Tire Life

[des48]

 Hi, I just purchased a 76 clipper and found  a receipt for the tires from 1997 which makes these tires 12 years old. The tires look great are not cracked or checked good tread. If I can believe the odometer they have about 10 k. on them. I know that ozone causes deterioration and looks can be deceiving.I know the general rule is , tires are good for six or seven years and the they should be replaced. Is anyone  out in clipperland running old tires ? Am I crazy to run this old of a tire? They are also only 4 ply. Thanks, DR. Dan

[JerryT]

My bet is that you could run them for a little while, nothing long or fast (hot) but to drive around local at the slower two lane speeds. I myself would run them while I watched for a deal or a sale and to make sure the Clipper is viable for you. What I have read is if you grenade a tire on the back at high speed it takes out the inner fender well,  propane piping, cabinets, ect ect. I ran the set that came on my clipper even after I found sidewall cracks, for two years because they were like new. I should have changed them a half season earlier but I did not and took a chance and was ok. I posted some pics of them showing the big bulge and cracks that you could stick your fingers underneath (I'm a cheap butt) Keep them FULL of air, that inside dual is the one that gets most people. Also if they have ever sat low or flat for a while all bets are off on the extended life.
JerryT

[Horst]

ticking time bomb - I don't care how they "look"
I doubt the Clipper was stored in a temperature/moisture controlled environment.
OK for around town at 30mph
Not ok for the freeway -  period. (in my humble opinion of course!)
Tires are expensive - having a failure at 55mph will cost you a lot more - and possibly your health as well.

[Horst]

One more thing - just because they were purchased in 97 doesn't mean they were manufactured in 1997. Look for the four digits after the DOT sequence on the sidewall - there will be 4 numbers - first two are the week, second two the year
for instance:
2497
that tire was made in the 24th week of 1997

[John Eversoll]

Yea, DON"T take a chance on them tires.... I had an inside Blow at 75 mph
It tore up the under side of the rig like NASCAR with a blowout.....
Funny how fast you can stop when you have too

[John Eversoll]

How Ironic this is when we talk about tire life!!!!

This afternoon my daughter and I were on our way over the a place to get a price on rebuilding the Cipper motor.

When out of the Blue  "Bam" And that Full size Bronco comes to a halt.  My brother god rst his sole, gave the bronco

to my daughter in his will. He hadn't driven the Bronco in two years and they were new 4 plys

But, they aren't worth anything now. the tread came off the tire in the reat and it looks as if the tread is coming apart on the front right. 
New tires all around.   

Naaaaa, " I would get new tire for that Clipper if I were you!!!!!!! Don't take a chance !!!!!!