2010 4runner trail - bridgestone dueler tires (advice to buyers)

[Beast II]

I've had my 2010 4runner trail for a few months now and it just hit 2,000 miles while I was on an off-road trip. So, I'm driving through about a dozen river crossings and heading onward on a dirt road and my TPS light goes on. Sure enough, I've got a flat on the driver's side rear....a sidewall puncture. I wasn't even doing anything that could be considered hardcore. I'd have thought that a 'Trail Edition' vehicle of any make or model would have decent off-road tires. The Bridgestone Duelers are just pathetic. To add insult to injury, the spare comes on a totally crappy rim...on a $40k+ vehicle.

So, those of you who will be negotiating a deal on a 2010; I'd advise you to try to negotiate a decent set of off-road tires into the deal...and a matching rim if you are really feeling zealous. I was so excited just to get a 2010 Trail so early that I stupidly did not. All of my Land Cruisers have had BFG A/T KO's or BFG Mud Terrains and I've never had a flat prior to this.

Other than that, I love the 2010 4Runner, it is a substantial off-road vehicle.

 

[Splangy]

I've had my 2010 4runner trail for a few months now and it it just hit 2,000 miles while I was on an off-road trip. So, I'm driving through about a dozen river crossings and heading onward on a dirt road and my TPS light goes on. Sure enough, I've got a flat on the driver's side rear....a sidewall puncture. I wasn't even doing anything that could be considered hardcore. I'd have thought that a 'Trail Edition' vehicle of any make or model would have decent off-road tires. The Bridgestone Duelers are just pathetic. To add insult to injury, the spare comes on a totally crappy rim...on a $40k+ vehicle.

So, those of you who will be negotiating a deal on a 2010; I'd advise you to try to negotiate a decent set of off-road tires into the deal...and a matching rim if you are really feeling zealous. I was so excited just to get a 2010 Trail so early that I stupidly did not. All of my Land Cruisers have had BFG A/T KO's or or BFG Mud Terrain and I've never had a problem.

Other than that, I love the 2010 4Runner, it is a substantial off-road vehicle.

You paid $40k+ for yours?

 

[Beast II]

You paid $40k+ for yours?

I don't remember. It has NAV & KDSS, so somewhere in that range.

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

Thanks for the info about the pathetic tires. Now, I know which tires to avoid and at least get the BFG KO on the deal

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

That was one of Four Wheeler Magazines bummers.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Other than that, I love the 2010 4Runner, it is a substantial off-road vehicle.

The new Runner looks real cool too!

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

The new Runner looks real cool too!

Would you buy it if you don't already have cruisers in your garage?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Would you buy it if you don't already have cruisers in your garage?

WOW! LOADED QUESTION.......I'm thinking.............

Ahhh, if I wanted a new SUV and one that could run trails...hmmm, probably not, however that does not mean I'm not really impressed. At the same time the new LC is really nice though I don't think I'd opt for one of those either. I think my 100 was the best compromise overall for me when I bought it new in 2001. That's meaningless cuz they're gone.

For a non-LC buyer I'd take the 2010 4Runner over just about anything else though. Over an FJC for sure. Over a GX. XTerra...yep, want the Runner. I'd be tempted to buy a triple factory locked H3 though reliability is too important to me so it's a no.

Ya, for that segment...the 2010 Runner is my choice, then the XTerra. I'd luv a Jeep JK Unl Rubi but can't own a rig put together like that.

 

[Beast II]

So did anybody negotiate a better set of tires into the deal?

 

[4x4v8]

I think that most of the tires that Toyota trucks come with suck. My old man had a Sequoia and it came with Dunflops. Needless to say, it got Open Country A/T that winter and he never looked back. (until it got totalled)

 

[hikervince]

Lousy stock Bridgestones on 2010 4runner Trail

I have to agree about the terrible stock Bridgestone Duelers on the 2010 4runner Trail. I got mine last January, and I drive out west every summer. During the summer, I experienced flat tires on four out of five tires (thank heavens for tire plugs!), and over the first 18K miles serious tread wear. I never did anything really demanding with my 4runner this past summer, especially after I started having trouble with the tires. My previous vehicle, which I still own, was a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo, and I always ran Michelins. In 160K miles I never had a flat on that vehicle - not a single one, and I drove it to the extent of its capabilities. The 4runner Trail is a far more capable vehicle, and I am very satisfied with everything about it, except for those terrible stock Bridgestone Duelers. I replaced them with Michelins at 18K miles.

It is appalling that Toyota would put such tires on a vehicle advertised as being so off-road-capable.

 

[Beast II]

I now have almost 13,000 miles on my 2010 4Runner and I've had 3 flats. As soon as they start showing a bit of wear, I'm going to upgrade to BFG KM2's...sooner if I can justify it.

 

[Corbet]

Your better off buying a matching wheel and tires on your own.

Although it seems so easy from our point of view its not in reality. The Sales, Parts, and Service departments of a car dealership work like independent business. They get max mark up when selling between themselves. This is not always the case, but has been with all the dealerships I have worked. So your Sales Department will have to pay full boat for the extra wheel and set of tires. No credit given for the OEM stuff.

I'm not saying don't ask to work it into the deal but know ahead of time what it would cost you outside the transaction. An aggressive desk manager might give you what you want. But I'd work the deal on the vehicle "as is" personally. Sell the OEM tires on craigslist and find a take of wheel at a tire shop that someone replaced with dubs.

Personally I'd mount some snow tires up on the OEM set then purchase a set of 5 whatever for my summer wheeling tires.

 

[larsdennert]

Depends on the Duelers. The HTs are junk. The 693s and up are tough. The LT versions of them are pretty impossible to puncture on a midsize truck. That includes the Revo 695 and Revo 2s.

I just got some Kumho SAT KL61s. First time trying something different from many reliable sets of Duelers.

 

[ScottyDog]

I agree, Bridgestones are not the greatest tire. (Not to scare anyone, but remember all the Ford Explore roll overs in the 90's caused from tire blowouts?? Firestone Tire? Bridgestone/Firestone Inc...Same company)

However they are the tire supplier for Toyota. Being that Bridgestone is also a Japanese company it only makes business sense to purchase a domestically made tire as their being rolled out from production. Also Toyota is the #1 automaker globally I'm pretty sure their buying price of tires from Bridgestone is probably rediculously stupid... and since a lot Japanese business is usually built on long term relationships. Which I'm sure Toyota and Bridgestone probably go way back together.....So I highly doubt you'll get an optional brand of tire put on your new truck without paying for it..

Jes my $0.02..
Scott

 

[titanpat57]

I switched over to the Revo's 2's- E range on my T4R Trail and it DRAMATICALLY improved handling, traction, and peace of mind. I know it's another Bridgestone tire...but I'm very happy with it. My 4Runner is my DD...so I just couldn't get too crazy (90 mile round trip) with an aggressive tire. I also heard good things about the Duratracs.

 

[larsdennert]

Run any tire underpressure for the weight and will blow out. Many brands have issues. I've had pirellis delaminate on me.