New drive tires

Case credit is minimal on them now - I try to swap them out so they can be sold as used, rather than run them out.

 

They really are. Since Bridgestone bought the Firestone Name. Started with the F590 steer. When Bridgestone got their new steer, ( the current F591.) When Bridgestone released their current new steer, the old steer became the F591, eco tire. Very similar to 590. Extra decoupler groove. I always ran Bridgestone steers. Always worth paying a little more for. For years every Driver you asked would tell you Bridgestone only on steer. Once they hit $600 or more though, Firestone fit the ticket. 2 for $1100 out the door these days from Southern Tire. While I believe in new technology. Tire advertising is hyped up, always has been. I haul rubber sometimes for Bridgestone and Cooper. Both use Royalene brand bulk rubber. From what the Refinery Guys tell me, it’s the best. Premium rubber. Big chunks of white silicone looking blobs if rubber. Lol. I’d rather avoid Chinese, if possible. But price is a big factor. Most Chinese Drives look exactly like Bridgestones. Same tread, copied. I know the manufacturing process is questionable though. Coopers Chinese brands are supposedly made to a high standard. Funny that there’s Chinese and “ American Standard “ Chinese factories. Air in Cummins Chinese parts. I can’t say enough about the Firestone steers. I’ve got 8 on my Tractor now. Lol. Average mileage for each is 260k half on steers, ran out on Drives.

 

I have Firestone drives. FD663. They still look the same as when I bought the truck. Seem great to me, but I don't have anything to compare them to for real world experience. I was looking for some Michelin steers, but couldn't find them right that second. So I tried to find FS591's. I was already running FS561's. Couldn't find them either. I ended up with 16-ply BFG ST244 on the steer axle. As far as the drives are concerned, if these keep holding up, I don't see any reason to fix something that isn't broken. We'll see.

 

That’s a good tactic. The best really. When tires were cheap. I’d buy a set of drives before I had to. I recall 8 Yokos for $1600. I bought a set the first year they offered Truck Tires. 1” of tread. Deeper than any other. Now they’re 15/16” same as 726s. Also Continentals 8 for $2000. I’ve had 2 sets of Continental. Made by General, they’re a premium tire. My favorite of all. Both sets lasted longer than any Drive I’ve had. Better than 726. Only had one set of 726. Bridgestone prices went crazy high. Seems they only care to market to Fleets. Lcapp program had a great discount, only way to justify buying them IMO. The tire market changes often. My purchases always rely on what’s being promoted on sale. I’ve got some of my best deals from T/A and sometimes Petro, on the weekends, end of the month. Depends on the Manager, and their promotions. Each is different, depending on their stock. I always check. Never know.

 

I have to mention, I looked at tires on my way home. T/A in Franklin Tn. I like their Shop. Good Crew. The Chines Ironman tires they’re pushing right now, don’t look like such a bargain. Cheap looking new type tread. Not much depth. I wouldn’t buy them. Best deal I’ve seen lately were Chinese Dayton Drives, at Petro Dodgecity Al. Good tire at a good price. They sell a lot of them. Still a Chinese tire. I’ve postponed buying Drives so long. I really want a good USA set. Still I refuse to pay over $3400. I can’t see any benefit.

 

Dayton tires are made by Bridgestone.

 

Chinese tires have come a long way in the last twenty years.

When you figure the fuel savings a premium tire earns you, you'll see it's well worth the cost.

When you figure the fuel usage a cheap tire costs you. You'll find that saving 200$ on the price of a tire ends up costing you an extra 7-8k a year.

Obviously if the truck/trailer suspension, alignment, and wheel bearing adjustments aren't correct, you'll never realize a benefit.

 

I thought it was Cooper. I can’t keep up with it. Good to know though.

 

I’m not sold on Low rolling resistance tires just yet. Good example is my steers. The F590 was pitted against the new Bridgestone eco steer. Now that steer is the F591. They’re almost identical. I’m almost resolved to run all steers. See if my mpgs improve much. Hard to tell right now, my engines still breaking in after an overhaul. The only real way would be either a Fleet average. Or a closely watched single Truck. All things being equal on average. I’m definitely going for mpgs. Fuels prices are only going up. My old Truck costs me $1200 a month more because of fuel economy as it is. Much more and a new Truck payment is justified. Don’t plan on buying another Truck. Ever. This is my last one. Aside from fuel, it costs me very little to maintain.

 

Michelin spendy but I get over 400k on my Michelin energy D they are great in ice and deep snow. Michelin steers almost always over 200k Centramatics snd rotate drives every 100k