Tires: Winter Tires, 2005 volvo v70, aluminum rims

Question
I have a set of four P265/70/15 Toyo A/T Open Country winter tires that have only seen 1 winter's worth of use.  They have been stored, inflated, in my unattached garage (without heat nor insulation but sheltered from the elements with their aluminum rims on for at least three,coming on four winters. The date marking on them says NOV0104. I'd like to know a couple of things: about the ability of either potentially still using them or selling them on line (if they are still safe as I thought I'd heard someone say that to store tires, one needs to continue to reposition them once in a while.  These tires have been stored upright [as you'd find them on a vehicle] not stacked one on top of the other and have not been repositioned while in my possession) and only if they are still able to either function properly (fit on my current vehicle [2005 Volvo V70 station wagon with a sports package] or potentially give them to my father-in-law's for his current vehicle (driving a 2008 Ford Ranger).  As stated above, I drove on the tires for only one winter season.  The initial vehicle I had them on was a Nissan Chilkoot Pathfinder but I no longer have that vehicle.  I bought the tires new and have been the only owner of them if this makes any diiference.

I look forward to viewing your findings/answer to my series of questions.

Thanks,

Chris

Answer
Chris,

The tires are coming up on 6 years old.  While i believe they will be OK, others may take issue to the age.

Repositioning tires to prevent flat spots is for tires that are on vehicles.  tires that are stored off the car should not have issues.

I would sell them on eBay and get what you can - and have your Father-in-law get tires properly size for his vehicle.  This size is not it!