Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S Review: All-Terrain Tire for SUVs and Trucks

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Introduction to the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is an all-terrain tire designed for SUVs, pickup trucks, and other light truck applications. This versatile tire offers a balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability, making it a popular choice for drivers who need a tire that can handle various driving conditions.

The Dueler A/T RH-S features an aggressive tread pattern with deep grooves and interlocking tread blocks, providing excellent traction on loose or uneven surfaces like mud, gravel, and dirt. At the same time, its optimized tread design and advanced compound help deliver a smooth and quiet ride on paved roads, ensuring a comfortable driving experience.

With its rugged construction and reinforced sidewalls, the Dueler A/T RH-S is built to withstand the demands of off-road adventures while providing dependable performance and durability. Whether you’re tackling challenging terrains or navigating city streets, this tire aims to deliver a confident and capable driving experience.

Design, Construction, and Technologies

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is designed to be an all-terrain tire that can handle various driving conditions, from the highway to off-road trails. The tire features an aggressive tread pattern with deep grooves and siping, which provides excellent traction on different surfaces, including mud, gravel, and rocky terrain.

The tire’s tread pattern is engineered with a unique combination of solid shoulder blocks and open grooves. The solid shoulder blocks enhance the tire’s stability and cornering performance on paved roads, while the open grooves effectively evacuate mud, snow, and debris, ensuring optimal traction in off-road conditions.

The sidewall of the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is reinforced with two high-ply steel belts and a polyester casing, providing excellent puncture resistance and durability. This construction ensures that the tire can withstand the rigors of off-road driving without compromising its on-road performance.

One of the innovative technologies used in the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is the company’s proprietary NanoPro-Tech™ silica-enriched compound. This advanced compound enhances the tire’s wear resistance, improving its overall longevity and reducing the need for frequent replacements. Additionally, the NanoPro-Tech™ compound contributes to better wet and snow traction, ensuring reliable performance in adverse weather conditions.

Another notable feature of the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is the incorporation of the company’s Spiral Winding Technology. This technology involves wrapping the tire’s casing with a spiral-wound layer of nylon, which enhances the tire’s overall strength and durability, particularly in demanding off-road environments.

Paved Road Performance

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is designed as an all-terrain tire, but it also excels on paved surfaces. In dry conditions, the tire offers excellent traction and a confident grip, allowing for precise handling and responsive steering. The tread compound and pattern work together to provide reliable braking performance, even during sudden stops.

When driving on wet roads, the Dueler A/T RH-S maintains impressive traction levels. The tire’s circumferential grooves and lateral notches effectively channel water away from the contact patch, preventing hydroplaning and ensuring a secure footprint. Even during heavy downpours, the tire delivers reassuring handling and steering response, instilling confidence in the driver.

Ride comfort is another area where the Dueler A/T RH-S shines. The tire’s construction, featuring a twin steel belt and polyester casing, contributes to a smooth and comfortable ride quality. Road imperfections and minor bumps are effectively absorbed, resulting in a composed and controlled driving experience, even on rough city streets or well-maintained highways.

Overall, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S excels in various paved road conditions, striking an impressive balance between on-road performance, traction, and comfort. Whether navigating dry highways or tackling wet urban environments, this tire delivers a reliable and enjoyable driving experience.

Off-Road Performance

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is designed to excel in off-road conditions, delivering impressive traction and durability on even the most challenging terrains. On loose surfaces like mud, sand, and gravel, the tire’s aggressive tread pattern and specialized compound provide exceptional grip, allowing you to navigate with confidence. The deep, interlocking tread blocks and robust shoulder lugs offer superior traction when rock crawling, enabling you to conquer obstacles with ease. Additionally, the tire’s reinforced construction and cut-resistant materials ensure outstanding durability, withstanding the harsh demands of off-road adventures without compromising performance or longevity.

Noise and Comfort Performance

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S tires deliver an impressive balance of off-road capability and on-road comfort. On paved surfaces, these tires provide a remarkably quiet and smooth ride, minimizing cabin noise and vibration. The advanced tread design and construction help absorb road irregularities, resulting in a comfortable driving experience even on long highway journeys.

When venturing off the beaten path, the aggressive tread pattern and robust sidewall construction ensure that the Dueler A/T RH-S tires can handle rough terrain without compromising ride quality excessively. While some noise and vibration are inevitable on rugged trails, these tires perform admirably in dampening impact harshness, providing a composed and controlled ride.

Whether navigating city streets, cruising on the highway, or tackling light off-road adventures, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S tires offer a well-rounded noise and comfort performance that caters to the needs of versatile drivers seeking a blend of on-road refinement and off-road capability.

Treadlife and Durability

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is engineered to provide exceptional treadlife and durability, even in demanding off-road conditions. Bridgestone’s advanced tread compound and optimized tread design ensure that these tires can withstand the rigors of both on-road and off-road driving.

One of the standout features of the Dueler A/T RH-S is its impressive treadwear warranty. Bridgestone backs these tires with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is among the best in the all-terrain tire category. This warranty demonstrates Bridgestone’s confidence in the tire’s ability to maintain its tread depth and performance over an extended period.

In addition to the treadwear warranty, the Dueler A/T RH-S also benefits from Bridgestone’s cutting-edge tire technology. The tire’s tread pattern features a combination of rigid and flexible tread blocks, which enhances traction and prolongs treadlife. The tire’s internal construction, with its twin steel belts and polyester casing, provides exceptional durability and resistance to punctures and impacts.

Real-world testing and customer reviews further reinforce the Dueler A/T RH-S’s reputation for longevity. Many drivers report achieving well over 60,000 miles on a single set of these tires, with some even reaching the 80,000-mile mark. This level of treadlife is truly impressive, especially considering the demanding conditions that all-terrain tires often face.

Overall, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S sets a high standard for treadlife and durability in the all-terrain tire segment. With its robust construction, advanced tread design, and industry-leading treadwear warranty, this tire is an excellent choice for drivers seeking a long-lasting and reliable all-terrain solution.

Tire Sizes and Fitment

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is available in a wide range of sizes to accommodate various SUVs, pickup trucks, and other light trucks. Some of the common sizes include:

• 235/65R17
• 265/70R17
• 275/65R18
• 285/60R18
• 275/55R20
• 285/50R20

These sizes are designed to fit popular vehicle models such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Wrangler, and many more. The tire’s load ratings vary based on the size, with most options carrying a load range of E or D, suitable for heavy-duty hauling and towing.

When selecting the appropriate size for your vehicle, it’s essential to consult your owner’s manual or a professional tire specialist. Factors such as the vehicle’s year, make, model, trim level, and intended use (on-road, off-road, or a combination of both) will determine the optimal tire size and load rating.

It’s worth noting that larger tire sizes may require modifications to your vehicle, such as lift kits or wheel spacers, to accommodate the increased diameter and width. Always ensure proper clearance and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for safe and optimal performance.

Pricing and Value

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S sits in the premium category for all-terrain truck tires, with prices typically ranging from $200 to $400 per tire, depending on the size. While this places it on the higher end of the pricing spectrum, the tire’s exceptional performance and durability make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-quality, long-lasting product.

Compared to its competitors, such as the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar and the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, the Dueler A/T RH-S offers a compelling value proposition. Its advanced tread compound and robust construction contribute to its impressive tread life, often outlasting many of its rivals. Additionally, the tire’s exceptional off-road capabilities and on-road comfort make it a versatile choice for those who frequently encounter various driving conditions.

Bridgestone’s reputation for quality and innovation also adds to the tire’s value. The company’s commitment to research and development has resulted in cutting-edge technologies, such as the Dueler A/T RH-S’s unique tread design and reinforced casing, which enhance its performance and durability.

While the initial investment may be higher than some budget-friendly options, the Dueler A/T RH-S’s long-term value and performance make it a worthwhile choice for those seeking a reliable, high-performance all-terrain tire that can withstand the toughest conditions while delivering a comfortable ride on paved roads.

Comparing the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S to Competitors

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is a highly capable all-terrain tire that competes with popular models from brands like BFGoodrich, Goodyear, and Michelin. While all these tires are designed for a mix of on-road and off-road use, the Dueler A/T RH-S stands out in several ways.

Compared to the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, the Dueler A/T RH-S offers a smoother and quieter ride on paved roads, thanks to its more advanced tread design and construction. However, the KO2 may have a slight edge in terms of pure off-road traction, particularly in mud and rock crawling scenarios.

Against the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar, the Bridgestone tire boasts a more responsive and sporty on-road feel, while still providing excellent off-road capabilities. The Kevlar reinforcement in the Goodyear tire gives it an advantage in terms of puncture resistance and overall durability.

When compared to the Michelin LTX A/T 2, the Dueler A/T RH-S offers a more comfortable ride and better handling characteristics on dry pavement. The Michelin tire, however, may have an edge in wet weather traction and overall tread life.

Overall, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S strikes an impressive balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability, making it a compelling choice for drivers who want a true all-terrain tire that excels in a variety of conditions.

Ideal User and Vehicle for the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is an all-terrain tire designed for drivers who demand exceptional performance both on and off the road. With its advanced tread compound and aggressive tread pattern, this tire excels in a wide range of conditions, making it an ideal choice for various types of vehicles and driving styles.

For those who own pickup trucks, SUVs, or any other vehicle equipped with a four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive system, the Dueler A/T RH-S is an excellent option. Its rugged construction and enhanced traction capabilities ensure reliable performance on unpaved surfaces, such as gravel roads, muddy trails, or even light off-road adventures.

Drivers who frequently encounter inclement weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or ice, will appreciate the tire’s excellent hydroplaning resistance and improved braking performance on wet surfaces. The optimized tread design and advanced siping technology provide enhanced grip and control, ensuring a safer and more confident driving experience.

Additionally, the Dueler A/T RH-S is well-suited for individuals who prioritize a comfortable and quiet ride on paved roads. Bridgestone’s advanced noise-reducing technology minimizes road noise, contributing to a more enjoyable and relaxed driving experience, even during long journeys.

Whether you’re an adventurous outdoor enthusiast or a daily commuter seeking a versatile and reliable tire, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S offers an exceptional combination of on-road comfort, off-road capability, and year-round traction. Its well-rounded performance makes it an ideal choice for a wide range of vehicles and driving scenarios.

Pros and Cons, and Final Verdict

Pros:

• Excellent off-road traction and performance on various terrains like mud, gravel, and light trails due to its aggressive tread design with deep grooves and sturdy shoulder blocks.
• Impressive on-road handling and stability, providing a comfortable and quiet ride on paved surfaces.
• Durable construction with a reinforced casing and cut-resistant compounds, ensuring long tread life and resistance against punctures and cuts.
• Available in a wide range of sizes to fit most trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.

Cons:

• Slightly higher road noise compared to highway-terrain tires, though not excessively loud.
• Reduced fuel efficiency due to the aggressive tread design and increased rolling resistance.
• Limited performance in deep snow or on icy surfaces, as it’s not a dedicated winter tire.

Final Verdict:

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S is an excellent all-terrain tire that strikes a great balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort. Its aggressive tread pattern and durable construction make it an ideal choice for those who frequently venture off the beaten path while still requiring a comfortable and stable ride on paved roads.

For drivers who prioritize off-road performance without compromising too much on-road manners, the Dueler A/T RH-S is a highly recommended option. However, if you primarily drive on highways or encounter frequent heavy snow conditions, a dedicated highway-terrain or winter tire might be a better choice.