Preventing Dry Rot / Tire Rot

[SSTJ]

I put very few miles on my Jeep each year. My last set of tires lasted over 10 years, and even then it wasn't due to losing the tread—it was dry rot.

So, how to prevent dry rot? (Other than using my Jeep more often so that I wear the tires out before dry rot can begin. )

I've read that tire dressings, especially petroleum-based ones, can actually degrade the tire. But I wonder if anyone has ever used anything like this product by 303?

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-tire-balm-protectant/

 

[Artsifrtsi]

keeping indoors would be my thoughts... I know the sun and heat down here really take a toll on everything down here in S. Fl.

I only put about 1k-2k miles per year on the TJ, so I'm in the same boat on tires deteriorating before wearing out. (even the JT that I drive daily only has 9k miles since the end of April)

 

[Mudflat]

I put very few miles on my Jeep each year. My last set of tires lasted over 10 years, and even then it wasn't due to losing the tread—it was dry rot.

So, how to prevent dry rot? (Other than using my Jeep more often so that I wear the tires out before dry rot can begin. )

I've read that tire dressings, especially petroleum-based ones, can actually degrade the tire. But I wonder if anyone has ever used anything like this product by 303?

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-tire-balm-protectant/

The RV industry has been addressing dry rot & damage caused by ultraviolet sunlight for many years because travel trailers & motorhomes typically do not amass enough miles for the tire treads to wear out before age becomes a factor (your 10 year old tires are way past overdue to be replaced). A tire does not have to show visible cracking & dry rot to be unsafe. It can look fine & still have plenty of tread & be very subject to blowouts, tread separation, belt shifts & other tire failures that could have potentially fatal consequences especially in short wheelbase lifted vehicles like most of us drive.
If you’re not sure of the age of your tires then check the DOT date codes that are molded into the sidewalls. If you don’t know how to do this, someone here would be glad to show you or you could just google it up.
My personal tolerance for risk is six years. I’m sure that there will be differing opinions on this, but most will agree that age matters when it comes to tires. When shopping for new tires, I’m not looking for something with an 80,000 mile guarantee because I will, most likely, never wear out the tread before the tires reach their age limit. The exception to this rule would be the dedicated, non-street legal off road rig that is trailered to the trailheads & is never driven at highway speeds.
As far as protecting your tires, if your rig can be kept in a garage, that’s great. If not the tires should be protected from ultra-violet sunlight by using some kind of tire cover such as “Tyregards” which are popular with RVers, but would work great on our Jeeps. I’m sure that there are several tire dressings that provide protection from sunlight, but Armor All & STP Son-of-aGun ARE NOT effective & can actually harm the rubber. I like Formula 303 Aerospace Protectant & have used it for decades with great results.
‘Sorry for the long reply. I just thought that this is safety related & therefore vitally important.

 

[TheBoogieman]

 

[JKP]

I put very few miles on my Jeep each year. My last set of tires lasted over 10 years, and even then it wasn't due to losing the tread—it was dry rot.

So, how to prevent dry rot? (Other than using my Jeep more often so that I wear the tires out before dry rot can begin. )

I've read that tire dressings, especially petroleum-based ones, can actually degrade the tire. But I wonder if anyone has ever used anything like this product by 303?

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-tire-balm-protectant/

10 years from the date on the sidewall is considered the max life regardless of exterior appearance.

 

[Goatman]

RV places sell tire covers. Similar to what comes on the spare tire. Also, in my experience (farming, using old tires on implements for years and years) keeping tire pressure high so there is no bulge on the sidewall really reduces dry rot forming. With a flat or low tire the sidewall has a lot of bulge that wants to open a split from the pressure. Keep tires up around 40+ psi until you use the tires.
Also parking machines North-South so the UV light isn't so intense and direct on a tire helps too. Even just placing some plywood against the tire to block the sun can help. Our hay rake had tires that were (if my Pops remembers right) over 30 years old. Most of my tractors are from the late 40's, early 50's and still run original equipped tires.

 

[Mudflat]

RV places sell tire covers. Similar to what comes on the spare tire. Also, in my experience (farming, using old tires on implements for years and years) keeping tire pressure high so there is no bulge on the sidewall really reduces dry rot forming. With a flat or low tire the sidewall has a lot of bulge that wants to open a split from the pressure. Keep tires up around 40+ psi until you use the tires.
Also parking machines North-South so the UV light isn't so intense and direct on a tire helps too. Even just placing some plywood against the tire to block the sun can help. Our hay rake had tires that were (if my Pops remembers right) over 30 years old. Most of my tractors are from the late 40's, early 50's and still run original equipped tires.

I’ve previously mentioned “Tyregards” that are used by RVers to protect their tires from ultraviolet sunlight. These are actually much cheaper than some thing like plywood & they stay in place very well. Also easy to fold up & store. They can some times be found in Wal Mart, but they are available on Amazon & Camping World. You need your tire diameter when ordering.

 

[Goatman]

I guess you've never been on a farm before. Scraps of every type are saved. Hordes may be more like it. I've refused to toss even my grandfather's old carbide torches. And they may have come from before his time even. My father had saved all his old toothpaste tubes for decades thinking the price of lead may rise. Apparently toothpaste used to come in lead tubes before they invented plastic tubes?!?