TAIL OF A TYRE

[KevinAbish]

Tail of a tyre.

Several years ago on my return home from Queensland after the Dedication of the HMAS Melbourne memorial at Alexander Headland. I shredded a tyre on my caravan. Took the rim to the Kmart Tyre outlet in Taree. It was then placed on the near side of my caravan and it is a single axle.
After travelling several times to Sydney, Canberra and Hobart travelling around 5,000 kilometres with that tyre in that place it went flat back in October after our return from the Floriade in Canberra. I pumped it up where it stood and within 15 minutes it was again flat. Now I hadn't travelled on the tyre in that condition. Taking it to my local garage at Nabiac the chap there said he could not fix it as it has cracked between the tread that was in good condition. It was inspected by a Dunlop representative who stated that it was a manufactory fault. Seeing it was over 7 years old from the date of manufacture it was not under their warranty. They only give warrantees like this up to 7 years. Unbeknown to me and others I have told this story to did not know that on every tyre there is a code just above the beading on the tyre where it fits onto the rim. Like 2204. Meaning that it was manufactured in the 22nd week in 2004.
I was told that I may have a claim with Kmart but not to hold my breath as it would be hitting my head against a brick wall. As Kmart in Taree has since closed I rang the head office in Melbourne where I was told that Kmart Tyres guarantee their tyres for the life of the tread. After giving my details he would have my closest dealer contact me. I was contacted in a couple of days and later took the tyre to Forster Kmart Tyres, along with my paper work or the original receipt and the inspection papers from Dunlop. As it was nearing Christmas and New Year I was told that it may take a few weeks as it would have to be fitted to a rim and tested and examined.
Last week I was contacted by Kmart tyres in Forster stating that they would give me a new tyre of the same make and type. As I have three good tyres on my caravan I asked could that price be taken off a new tyre to fit my Land Cruiser Prado and I would pay the difference. Not a problem I was told so took the car in a few days later and had a new tyre fitted as a spare. My old spare was well worn and would not pass an examination for road safety.
the bill went as follows. New Prado tyre valued at $295. Price of the light truck tyre for the caravan priced at $125. All I had to pay was $170 for a new tyre for the Prado.
I was a happy person. Didn't have to hold my breath or hit my head against a brick wall. I say Thank you to Kmart Tyres.
No one can tell me how a popular tyre like I have on the caravan could stay in a rack for 7 years waiting to be sold. Who ever looks at the date on the tyres of when they were sold. (Will in future) The new one I had put on the spare for the Prado was 4009 Meaning it was made in the 40th week 2009.

Shalom

[phpadmin]

Thanks for the interesting insight - I will in future be checking all new tyres purchased

Les

[docrice]

Thanks for the interesting insight - I will in future be checking all new tyres purchased

Les

Thanks Les and Kevin.......not many of us would know that

[Exbirdie]

Interesting story Kevin, a story a few years ago on one of the currant affair shows indicated that tyres over four year old used or other wise became unsafe due to a break down in the rubber makeup and the inscription was mention on how to tell the age.It is also wise that when you arn't towing your van is to put it on blocks as continuing standing in the one position will give your tyres and brake pads a flat spot and will also gause perishing. I was also advised to loosen the wheel nuts ( but don't forget to tighten them before you use it) I did once and tore three of the five holes to threads and it cost me a new wheel and hub.

[KevinAbish]

Correction to detail on my post. the Dedication I attended at Alexander Headland on the Sunshine Coast was to HMAS BRISBANE not the Melbourne.
I check over my post several times and didn't pick that up. Need a kick in the backside here or 10 days of chooks. Sorry about that.


Shalom

[Exbirdie]

Join the club it's called oldtimers

[KevinAbish]

Is that what it is. I get so pissed off with myself at times like this. About to say something or type a word and then its gone.

Shalom

[jughead842]

the yanks have a saying for when they forget things or let one go in public they call it having a "seniors moment"

[Exbirdie]

I've been in the situation when I was talking to a person I've known for ages and during the conversation I've completely forgotten his name.

[KevinAbish]

I have spoken to my old Dr about this forgetting words or saying a wrong word and his reply was IT ISN"T Alzheimer's but just Old Timers or a Senior Moment as stated by the Yanks It is no offence to correct it and no criticism should be cast as it could be the other person in a few years. Even my spelling of a TAIL of a tyre should have read TALE of a tyre. No one picked that up as yet.
Just having one of those moments in life.
Getting the van all ship shape for another run to a Navy turn out in May.

Shalom