Firestone Tires - Steeltex 4RS

[Tide Guy]

Have been out of the net for a while, but thought my bit of news may help other Ford truck owners or at least raise awarenees about their tires.

Last weekend, Labor Day, while traveling to the CG in Destin, Fl. the treads separate from the tire body on one tire. The tire was on the left rear of my truck, Didn't loss control, but was very scaray. We were on I-10 traveling at 60-65MPH. Had 35K miles on the tires with approx quarter inch of tread remaining. Damage to truck is in the range of $800-$1000 per dealer estimates. Lots of additional details, but to much to write here.


New tires are in order, but not Firstone. Plan to file a claim with Firestone. Will keep you informed.

Be Safe

Y2K PSD F250 CC PS

[Tide Guy]

Have been out of the net for a while, but thought my bit of news may help other Ford truck owners or at least raise awarenees about their tires.

Last weekend, Labor Day, while traveling to the CG in Destin, Fl. the treads separate from the tire body on one tire. The tire was on the left rear of my truck, Didn't loss control, but was very scaray. We were on I-10 traveling at 60-65MPH. Had 35K miles on the tires with approx quarter inch of tread remaining. Damage to truck is in the range of $800-$1000 per dealer estimates. Lots of additional details, but to much to write here.


New tires are in order, but not Firstone. Plan to file a claim with Firestone. Will keep you informed.

Be Safe

Y2K PSD F250 CC PS

[TXiceman]

After 2 thread separations on out past class C with Steeltex tires they went away. When we goth the F-350, it too had Steeltex and they are now GONE. Having had problems and see others with problems, I don't want to ruin my truck.

Ken W

New-old 1995 Avion 36.5M toted by a 1997 Ford F-350 Dually Crewcab PSD, SCMT,Down pipe, 4" exhaust, MagnaFlow mufffler, RideRite air springs and Jordan 2020 controller http://irv2review.com/photopost/show...php?photo=1411. Travel with a Miniature Schnauzer and two small Parrots.---Practicing for our retirement! Have Flamingo, will travel!
Check out the Texas Boomers at http://www.texasboomers.org/

[Johnny]

Maybe we're lucky, but at work, we've never had a Steeltex come apart. until last year, the wreckers ran almost nothing but Firestones for close to 20 years (and Steeltexes since they came out). No blowouts, despite our regular overloading, lots of city use, plenty of curb-tagging, and occasional gravel-road use. These are some seriously-worked wreckers.

Now, we've switched to tires from Hi-Tec Retreading for about half the price. They're holding up well.

Johnny
1992 F-350 4x4 turbo diesel/5-speed/3.73
1976 Holiday Rambler 26' TT--SOLD
1984 Ford B-700/ThomasBuilt bus conversion

[8.1al]

We ran the Steeltex on our 2001 till they just about wore out. We always kept them properly inflated and they looked good,no cracks,etc. when they were taken off

"No matter where you go,there you are"
97 Jayco Designer 3510 RLS w/2 slides
2001 Chevrolet 2500HD,xcab,LB,8.1,Allison,4:10

[Tide Guy]

8.1 Al

Have always thought these were pretty good tires, maintained proper air pressue, rotated and inspected for any sign of damage at 5K miles, but have become somewhat skepical now. Any way will replace all with new Michelin tires, better safety the sorry.

Y2K F250 CC PSD

[zip]

I wasn't having problems with my Steel-Tex tires, but after reading enough threads about their failure rates I got rid of mine too."Sceerd me". Running Dunlops now.
zip


zip.94 Terry 5'er 30.5ft.
02' White K2500 HD Silverado DMAX ,Dee Zee ss Running Bds,Lucerix mirrors,Line-X,Only 9 more yrs til retirement. Geez.

[Joe Ogiba]

I traded my Steeltex LT265/75R16D's for BFG LT265/75R16E's along with the truck.

2003 6.0 PSD 4x4 Excursion Limited & 2003 Thor Citation 41-ZBSR

[6MISFITZ]

After seeing Firestone tires on some 2500 and 3500 trucks on the dealers lot, I told them that I would not accept our van if it had them.

It came off the truck with LT 225/75R16 "E" Uniroyals.
I think Michelin, Uniroyal and Goodrich are the same company but I will replace them next fall with LTX's anyway for more bite in the snow.

Mike.

Mom Dad and 4 kids Dog & Cat (who doesn't like to camp)
Chevrolet Express LS 2500 (135"WB)
6.0L, 4.10 Posi, HD Aluminum wheels, Tekonsha Envoy, Equal-i-zer, McKesh Mirros
Prowler Regal 320 DBHS w/ QUAD BUNKS

[new2rvs]

As first time RV'ers with a 3 week old motorhome, we had a blowout at only 2500 miles (we've had for 500 miles) on Firestone Steeltex 225/75R16E's. No rig damage, just tire confidence! We don't have much in the MoHo since it's new, so not much of a load and checked tire pressure and all before leaving. The right-side duelie blew HUGE. Got the run around and finally called a Firestone dealer and was told "prove it's a defect" (with a laugh) and we'd get a new tire. We're now looking at Michelin LTX or XPS's or BF Goodrich Commercial T/A's. Would like to hear if others have had luck with the Michelin's or BFG's. I'm thinking the side of the motorhome will make a nice sign board AGAINST Fireblown tires! Thanks much.

Jeff & Val
2003 Minnie Winnie 27P on Ford E450 chassis

[clipperbob]

I contacted Firestone about RV tires once, voicing my concerns. They tried to assure me that this had all been taken care of, and that "only 40 tires have been found defective". This are some articles on the Motor Portal regarding these tires; just do a search for "steeltex". One of them is this one ...

Firestone Steeltex Tires

Bob, Diane, the kid and the dogs
2001 Coachmen Catalina Sport 195 rk
2003 Jeep Rubicon

<a href="http://www.wunderground.com/US/MD/Phoenix.html">
</a>

[BeenThere DoneThat]

What about my 4 that were seperated with 50% or more trade life. I bet those were not counted in the '40'.
Tony

(aka TonyT) 29' Four Winds 29QB/Pac-n-Play, '01 GMC Savana 3500 Extended Hi-Top Conversion, 8.1L

[superduty]

or the one from mine, along with the other 3 very cracked tires. I guess we're up to 5 of the 40 huh?

1999 F-350 4x4 SC 6spd PSD Titan Class V hitch Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, on board air compressor, Rancho 9000's
1999 Lance 1030 with all the extra's
tow 21'Seaflite or Jeep on flatbed

[BeenThere DoneThat]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BeenThere DoneThat:
What about my 4 that were seperated with 50% or more trade life. I bet those were not counted in the '40'.
Tony

(aka TonyT) 29' Four Winds 29QB/Pac-n-Play, '01 GMC Savana 3500 Extended Hi-Top Conversion, 8.1L <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Update to the above. This summer, I had two more seperations so the count is now 6. Average life is about 40% tread at 30,000k miles. I am getting good at noticing the out of balance thumping and getting off the road before any tread actually leaves the tire. My spare now has about 5K miles on it because of failures during trips where I waited until I got 'someplace' to have it replaced.
A side note: The last one happened last Sunday, one day from home after an 8,200 mile summer. I just ran alll the way home on the spare. Thursday, I went to the local Firestone dealer and he says that for some reason there are none available in the area (Orlando) and it will take a week or so to get the replacement. Maybe a sign of a recall in the future? Or, just Firestone making it hard to get this tire so people stop using it?