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Retreads=good or bad idea?

blowedupmotor87

blowedupmotor87

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No bashing about whether this tread design is a good choice or not please; a buddy of mine is determined to get Goodyear Wrangler MT's for his K5 (he wants the full military wheel/tire look). He has a set of Hummer rims already and wants 37X12.50R16.5 Wrangler MT's, the ones that are used on military Hummers. The prices for new tires are CRAZY though, $690 a tire since AMGeneral has all of them (goodyear has stopped production). Used (surplus) tires could be an option but, most seem to be pretty well worn out that have been up for sale. Thus, I have the question: how bad of a choice would retreads be for a fourwheeling rig? (If it makes a difference, he probably won't be desiring to air WAY down.) I have found Unicure retreads that are a re-creation of that tread in the right size for $219, would they be a viable option for him? Thanks everybody!:D
 
a good retread starts with a good casing and prep. I worked in a commercial tire shop for years and saw good ones and bad ones. If you are getting the complete tire for $219 and do not need to provide a core casing thats a decent price.

I would have retreaded my MTR's when they wore out if there was a tread pattern I had liked. instead I paid $209 a tire and got a brand new tire. Retreads get a bad reputation because you see pieces of tires all over the highways. pieces are from virgin tires. whole treads, or "gators" as they were referred to in my area, are from a retread.

A good retread can be stronger and more reliable then the original tire was. this is because a good re-treader will hold his work to a very high standard and usually X-ray the casings. so I guess what I am saying is that whoever does the retreading is more important then the brand tread they use or the price.
 
gmc4cw, thanks for the info! The company that makes the retreads in question is Unicure, I don't actually know a thing about them. Maybe I'll get lucky and someone will happen to see this post that has run tires from them before.
 
blowedupmotor87 said:
gmc4cw, thanks for the info! The company that makes the retreads in question is Unicure.
Click to expand...

what you need to find out is if Unicure is the manufacturer of the tread or the installer or both. We used a lot of Bandag treads, but got them from different shops depending on the size of the tire.

now I'm mad. the unicure tread pattern is a Goodyear MTR. damn, damn, damn. I junked the bald tires Damn it, Damn it, Damn it.

http://www.moderntiredealer.com/research/TOP50.pdf

from what I have read so far on the internet the process they are using is the best. is a complete remolding of the tire. doesn't get any better then that. I need to find out if I can get some tires done or if you can only buy a complete tire. Damn you for asking this question. I was ignorantly blissful.
 
Might check with "Sarasotausmc" as he runs those tires. I think he knew someone with a line on good treaded used ones. :wink1:
 
I never thought I'd get dimed out! Thanks Donald!

I ran a set of retreads (all four) for a few months and I liked them after I finally got them balanced out. Can't remember the maker of the tread, but they were pretty good. One of the military 37's I am running now is the same tread as the original tire, and it's just as good as if it were original.

Thats all I can really say about it. I got a great deal on a new set that I am waiting to put on, so maybe later will be able to give you a true difference report.
 
I run High-tec retreads and they are great. Not only are they cheap, they wear longer than the major brands. Plus you can get carbides in the rubber for ice traction. The only downside is they only come in the tread pattern of Dunlop Mud or some A/T design. These are a re-molded tire (i.e. re-manufactured), they don't just get a new band of tread glued on.

They sell Hummer tires retreaded to Dunlop Mud (37x12.5x16.5) for $150. See http://high-tec-retreading.com//DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=1&tabindex=0

DSC00019_edited.jpg
 
Did you check EVilbay?? I see those tires on there all the time. There is a local military surplus that has alot of those tires. I can't say for myself cause I've never been there, but a friend gets his stuff there....

I can get the name and number of the place if you want....
 
My nieghbor swears by bandag recaps, in fact he want these off my new project truck. But he usualy has them "buffed" as hs says. When he gets his they look like they have been wire wheeled, he says it makes them round. As for my expiriance with recaps i have been driveing semi trucks 8 years and never had a recap fail, but just last week i had my 4th virgin tire blowout. Now the norm around here is to run recaps on semi drive axles, and virgin tires on the steer axle. That said yes i have had 3 front tire blowouts, just so happens this last one was on a drive axle. The only reason its a virgin tire on the drive axle was because they was on there when my boss bought the truck. So id say go for it but have them "buffed" if thats the correct term for it.

Balzer
 
bandag is the number 1 retreading company in the US if im not mistaken, i deal with retreads every day, i highly reccomend them and i dont see any reason to not do it, if your casing is still good and in useable condition. if its worth anything to you, ive got a couple hundred 36 and 37 hummer tires. you can also regroove the retreads as well.
 
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