Should I be concerned about the age of the tires I am purchasing?

[osujason]

I found some BFG KM3s in 33X10.5 r15, but the manufacture date is from 2018. They have never been mounted, just sitting in a warehouse somewhere and they are not giving much of a discount either on price. I am only considering these right now because KM3's in that size are on back order till at least August and I need them now. Thanks.

 

[Craig0320]

I would personally run them. If they were 10 years or older then I would pass. You do what you think is best though.

 

[55trucker]

All tires no matter where they have been manufactured have a DOT date code embossed into the sidewall.

It is used to identify where & when they were manufactured. Tires even tho they can be stored in the most ideal conditions continue to deteriorate over time. The silicon & rubber compound do not last forever.

I personally will not purchase a *new* (as in old stock) or used tires that are more than 6 years old.

I would definitely NOT try to sell anyone the spare under my truck.

 

[Dirtman]

I wouldn't worry about 2-3 years at all. 8-10 years and I'd pass.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would have a hard time paying full price for a set of 3yo tires.

I wouldn't have a problem running them, my last set of Firestones ran fine but were made in 2009. They ran fine and had great tread but with the camper I figured I probably ought to to update tires last year.

 

[09fx4guy]

That is not that old, I would try to get a little discount on them, but if they are hard to find, you may just have to bite the bullet.

More importantly, how many miles do you put on in a year? How many years do you get out of a set of tires?

If you change tires every 3-5 years, I would say to get them, because by the time they hit 8 years old, you will probably be replacing them anyway. They would not have the chance to dry-rot before they would wear out.

 

[Ranger850]

This tire was born in 2012. Dry rotted AF, but the plug held until I got home Saturday. Sunday, tire still had air. I am in the market for 5 new tires.

 

[Dirtman]

Good god man

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

View attachment 61735
This tire was born in 2012. Dry rotted AF, but the plug held until I got home Saturday. Sunday, tire still had air. I am in the market for 5 new tires.

I have a plug in the same spot on my old ranger work truck. Its still holding the same air as two years ago. It might need 5 or 10 psi top off by now.

 

[Dirtman]

Even I wouldn't have tried to plug that. I salute your bravery.

 

[rubydist]

I agree that 3 yr old tires are no problem. You want them used up before they are 10.

 

[Dirtman]

How they are stored matters alot too. Stored out of any light in a nice cool warehouse wrapped in plastic they will last 10 times longer than if they are stored in the dirt in a hot tin shed, and about 100 times longer than if they are just left sitting outside in the sun.

 

[RonD]

3 years old isn't a big deal for age IMO

Make an offer of what you think is a fair price vs waiting until new stock arrives, if they say August, expect Oct/Nov

These will be worth less and less as the clock ticks, but may be worth a bit more now if "they know" new ones are not available
In 7 or 8 years when these tires are at end of life it will be a different world, we hope, lol, so if you want them then get them
But all they can do is say NO to your offer and then you can still buy them for asking price, assuming they come with a warranty, there may be a reason they never sold in 2018/2019, lol

 

[osujason]

Hey, thanks for all the info on this. I will go ahead with the purchase. The actual manufacture date code is 3318 so based on that, they won't even be three years old until end of August if my math is correct. Also, I will probably avg 10k a year on them so I should use them up before they would get too old. Thanks again.

 

[Ranger850]

Good god man

thanks