Bridgestone - Dueler light truck tires Review

Overall 3.83 of 5 view all 6 reviews

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bkovacs
Annandale, VA

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Good wear and great gas mileage

a car guy, thrifty, a sports car enthusiast

Pros

long lasting, high pressure ratings, comfortable, quiet

Cons

average traction

JUL

2007

A few years ago, I bought a used 1996 Mazda B3000 pickup (which is identical to a Ford Ranger pickup of the same year), and it came with Bridgestone Dueler tires. I've looked around some and Bridgestone Dueler tires are popular for light trucks and SUVs . Looking further, replacements for the Duelers on my truck cost $88 from The Tire Rack, an excellent source for tires and other car parts.

However, back to the Bridgestone Duelers...

My tires are size 235/75-15, which means they are 235mm wide and the height of the tire (from rim to tread) is 75 percent of the width. The tires fit on a 15-inch wheel. I do not know the wear rating on the specific model of Dueler that I have on my truck but replacements are rated at 360 and higher, which makes them pretty long-wearing tires. I can vouch for that with my Duelers, as they were on my used truck when I bought it and still have good tread 20,000 miles later. They were definitely not new when I bought them.

My Bridgestone Duelers have a pressure rating of 44 psi, which is a nice high number. That means you can safely pump the tires up and get better gas mileage. Until recently, most car and light-truck tires had a maximum pressure rating of 35 psi and pumping them up beyond that could result in a catastrophic blowout. However, a tire rated at 44 psi can be run safely all day at 40 psi and get better gas mileage because a firmer tire means there will be less rolling friction.

Speaking of friction, my Bridgestone Duelers are just average in the traction department. If the road is wet and I start from a dead stop, it's very easy to spin the tires -- and I don't have a powerful truck. I have driven in the snow and ice with no problem, but I'm very careful. Again, I'd say that the model of Dueler tires I have is just average traction-wise.

On a more positive note, the Duelers are quiet and ride smoothly. Handling is good and I've taken this truck on 300-mile trips with no comfort issues. I like quiet tires and the Duelers do very well in that regard. Overall, I've been satisfied with my Bridgestone Dueler tires and will certain consider another set when it's time to replace them.