Bridgestone - DUELER H/T 685

[hbn7hj]

Originally Posted by peteco

Do you recall the age of your tires that blew?

Good question I should have answered. The class C was right at 7 years. The first B was 4-5 years, the second was 4-5 years. I used 7 years as my time to replace tires. Maybe 5 is the better number for me.

You guys don’t miss much.

[hbn7hj]

What tire did you buy?

[mkguitar]

Originally Posted by hbn7hj

Maybe 5 is the better number for me.

Arizona kills our tires.



I've had many tires fail, some before the warranty was out.
The Michelins have been better but I stick with 6 years max

[peteco]

Originally Posted by mkguitar

Arizona kills our tires.

I've had many tires fail, some before the warranty was out.
The Michelins have been better but I stick with 6 years max

Have you tried 303 tire treatment. I found it makes a big difference in significantly reducing cracking. In your environment I would apply monthly.

[hbn7hj]

Yep, been swimming in 303 for years. I think it works.

[Frumpster]

1998 Dodge widebody. I went with the NOKIAN ONE HT. Absolutly LOVE THEM! lt 245 75 16. Made in U.S.A. and Russia. Look them up.

[KurtFranz]

Well - I think I am going to pull the trigger on the Bridgestone - DURAVIS M700 HD tires. On sale at Costco, planning on going there tomorrow and inquire about any issues installing due to weight and/or the undercarriage.

[jjrbus]

Michelin is the best tire! Or do they spend the most on advertising? I believe that exercising tires and being anal about psi is more important than brand. I use a TPMS and exercise my tires at least once a month on the highway.

Lots of good info from a tire expert, RV'er

https://www.rvtiresafety.net/search/label/Old%20tires

[KurtFranz]

Originally Posted by hbn7hj

I have run the Bridgestone Duravis for a year with no problems on a Roadtrek 190. I have blown two Michelin MS2 tires over 12 years.

I didn’t choose them. Couldn’t get what I wanted and had to have tires ASAP. Happy so far. They haven’t blown.

The Duravis is almost twice as expensive as the Dueler. I probably lucked out and got a good tire.

A heavy van probably needs more than a $150 tire. The Duravis is a $300 tire.

What do you think of the ride with the Duravis tires? Are you driving over a pebble and feeling it? Did they help in reducing body sway a little bit? I am probably overthinking this stuff - I just want a heavy duty tire to accomodate a 9000 LB vehicle that rides decent. My feeling is on any bumpy crappy sort of road these vans will ride like crap regardless. I just do not want a blow out.

[hbn7hj]

Originally Posted by KurtFranz

What do you think of the ride with the Duravis tires? Are you driving over a pebble and feeling it? Did they help in reducing body sway a little bit? I am probably overthinking this stuff - I just want a heavy duty tire to accomodate a 9000 LB vehicle that rides decent. My feeling is on any bumpy crappy sort of road these vans will ride like crap regardless. I just do not want a blow out.

You have your priorities correct. My ride is harsh and it was before with Michelin. Has to do with the lift, I presume.

[N147JK]

Originally Posted by KurtFranz

My feeling is on any bumpy crappy sort of road these vans will ride like crap regardless.

Many of these Class B vans are overweight. They are near or in some cases over their gross vehicle weight rating. This plus high tire pressure will make for a poor handing and riding vehicle. We are at about 1100 lbs under gross fully loaded up for a trip. Van is light on its feet, rides quiet, good handing.

[Frumpster]

I put the NOKIAN ONE HT on my 1998 dodge wide body. Kevlar wrapped on sidewalls and tread. Great at the 9500lbs of the van. Smooth ride and VERY stable.

[KurtFranz]

Originally Posted by N147JK

Many of these Class B vans are overweight. They are near or in some cases over their gross vehicle weight rating. This plus high tire pressure will make for a poor handing and riding vehicle. We are at about 1100 lbs under gross fully loaded up for a trip. Van is light on its feet, rides quiet, good handing.

Well I ended up putting a set of Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3 tires on my van. Got them at Costco. No issues on the install, I showed the installer exactly where and how to lift the van and actually watched them do it correctly.

Initial impressions are: nice smooth quiet ride, and a bit less leaning when making a hard turn. 80LBs rear and 50LBs front. This is with my van in "empty" city mode.

Of course any tire is not going to make any difference with regards to creaky leaf spring noise and rattling cabinets etc but initial impression is good FWIW.

[Frumpster]

I renewed my tire pressure at 65 front,75 rear. Airbags at 60 psi,except when on washboard gravel or back trails, then airbags drop to 20psi ,and let the springs take the bounce.

[KurtFranz]

What model air bags do you have installed? Would you recommend them?

[Frumpster]

I have firestone air bags. They were installed in 1998 and are still good. I run them at 60 psi,unless i am on wshboard gravel or backroad trails. At that point I will drop air to 20psi and let the springs take up the bounce. At 60 psi, the van is more stable in crosswinds.