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Two Alternatives – Both Baaaad.

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by james, Jun 18, 2012.

?

Travel on the Snow Tires all summer? Or not?

Poll closed Jun 21, 2012.
  1. Leave on the out-of-round Uniroyal Liberators

    45.5%
  2. Drive on the Toyo winter snows all summer

    54.5%
  1. Jun 18, 2012 at 1:52 PM
    #1
    james

    james [OP] In over my head...

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    So. I'm up here in Fairbanks, Alaska, 2400 miles from home with the following conundrum:

    I've got a set of 4 Toyo dedicated snow tires with 2 seasons of wear on them and enough tread to get me through at least another winter...

    I've got a set of cheap-o Uniroyal Libertators with one tire out-of-round. Bought 'em second hand. I won't do that again.

    I've got to get from point-A to point-B. Do I leave the summer Liberators on with the out-of-round shimmy until I drive back up here in August, or do I switch to my excellent quality Toyo snow tires and take the hit on putting 5K miles on them (there and back)?

    Like I said, both bad alternatives. I just don't know what damage – if any – the out-of-round shimmy is doing to my entire drivetrain.

    What would you do???

    (Toyo Observe G-02 Plus. Great tire, by the way...)
     
  2. Jun 18, 2012 at 2:21 PM
    #2
    kmok

    kmok Plastidipped ma Hootus!

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    What about buying two more cheap tires and run the "good" liberators on one axle and the two other cheap tires you get on the other axle?
     
  3. Jun 18, 2012 at 2:29 PM
    #3
    james

    james [OP] In over my head...

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    Nope. I buy tires in complete sets of four or I don't buy any at all. I don't want to charge $900 right now. So it's one or the other. I buy gas the same way - full tank.
     
  4. Jun 18, 2012 at 2:33 PM
    #4
    tostidos

    tostidos Well-Known Member

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  5. Jun 18, 2012 at 3:09 PM
    #5
    koco

    koco Well-Known Member

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    I've never heard of a tire being out of round. It was either flat on a vehicle for a long time and got a flat spot that will go away after some driving. Or it has a bubble in it and is about to pop. I would have a tire shop have a look at the liberator. I have had them on 2 trucks and they were really good tires.
     
  6. Jun 18, 2012 at 3:29 PM
    #6
    james

    james [OP] In over my head...

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    Ahhh...but it's true: tires can indeed be out-of-round...
     
  7. Jun 18, 2012 at 3:57 PM
    #7
    Boerseun

    Boerseun Well-Known Member

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    Would it help to remove and remound the tire? I have heard of out-of-round tires before, but from what I understood it is typically due to a flat spot or mounted incorrectly where it did not seat right on the wheel. I guess the tire itself can have a bubble that cause it to be out-of-round, in which case I would not use it.
     
  8. Jun 18, 2012 at 4:00 PM
    #8
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Only way to cure an out of round tire is to shave it.
     
  9. Jun 18, 2012 at 6:09 PM
    #9
    ABregenzer

    ABregenzer Fish

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    Stickers. Lots of stickers.
    An out of round tire could also be from the rubber tread separating from the belts.
     
  10. Jun 18, 2012 at 6:20 PM
    #10
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    I completely understand this and I usually do the same but if I had one out of round tire, I'd just buy a pair and be done with it. It'd save your winter tires also.

    Have you considered something like Treadwrights for the rear tires and the Uniroyals on the front? They're cheap but I wouldn't use them for steering tires since they're retreads.

    If you're only considering those 2 options, run the winter tires. It's a much safer option. If you do run the out of round, keep it on the rear and make sure you have a spare.
     
  11. Jun 18, 2012 at 6:25 PM
    #11
    nucktaco

    nucktaco Well-Known Member

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    no shit....and no help.

    seriously though i wouldnt waste your toyos. just drive on the other tires. if you get a decent tire shop to give the ok then go ahead and use them. your out of round shimmy will have zero effect long term on the drivetrain.
     
  12. Jun 19, 2012 at 8:49 AM
    #12
    kmok

    kmok Plastidipped ma Hootus!

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    I would normally do the same but to save money and to keep you from putting miles on your snow tires that's a good alternative to your other options you posted.

    Treadwrights are great. A lot of members on here run them including myself and have had good experiences. The tires themselves are great as well as they're customer service. I really like my Treadwright Guard Dogs and I will buy them again when my current ones wear out.
     
  13. Jun 19, 2012 at 8:52 AM
    #13
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    How is 5k miles a waste?
     
  14. Jun 20, 2012 at 11:51 AM
    #14
    koco

    koco Well-Known Member

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    This is about the same as having a bubble in the tire. It is dangerous and could pop at any time.
     
  15. Jun 20, 2012 at 5:10 PM
    #15
    ABregenzer

    ABregenzer Fish

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    I was wondering what y'all were revering to. If there is a bubble in the sidewall, you need to take that tire off the truck immediately. That's not safe at all and could blow any tine.
     
  16. Jun 20, 2012 at 6:04 PM
    #16
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

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    Get a couple tires at the Wreck yard- keep the good ROUND tire as a spare.
    Quick fix for a temporary problem-
     
  17. Jun 20, 2012 at 6:24 PM
    #17
    J Gibson

    J Gibson Well-Known Member

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    Buy one liberator if there is good tread on the other 3. I would NOT run the bad liberator. If you don't figure out a way to get some miles out of the liberators then you having to eat whatever you spent on them. Either buy another pair of tires, or buy at least one, and get what miles you can out of them.
     
  18. Jun 20, 2012 at 6:27 PM
    #18
    ImpulseRed008

    ImpulseRed008 Gone But Not Forgotten

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    and if you're driving the Alcan highway, you DO NOT want to have a blow out on that road.
     
  19. Jun 20, 2012 at 6:36 PM
    #19
    AK Taco

    AK Taco Well-Known Member

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    I'd say that it depends on if they're studded winter tires or not. If they're studded and you get pulled over for any reason it's something like a $50 fine per wheel as well as another $50 for the whole truck so $250 in total. If they're not studded I'd run the winter tires.. Seems like the safer option to me.
     
  20. Jun 20, 2012 at 7:21 PM
    #20
    ffirg

    ffirg Well-Known Member

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    Winter tires are safer for sure. You'll get worse gas mileage with them and if they are a true winter tire with soft rubber compound, they are going to wear extremely fast driving 5,000 miles on dry asphalt.

    Depends on what you want to spend I suppose. I'd either buy two new cheap road tires and save your writer Toyos for the winter. Otherwise those 5,000 miles may force you to buy a new set earlier than expected. Either way you'll have to spend money. The question is when you want to spend that money.
     

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