Community Forums

yeloduster · 01-12-2020, 07:34 PM

Hi all,

I'm tire shopping and I'm currently leaning toward Firestone FS561. This and the Yokohama seem to be the only moderately priced tires that are MADE IN USA.

Anyone have first hand experience with the Firestone FS561?

Ray,IN · 01-12-2020, 10:20 PM

Firestone has a plant in Spain,France,S. Africa, a Bridgestone/Firestone plant in TN. Wherever any tire is made, if it is sold in the U.S.A. it must meet the same USDOT quality standards, and have the number molded into the tire.
I must admit I still have feelings about my Sailun truck tires on our MH, made in Vietnam. A lot of semi-tractors use them on the steer axle, especially in Canada.

theroc · 01-12-2020, 11:42 PM

I can't comment too much on the Firestone FS561 but I hear they are a good tire but pricey.

You don't say what size you're looking at but Sumitomo is manufacturing more and more of their commercial truck tires at their Tonawanda New York plant. If you have 22.5, I know the Sumitomo ST788 SE and the ST719 SE have been coming out of the New York plant and from what I've heard, Sumitomo --just as Yokohama has done as they are both Japan-based companies-- is trying to shift all their commercial truck tire production to U.S. plants.

yeloduster · 01-13-2020, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Firestone has a plant in Spain,France,S. Africa, a Bridgestone/Firestone plant in TN. Wherever any tire is made, if it is sold in the U.S.A. it must meet the same USDOT quality standards, and have the number molded into the tire.
I must admit I still have feelings about my Sailun truck tires on our MH, made in Vietnam. A lot of semi-tractors use them on the steer axle, especially in Canada.

Hi, thanks for the response. My research shows that Bridgestone/Firestone makes truck tires in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sao Paulo, Brazil, LaVergne, TN, USA and Morrison, TN, USA.

I can't find any info referring to where truck tires sold in USA are manufactured. I suspect that the 2 US plants serve the USA. No way to know until you can inspect the tire and read the manufacturing plant code on the side of the tire. Mostly, I like that Bridgestone/Firestone do not make tires in China nor does a Chinese company own Bridgestone/Firestone.

I considered Sailun tires and although the manufacturing plants are in Vietnam, the plants are owned by a Chinese company. In addition, the Vietnam plants were built to avoid US tariffs on Chinese goods.

I also considered Roadmaster tires by Cooper but Cooper has seen fit to transfer all truck tire manufacturing to China.

I don't want to make this sound like a tirade against China...but the Chinese government has been acting in a non honorable way in international trade for years. I would just as soon not help them.

Still hope to get feedback relative to personal experience with the Firestone FS561 tire.

algolfer · 01-13-2020, 10:19 AM

I am currently running these on my rig. I have about 45,000+ miles on them and they still look really good - round, black and plenty of remaining tread. I would guess you could run these close to 100,000 miles if you did not time out. When I had them installed they balanced out with zero weights added. Highly recommend this tire.

yeloduster · 01-13-2020, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by algolfer

I am currently running these on my rig. I have about 45,000+ miles on them and they still look really good - round, black and plenty of remaining tread. I would guess you could run these close to 100,000 miles if you did not time out. When I had them installed they balanced out with zero weights added. Highly recommend this tire.

Thanks for the feedback. Approximately how old are the tires now?

Ray,IN · 01-13-2020, 12:08 PM

FWIW, when I bought the Sailun 275/70R22.5, LR H tires, I was offered the Firestone FS561, same size- LR L, for same price; $1.280 for 6 mounted, balanced. That was 2 years ago. I thought the LR L too stiff for my MH weight(OEM LR is G), which might result in a rough ride.

Sunny1 · 01-13-2020, 05:57 PM

I’ll second what was said above about Sumitomo tires. Last summer I was leaning towards the Firestone tires you are considering because I really wanted to purchase a USA Made tire. The dealer recommended Sumitomo 719’s and said he’s had very positive results with them on RV’s (meaning no one is coming back with issues). They were significantly less than the Firestone’s, and ‘Made in the USA’ stamped on the sidewalls. I’ve been very happy with them so far.

Rusty Kramer · 01-13-2020, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeloduster

Hi all,

I'm tire shopping and I'm currently leaning toward Firestone FS561. This and the Yokohama seem to be the only moderately priced tires that are MADE IN USA.

Anyone have first hand experience with the Firestone FS561?

I have Firestone FS 561 or 591? as my Steer tires. I will have to double check the model number. I have a good friend who has a tire shop. He advised that he has very good service from the Firestone tires. They ride smooth and handle well for me.
He could have recommended and installed about any major brand. Many others are fine also.
I had continentals on the Steer and they were 8 years old, needed to be cycled out. Looked Perfect.

algolfer · 01-14-2020, 09:34 AM

Yeloduster - I installed these on 07/22/15. The tires still look great with no sidewall cracking. Based on the looks of these tires and the way they are wearing, will probably run these for another 2 - 5 years. Will evaluate every year.

yeloduster · 01-14-2020, 07:03 PM

Thanks to all for your responses. Really good info. I'm still leaning toward Firestone. Yokohama and Sumitomo both run about $50 more per tire than Firestone in my size.

My factory original tire was an "F" load rated tire. Neither Yokohama nor Sumitomo make an "F" tire in my size. They only offer the "G". Firestone "G" is $50 less per tire than Yokohama and Sumitomo. Firestone "F" is $75 less. I am thinking all three are equivalent tires. Maybe a step down from a Michelin but probably better than Goodyear!

I am also thinking of using the FS561 as a steer tire and Firestone FD690 drive tire. Does anyone have experience there?

NOTE: I have started another thread with that question.

cotton top · 01-15-2020, 05:54 AM

I’ve had firestone 561’s for almost 2 years. 19.5 just under $2k for 6. I have been happy with them except for 1 on the front had a chunk out of it. Don’t know if I ran over something or not. No warranty . I have about 3k miles on them now

yeloduster · 01-15-2020, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotton top

I’ve had firestone 561’s for almost 2 years. 19.5 just under $2k for 6. I have been happy with them except for 1 on the front had a chunk out of it. Don’t know if I ran over something or not. No warranty . I have about 3k miles on them now

Hi cotton top,

I know its a lot to ask but could you take a picture of the spot on the tire that is missing a chunk. You could post it here.

Do you ever drive in really cold weather...that is temps around 0° F. Colder temps would promote chunks coming off.

Thanks for any info you have.

cotton top · 01-16-2020, 01:38 PM

I did have a picture but have since deleted . I’m not at the storage facility where it is to get a picture, just went this morning so probably can’t get back for a few days. It was on the sharp edge of tire about the size of 1/2 a marble. I bought another one and moved it to the spare that was 14 years old.