Bridgestone Durvis 250 tires vs: G614 - Montana Owners Club

jlb27537 · 05-04-2013, 12:53 PM

Hello Group,

Is anyone running the Bridgestone Durvis 250 tires to replace the GY Marathon. The Durvis weighs the same as a GY G614, about $100 less money than the GY 614.

My research shows me a OEM Marathon weighs 34lbs and has a polyester body with 2 steel plys in the tread with nylon plys to stabilize it. Do 3 different materials in a tire play well together? The GY site talks about use on travel trailers and boat trailers.

Both the Durvis 250 and GY 614 are of all steel construction and weigh 58lbs.

Anyone with good feed back on the Michelin Rib XPS which is another option.

Getting a new 3150RL and tires are first on the list to replace.

Thanks Jim

gar&lin · 05-04-2013, 02:12 PM

Just in the process of changing out the tires on our Monte as well. I've been paying attention to tire posts for the past while, this is a copy paste I did to a word document today after a search on this site regarding tires. Thank you Lonnie B for your sharing your knowledge for my benefit. (search Lonnie's posts for more info)
Gary

A good quality, name brand LT tire, in the E load range will serve you well. Below is an updated list of my personal preferences, along with a "ballpark" price, not including installation. Prices vary across the country, and even from dealer to dealer, so shopping around a little would be a good idea. I recommend going to a REPUTABLE dealer, one that sells a lot of tires, one whose main business is tires.

LT235/85R16E

1. Michelin XPS Rib - $314.00 each.
2. Bridgestone Duravis R250 - $250.00 each.
3. Bridgestone Duravis R500 - $206.00 each.
4. Firestone Transforce H/T - $162.00 each.
5. BF Goodrich Commercial T/A - $188.00 each.

sreigle · 05-04-2013, 02:17 PM

I don't know anything about the Duravis but, for comparison, besides the actual tire weight, could you give us the Load Range and the weight ratings of each?

Any comparison might show that one is "better" than another, but, just like with trucks and pretty nearly everything else, you don't have to have the best. You just need to have "good enough." Thus, there are probably several tires out there that are plenty good enough. Some may prefer to spend the money for "the best" and that's fine but that's a *want* and not a *need*.

CORattler · 05-04-2013, 02:28 PM

I've been running Bridgestone Duravis R250's for 2 years with zero issues. I personally felt they were an affordable alternative to the 614's. Which tire you decide on is a personal choice. They are both great tires. I followed Lonnie's advice since he's in the tire business AND a MOC member. I felt his recommendation was based on personal experience. Since I got rid of the Marabombs I'm able to tow with a greater level of confidence. Real or perceived, I still feel I made the right choice for me, my family and others I share the road with.

hookman · 05-04-2013, 02:55 PM

We put on the Duravis 250 on our unit replacing Missions on Lonnie's recommendation last winter and I am very pleased with them. Phone around to different dealers and get the best price. If you live close to Lonnie's shop go and see him.

lawrenceb42106 · 05-04-2013, 04:12 PM

We have been running them for 2 years now. Have not had any problems as of yet. Made a trip to Alaska with them 15000 miles round trip. Bridgestone Duravis R500 @ 25000 still looking good.

**DQDick** · 05-04-2013, 05:07 PM

Many folks on this forum have had good experiences with all three tires. You should be fine with any of them.

Art-n-Marge · 05-04-2013, 07:45 PM

I'm sure he'll be on soon to provide some insight but last I heard LonnieB uses Bridgestone Duravis (don't remember the model) on his Montana. Knowing how intense LonnieB is about reliable tires to recommend for others, if he uses them, then they've got to be acceptable. I'm just saying. Hopefully LonnieB will be in shortly to confirm or update what's good enough.

There has also been discussion about LTs and STs, that the reserve capacity in LTs being better than STs which allows that the lower numerical load rating of an LT might be just as good as the higher numerical load rating of an ST.

awhite · 05-05-2013, 12:44 AM

Take a look at Sailun S647 it is a G rated tire is 61 lbs and is the same as a G614 at about the same cost as a good LT tire.

LuckyNichol · 05-05-2013, 01:03 AM

Hello Mockers, We are in the process of changing out our tires on our 2011 High Country. We now own the Michelin XPS rib. Happy RV-IN.

ole dude · 05-05-2013, 02:33 AM

Bridgestone Durvis--bought from Lonnie B. 3 or 4 years ago, lookin good, no issues.

DonPd · 05-05-2013, 02:35 AM

I have the Bridgestone Duravis R500 for two years and they have been great. I also installed metal valve stems.

ols1932 · 05-05-2013, 03:17 AM

Follow the advice of the experts. On this forum I know of only one whose advice I adhere to. I get great service out of the Bridgestone tires, both the R500 and the R250. Personally I prefer the latter.

Orv

mail2us · 05-05-2013, 07:32 AM

Jim, if you have not purchased your new rig yet, consider working with your dealer to place GY G614's on the new rig as part of your negotiations or even an agreed upon price differential to the deal. I do know of one party that adamantly worked with the dealer and got the new 614's instead of the Marathons. Just an opinion Jim, but you may be able to avoid the 2nd step of having to buy new tires at the outset. The GY614's are rated at 3750 lbs per tire, quite a bit more than LT's.
I have had Bridgestone Duravis 500HD's and they were great however only at a 3095 lb rating. Good luck on whatever you decide.

sreigle · 05-05-2013, 07:54 AM

Isn't the G614 an option now on new Montanas?

mail2us · 05-05-2013, 08:34 AM

The Goodyear G614 tires are listed as an Exterior Option in the latest Montana information. Separate on a price/order sheet I have seen under Exterior Options, Goodyear "G" Range tires along with the 6-point auto leveling system and other items. Where some confusion could exists is when customers order a Big Sky, these two items along with paint are included and not options. The folks I related to in my post above had Marathons initially and before they left the lot got 614's from their dealer but I do not know the whole deal that was made.

oldelmer1 · 05-05-2013, 11:19 AM

Jim,

The important issue here is the weight of your coach. My 3150RL(2010) weighs in at 13,140# fully loaded for camping, so you can use a lot of different tires. I just put BF Goodrich Commercial TA on my camper back in February. These tires are also recommended by Lonnie B of this forum.

Lots of folks on here have these tires on much heavier camper than ours, so you would be fine with the TA's.

But I do have to add, I ran my Marathons for 3 years with no problems, but in the back of my mind, I always worried about a blow out.

jlb27537 · 05-05-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by oldelmer1

Jim,

The important issue here is the weight of your coach. My 3150RL(2010) weighs in at 13,140# fully loaded for camping, so you can use a lot of different tires. I just put BF Goodrich Commercial TA on my camper back in February. These tires are also recommended by Lonnie B of this forum.

Lots of folks on here have these tires on much heavier camper than ours, so you would be fine with the TA's.

But I do have to add, I ran my Marathons for 3 years with no problems, but in the back of my mind, I always worried about a blow out.

Tom, Thanks, I'll get it loaded and take a trip to the scale. We will not be fulltimming, only 1/2 timming. However, if there is either a hole or flat spot, the wife will have something either in or on it.

You have the same truck as me, have you had any issues getting everything level?

Thanks Jim

oldelmer1 · 05-05-2013, 01:46 PM

Your welcome Jim,

Weighing it is the best cause then you know. The reason I went with the BF Goodrich tires was because almost everyone sell them, so if I have a flat, I can get a replacement easily. And I felt they are plenty of tire for my weight.

No Issues leveling at all, although I did have a problem with the pin box being too long and hitting the bed rails when turning sharp. My pin box is the Mor-Ryde, I think 1621, will have to verify the numbers for sure, but its the extend pin box. I like it cause there is lots of room between truck & camper, but I had to grind the ends off so they don't hit anymore.

Are you getting level up??

jlb27537 · 05-05-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by oldelmer1

Your welcome Jim,

Weighing it is the best cause then you know. The reason I went with the BF Goodrich tires was because almost everyone sell them, so if I have a flat, I can get a replacement easily. And I felt they are plenty of tire for my weight.

No Issues leveling at all, although I did have a problem with the pin box being too long and hitting the bed rails when turning sharp. My pin box is the Mor-Ryde, I think 1621, will have to verify the numbers for sure, but its the extend pin box. I like it cause there is lots of room between truck & camper, but I had to grind the ends off so they don't hit anymore.

Are you getting level up??

If you are referring to the 6 point jacks, yes I am.

Jim

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