Bridgestone Duelers On A 2wd?

[big_dawg74]

Ok, my truck is needing some new tires soon, and I want to upgrade. I am running P245/70/17 Ameritracs which are junk. I'd say 95% of my driving is city/semi-rural paved street driving. Only about 5-6k miles driven annually. No towing, and very, very little hauling. Here in western Washington, it is mostly rain, but it is supposed to be a nasty "La Nina" winter with more snow. My house sits in kind of a bowl in the neighborhood, and when it snows or is icy, I'm pretty much dead in the water. Even with sand in the bed, I can't make it up the hill to get to the main plowed street. The county doesn't plow in my development. Hence, I am contemplating my first venture with an A/T tire. I am looking at getting either the Dueler AT 695, the Dueler AT RHS, or the Revo2. Price is a big factor, and Costco has a good deal on the Bridgestones right now. The other option I am considering is sticking with an all-season tire and hoping for the best. Probably the General Grabber HTS. Because of the low amount of time I drive the truck, road noise and ride comfort are not big issues...safety is. I am also concerned with having a overly aggressive tire on a 2wd street truck looking funny, if you know what I mean.

 

So what say you? All terrain, or all season? Also, would the difference between a 245/70/17 and a 265/70/17 be negligible or worthwhile? Would love to get some feedback from folks with the 2wd out there...

[rogerf]

You might want to consider mixing tire products, a smooth highway tire for the front and a more agressive A/T for the rear. I had similar snow traction issues with my old 2wd W/T and purchased a pair of BS Dueler A/T 693 for rear wheel winter traction. Also found that extra wheels were dirt cheap on fleabay so able to take them off in the summer but eventually just ran them year-round. That produced the best balance of a quiet highway rib for better handling on the steering axle and the rear traction needed for the snow in NE Ohio. At 6K/yr, almost everthing you buy will likely dry-rot before it's worn out so might be more economical to leave them on year-round & skip rotating expense. Note that this will give a bit of a farm truck look...

[big_dawg74]

You might want to consider mixing tire products, a smooth highway tire for the front and a more agressive A/T for the rear. I had similar snow traction issues with my old 2wd W/T and purchased a pair of BS Dueler A/T 693 for rear wheel winter traction. Also found that extra wheels were dirt cheap on fleabay so able to take them off in the summer but eventually just ran them year-round. That produced the best balance of a quiet highway rib for better handling on the steering axle and the rear traction needed for the snow in NE Ohio. At 6K/yr, almost everthing you buy will likely dry-rot before it's worn out so might be more economical to leave them on year-round & skip rotating expense. Note that this will give a bit of a farm truck look...

 

Well, another thought I had was to get a pair of snow wheels, and just buy a pair of snow tires for the rear. Then in the spring, buy a set of four all seasons (Grabber HTS). Anybody else have a thought on this?

[rogerf]

Well, another thought I had was to get a pair of snow wheels, and just buy a pair of snow tires for the rear. Then in the spring, buy a set of four all seasons (Grabber HTS). Anybody else have a thought on this?

Another thought if you go this route is buying an "LT" rated for the winter rears. This made a big improvement in handling with the 500lbs of sandbags in the bed.

 

I know 2 with Grabber HTS on their trucks that really like them. Personally went with Cooper CTS within the past month which are also at the lower-priced end of the market. Wet traction is excellent and the "T" rated heavier sidewall made a huge difference in handling. No snow or ice yet so can't vouch for what they will do. Check around on-line, there are strong deals from several sites but eventually got the Coopers from a trusted local repair shop with similar pricing.

[big_dawg74]

Well, I'm not too thrilled with having two different types of tires on the truck year round. So far, I haven't found a better deal than the Dueler AT 695's at Costco for $654 installed out the door. I can get some Grabber HTS for $699. Both are the P245 size.

 

RogersBowtie: What rigs do your friends w/ the HTS have (2wd/4wd?) What area are you in? Do you see lots of snow?

 

 

I think right now I am leaning 70%-30% towards the Duelers...

[rogerf]

RogersBowtie: What rigs do your friends w/ the HTS have (2wd/4wd?) What area are you in? Do you see lots of snow?

 

 

I think right now I am leaning 70%-30% towards the Duelers...

Lot of snow...in lake-effect area near Cleveland, Oh. Friends trucks with HTS: GMC Canyon 4X4 and Nissan Titan 4X4. Only the GMC has run in snow with the HTS, commonly commutes 30 miles at off-hours when the roads don't get plowed with no problems. The Titan had them since late Spring. He does a lot of expressway and swears by the smoothness and handling. Mine with the Coopers is a NBS Silverado 4X4 running 265/70/17 which were $695 incl. mounting & tax. Can't state enough positive about the Cooper CTS but would have no problem getting the HTS based on what both told me. Definately one of the best values out there right now.