Minimum Tread Depth for Overlanding

I set of KO2s came on my rig yet are nearing their life span. I'm at a crossroads of whether to replace them now or get a few more trips out of them. I don't rock crawl, but attempt to leave the pavement as much as possible. Realizing some states require tires with a minimum tread depth of 1/16, in my opinion this is way to low for overland travel. What tread depth do others use as a gauge when replacing tires on rigs used for off road travel?

 

There is no such rule or w.e. you're asking; this whole overland thing is just a made up marketing term.

If they need replacing, replace them. Not just for off road but for your own safety

 

Are the wear bars even with the tread? If Yes, then replace.

Are the tires more than 5-6 years old? If Yes, then replace.

Do the tires show uneven wear across the tread? If Yes, then replace.

 

All valid questions, which I do get. In this particular instance the answer is No to all of them. Given the number of miles on rocky, uneven terrain in remote areas, does the above still apply to that style of use. If I were staying on highway, no question, I'd leave them alone.

I suppose in typing this out, when in doubt spend the money now to replace them so as not to take the chance.

 

Let's see some photos with a penny in that tread.

 

For what it sounds liek you describe, and barring snowfall, I use the Abe Lincoln penny gauge

 

In my experience, traction offroad starts to suffer from lower tread faster than it does on-road. For that reason I usually replace my A/T tires while some would consider the tread to still be "OK", but I can tell when they start to lose their effectiveness offroad. This is more apparent when you start getting into harder trails where tire tread plays a bigger role than your every day dirt and fire roads. i.e - steep hill climbs with loose dirt or declines where you don't want your tires to start sliding.

Based on your description it sounds like you should just bite the bullet and replace them.

 

A few varying shots.

 

This is exactly what I was wondering. For what its worth, a trip in May/June will be all over eastern Utah and southwest Colorado, which I've never done before.

 

If I had plans to hit some snow trails this winter I would replace those first. If just doing easy dry terrain you'll probably be fine for a little while.

 

For that kind of trip, covering those kinds of miles both dirt and pavement, I would definitely want the peace of mind of new tires.

Make sure to have a full size spare too, at the very least bring along one of the old tires as spares (if your factory spare is a smaller size).

 

Bro my KO2s at 5/32 barely have enough ON-road traction, get rid of those

 

I hear nothing but negative things about K Bro 2's

 

If you have to ask if there's not enough tread, the answer is yes. If you've got broken belts, replace them. Wear bars level with the tread? Replace them. If you're not comfortable with the amount of tread left and have the money to spend, replace them. I would run those off road to the wear bars personally, had a set on our old tundra and as long as you could find the skinny pedal, 4wd, or traction in time, you were all set.

 

I'd be on the fence. IF I had the cash for new tires, and I wouldn't miss it, I'd get new tires. I had those same tires, and after you get down to that much tread left, they were hit or miss for me offroad.

 

eh, everyone has their opinion. And every tire has its + and -.

This guy owns a Land Cruiser outfitter shop, is very competitive in off-road races, and he put it well:

 

Did you measure tread depth from the wear bars ???

 

If you replace now you may find some one to buy your current ones. If you look at how many used tires are for sell I suspect that is part of the reason there are so many.

 

I never had any complaints about their traction but they would chunk up like crazy on the rocks

 

I purchased a tread depth measuring tool and measured between 5/32 and 8/32 tread left across the four tires, with the average depth being 7/32.