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To say I go through tires quickly is an understatement. I'm worse than NASCAR teams Hendrick or Petty. Maybe I ought to give those guys a call and see if they've got some extras laying around. My "easily" accessible records only go back to 2011, so I don't have data from earlier than that, but since 2012, I have bought a new set of tires annually for one vehicle or another.
I had my truck's tires rotated in December when I had new brakes installed. At the time, the tires looked great. I drove Speedy to Expo in February and everything felt fine. In Early March, I took both horses to the vet and noticed a worrisome roughness on the way home. It was a sensation I felt the last time my tires needed to be replaced. I checked all eight tires (including the trailer's) and couldn't find anything that looked suspicious. Since we're heading to Simi Valley this morning for a lesson, a trek of about 125 miles over California's busiest highway, I gave my tires another visual inspection yesterday morning. Thank goodness I did. The problem finally showed up - blown out sidewall.  This looks like trouble. I keep my vehicles a long time which means I do a lot of regular maintenance and replacement of parts. The one thing that I can't prevent is weather damage. The sunny side of the trailer and truck have wheel covers to protect the tires, but when you drive less than 5,000 miles a year, weathering happens as the truck and trailer sit.  Plenty of tread left ... I called my trusty tire guy and asked him to get some tires ready for me as I was headed his way. The truck rode so roughly that I drove the entire ten or so miles at no more than 30 miles an hour. It was only slightly embarrassing to wave drivers past me as my hazards flashed on and off and on again. I didn't care though as I've driven behind slower drivers who didn't have the decency to move over like I did.  New tread and no holes in the sidewalls. Once my new tires were installed, I took advantage of Blue Truck's freedom and zipped into the corner gas station and drive through car wash. These things are not easy to do with a trailer following wherever we go.  Blue Truck loves a good shower. I hooked Blue Truck back up to the trailer, "fixed" another little thing that's busted on my trailer (I have got to get that fixed sooner rather than later), and loaded some hay and tack. We're leaving fairly early today as long as the weather holds. Here's to solid tires with no blowouts!  Spit-shined and once again road worthy. See you all tomorrow!
jenj
3/22/2016 06:54:15 am
Our truck needs new tires too - we've got 50K miles on them and it's time. WHYYYYY must truck tires be so expensive? Ouch! That's interesting that you have to buy tires so often. I drive my truck less than 5000 a year too, but both truck's tires have held out under the tread gets low (the current truck's tires will need to be changed this year). I replaced all of the tires on my trailer two years ago- when not in use I make sure I cover them with RV tire covers. Maybe I should do the same for my truck! I know we live in different climates- maybe your hotter temps all year round contribute to new tires before the tread wears out? 3/23/2016 07:44:56 am
Our extreme heat is the most likely culprit. We get about 40 days a year that are over a hundred degrees and a whole bunch more days that are in the 90s. It is also VERY dry here. I think the combination of year round heat and dry (we've been in a massive drought for the past four years, and even with el nino, we've only just barely hit our pre-drought average here in Kern County) just takes its toll.
Yikes, glad you got it sorted out before your trip today. 3/23/2016 07:46:26 am
My first set of trailer tires lasted about 6 years, so I am hoping these will go another couple of years too. Trailer tires are a little different than vehicle tires, so I hope that helps. 3/23/2016 07:48:06 am
I have bad luck too. I have had more flats on that truck than anyone I know! I guess when horses are involved you tend to drive places that the average person might not. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
Watercolor Artist and Friend
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
National Rider Awards
USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
State Rider Awards
CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
State Horse Awards
Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2022 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic (Q) Must Qualify 2022 Shows Schedule
(*) Tehachapi 5/22/22 2022 Completed … Pending ... 2022 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying 2 Scores/1 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Archives
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