Tire prices

[Mad Farmer]

I got a set of 12.4 X 28 on rims a few years ago from Tucker.

I just looked at prices and seems they are about $400 more with rims then what I paid.

What caused this?
 

[Ken-Pa]

Price increases are due to Government Beuracracy , taxes , shipping expenses , labor costs increasing , business expenses & I imagine rubber costs more . I know how you feel & wonder why . I also price a pair of 12.4-28 with rims about 5 or 6 yrs ago but didn"t have the cash available . So , last year I called & priced them again & also learned the cost jumped a few hunderd dollars . So, I figured instead of once again waiting until I could scrape-up the cash before ordering in fear of the price going even higher , I just used my plastic money to get them at $1,000.00 . One positive thing to look at with Tuckers Tires , they quote you a total cost with no surprises of shipping costs . HTH ! God bless , Ken
 

[L.B,]

I got 4 used tires 12.4 from ASAP salvage for 100 to 125 about 6 to 7 yrs ago, and I drove and got them. Remember its mostly the dollar is worth less. Shipping has also got steep.
 

[OT: car tire..John,PA]

Hd a flat tire recently while on the way to pay a bill, personally, at SEARS.

I changed the tire and crept to sears on the little spare thing.

I pulled into the SEARS lot and asked the manager to fix my left rear tire.

His comment was......the tire cannot be fixed. He could only sell me a new one for $100.00 plus.

Now, I carry an inner tube at all times.

Problem was, SEARS does not stock inner tubes.

Now I have 2 14 inch tires for my utility trailer.
 

[billy boy2]

It used to be explained as supply and demand. Nowadays supply and demand means he who has the supply can demand you pay whatever he asks. Used ones are even outrageous around here,if you can even find them.
 

[HCooke]

I seem to remember that there was a big increase on excise tax on imported tires a few years ago.
 

[js305]

Talking about tires, have you all noticed that tires don't last like they used to? I'm talking about passenger and truck tires. In years past I have had old cars or pickups with ten year old tires that were still serviceable. I don't mean to say I would go on a trip, but around town they would get by if they still had some tread left. Now, if a tire is over five or six years old and is on something that's not driven daily it likely will not hold air. There seems to be a time limit on the life now as well as the tread life. Different compounds resulting from cost vs regulations and other factors I'm sure.

A friend of mine was at a garage sale and bought a set of "take offs" from a guy who had purchased a new GMC pickup in the mid 80's and didn't like the tires/wheels so he took the originals off and stored them in his barn, covered up with a tarp, off the ground, etc. They looked great, they were NOS you might say. Well, he tried to use them and blew all four out within a month. Shame...

I recently bought an 8N that wasn't running for $1000. It had tires that were put on it new in 2002 and had not been run much since then. The little spikes of rubber were still sticking out of the ribs. Tractor tires don't age as bad it seems. I figured I had that much in trade if I couldn't get the tractor running. The front tires had a few little weather cracks but seem to be fine as well. The previous owner told me the steering was "seized". I flushed the steering box with new oil and it works OK. A tuneup and some TLC and I now have a good running tractor.

My point in telling the story is that in this case I bought tires and got a tractor in the deal.
 

[hd6gtom]

JS305 You are right they don't last like they used to. They last a hell of a lot longer, 80 or 90000 miles is common on a quality tire. In 1986 when I started in the tire business the life exp was, at most, 50000 miles.
 

[W_B]

[js305]

I guess I didn't explain it the way I meant it. Yes, I too get more miles out of tires, that I use daily. It's not unusual for me to get 60 or 70K out of a set. But I have to do it in 4 or 5 years. After that they begin to break down. My 84 Dodge truck had good looking tires on it when I retired it from being my daily driver about three years ago. Now all four tires won't hold air and still have nearly half the tread left. I have had name brand tires and no name tires. Most of the time I get about the same results.

I drive about 25,000 miles a year, sometimes more, mostly pavement but maybe 20% on dirt. My daily driver gets a new set of tires about every three years. I usually retire(?) the old ones to a trailer. Or I used to until none of my vehicles had 15 inch wheels. I just think the compounds used are different, more mileage but shorter hours.
 

[carlntexas]

Tires do go bad and are dangerous after some many years. I read this on the internet and can't remember how old they have to be, but they do have a date on them if you can figger out how to read it.

Found some information on tire dates.


http://www.aa1car.com/library/tire_expire.htm