I really need to get some new skins on my Dodge turbo diesel. It is gen 2 2500 4wd.

I do tow heavy loads on occasion and drive on snow, ice, mud and gravel.


I have narrowed it down to two very similar tires.
The

Firestone Destination XT
and
BFG All terrain KO2

Both LT E rated.
3 peak Mtn. snow flake
50k mile.
etc

I know many here will automatically say the BFG.

I am leaning toward the Firestone. It is $150 cheaper for a set of 4.

I do think Firestone makes a good tire.
So does BFG, but also think it is a bit overrated.

Thoughts?

I won't buy another Michelin unless forced in to it.

The other tire that made the cut was the HanKook. But it was a little more expensive than the BFG.
And I like Hankook quite a bit. A very good tire.

I would also consider Cooper but do not have a good source for it in my area.

Last set of BFG A/T's I had were on my old Tacoma before I put KM2 M/T on. The A/T had a cupping problem at that time but I still got quite a bit of use out of them.

On my 4Runner, I went with Falken Wild Peak A/T's. So far, they've been great. Ride better than the factory tires and fuel economy wasn't much different. Off-Road or in bad driving conditions is where this tire shines. Much better feel and it's predictable. I feel like a surefooted mountain goat now.

Company my youngest bro works for has a fleet of GM trucks with the Firestone Destination XT's on them. He says they spin if you spit under the tire. I'd venture to say it's more an issue with the truck 4wd system and wheelbase of the truck that cause the problem. Working on greasy NOVA red clay doesn't help, but other tires handle it better.

Hope some of that helps ORC

Destination ATs on my Trailhawk. 5200 miles on them
so far but in a far lighter vehicle than yours. No visible wear on them so far. Good traction and quiet too. If I can get a deal on them, they will be my replacements when the OEMs wear out.

My Cherokee came with Destination AT2s from the factory and I’ve had a couple of sets of them last around 100K each. No complaints at all. I don’t have any experience with the XTs, however.

As for the BFG KO2s, I also had a set of those which lasted around another 100K. They’re a slightly better tire in every way, IMO, except for road noise. Still lasted around 100K, but my Cherokee is my daily driver and the cabin was somewhat louder with them on.

Assuming the Destination XT performs at least as well as the AT2, you won’t go wrong with either, but I’d lean towards the KO2 for heavy duty / off-road use if the road noise doesn’t bother you.

What does TireRack’s current ratings chart say?

-Rob

I bought a set of the KO2’s for one of my work trucks (F-250) that was laden with tools etc. Those E rated tires didn’t last 15K miles.

I’m very happy with Toyo AT3’s. Check them out.

I don't know if BFG has changed their rubber compound but I just had to replace a set of KO2's on my Tundra that were flat worn out in 40k miles. I rotated them religiously every 5k miles and they were done for.

We just put the BFG/K02 tires on the Wrangler because the wife wanted some "big badass tires". I wanted the Mickey Thompsons that had been discussed in earlier threads but Discount Tire did not have them. Discount raved about the performance of the K02's and we checked comparisons which did say, and which I already suspected, are a tad bit louder.

Immediately noticed a smoother ride and so far road noise is non-existent. Might check out the earlier thread on the Mickey Thompson tires.

Take a look at the Nitto lineup. I have the Ridge Grapplers on my Rubicon and they're very good. I was a Hankook guy for years, the last set of M/Ts was awful, never again. Being an old tire guy, I look at tires constantly and see a lot of the Nittos.

I like the BFG's and have three vehicles with them. Those Firestones are also great and should be a good match for your truck. Especially if you can save $150

Not on your list but have you looked at Goodyear Duratracs. Had them on Jeeps and noticed all our city utility trucks at work used them and the guys said they did well and lasted.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
I bought a set of the KO2’s for one of my work trucks (F-250) that was laden with tools etc. Those E rated tires didn’t last 15K miles.

I’m very happy with Toyo AT3’s. Check them out.

The AT4's are coming out soon, On anything 4x4 I will never own another tire. They have done great with everything i have thown at them. The last set of K02's I had would loose traction on a slight incline in the rain!

KO2 seem to have a good reputation, the people I've personally known with them loved them, I think the KO3 may be out soon, might put a discount on remaining KO2 stock, if you aren't in a hurry.

No experience with Firestone tires.

No complaints with any of the Michelins I've used either. My dad runs Michelin almost exclusively on his trucks & regularly gets over 50k out of a set of LTX
I just put a set of M/S2 on my wife's Expedition, big improvement over the OE tires that were on it & will likely put a set on my Explorer too, later this year. 2nd choice currently is the BFG TrailTerrain TA, only about a $50 difference between them.

Not a fan of Nitto highway tires, we had a set on our Flex & I didn't care for their road manners. That got Michelins as well, Pilot Sport AS3+ which were phenomenal in all conditions. But that's a performance all-season & not suited to the OP.

Thanks guys, appreciate all the feedback. I am pretty limited in choices where I am especially price wise. I can make a long trip to costco and save three or four hundred dollars over anything else. They do sell the Firestone AT as well in a LT (E) rated tire.
I would like to keep the cost down as I am not sure how long I will have this rig. While a great rig and only has 240k on the clock I may look to upgrade in a year or two possibly to something a bit newer.

Don't do it. Buy Michelin !

BFGoodrich is owned by Michelin.

ORC, I have no current experience with either tire. If it were my truck and money, I’d go with the less expensive option. It doesn’t sound likely the tires will wear out before they age out.

Michelin has a new tire out that seems to get good reviews. https://www.michelinman.com/au...efender-ltx-platinum

They seem to be made for HD pickups?

The KO2’s look cool but that’s about all that’s good about them from everyone that I know that has had them. They start out great in all conditions but once you get about 20-25k miles on them they get really bad driving in the rain. Similar to driving on a sheet of ice is how it’s been described to me.

I went with some Falken Wildpeak AT3W for my Wrangler and have about 22k miles on them so far and I’ve been super happy with them. My wrangler drives way better in snow than my previous Subaru Forester did.

Another tire to check out is the Kenda Klever R/T. Buddy at work has them on his 2020 4Runner and he raves about them. Says they are the best tire he’s ever used. Plus they are pretty cheap. Most likely it’ll be what I try out next, but only because the Wildpeaks are so expensive.