Drive tires. Michelin XZA1 ?

[68-f-model]

What is the opinion on Michelin Pilot XZA1 295/80r22.5 152/148m tires as drive tires?

I can get a set of eight with only 30,000 miles on them for a steal. I figure they would at least be better than the ancient 10.00-20's that are on my truck now.

[Freightrain]

Stay on solid ground. Get in wet grass and likely have problems moving. Buddy has some steers for drives on his single axle KW(got them cheap). Doesn't go well off pavement.

[gearhead204]

with the solid outside rib on those tires they should work fine for drive rubber,as long as you dont encounter grassey areas, mud, or snow.

[68-f-model]

Well it is just a toy that will never see snow, mud and grass on the other hand it will probably see. I think for the price I will give them a try. Then if they end up to bad on grass I'll just have to pull out the old tire groover and turn them into more of a lug tire.

[68-f-model]

Just called and talked to the seller. The tires have a date code of 2004. I am thinking I should pass on them and find something newer, am I right?

How old can semi tires be and still be expected to be safe for use??

I know for car tires they say 5 years.

[gearhead204]

when were they removed and how were they stored? that would be my questions, if they have been outside this whole time i think i would pass,if stored out of the direct sun light and its a hobby truck i would be tempted to use......but i am kind of a cheap bastard too!

[Swishy]

68Fer

Gudday M8

2 points

<1> U gunna need to change u're rims from 20" tubed to 22.5 Tubless

<2> Here in Oz if a gun ho officer of the law seen them treads

he'd put u off the rd cos of the tread depth not deep enuff

me jist talkn about them tattoo type grooves dun with a razor blade

<3> all tyres R made 2 B Used... as the moisture content in the tyre will eventually rust out the wires

eg : ifn u stored new unused tyres for 20 years me guessn they would xplode from the wires rust n away

jist my 2 c worth of dribble tax free

LOL

cya

§wishy

[Freightrain]

I have a pair of Yoko fronts off my truck, dated 2001. I figure I got my life out of them, though they are have plenty of tread. Need to find someone with a trailer or such that could use them.

When I bought them new in 2002, I didn't really think I would still have them today. Or at least wear them out?

[68-f-model]

I have a source for the 8.25x22.5 rims for the change over so that is covered.

The tires were on a motor home that was stored indoors.

Despite being cheap on some things I don't want to have to worry about tires coming apart or rotting from the inside. At his price it was awfully tempting to take the cheap route. But I'll just bite the bullet and order 8 brand new Samson 11r22.5 GL293D (open shoulder tread) from Chicago Tire. At $2,730 on my door step I don't think that is to bad. I considered retreads but on a truck that doesn't go 10,000 miles a year I think I want the newest caseings I can get not some already half through their life. Also with the recent posts about the bandag failures on here I would trust a retread about as much as a 10+ year old tire.

[Timmyb]

Here is an idea. I walked in off the street to a few trucking companies and spoke to a guy in the workshop. Offered him a reasonable amount for a set of semi decent drives, which I regrooved and put on a for a pit inspection. I actually got the tyres for free but was prepared to pay for some.

They were probably less than a year old, but only had 3 or 4 mm of tread left. But after I grooved them they were perfect for what I needed.

[Dirtymilkman]

I haven't heard of anyone regrooving tires in the states for years. I've never actually seen it done.

[Timmyb]

Honestly, if your paying to have your tyres fitted up then it may not be worth your while. But if you fit them yourself, I think regrooving is a good option.

[Vladislav]

These ones left factory between 1942 and 45. Still hold pressure well. I'm not in much trust to the fronts to drive down the road though so think about a swap to 22.5 radials.

[68-f-model]

Impressive those tires have lasted longer than most cars

[Vladislav]

I agree a new stuff is the best choice in the most cases (not in all nowadays though) but it seems to me people is worried too much on tyre's age. Thinking deeper this way of things is too attractive to tyre producers so that tendence might be spread by them either. Looking to the matter of facts a tyre might loose its strenght due to excessive loads/hits or corrosion/decay of wires inside. For loads we usually can't know a history but that's more to drives, not steers. As for cord damages they could be resulted by water access. So if we don't see any cracks up to cord there's no risk to it. Sure that all is in theory.