if his gain was too high and he was locking the tires up? Also, surprising how people don’t check tire pressure on RVs before each trip. Incorrect pressure will heat a carcass up on the freeway for sure.


My dad had a similar blowout on his RV. Cheap trailer tires can be REALLY cheap. One reason why I like torsion suspension on trailers is that blowouts are easier to get to the side of the road, should one occur. The COG is typically worse when hauling a piece of equipment up on a trailer deck than it is in a vehicle.

I’m pretty good about keeping good tires on my trailers, and have yet to experience a blowout—just flats from picking up nails and screws on a job site.
 
GoldCountry said:
I wonder if his gain was too high and he was locking the tires up? Also, surprising how people don’t check tire pressure on RVs before each trip. Incorrect pressure will heat a carcass up on the freeway for sure.


My dad had a similar blowout on his RV. Cheap trailer tires can be REALLY cheap. One reason why I like torsion suspension on trailers is that blowouts are easier to get to the side of the road, should one occur. The COG is typically worse when hauling a piece of equipment up on a trailer deck than it is in a vehicle.

I’m pretty good about keeping good tires on my trailers, and have yet to experience a blowout—just flats from picking up nails and screws on a job site.
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That and travel trailer tires do rot, and they rot FAST.
 
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This is a portion of my commute where the back end will step out even at very low speeds with very moderate throttle input.
IMG_0008.png


It’s fine on the freeway in heavy rain, although I do typically only go 62mph (2000rpm in fifth). I’m not blaming the tread design as much as hardening, as I’m not experiencing hydroplaning.
 

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