Firestone Destination A/T

[Switz]

I was just surfing TireRack's website and typed in the 225/70R14 tire size I'm looking for, and the Firestone Destination A/T tires popped up.  They are in the size I need for the Ranger and I also need 235/75R15's for my full sized Chev half ton.  I've been running Motomaster Radial M+S on the Chev but it looks like CT doesn't sell them any more (at least I couldn't see them anywhere on the CT website).  I need two for the Chev and four for the Ranger.

Primary use will be highway, but winter traction is a must.  I don't want to change over from summer to winter tires on my trucks, I don't put on enough km's on these trucks to warrant that.  I do switch between summer tires and winter tires on my car.

Anyone used these tires? Any other suggestions?

[airbalancer]

I have these on my truck http://www.goodyear.ca/goodyeartireselectorca/display_tire.jsp?prodline=Wrangler+SilentArmor&mrktarea=Light+Truck winter rated

[Switz]

Thanks Airballancer for the suggestion of the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires.  They don't come in the 225/70R14 size however.  I've also had horrible luck with every Goodyear tire I have ever purchased.  Probably just my bad luck, but I'm not going to try Goodyear again.  Ever.

That said, I did pick up two BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO 225/75R15 for my Chev.  Thanks for the suggestion Davidy!  They appear to have a similar tread to the Motomaster Roughrider M+S I currently have on the ol' Chev.  I think these will work out just fine.

Now, back to the question.  Obviously no one has any experience with the Firestone Destination A/T's or I would have hear something by now.  The only other tire that 1010tires seems to carry in the 225/70R14 size is the Toyo Open Country T/A.  Anyone out there with experience with these tires?

[davidy]

Is the 27x8.5R14 BFG All Terrain T/A KO still on your short list to replace the 225/70R14? Overall tire diameter is similar (difference is less than 3%). One disadvantage is the lower 95 load rating (vs. stock 98). Also, as previously discussed, they can be noisy when gravel gets in the treads. But tons of tread depth....not many tires out there that have 16/32 inch when new.

I personally don't think that there are any year round tires that are really good in winter conditions. It's a give and take on both ends. If you want really good tires for snow and ice conditions...then you need true winter tires. However, running true winter tires year round, you will notice a lot of treadwear.....ie. the tires won't last very long due to it's soft rubber which is need for traction in winter conditions. IMO, the BFG are not that great in winter due to it's lack of sipes and hardness of the rubber compound. Not sure how BFG got it's severe snow rating on the All Terrain T/A KO's.

Would buying a set of true winter tires and then running them year round be an option? This may make sense if you don't do a lot of mileage and if these tires are on the cheaper side. With a H-rated winter tire, you will give up some snow and ice performance at the expense of longer tire wear (vs. a Q-rated winter tire). Heard at this forum that some Vancouverites use Hankook Ice Bears W300 (H-rated) year round.

Dave