K02s - Tacoma too light?

Can I sell you a bridge? That guy is full of it!!!!

 

Ditto, especially on checking the date of manufacture on the sidewall. I live in the southwest, and after 4 years, most tires show the kind of cracking in the pictures that you posted. I’ve only had one set of Goodyears (years ago) that ever got so bad that I needed to replace them long before they should have worn out.
I also think you should get a second opinion and probably a new tire guy; I think he needs you to buy some new tires to take the lead in the monthly competition for sales at the tire shop.

 

E range tires don’t crack because a Tacomas too light. But they certainly can cup easier on a Tacoma because they’re a bit stiff for the weight of the truck.

i personally have never had issues running e range on tacos. It just rides tougher

cracking is just from age and potentially tire shine if it’s the cheap stuff

 

Yes and no.

He is trying to say that the sidewalls don't get stretched enough, but doesn't understand what he is trying to explain. Tires and rubber have conditioners in them that keep them pliable, tires that sit in harsh conditions (sun) whereas tires that are driven and flexed on a regular basis tend to keep these compounds from drying out and cracking. The solution on E rated tires on lighter rigs, is to run them at slightly lower pressures (38-40) rather than the 60-80 they would normally see on a much heavier vehicle. This is one of the reasons tires on motorhomes/heavy fifth wheel trailers should be replaced on a time based schedule, rather than mileage based. As they just sit most of the time and typically don't see a lot of miles.

Your tires may indeed be cracked, and he is probably trying to help you in the sense that people want to get as many miles as possible rather than replacing them every 5 years regardless.... if that makes any sense... We are taught that tires wear out by mileage alone, and the mileage warranty is a way to upsell, but tires age out as well.

FWIW, many cars have staggered tires and cannot be rotated. Rotation helps you get the most mileage out of tires but has no bearing on the cracks.

Compare the date code on the tire to the in-service date to get an idea how old they are. 4 years seems a bit premature, but is on track for age replacement give or take. With that said, on a light truck, the cracks to a certain extent are only surface in nature unless you have knowingly abused the tires by airing them way down or way up.