Daily Driver...Used Tires

[Glenn F.]

I am fortunate to live in a rural area. Years ago I bought a
basic manual tire changer and a good bubble balancer. Year
after year I drive on others'cast-off tires. I was just adding
the numbers on my daily driver yesterday....126,000 miles
on free tires, with very little trouble. Anyone else do this?

Glenn
 

[Tom in TN]

Glenn,

I've used used tires for years but I buy mine at a local junk yard (I've also picked up some at yard sales). They aren't free, but they're a whole lot less expensive than new.

I used to live near a guy who did re-caps. I used them also.

I've never had any special trouble with them.

Tom in TN
 

[JF in CT]

When I was younger I used to use cast off Maypops all the time. Learned why people used to throw out almost new looking Firestone 500 radials that way. Usually buy new stuff online these days.
 

[Jim Clayton]

I have used other peoples throw away tires on my #14000 equipment trailer for many years. 16 inch 10 plys are very common around here. A new set for this trailer would me close to $ 700 . With my tire machine I feel I'm ahead of the game 10X over.
 

[Dalex]

All my tractors have second hand tires , and my trucks too , depending on availability . I had to buy new Coopers for my Dodge last time ,couldn't find a decent set of used ones.
 

[Brian G. NY]

I, too have a bubble balancer as well as a bead breaker and tire tools.
I have never bought new tires for my '93 Dodge D-150 in the 10 years I've owned it. I usually find them at garage sales. The last ones I bought I paid $20 for four. 'course one was all worn out but the rest were real good. When I see 235/70 or 75 X 15 tires cheap, I buy them and I never seem to run out.
Never do that with my Wife's Subaru with the aluminum wheels tho! LOL
 

[DiyDave]

I have the same set up. I use exclusively used tires on my little mazda, and dodge pickups, and all 4 trailers I use regularly. Our dump has a 4 used tire a day limit, for residents to bring in old tires. Many's the time I brought in my 4 and took out 8 others!

I may not get the first mile out of a tire, but I d amn sure get the last mile out of 'em!
 

[Glenn F.]

Boy, you got that right. I remember when I was a kid (53 yrs old) were lucky to get 25,000 miles on a new set of (bias ply) tires. I drive very easy, and it's a rare tire (free cast off) I don't get at least 20,000 miles out of it. Like you, when I'm done with 'em there only good for starting fires.


Glenn F.
 

[Glenn F.]

"they're" only good...
 

[Bret4207]

My Dad had a late 60's-early 70's F100. He used to buy recaps from the Monkey Wards catalog store in town. I think they were $7.00 each. I don;t think he ever got 2500 miles out of a set, but that was because the front end was way out of alignment.
 

[hermit]

South central Texas, you are more likely to find hens teeth than 15" second hand tires. You just can't find them. I don't know about other sizes.
 

[MisterT]

[Slowpoke]

Yes, but they're not free.
Flea markets and garage sales get $15-25 each. Used dealers are up to $45 each. Still a good deal.

Anyone have a Bada Precision bubble balancer instruction book?
 

[Ken Macfarlane]

Yup but again I usually pay a few bucks.
 

[rodgernbama]

I've got one utility trailer that uses 14's and a tandem axle trailer that uses 15's. You can find them new but you are right about finding them used.