The Radio Flyer received six new rubbers today.....

[NIsaacs]

Thanks, C12V98, for your reply.. I'm not "shotting" yet, but....have the opportunity to get in towing lite-wate frate in the north-east. I have noticed that both you and Greg run 4X4's... Is there any real benefit in that? My '09 6.7 is a 4X4, and I am convinced that the reduced MPG does not justify me having the added weight and expense.. I believe that you run the High West, is this correct? You may need it a lot more than I.. I am thinkin, a REG cab, cause our runs are always 400 or less.. I see Greg is running a very nice extended cab, haven't seen photo of your rig yet.. but.. is there any advantage to go extended, other than maybe slightly better ride.. I may be older than dirt, but still have lots of questions before I sign the paper.. hope you guys will share your know-how with an "old geezer".. Thanks...
Olde Bob (18Dodger18)

How about an update. I see on another thread you asked about 12k Dexter axles. We will be glad to spend your money and help you find a truck and trailer:-laf For a serious trailer like that I would not go Regular cab, get the biggest and longest 3500 dually truck they make.

Nick

 

[Newsa]

I rarely use the 4x4 but it is a priceless option when needed.

I have only towed 5,000 miles. And I consider it priceless also. My wife said "Hell no!" (to the 4x4 option) when I was looking for trucks. But when I found one she liked with 4x4, she "allowed" me to get it.

Now she agrees it's priceless when needed.

 

[18Dodger18]

Nick,
One reason for thinkin' reg cab is some places we hafta deliver to, have limited space to maneuver a 48' trailer load of foam around in, I agree for travel comfort the looonger, the goooder, but we have the North East corridor as our delivery "lanes" and space ain't one of our "perks" up there.. .. But, I'm still listenin'... My much younger biz partner is worried that the RAM 3500 won't be able to handle those pot-holed, wash-boarded, roads they have in NJ, NY, PA, MA, and the rest of the NE we will deliver to.. Our trailer is 48' long, weighs just under 6K, our gross load is just above 6K, and a 3500 C & C tractor should be less than 6K lbs, Our older, and bigger, rigs are running between 65K and 80 K miles per year. Their avg fuel MPG is between 6.9 and 9.0, and that's why I am so GUNG-HO about goin' with a RAM 3500. I expect to get above 12 MPG with the new set up, (which I don't have yet). I just gotta be able to convince my partner to give the RAM a try an see..... More later..
lde Bob aka 18Dodger18

 

[NIsaacs]

Thanks for the update, Bob. Sounds like you already have rigs on the road and are doing well so you don't need my help Keep us posted and we need pic's, sounds interesting. If it is about hauling/towing I am all in

I do think that an air ride 3500 will handle that load of foam no problem, rough roads and all. Just for reference, my little '91 reg. cab 4x2 D-250 weighs 6k.

Nick

 

[Cummins12V98]

"If they warranty them out based on remaining tread depth (and most dealers do) you won't get diddly back on those......"

I went to Discount Tire last week. They said the tires are done. They gave $109 per tire ($654) credit for any BRAND I choose! I was SHOCKED!!!

They look up availability of the same MS2's and there were only 19 available in 500 of their stores. He called the supplier and they said they have halted production and 8-1-2017 they will release a new tire, no pre orders. Is I will wait til then to see what they offer. I am seriously considering the above R500 HD's.

The MS2's had exactly 37K on them.

 

[TCollier]

Well after less than 24k miles one of my front tires decided not to be completely round any more. Truck was sitting in the parking lot for 4 weeks and when I jumped in it to go home I could tell something wasn't right. By the time I got on the highway I knew for sure. I've got the spare on now. I guess I'll shop around for two new front tires. They were both showing wear so I was going to have them swapped out with the inboard rears this time home but now I'll have to spring for 2 new tires. I wished I could just buy one but these Nexens have turned out to be such crap I can't waste money on another one and want the front tires to match.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Leave the rears on the rear. Just rotate fronts side to side with the rotation NOT changing.

 

[gsbrockman]

I am seriously considering the above R500 HD's.

Update.....my R500 HDs are at 61,743 miles and still doing great.

 

[NIsaacs]

Update.....my R500 HDs are at 61,743 miles and still doing great.

10k miles a month, are you running 2 log books Looks like they will surpass all your other tires.

I told my son about these tires, so when he replaced his fronts (they were doing what 12v98's were doing) he ended up with Bridgestone Dueler LTH, Discount Tire didn't carry the 500 HD's. They are more of a highway tire but only 41#.

Nick

 

[gsbrockman]

10k miles a month, are you running 2 log books Looks like they will surpass all your other tires.

I told my son about these tires, so when he replaced his fronts (they were doing what 12v98's were doing) he ended up with Bridgestone Dueler LTH, Discount Tire didn't carry the 500 HD's. They are more of a highway tire but only 41#.

Nick

I am all legit......even take a two day break at home most every weekend, and am home LOTS during the week.

10,000 miles / 4 weeks / month = 2,500 miles week
2,500 miles / 5 day work week = 500 miles / day
2,500 miles / 6 day work week = 416 miles / day

 

[Cummins12V98]

I decided on going with the Michelins again. They have redesigned the rubber compound. GoodYear had no warranty and the 500's would have a long life but worse ride.

So time will tell!!!

BTW Michelin gave a $109 per tire back on their 70K warranty! so in reality price per mile was still good.

 

[gsbrockman]

I decided on going with the Michelins again. They have redesigned the rubber compound. GoodYear had no warranty and the 500's would have a long life but worse ride.

So time will tell!!!

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[Cummins12V98]

HAAAAA ^^^^^

I knew I would get a response!

If I were hauling for a living the ride would not be a concern and the 500's would be on my truck.

 

[schmeg]

How is the ride on the 500's? I hear not that great.

 

[gsbrockman]

How is the ride on the 500's? I hear not that great.

You heard incorrectly.
The only time I had an issue with the ride quality was when they were improperly balanced when originally installed. They required very little weights when balanced.

 

[schmeg]

Thank you for your real world observation. Much better than internet heresy. I'm seriously considering these tires when I get ready to ditch the Nexens. I'm exclusively on pavement and tow heavy in the summer.

 

[Newsa]

Doesn't appear they make a 275x70x18 BS Duravis R500.

Doesn't come up on the tire rack website.

Still using FS Transforce AT's. But had to replace 2 of them with a newer version called AT2. They do alright on wet roads. I hope they do well in snow /Ice when I go up to Chicago in Jan

 

[gsbrockman]

A few pics of the Bridgestone R500 HDs with 82,965 miles on them (290,986 on The Radio Flyer)......

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[Cummins12V98]

Looks like 100K is not a problem!

 

[JR]

What are your plans for the truck Greg? Is a trade in in your future? Run the wheels off of it?
I'm rooting for option B, at the rate your going the sky's the limit for mileage.