Bridgestone/Firestone Tires

[Jerry_M]

It's time for new tires on the MH. 275/70R 22.5. I stopped by our local Les Schwab tire store today to ask about the FMCA Michelin Advntage program. After explaining it to me, he said that he has sold a lot of the Bridgestone/Firestone tires lately. From what I can find out, there is a savings of about $800 on the out the door price between the Bridgestone/Firestone over the Michelin tires. Does anybody have any experience with these Bridgestone/Firestone tires or have any comments on them?

Jerry

[Executive45]

If I didn't or couldn't get Michelins....I, too would be trying to sell you a brand I DID carry....just sayin......Dennis

[deandec]

Ran a set of Bridgestones for 7 years. Now Toyo again. The Gillig bus chassis does not seem to care.

[Ivylog]

rtz549 wrote:
Look at any semi or other large truck. If they run any other tire; they will still have Michelins on the front. That's the one place you don't want a blow out.

I've looked at the tires on a lot of buses as they have the same 315/80/22.5 tires I run on the front of my MH. Pretty sure a bus with 50 passengers is concerned about blowouts but most do not have Michelin's on the front. In Canada I see more Continental's, then Michelin's, and then a tie with Goodyear and FireStone. It's not unusual to see a mixture of three of the above. In the US Continental is probably in last place with M 1st, GY 2nd, FS 3rd.
OP I'm running FS400 on the front and after 15+K miles I still like them a lot. I'm running Hankook's on the rear and would suggest you look at them too.

[1gvols]

I have 290/8o22.5 Bridgestone ,55000 miles .I was in the dump trucking business for 40 year had 35 trucks.Michelin never made a bad tire that's a joke.I had two Michelin blow out on 40ft motorhome .Will never run them again.Bridgestone gave me great service in trucking business and rock business and on the mortorhome

[1gvols]

I have 290/8o22.5 Bridgestone ,55000 miles .I was in the dump trucking business for 40 year had 35 trucks.Michelin never made tire that's a joke.I had two Michelin blow out on 40ft motorhome .Will never run them again.Bridgestone gave me great service in trucking business and rock business and on the mortorhome

[rgatijnet1]

Jerry M wrote:
Thanks for the input JD. I'll keep this in mind when making a decision on which ones to buy. I've noticed when putting new tires on my other vehicles in the past, they need a break in period before they feel right. Usually a couple hundred miles.

Jerry

That is right about the break-in process but you also have to consider how old the original tires were. If they were old enough for the rubber to have hardened, plus the tread was worn, putting new tires on, with new softer rubber and a deeper tread have a tendency to squirm, which takes a little getting used to.
Over time, people tend to get used to their old tires and putting new tires on a coach makes it ride different. That is one of the main reasons why people say that their new "whatever tire brand" tires ride better than the hardened rubber tires that they just took off. That does not mean that the new tires are better in the long run, but when you replace hardened rubber tires with new softer rubber tires, there is an immediate difference in the ride.

[Jerry_M]

Thanks for the input JD. I'll keep this in mind when making a decision on which ones to buy. I've noticed when putting new tires on my other vehicles in the past, they need a break in period before they feel right. Usually a couple hundred miles.

Jerry

[Yellowboat_]

Les Schwab in Washington State put a new set of Bridgestone 19.5 tires on our motor home. I decided upon the Bridgestone tires because the date code was only 3 months old. With my new Bridgestone tires my motor home became very squirrely to drive. First trip on our new tires was to the coast. Because we were taking our grandchildren my wife drove some of the kids in our Dodge Durango and I drove the rest in the motor home. On the way to the coast, not towing, our motor home would dodge and swerve as we drove down the road. The first time my wife road in our motor home after installing the new Bridgestone tires she was scared to death.

I weighed my coach and adjusted air pressure to meet Bridgestone tire pressurization charts. Les Schwab had inflated the tires to the max pressure. Adjusting pressure did not help. I had a steering stabilizer and rear trac bar added. My coach came with a front trac bar installed. The suspension mods made our coach drive a little better but it was still squirrely and would dodge either left or right whenever it decided too. After a few local trips we headed south for the winter. As we headed south our coach started behaving better. We took I-5 south through Oregon and California. After spending some time near LA and San Diego we moved on to Tucson, AZ. The last time our coach lurched was as we were driving into Tucson. Returning home from Tucson our coach drove great and it is still driving just fine.

I sent an e-mail to Bridgestone but they never answered. I asked Les Schwab and they could not give an answer. I have posted on forums and asked RV industry experts but no one can give me an answer.

My guess is that either the tires needed time to allow the rubber to age as they were only 3 months old when they were installed or the tires needed to be driven to break them in. I have never heard of either of my explanations.

Safe travels.

JD

[rtz549]

Look at any semi or other large truck. If they run any other tire; they will still have Michelins on the front. That's the one place you don't want a blow out.

Keep your tires topped up and you should be fine.

What gets most people is the tires "look" to be properly inflated; but an inside dual might be low or have a leak. So now they have a low tire; and the other tire is carrying all the weight. High temps on the highway; guaranteed blowout.

Anytime a long highway drive is about to be started; always check tire pressures. At the least; check the inside duals.

Whatever tires you get; report back your results.

[Jerry_M]

The person I was dealing with said that they did participate in the FMCA Michelin Advantage program. Maybe they participate on a dealer option basis. He took me to his warehouse and showed me both Michelin and Bridgestone/Firestone tires, but none in my size. He said the tire he usually recommends is the Toyo, but they are not made in my size. I'am hoping to hear from people that are running them, and hear what their opinion of them is. There is lot of talk about Goodyear and Michelin in this forum but I can't find anything about Bridgestone/Firestone.

Jerry

[LVJ58]

Been running Bridgestone R250F series tires on our coach for the last 13 years no issues, great tires. Of course ours are the 245/70R19.5's

Good luck with your choice and safe travels....

[olfarmer]

I had 4 Bridgestone tires on the back of our previous MH and was very happy with them. They were on there several years and still looked new when we traded it off. Sorry I can't remember how many miles they had on them but it was quite a lot. I would not be afraid of them.

[J-Rooster]

No, I don't! But, I would like to comment that Les Schwab does not participate in the FMCA Michelin Fleet Tire program! The Manager at Les Schwab in Port Orchard, WA. told me that and Michelin Tire Company HQ told me that when I was talking to them on the phone. Les Schwab in Port Orchard,WA. quoted me $503.00 per Michelin XRV Tire, plus I had to pay the freight charges! Les Schwab is the closest tire store to my home. Michelin Tire Company HQ in NYC via phone sent me to a tire dealer in Tacoma, WA. (25 miles from my home) where I was charged $378.00 per Michelin XRV Tire! Thought you would like to know that! Good Luck with your Bridgestones/ Firestones!