gsbrockman
TDR MEMBER
Oddly enough, the LT245/75R17 Firestones have 110 lbs. more carrying capacity per tire (3,195 lbs. @ 80 psi vs. 3,085 lbs. @ 80 psi) and weigh 6 pounds less each (42 lbs. vs. 48 lbs.).
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The Radio Flyer received six new rubbers today.....
- Thread starter gsbrockman
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Attention: TDR Forum Junkies To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.
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gsbrockman
TDR MEMBER
On Friday, January 27th, the ol' Radio Flyer got a present in the form of six new LT235/80R17 Bridgestone DuraVis R500 HD tires.
My previous LT245/75R17 Firestone Transforce HT's were close to 5/32nds on the front tread (DOT minimum is 4/32nds for commercial users) and the rear tread averaged about 3/32nds (DOT minimum is 2/32nds for commercial users).
I bounced back and forth between Firestone Transforce A/T's, Firestone Transforce H/T's, and even considered some Mastercraft Courser AXT's. In the end.....I said "skaaaaarew it" and decided I'd try some Bridgestone DuraVis R500 HD's.....
#ad
#ad
#ad
#ad
#ad
I took a few back roads to my tire dealer (S&S Tire in Nicholasville, KY) and was unable to get the truck up to interstate speeds until I was about :20 from the store. After getting on the interstate, I discovered I have an out of balance issue on one or more of the rear tires.
Instead of going back to the store so close to closing time, I decided I'd just go back on Saturday to have it looked at. I'm sure it will be something easily rectified.
****UPDATE****
I went back Saturday and a different tech road-force balanced all six tires. They're now smooooooooth as glass.
Based on the amount of wheel weights that were on one of the wheels....it was fairly obvious that the tire balancer was not programmed / set up properly, operator error, or a combination of both.
I began to get concerned as additional research showed the Bridgestones weigh in at 47 lbs each, while the Firestone Transforce A/T's weigh in at 43 lbs each, followed by the Firestone Transforce H/T's weighing in at 41 lbs each. I also began to wonder if the additional weight / materials were going to be detrimental. Thankfully....it was not.
Looking forward to seeing how these LT235/80R17 Bridgestone DuraVis R500 HD's perform over the long haul.
One good thing about racking up miles somewhat fast.....I can gain knowledge & experience about a wide variety of tires fairly quickly!!!
The previous Firestone Transforce H/T's served me well. I ended up receiving 67,176 miles out of them. Had I not been commercial, and not subject to DOT minimum tread depth guidelines, I'm sure I would have received 70 to 72k out of them.
My previous LT245/75R17 Firestone Transforce HT's were close to 5/32nds on the front tread (DOT minimum is 4/32nds for commercial users) and the rear tread averaged about 3/32nds (DOT minimum is 2/32nds for commercial users).
I bounced back and forth between Firestone Transforce A/T's, Firestone Transforce H/T's, and even considered some Mastercraft Courser AXT's. In the end.....I said "skaaaaarew it" and decided I'd try some Bridgestone DuraVis R500 HD's.....
#ad#ad#ad#ad#adI took a few back roads to my tire dealer (S&S Tire in Nicholasville, KY) and was unable to get the truck up to interstate speeds until I was about :20 from the store. After getting on the interstate, I discovered I have an out of balance issue on one or more of the rear tires.
Instead of going back to the store so close to closing time, I decided I'd just go back on Saturday to have it looked at. I'm sure it will be something easily rectified.
****UPDATE****
I went back Saturday and a different tech road-force balanced all six tires. They're now smooooooooth as glass.
Based on the amount of wheel weights that were on one of the wheels....it was fairly obvious that the tire balancer was not programmed / set up properly, operator error, or a combination of both.
I began to get concerned as additional research showed the Bridgestones weigh in at 47 lbs each, while the Firestone Transforce A/T's weigh in at 43 lbs each, followed by the Firestone Transforce H/T's weighing in at 41 lbs each. I also began to wonder if the additional weight / materials were going to be detrimental. Thankfully....it was not.
Looking forward to seeing how these LT235/80R17 Bridgestone DuraVis R500 HD's perform over the long haul.
One good thing about racking up miles somewhat fast.....I can gain knowledge & experience about a wide variety of tires fairly quickly!!!
The previous Firestone Transforce H/T's served me well. I ended up receiving 67,176 miles out of them. Had I not been commercial, and not subject to DOT minimum tread depth guidelines, I'm sure I would have received 70 to 72k out of them.
Last edited:
gsbrockman
TDR MEMBER
The simulators ARE back on, dawg.........
Kirwin
TDR MEMBER
More evidence that Greg is not keeping the Radio Flyer CLEAN!!!! Probably just put the wheel skins back on right over the dirt!!!! :-laf:-laf
Did the LT245/75R17 work out OK no indication they ever rubbed? I can get that size in the Michelin Defender tire. They don't make the LT235/80R17 size in the Defender series. Congrats on the new sneakers Greg. They are one of the tires I considered too.
Did the LT245/75R17 work out OK no indication they ever rubbed? I can get that size in the Michelin Defender tire. They don't make the LT235/80R17 size in the Defender series. Congrats on the new sneakers Greg. They are one of the tires I considered too.
gsbrockman
TDR MEMBER
Actually......I did wash them up. In the past....the simulators have made noises against dirty wheels.
The LT245/75R17's worked out great. There's about 6 revolutions per mile difference between them and the LT235/80R17's. ZERO rubbing anywhere on my truck; I even have some pics of the rear duals a few posts back, but I'm sure you've seen those already. So far.....I'm digging the DuraVis R500 HD's.
I had Bridgestone M773 commercial all-terrains on my 96 for three years. (The M773 has more-open shoulder tread than the newer M700.) Was impressed with them in winter, but my driving at the time was mostly local and put more wear on them than the long daily highway runs I later came to know and love, so I probably didn't get the best life I could have. On the 05, I currently have General AmeriTrac TR for the Snowflake rating, and they too have been terrific in snow. I would strongly consider Cooper A/TW next (a Snowflake-rated version of the A/T3) since snow is my most frequent "non-pavement" driving condition. BFG ATs would probably be wasted in my use since I don't get to dirt/mud/rocks/sand.
OK, what was the price before tax?
gsbrockman
TDR MEMBER
$1,026.00 usd
Kirwin
TDR MEMBER
Or he goes to a NYC public high school.
gsbrockman
TDR MEMBER
I've heard there's some stuff in NYC that Clorox and an SOS pad won't clean up..... :-laf
That is a good price and they should last well for you. My MS2's were $1,176 no tax.
gsbrockman
TDR MEMBER
Over the weekend, the Radio Flyer received an oil change with a Donaldson DBL 7349 oil filter and 3 gallons of Delo 400 Full Synthetic 5W40 oil and two new MOPAR fuel filters.
I also rotated the tires. They had 43,561 miles of use on them. After the rotation, I took tread depth measurements.
All of the numbers are from three points across the tread / contact patch, beginning with outside--center--inside tread depth readings. These readings were taken after the rotation. On this rotation, I rotated the fronts to the inside rears, and crossed the fronts on the way to the back. I keep tire pressures set at 80 psi front and 48 psi rears.
L/F 9--10--10 (left front)
L/R/O 11--10--11 (left rear outer)
L/R/I 9--9--10 (left rear inner)
R/F 10--10--11 (right front)
R/R/O 10--10--11 (right rear outer)
R/R/I 9--9--10 (right rear inner)
Tread depth new is 14/32nds.
I'm extremely pleased with these R500 HD's. These tires do NOT seem to wear the outside edges of the steer tires (particularly the right front one) nearly as much as any other tire I've ran on this truck. On a side note....I'm also running on 100% original equipment front end parts (nothing has been replaced).
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...R7R500HD&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
I also rotated the tires. They had 43,561 miles of use on them. After the rotation, I took tread depth measurements.
All of the numbers are from three points across the tread / contact patch, beginning with outside--center--inside tread depth readings. These readings were taken after the rotation. On this rotation, I rotated the fronts to the inside rears, and crossed the fronts on the way to the back. I keep tire pressures set at 80 psi front and 48 psi rears.
L/F 9--10--10 (left front)
L/R/O 11--10--11 (left rear outer)
L/R/I 9--9--10 (left rear inner)
R/F 10--10--11 (right front)
R/R/O 10--10--11 (right rear outer)
R/R/I 9--9--10 (right rear inner)
Tread depth new is 14/32nds.
I'm extremely pleased with these R500 HD's. These tires do NOT seem to wear the outside edges of the steer tires (particularly the right front one) nearly as much as any other tire I've ran on this truck. On a side note....I'm also running on 100% original equipment front end parts (nothing has been replaced).
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...R7R500HD&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
^^^^^^ Where are the tires made? I am VERY disappointed in this set of MS2's.
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
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Back Issues
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