retread tires

99yukon350 · November 10, 2005

Has anyone used retread tires on their light truck? I know it is used alot on semis and is really reliable but I have not heard much about for light trucks or cars. Since I do some towing I didn't know if they would be the right choice for me. I found a website that can have a set that looks similar to the BGF KO's in 245/75/16 sent to me for $280 which is the price of 2 brand new BFG's. http://www.high-tec-retreading.com/index.html This is about $150 cheaper than getting the Kumho KL41 that I will get otherwise. I have the KL41's on my ranger and they are great.

I don't know what load they are rated (I just emailed them to find out about that).

If I don't go with the retread, I'm have a problem on deciding wether to go with the 265's or 24575/16's. Right now there are 265 BFG KO's load D on it. Would going back down to the 245's help with gas mileage being less weight and not as wide? A reason I don't want the 245's is because they are only in load E or standard. Will the E's ride worse than a D if so I would stick with the 265 D's.

Thanks

citydriver · November 10, 2005

I have not seen retreads on a 4-wheeler in a long friggin time! The re-tread process has come a long way as far as tractor/trailers go. The company I work for uses Michelin Pre-Molds. Which seem to work fine for the most part, the failure rate has gone down quite a bit in the past few years, at least you dont see so many gators on the road anymore

As far as light truck or car tires, I would use caution. If a re-tread blows on my rig , I still have another tire next to it. On a single wheel configuration, you will not have that safety net....that's why trucks only run virgins(new tires) on the steer axle. Not to mention the damage a cap can do to the body of a vehicle if the tire throws a cap at highway speeds

Balancing a re-tread should also prove to be challenging

This is just my opinion, but stick with new rubber. The extra money you spend now may just save you a ton later.

abqchevyman · November 10, 2005

citydriver has a valid point with having a tire next to one if it blows and DOT will not allow a recap on a steer axle. There IS a reason for this and it's called SAFETY. How much is your life worth or your passengers? I couldn't put a price on my wifes or my childs life and I hope that someone else out there hasn't put a price on it for me by running recaps on a passenger vehicle. I know it happens and the recap companies will say it's safe, etc. I just don't want to be the 1 in 10000 (or whatever statistic they will throw at the consumer) that has a failure nor be next to the one that does.

To me, it's well worth the extra money for new tires.

Just my humble opinion.

gmcjoe · November 10, 2005

Tires are one thing I never go cheap on. They are all that connects my rig to the road

99yukon350 · November 10, 2005

I didn't know they weren't used on the steer axles. For that reason I am not going with them. With that said what is everyone's input on load E tires vs D's? How much of a gas mileage difference? If I went with the E's, they would be 245/75/16. E because I can't find D's anywhere in the 245's. otherwise I will get 265/75/16. Thanks again

Shaners · November 11, 2005

If I went with the E's, they would be 245/75/16. E because I can't find D's anywhere in the 245's. otherwise I will get 265/75/16. Thanks again

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A 265/75/16 "D" has about the same load capacity as a 245/75/16 "E".

dewfpo · November 11, 2005

"E"'s have stiffer sidewalls and will ride a little harsher unless you adjust your psi down.

DEWFPO

99silveradoz71 · November 11, 2005

Tires are one thing I never go cheap on. They are all that connects my rig to the road

Amen, and remember that contact patch is about the size of your hand too.

PELICAN · November 11, 2005

I have not run retreads on my truck since I was a teenager working at mcdonalds, of course back then none of the 4 tires had a complete set of lug nuts and the battery was held in place with a piece of wood and a metal coat hanger.