Real world experience with Goodyear Wrangler AT/S and Firestone Destination AT

[osteodoc08]

Tires almost down to the wear bars on my truck. I'm looking at these 2 tires.

G-Y Wrangler AT/S and Firestone Destination AT. I've typically bought either GY or Michelin tires in the past. These 2 are in my price range and are available locally.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....rangler+AT%2FS

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....tination+A%2FT

I'm looking for real world experiences with them.

It will be going on a 2013 F-250 SRW and used mostly for commute as I drive 50-60K miles annually, but also need it for hunting and fishing locations, work around my friends farm and towing (nothing very heavy, usually under 8K pounds). It needs to be dependable and puncture resistant. I have Michelin LTX A/T2s on there now, but replacements are just too much.

[downzero]

I have the replacement tire for the AT/S on my Ranger, the Silent Armor:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....er+SilentArmor

It is loud; surprisingly so. The traction is good but an all terrain tire shouldn't be this loud.

This tire looks promising and quieter if you must go with a Goodyear:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....re+with+Kevlar

If I had it to do all over again I'd buy the Firestone you mentioned or perhaps the Michelin LTX AT/2. Maybe I'm just getting old and no longer want the noise.

On my 1 ton SRW I installed Nitto Terra Grapplers because they are rated for more weight in the size I am running.

If you are really driving that much every year, you should consider having two sets of tires.

[osteodoc08]

I have the replacement tire for the AT/S on my Ranger, the Silent Armor:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....er+SilentArmor

It is loud; surprisingly so. The traction is good but an all terrain tire shouldn't be this loud.

This tire looks promising and quieter if you must go with a Goodyear:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....re+with+Kevlar

If I had it to do all over again I'd buy the Firestone you mentioned or perhaps the Michelin LTX AT/2. Maybe I'm just getting old and no longer want the noise.

On my 1 ton SRW I installed Nitto Terra Grapplers because they are rated for more weight in the size I am running.

If you are really driving that much every year, you should consider having two sets of tires.

I appreciate the info, but the new G-Y Wranglers are in the $1500 neighborhood for 4 OTD. About $300-400 more than I'd like to spend. Michelins are in the same catergory, too expensive.

A different car is not an option. Same with different tire sets.

[CastingFool]

I ran GY Wranglers on my 2wd 96 Silverado half ton, and easily would get 75K miles out of each set. Went through 2 sets, and I'm on my third set, but I don't do the amount of driving I used to do. Most of my driving was highway miles, as I used to drive 75 miles a day, commuting to work and back. The tires on the truck are the SR/A model, whatever that means.

[Kraschenbirn]

Been awhile since I bought all-terrain tires but will share what I know about the 'low end' of the G-Y Wrangler line. In a word: DON'T!! My '98 TJ came with Wrangler A/Ts...trashed in less than 40,000 miles. Replaced them with another set of G-Ys...essentially the same story. Went to local farm supply store and bought a set of Cooper 'Discoverers'...about the same mileage but half the money and they ran quieter. Jeep was on its second set of Coopers when I sold it last fall and almost every potential buyer commented something like: "Tires look pretty good." even though they had about 24K at the time.


Bill

[R.M.]

My 98 Ram came with Wranglers. The lasted about 75K. I replaced them with the same and only got about 40k on the second set. I've since gone to Michelins from Costco, and they're doing great. They might not have the off-road traction that the GY did, but that's something I don't need much any more.

[SharpsShooter]

I personally like the Goodyear Wrangler. I have used them on full-size pickup trucks, jeeps, Ford Explorers and will soon be putting a set on my Dodge Nitro. 70,000 miles before refit is not uncommon.


SS

[square butte]

I am on my 4th set of Goodyear Wrangler AT/S on a 97 Toyota 4Runner. Three sets averaged 70 to 75K and one set only went about 47K before they went of of round. That set became very tough to balance. I will also say, that set was the only set that was cross rotated. The others went front to back and back to front. Except for the one bad set - I think they are great tires.

[lancem]

After having been through what seems like all of them, GY, Firestone, BFG, Yokahama, the AT tires that I've found to be the most puncture resistant and longest wearing are Hankook Danapro ATM, it's what all the big ranches run around here on their work trucks.

[HangFireW8]

Call around and play the price matching game on the Michelins. They cost more because they are worth it, but they also have a higher margin so you can make a bargain if you find the right shop.

[docone31]

I have always liked Cooper tires.

[jmort]

The best/longest lasting tires are the Michelin XPS traction.

[downzero]

Call around and play the price matching game on the Michelins. They cost more because they are worth it, but they also have a higher margin so you can make a bargain if you find the right shop.

This is probably the best advice. Don't be afraid to ask for price matching. I got my Goodyear Silent Armors at approximately a 20% discount this way.

I know E rated tires aren't cheap, but I haven't had any problem at all getting big time discounts on my choice of tires, to the point that $100-150, at max, separates the Firestones and Nittos from the premium Michelins.

If the Michelin LTX A/T2 came in an E rated 285/70R17, I'd be running that regardless of cost.

Remember that the cost is spread over a long time--the difference in performance lasts a long time, and even a small difference in life can make a big difference in value.

I was not happy with my Michelin 265 all seasons that came on my Ram, but I am confident that the AT/2 would have the traction off the pavement that I desire while still being quiet and long lasting.

The Goodyears are louder and better in the softer stuff, especially snow, but I don't think they'll last as long as the Michelins.

[sparky45]

I've been running Firestone Destination AT for 5 years now and haven't had a lick of trouble. Pretty quiet and nice ride. I run them on my 2008 Tundra Crewmax and she just turned 81000.

[MtGun44]

Stick with the Michelins, well worth it.

In my driving experience, since 1967, and several million miles of driving, many trips across the
whole or a very large part of this USA, I have, on four occasions, had extremely severe handling situations
where I JUST BARELY, with every ounce of skill I have, managed to retain control of my car and avoid
a serious, possibly even fatal accident. In each case, I was driving on Michelins which, in a few cases
cost as much as 40% of the value of my car (I was POOR when I was younger, but still bought good
tires for my junker cars). In my opinion, I might be crippled or dead if I had been driving on cheaper,
less capable tires. Two of them were youthful errors in judgement, the other two were some idiot
that just darned near killed me, but I managed to pull it off.

You pay your money and you take your choice, but those 4 small patches of rubber that touch the pavement
are the ONLY thing between you and death on many occasions. I do not look for bargains on tires, I usually
buy one grade up market from what is recommended for the car or truck I am driving, and almost always
stick with Michelin.

Would you buy the cheap parachute, or the best one that they sell? if you are willing to risk your life, what about
your kids or grandkids that ride with you? Think hard, this is an important choice.

Bill

[marlin39a]

Wow, interesting topic. I am looking for tires for my FJ Cruiser. Keep the answers coming guys!

[Lloyd Smale]

when i put tires on last year i had the same two choises at my buddys garage. He recomended the wranglers. Said there was about 10k more miles in them. Ive had them a year now and about 10k on them and they still look like new. the firestones did look a bit more agressive though and might be a tad better in the rough stuff but anymore the jeep takes care of the rough stuff for me. They did do a great job last winter in the snow and ice though. My favorite all terrain tire are the bfg all terrains but there a bit noisy on the road but give great traction for an all terrain tire and have excellent life.. Stay away from bridgestone duelers. I had a set on the truck when it was new and at 30k they were shot.

[dakotashooter2]

Given a choice I take Coopers over Wranglers. I generally get more life out of them. I have Wranglers on my truck right now but I probably only have about 22 K on them and the checking between the treads is the worst I have ever seen.

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm with Mtgun44 and his comment about those four contact patches being the only control you have over a vehicle. I've run just about every brand made and Michelin's are excellent tires but almost always out of my price range. I've had good luck with a few brands, including some cheap ones but you generally get what you pay for.
My experience with Goodyear truck tires goes back about 30 years so I can't say if they've improved any, but based on my past experiences; I'll never take a chance on Goodyear tires again. They were absolute junk.
I was responsible for the maintenance of several ambulances and we purchased tires on state contract to get reduced prices. Goodyear was the only tire on the contract, go figure. IF you could find a new set that wasn't square and would balance, they wouldn't stay balanced long. The tread would wear quickly, cup and separate even when the suspension was perfectly within specs. The tires were not overloaded, under/over pressure or abused; they were just JUNK!
We eventually just paid for better brands out of pocket and our tire problems went away.
Goodyear may have improved but they lost me as a customer.

[country gent]

I had firestone tires several times and were nothing but a headache for me. 521s unwrapped like retreads, 721s would lose side walls, The ones on my explorer would blow out the sidewalls also. The set on my excurrsionchecked so bad at 30,000 white under rubber was showing.The only set that I got any satisfaction on was the excursions. I think that that was the vehicle dealer that replaced tose 4 tires. I perfer michilens have had coopers and good years with great results. When I was working I was an oil change a month. ( 3000 miles) . I put a set of pirellis on the explorer to replace the firestones and got great mileage ride and low noise. The Bird has w rated tires on it. A big price jump for that rating also, and ussually have to be ordered.