MUSCATINE, Iowa — Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions is adding two sizes to its line-up of new Firestone FD690 PLUS deep drive axle radial tires. Designed for pickup and delivery fleets seeking long-mileage wear, the new 225/70R19.5 and 245/70R19.5 tire sizes are available from Firestone commercial tire dealers and truck stops.

“The FD690 PLUS has provided great removal mileage in both single and tandem drive axle applications. It’s in use with small fleets and owner/operators who run coast-to-coast or regionally in pickup and delivery applications,” says Guy Walenga, director of engineering, commercial products and technologies for Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire. “The addition of these new sizes allows us to better serve pickup and delivery fleets with smaller trucks or straight trucks.”

The FD690 PLUS features a continuous shoulder design specifically engineered to combat irregular wear, a condition that prevents tires from realizing maximum original tire miles. The 19/32″ and 20/32″ tread depths complement this closed shoulder design.

Officials say the FD690 PLUS features an aggressive block/lug design, with numerous angled edges to cut through water and road films. The centre lugs are linked to each other with tie bars to add stability against tread squirm and to fight heel and toe wear, the most common type of irregular wear on ultra-deep tread drive radials.