New set of .........FIRESTONES?

[Dennis Garrett]

Been shopping for new tires, at the suggestion of those on this board, I' gonna step up to 265/75's this time. I kinda like the Firestone Steeltex, load range "E" or 10 plys. They come on the 350 Ford super dutys. I'm wondering if anyone here uses them on their Dodge? I guess they're not in the same catagory as the "Wilderness" nightmare, but wonder about the ride, tread life, etc. They can be had for about $105 ea, even found some take-offs for less than that. The first two sets were Goodyear Wrangler's, but I'm having trouble with them now, & want to get them off before winter.

 

[RustyJC]

FYI, several Firestone Steeltex users on various RV'ers forums have reported tread separation failures on Class C's built on the Ford E-350 and E-450 chassis. Admittedly, these vehicles are heavier, but.....



Rusty

 

[Okie-Go]

I would stay away from any Firestone. They come on the 250 Fords. If you want take-offs some of them have Generals in the same size that were traded in to some tire shops. I saw a set of Generals at a tire shop the other day someone had traded in.

 

[Bigramguy]

They aren't too bad

I spent 8 years at a Ford dealer and we sold lots of pickup with the Steeltex radials. They weren't the greatest traction tire,but were good all around for ride,wear,etc. I haven't seen or heard of any tread separation on these yet,but that does not mean it won't happen.



We used to get a lot of take offs as well,and I still have a few brand new sets I keep for my plow trucks. I wouldn't recommend,but if you can get em cheap,then go for it. If they are only a few bucks cheaper,spend your money on something better.

 

[farming4u]

Firestone Steeltex

Several buddies with F 350 I know have had several complaints about the Firesstone Steeltex. Poor wear, cracked sidewalls, and tread seperations. Beware! I have Cooper Discover and have been real pleased.

 

[chuck3]

Firestones

I would not buy firestones unless they were the only choice, this is not the first problem they have had with tread seperation, I remember having several blowouts in the 70's using their tires. NO MORE for me! my 2cts.

 

[Turbo Thom]

I just priced a set 4 tires buy the big M, BFG, and Cooper. They were 265-75R-16, load range D for a 2500. M-$920. 00, BFG-$770. 00 and the Coopers were $680. 00 Thats with a road warranty. Then I went to check on a studio radio system by Memphis for the truck and the dealer there sold Toyo tires. The same size as the others. $520+$40 mounting. A 50K mile tire in writing. Thats where I'm going. A lot of long haul drivers like the Toyo.



The studio system with all new speakers was $720. 00. The sound is un-real. Just so you would know. I knew you were interested.



Before Firestone, check on the Toyo's. A good looking tire.



See ya.



. . Preston. .

 

[FDziurda]

I just priced a set of Michelin 245-75-16s at Costco @ $146 + tax each, mounted and balanced. The Michelin 265s were about $165 (I think). Costco is running a $50 rebate right now, if you buy a set of four. I just installed a set of the Michelin X-Radial Plus's (80K Warranty) on my wifes Bonneville, and they are outstanding! I had forgotten how good her car rode and handled.



I have kinda decided NOT to change from the stock 245s on my truck due to a couple of reasons. One, the spare is a brand new Michelin 245... Two, the 245s seem to be just about perfect for keeping my truck in it's max power band for the speed I tow my travel trailer at.



Can anyone, who changed from 245s to 265s comment on the changes they noticed while towing (especially in the mountains)?



I still could be swayed towards 265s but wouldn't want to sacrafice the power I presently have with the 245s. I would suspect 265s with 4. 10 gearing would be "perfect" but maybe not with the 3. 54s.



Good Luck.



FDz

 

[HeberRam]

NO NO NO!

FDziurda. . If you want to bomb your truck that's fine. . Just don't do it from the ground up!!!

 

[CCahill]

I bought a new truck in 89... It came with Firestone Steeltex tires... within 9K miles they started chunking, I took them back to the dealer, and they said . . Not our problem, go to the Firestone dealer. . so I drove over to the Firestone dealer. . They say to me, not our problem. . those are OEM tires. . go see your dealer... (k miles. . thats all I got. . I wouldn,t use firestones if they were the last tires on earth... I'd walk first



PHEWWWW!!! It's been 13 years, and I'm still upset, more Effexor, please... ... ... ...



Colin

 

[Joe Mc]

Dennis,



It's funny the responces you get. (See my profile) When I first bought mine it had the Firestone Steeltex's. Only spin was the dealer put two (yes just two) new ones on for me "cause it needed them" (what a guy!). I asked (TDR'ers) for their opinions before heading across country and received an overwhelming responce from (someone can't remember name) that loved the Steeltex's and was getting about 70k per set. He was on his third set. Anyway, I drove 6,000 miles on the old (front) & new (rear) two on vacation at speeds exceeding well over 75mph for extended periods (hours). Since then I've put another 5k on them. My only wish is that I would have purchased two more new ones before I put all the miles on the new ones. Where are you getting them @ $105 each?



If you like to see the replies (they were very few negative ones) do a search using Firestones and look for my post, I think it was titled "Firestones . . . they were on it when I got it?" something like that. Make sure you set the search settings for "a month and older" as I bought it back in the end of May this year.



Joe Mc

 

[vc]

FDziurda,

How about a compromise and go in between sizes. I saw that BFGoodrich has in the A/T's a size 275/70/16. They list the stock 245's diameter as 30. 6";265's diameter as 31. 8; and the 275's is 31. 3. I went from 245's to 265's and noticed the diference right away on the first tow of my then 6700lb boat. I will most likely try this 275/70 size myself. And it is a little wider and sort of fills in the big wheel wells in that respect. I don't know right off if Michelins have this size- check their website.

vc

 

[BV]

FWIW

The neighbors f250 has the FS steeltex and with only 15,000 the rears are about done towing a 9k 5ver. He also mentioned there was a recall but wanted to waste these then get the replacements.



BTW - Our Costco could order the 265 Michelins but it would take 6-8 weeks since they are the replacements for the steeltex recall.