[Paul Eastham]

This is a nosewheel, so I'm sure it wasn't due to sloppy braking
It's not very deep, but it goes halfway around. Any theories on what is going on here? Manufacturing defect?
Van's stock tire, whatever brand that is...

 

[hydroguy2]

probably a rock

 

[Walt]

I've seen a number of these and believe it to be a manufacturing defect.
If the split doesn't go below the tread depth then I will let them continue in service. Of course they are cheap enough to replace so if I have
the wheel off for some other reason then I generally will just replace it.