Tire Gash - repairable?

[emj]

This may be an obvious answer so pardon in advance for my ignorance but this is my first time encountering this in my time of Defender (or general auto) ownership. I was working on the truck yesterday and noticed this large gash in my front tire. I can see the tire belt through the gash in the rubber. Is this damage repairable or is this tire done? This is a Michelin XZL 7.50 r16s.

 

[Napalm00]

toast , thats dry rot

 

[WoldD90]

You could use it a spare or second spare. But, not on the road.

 

[acheck]

Curious what the date code is on this one.

 

[pmatusov]

Yes it is repairable - look up cold vulcanizing kits on Google.
I repaired this cut on my XZL - but the tire is definitely relegated to spare duties.

 

[emj]

Thanks for the replies - sounds like its a good candidate for a spare tire. Is there any issue with taking my current spare which is also an XZL with no wear (looks like its never been mounted) and use it in rotation with the remaining three tires?

 

[jymmiejamz]

Thanks for the replies - sounds like its a good candidate for a spare tire. Is there any issue with taking my current spare which is also an XZL with no wear (looks like its never been mounted) and use it in rotation with the remaining three tires?

Nothing wrong with that. The one with the damage looks to be pretty worn at this point anyway. First thing to start doing once you have a full set of XZLs is to start looking for the next set.

 

[mgreenspan]

Nothing wrong with that. The one with the damage looks to be pretty worn at this point anyway. First thing to start doing once you have a full set of XZLs is to start looking for the next set.

That’s the rule for everything except spouses.

 

[pmatusov]

First thing to start doing once you have a full set of XZLs is to start looking for the next set.

Ain't that the truth...

 

[emj]

Nothing wrong with that. The one with the damage looks to be pretty worn at this point anyway. First thing to start doing once you have a full set of XZLs is to start looking for the next set.

Are XZLs really that superior to any other new tire on the market? I've only ever driven my Defender with them so I don't know much about the alternatives.

 

[O2batsea]

Are XZLs really that superior to any other new tire on the market? I've only ever driven my Defender with them so I don't know much about the alternatives.

All things being equal, no they aren't superior any more. Plenty other tires out there now that won't murder you when you hit the brakes on wet road. These just have that certain je ne sais quois.

 

[rover4x4]

No, its some mystical allure much like the Tdi engines.

 

[jymmiejamz]

All things being equal, no they aren't superior any more. Plenty other tires out there now that won't murder you when you hit the brakes on wet road. These just have that certain je ne sais quois.

I’ve done plenty of driving in the rain, snow, and ice with 7.50R16 and 8.25R16 XZLs. Outside of the fact that they are narrower than most tires, they stop just fine compared to other mud tires. I’m sure an all terrain would be superior in wet weather, but then you have to drive around with a tire that isn’t really good at anything.

 

[acheck]

I couldn't imagine parking at whole foods with any less than 8.25 XZLs.

 

[pmatusov]

For those of you who spent any time in the sandbox - can you remember any tires besides Michelin and Goodyear?
The XZLs are really good and tough. No, they are not worth ridiculous prices they command because they have to be imported - but for a single reason: BFGoodrich started making KM3 in the 7.50-16 size.
I think this is significant - it means there's enough people who realize that fat wide tires aren't that good for everything.

 

[Napalm00]

If you can afford a new tire why would you put that thing on even a spare? It's a time bomb

 

[emj]

If you can afford a new tire why would you put that thing on even a spare? It's a time bomb

I probably won't, but to keep the truck driving immediately I'll swap it out with my spare and keep it as a spare for absolute emergencies until I figure out whether to try to source more XZLs or just buy five new tires.

 

[Napalm00]

if you like this tall /skinny the km3 is available in a 7.50r16 its tall and narrow

New BFG KM3. Thoughts?

They review these in the new crawl magazine, they state that the 37 is a true 37 size tire That will be good if true, although doesn’t matter for me as I went with the Cooper STT Pro, and that tire is a full size bigger than the ko2. I’m starting to think that tire compound technology is...

forum.ih8mud.com

some pics

 

[hillstrubl]

if you like this tall /skinny the km3 is available in a 7.50r16 its tall and narrow

New BFG KM3. Thoughts?

They review these in the new crawl magazine, they state that the 37 is a true 37 size tire That will be good if true, although doesn’t matter for me as I went with the Cooper STT Pro, and that tire is a full size bigger than the ko2. I’m starting to think that tire compound technology is...

forum.ih8mud.com

some pics

I LOVE mine on my 110.

 

[pmatusov]

Here's the KM3 in 7.50-16: