Tire Chunking

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

After my last off road adventure, I noticed I have some tire chunking going on. I have a couple of areas on each tire as shown in the attached photos. I have never experienced this having really never off roaded on rocky trails till my last trip out. Is this just a cosmetic thing and tires still safe? I do have an upcoming appointment with @Discount Tire , I did purchase the road hazzard certificates. Any advice?

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[bleda2002]

Looks fine to me, nothing to worry about. Will maybe just be a little louder

 

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

Thanks Bleda, Hot Springs and Kansas Rocks definitely much different than the trails here in Florida.

 

[Jefe1018]

That’s pretty much the norm with rock crawling. I’ve never had issues with tires looking anything like that.

 

[jac04]

I agree that varying amounts of tire chunking is fairly common when wheeling in rocky areas. Some tires seem to be more susceptible to larger chunks coming off, likely due to the rubber compound used or the age of the tires. For example, my old KM2s lost chunks like what is shown in your pictures, but my current Baja Boss ATs just get leading edge 'pitting", like so:

Your tires seem to have a decent amount of rubber cracking around the base of the tread blocks. How old are they?

 

[Jaxmax]

I was about to ask mileage on tires, the cracking in tread makes me think they have pretty good mileage on them and maybe getting old and”brittle”? My factory Falkens look better then that tread and I just spent both days last weekend in the rocks trying to tear them up, but nothing no chunks….Jack

 

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

Your tires seem to have a decent amount of rubber cracking around the base of the tread blocks. How old are they?

[/QUOTE]
2 Years old with 20
K on them.

 

[Sweetums]

Chunking happens - some tires are more prone to it due to the rubber compound, but any tire will chunk if you abuse it on harsh terrain. Generally chunking does not make a tire unsafe unless you are ripping entire lugs off.

I agree with the above post that pointed out the cracking/dry rot, which is an indication of an old tire. Tire rubber gets hard as it ages, oxidizes, and is damaged by UV; that means they don't grip well and can even come apart.

 

[Rusty PW]

The tires looks ok. Chunking the tread blocks is normal off roading in the rocks. Depending on the age of the tires. The cracking between the blocks could be from flexing of the tread blocks.

Be glad you don't off road on red dog. Red dog is coal mine refuse that is piled onto slate dumps. The shit is like driving over broken glass. It will slice whole knobs right off.

 

[Sweetums]

Ridge Grapplers?

Check out my Trail Grapplers. Only 8 months old and I bought them new. No more Nitto’s for me

Nittos wear like iron - unfortunately they also grip like iron and don't have much give, so they tear.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

As others have mentioned tire chunking happens off road…. What pressure are you running? And are you heavy on the skinny pedal through shale rocks?

Mojave and Death Valley- 18psi and not hammering through everything helps a ton.

 

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

I run 12 psi and I'm very easy on the skinny pedal.

 

[DylanM]

I agree with others that the chunking shown is a cosmetic issue only, and to be expected when used on rocks. The weather cracking appears minor to me as well, and in my experience it's common to see on tires that see use off pavement, especially in mud or when used aired down.

 

[CrazyCooter]

My Ridge Grappys are also cracking between the tread at 2 years old, but chunking is light. I don't rock crawl and avoid spinning the tires or I suspect they would look like yours.

I have noticed 37"+ Ridge Grappler tires cracking while the 35's that have been in the shop don't? Just an observation..... I haven't seen any Trail Grapplers cracked.

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