When to replace trail-damaged tires

[DJurgy]

I bought the Jeep just before Thanksgiving 2025. The tires had good tread depth and no damage. (pic fresh1, attached)

I'm using it for why I bought it, and now, a bit over three months later, the tires still have pretty good tread depth but are showing some damage (no sidewall damage, just treads starting to get worn and gouged from rocks). (pics used1a and used3 show the most wear)

But since I'm new to this, I don't know if they are damaged enough to warrant replacing yet.

So my main question is: If the tread depth is still ok, how do you determine when your tires have accrued enough damage from the trail that they need to be replaced?

Bonus question: For those of you who hit the trails fairly often, how frequently are you replacing tires? At the rate I'm going, I'm not sure if I'll get a year out of a set.

 

[Mopar]

I don’t think there is one right answer. It’s more about what you are comfortable with.

I’ll let my regular road tires wear down more than my Jeep tires before I replace them. The reason is, off road vehicles need good tread for traction. I’ll probably let my tires get to 1/4 or even a little less on road tires before replacement but with off road tires, I’ll usually replace at about the 1/3 left point.

Are you spinning your tires a lot on rocks?

 

[WSS]

I think your wear and tear is typical of trail use. Carry a good plug kit and maybe one of the newish sidewall patches. When you notice you can't get up obstacles as easy as the last trip, consider a new set. If you are able to get the tires to "minimum tread depth", that is a good time to get another set.

I am running patagonias right now, I don't like them (covid era supply purchase). They are a harder compound than my typical BFG MT's. They don't hook up as good as I like. They wear good and resist cuts and punctures well (no flats or tears yet) but I would like to get another soon.

Have you done any research on what you might get next? My go to has been BFG MTs but I may try some Nittos this next round.

 

[DJurgy]

I don’t think there is one right answer. It’s more about what you are comfortable with.

I’ll let my regular road tires wear down more than my Jeep tires before I replace them. The reason is, off road vehicles need good tread for traction. I’ll probably let my tires get to 1/4 or even a little less on road tires before replacement but with off road tires, I’ll usually replace at about the 1/3 left point.

Are you spinning your tires a lot on rocks?

No, very little spinning on rocks. I think the damage is primarily from just slow cruising along Arizona trails, which tend to be made up primarily of small, sharp, pointy rocks. It's a stock 2012 Rubicon, 32s and no lift, so I often find myself riding the tires up on the sides of ruts to clear other rocks and maybe that's contributing to some excess wear.

 

[DJurgy]

I think your wear and tear is typical of trail use. Carry a good plug kit and maybe one of the newish sidewall patches. When you notice you can't get up obstacles as easy as the last trip, consider a new set. If you are able to get the tires to "minimum tread depth", that is a good time to get another set.

I am running patagonias right now, I don't like them (covid era supply purchase). They are a harder compound than my typical BFG MT's. They don't hook up as good as I like. They wear good and resist cuts and punctures well (no flats or tears yet) but I would like to get another soon.

Have you done any research on what you might get next? My go to has been BFG MTs but I may try some Nittos this next round.

I have no complaints with the BFGs I have now, though like I said, I'm new to this so these are literally the only tire I've offroaded with!

For my next set, I was thinking either the Falken Wildpeak MT or Yokohama Geolandar MT and leaning towards the Yokohama. Though now I see the Geolandars are 10lbs lighter than the Nitto Trail Grappler! Does that mean less/weaker rubber and more prone to puncture/slashes? I wouldn't want that. Otherwise, I liked the slightly lighter weight of the Yokohamas and the tiny tiny bit of extra diamater they have! I need every little bit!