David K - 12-13-2003 at 01:01 AM
In my Thanksgiving weekend trip report, you may have noted my tire problem and how Rancho Grande helped.
The Toyota Tacoma TRD came with 16" BFG Rugged Trails, they were fine and lasted about 30,000 miles before rocks stared making holes in them. At
30,000 I bought a new set ($85 each). At 61,000 I needed another set, but the price had jumped to $120 each at the same Discount Tire store! BFG All
Terrain T/A's (The 'prefered' Baja tire) were over $150 each. YIKES!
I remember Bedman raving about his Futura Dakota tires he got at Pep Boys and so I checked them out. The Futura is made by Cooper (an American
company) and that scored fine with me (BFG is owned by the French Michelin tire company). The good news was the price... only $65 each!
Well at half the price of the Rugged Trails, I was very happy. The tire are very quiet even with the rugged tread (very simular to the All Terrain T/A
tread design, but the same 2 ply sidewall as the Rugged Trail).
Well, they lasted 25,000 miles to when the rubber was so thin that Gonzaga road rocks stat poking holes in them. That is 5,000 miles less than the
BFG's... But, they were about HALF the price of BFGs the first time I bought them and a QUARTER price the second time, yesterday!!! That's because
they are 50,000 mile tires and with prorating I paid just $31 each for new ones. My Tacoma has 86,000+ miles now on it.
Thank you Bedman for showing me your tires!!!
Bedman *****
Anonymous - 12-13-2003 at 08:24 AM
That guy doesnt know jack about squat.
Mr. K, refferring to someone who knows nothing reduces your stature.
At one of the events you put on.... Downhill ever since.
[Edited on 12-14-2003 by Q87]
Huh?
Anonymous - 12-13-2003 at 08:27 AM
You ride your tires until rocks start poking through?
Great
Sonora Wind - 12-13-2003 at 08:37 AM
Dude;! a little early in the morning. Back off on the coffee, it might improve the outlook on life.
Tires
Juan - 12-13-2003 at 08:47 AM
Thanks for the info David. I recently bought a truck with Cooper tires on it and so far they have been excellent. Also, as you stated, they are made
in the US of A.
David K - 12-13-2003 at 08:53 AM
Mr. A (#1), neither Bedman nor I are paid employees of the tire company, just offering an option to those of us who are not so wealthy or loose with
cash to buy that name brand French tire. Why does this info bother you so, that you have to get personal about Bedman? I wanted BFGs, the price was
why I didn't get them. If any other Nomads felt the same way, that's why offered this report on the half price Futuras.
Mr. A (#2), the tires still had safe tread, but neither the BFGs or the Futuras got any flats until the milage I noted, and all flats after that point
were from sharp rocks (no nails). Perhaps you will replace them a little sooner than the milages I gave or perhaps you do not drive to Gonzaga or
other rocky Baja roads.
Both Chicagoross (who loves his, on his raised Jeep Wrangler) and I had Futura Dakota tires when we drove to Mision Santa Maria... No problems.
Bedman is cool...
Desertbull - 12-13-2003 at 09:45 AM
Is there really a reason for that attitude towards Bedman?
Steve is probably one of the nicest guys on any of these Baja boards...he would give the last beer in his cooler to his worst enemy...although I doubt
he has any enemies.
Just because YOU had a convo with his daughter about Baja and it wasn't stimulating enough to you doesn't reflect what he's all about.
And like I've said before...anyone can hide behind a 19" monitor and pop off...register and lay your complaints out on the line with your name behind
it...
Bedman Rocks!
I SECOND THAT BULL! ALL OF IT!
Debra - 12-13-2003 at 10:31 AM
tires
pappy - 12-13-2003 at 10:31 AM
being (formerly) in the tire biz, I can say that Cooper makes good tires and their truck tires are very strong and durable.definitely worth buying.
Anonymous - 12-13-2003 at 01:05 PM
Count me in to stand up for Bedman! I would guard his back anytime and anywhere. Don't know what your problem is buddy, but back off Bedman...."El
Mochilero"
bufeo - 12-13-2003 at 01:28 PM
I'm presently running BFG ATs on our truck (2500HD) and after 11K miles they still look pretty good. They take a beating every trip to our house at
Pta Bufeo (everyone talks about the bad road to Puertecitos and on south) and we've made twelve round-trips this year. That's 24 trips over
tha-a-a-at road.
I'm religious about airing down and then re-inflating when back on pavement.
I chose the ATs because of the 3-ply sidewalls and feel that I need that little bit of added protection when running at 20 psi (22 psi in front). Do
the Coopers have 3-ply sidewalls?
My only complaint so far is that they are a bit noisier on pavement.
David K - 12-13-2003 at 01:49 PM
No the Cooper/Futura tires are only 2 ply (like BFG's Rugged Trail tires). The funny thing is Amo Pescar got a side wall puncture when we were driving
towards Yubay in his brand new BFG All Terrain T/A (3 ply sidewalls). That lost some of my admiration, specially considering the high price.
bufeo - 12-13-2003 at 03:07 PM
I don't think that there is any question that punctures (especially to sidewalls) can happen regardless of the number of plies. I have no allegiance
to BFG. In fact, I had been using Michelin, but when I switched to a taller (BFGs are 285s) tire I made the change to BFG.
When it comes to truck and automobile equipment, money has never been a major part of the equation for me. For the sake of discussion (argument?)
let's say both sets, Cooper and BFG, last 25K miles. The BFGs cost $340.00 more (set of four). That's only 1.36?/mile more for the "more expensive
spread." If one starts to factor in the 5K more miles for the BFGs then the difference is less than a penny/mile.
David K - 12-13-2003 at 04:12 PM
Hi Bufeo, I know neither of us are trying to push a brand, just offering information.
If the BFG All Terrains costs over twice as much (nearly three times) as the Cooper/Futura but only lasts 5,000 more miles (about 15-20% more)... then
aren't you paying 50-66% more for a tire that gives just 15-20% more life?
No big deal... if I were given BFGs, or they were the same price, I would gladly use them, it was a matter of finances for me... with politics (French
vs. U.S.) being a minor consideration, just icing on the Cooper cake.
Thanks for sharing your opinion!
BFG over Bedman everytime
Anonymous - 12-13-2003 at 05:52 PM
I live by my BFG's.
Bedman? talk about weal handles
What is a "weal handle"?
Debra - 12-13-2003 at 05:57 PM
Real Handle
Anonymous - 12-13-2003 at 07:33 PM
I have a sevewe wisp
okay?
Debra - 12-13-2003 at 10:10 PM
"sevwere wisp" noted: I still don't get it.......I assume you are saying "real handles" Please explaine what your comments to Bedman mean
please.....???? Thank you Debra
Bajaboy - 12-13-2003 at 10:41 PM
Hey Dave-
Seems like you picked a touchy subject here.
Anyways, as you know I am a long-time proponent of BFG Muds. I have consistantly paid between $115-130 per tire over the past 10 years or so. Next
time you go to purchase whatever brand tell them what you're willing to pay. They will usually match the price if reasonable.
Happy trails! Zac
Excuse me.....but....
Debra - 12-13-2003 at 11:02 PM
Annon.....AS was said here, Bedman is one of the people that would part the seas if a friend was in need (even a stranger as he hads proven) so,
please I'm sorry if I misuderstood you comment but you need to look for another 'problem'
Debra (Travelpearl)
David K - 12-14-2003 at 12:11 AM
I think he was making fun of Bedman's handle... FYI Anonymous as you have no handle, you have nothing to comment on. Bedman sells beds (owns a bunch
of mattress stores I think) so, that is a terrific handle for him!
Okay....I'll sush up.......
Debra - 12-14-2003 at 12:27 AM
Well, maybe not. LOL! I'm still wondering.. me thinks........some one doesn't know an ally when he sees one?
Most Interesting.....
Bedman - 12-14-2003 at 01:28 AM
to find my name in print from someone I don't know. Or do I ?
Is that Mr. "O" ? Posting under the Anon de Plume?
I like the Dakota's I have 22K miles on them (probably15K is towed) and there still in great shape.
4baja - 12-14-2003 at 06:06 AM
i run the BFGs now but used to run kelly safaries AWRS, i highly recomend them for a lower priced tire and have never had a flat on them. see you in
a few weeks bedman and be ready with those kick ass margs. 
pappy - 12-14-2003 at 09:22 PM
4baja-
good chance i'll see you on the pacific side day after x-mas-Matt(formerly in the old forest service truck from few years back...)
pappy - 12-14-2003 at 09:25 PM
oh yeah-may also roll over into bola for the festivities with you all.sounds like gecko will be full, so may hang at daggets if space available.
4baja - 12-15-2003 at 07:48 AM
see you there matt