Looking for Firestone Steeltex Claim Advice

[IndianaMike]

Last weekend on the way home from a week-long trip, the left rear tire (Firestone Steeltex) lost its tread. Luckily, it stayed inflated long enough to make it to a rest area where I could change it. The steel belts were nice and shiny after running on the pavement for ten minutes The tread separation has caused several hundred dollars of body damage to the truck. The local Firestone dealer is no help, so i called Firestone warrantee claims number. They have sent forms and want me to ship the tire to them prepaid (I pay) before they determine if it is a defective tire and pay any claims. The tires are original equipment on my 2002 2500HD, 31,000 miles, 5mm tread depth left on the other 3 tires. I carry a Starcraft 852 slide-in (2200 lb+gear), so my weight is ok. I have always checked inflation every morning, and check the temp at every stop. I am not interested in replacing with new Firestones, but have ordered BFG Commercial TA's to put on the truck. Has anyone had any experience in filing a claim with Firestone for vehicle damage due to tire failure, or will I be wasting my time and money? The tire is technically out of warrantee due to age. TIA

[IndianaMike]

Last weekend on the way home from a week-long trip, the left rear tire (Firestone Steeltex) lost its tread. Luckily, it stayed inflated long enough to make it to a rest area where I could change it. The steel belts were nice and shiny after running on the pavement for ten minutes The tread separation has caused several hundred dollars of body damage to the truck. The local Firestone dealer is no help, so i called Firestone warrantee claims number. They have sent forms and want me to ship the tire to them prepaid (I pay) before they determine if it is a defective tire and pay any claims. The tires are original equipment on my 2002 2500HD, 31,000 miles, 5mm tread depth left on the other 3 tires. I carry a Starcraft 852 slide-in (2200 lb+gear), so my weight is ok. I have always checked inflation every morning, and check the temp at every stop. I am not interested in replacing with new Firestones, but have ordered BFG Commercial TA's to put on the truck. Has anyone had any experience in filing a claim with Firestone for vehicle damage due to tire failure, or will I be wasting my time and money? The tire is technically out of warrantee due to age. TIA

[TXiceman]

LAst I heard was that the NHSTA had ruled that there was not a problem with the Steeltx tire seties and Firstone immedialtly quit paying any claims on the tire.

You need to call firstone corporate headquarters. Next get on the NTHSA site and file a complaint.

ken

[RodR]

Just be thankful that you are still alive after that incident AND don't ever buy, rent or drive a vehicle in the future with Firestone or Bridgestone tires..... (I won't!!) I mean, I have been driving for 40 years and there has continually been Firestone tread separation problems... I even owner some of them before I learned my lesson... other manufactures have some problems.... but it seems that Firestone just does not ever learn....

[Hemi]

On tires, I use michelin Ribs...they are a very heavy duty tire for the one ton truck....I have never had any problems...you can get them on a special order from Sams Club,

HEMI

[IndianaMike]

Thanks for the replies. I replaced the remaining tires with BF Goodrich Commercial TA's and am satisfied with them so far. I contacted Firestone and they told me that I would have to ship the tire to them before they would do anything. None of the local Bridgestone/Firestone dealers are allowed to discuss claims of this type. It was going to cost me around $50 to ship the tire, so I decided to put that toward the new BFG's instead, and chalk it all up to experience. I will never buy Firestone/Bridgestone again.