- A short note here: As a former Bridgestone engineer, I strongly recommend checking Discount Tire - Treadwell out. Now, you can effortlessly get recommendations based on value, performance, and local favorites without going to the Discount Tire store.
TRIED & TRUSTED!
Firestone Destination XT is an on/off-road all-terrain tire. It is mainly built for 3/4 ton, 1-ton pick-up trucks. Moreover, it’s a good pick for the body on frame SUVs like GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, etc. Hauling and towing are its expertise. Yet, it has some deficiencies. Let’s dig into it and see if it fits your application!
At a Glance
| Firestone Destination XT | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Fuel efficiency for 3/4 ton or above light truck, smooth ride, light snow traction |
| Test Report | vs Open Country AT3 & Grabber ATX & Discoverer AT3 LT (August 4, 2021) |
| Category | All-Terrain Tire |
| Vehicle | Light Truck, SUV |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20” (Ensure these tires fit your vehicle) |
| Weight | 35- 61 lbs |
| Made In | Canada |
| Labels | 3PMSF |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 50,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 50,000 Miles |
| Available on | DiscountTire: Check Price TireRack: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price |
As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Firestone Destination XT is the lightest tire in its segment. Hence, it can be used for a long period of time on air-down usage. Well, its responsiveness also gets a significant boost from the lightweight. Moreover, its wet and dry traction capability is highly praiseworthy. Due to its compact tread and stiff compound, Firestone Destination X/T is a perfect pick for hauling and towing applications and provides an extremely satisfying wear life.
Even though it’s severe winter rated and performs excellently in light snow and deep snow, its compound is too hard for reliable ice performance. Though worth reminding, it makes a slight noise, and sometimes its stiff structure can provide a bit stiff ride if you’re not used to using all-terrain tires.
All-Terrain Tires Cheat Sheet
Finding the most suitable one for you among thousands of tires is very difficult.
My team & I have analyzed 100 different tires and generated this ‘Quick Answer Sheet‘ for those who don’t wanna spend too much time during tire selection.
Before we start, here are the incredibly helpful articles I highly recommend to take a look at;
- How to keep tire noise down?
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise - What is the 3PMSF symbol?
https://tireterrain.com/what-is-3pmsf-symbol/ - Off-Road Tire Buyer’s Guide
https://tireterrain.com/off-road-tire-buyers-guide/ - Tire rating charts & reviews
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/rating-chart&reviews - Are all-terrain tires good for daily driving?
https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-for-daily-driving/ - Most aggressive all-terrain tires
https://tireterrain.com/most-aggressive-all-terrain-tires/
Below the table, you can find my favorite tires that I have classified according to your needs.
If you’re in a hurry, here are the tires worth every penny;
- Toyo Open Country AT3 – Best All-Round & Longevity
- Falken Wildpeak AT3W – Best All-Round & Squishy Regions
- BF Goodrich KO2 – Best All-Round & Off-Road Adventure
- Falken Wildpeak AT Trail – Best All-Round for CUV/SUV & Severe Off-Road
- Nitto Recon Grappler – Best All-Round for CUV/SUV & Smooth and Quiet Ride
- General Grabber ATX – Best All-Round for 3/4-ton or above trucks
- Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac – Best On/Off Road tire for 3/4-ton or above trucks
- Cooper Discoverer 4S XLT – Best Commercial All-Terrain Tire & Hauling and Towing
If you’re looking for something at a bargain price;
- Vredestein Pinza AT – Best All-Round for CUV/SUV & Smooth and Quiet Ride
- Kenda Klever A/T2 – Best All-Round for Medium & Light Duty Usage
- Kenda Klever R/T – Best All-Round for Heavy-Duty Usage
Depending on your needs, also the below articles might help;
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-3-4-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-mud-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-rt-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-tires-for-snow-plowing/
I highly recommend checking the below pages out before making any purchase:
- DiscountTire Deals:
https://www.discounttire.com/promotions - TireRack Deals:
https://www.tirerack.com/specialoffers - SimpleTire Deals:
https://simpletire.com/tire-deals
Table of Contents
Tread Appearances
Heavy-duty tires generally don’t look aggressive. Manufacturers focus on performance instead of good-looking. So, they sacrifice from aggressive looking. Well, Firestone Destination XT is an exception in that case. While maintaining its performance, it also looks as tough as a rugged-terrain tire.
| Use It | Don’t Use It |
|---|---|
| Heavy-duty applications | Icy conditions |
| Above 3/4-ton pickups | Daily driving(It’s LT tire. Though it has a hars ride) |
| Large(body on frame) SUVs, Jeeps | Crossovers, Unibody SUVs(if it’s not too heavy) |
| Mild winter conditions |
Firestone Destination XT doesn’t have a rib/lug hybrid type pattern design like its rival Cooper Discoverer AT3 LTX or Michelin Defender LTX. It has lug type design with wide shoulders. As a result, it keeps its traction ability on loose surfaces. Moreover, its wide shoulder increases its comfort on highways.
Dry Performance
Dry traction isn’t an issue for all-terrain tires due to their aggressively designed rubber. Well, Destination XT provides huge traction on dry surfaces.
About handling, well-optimized pattern getting into the game. A wide shoulder combined with the interlock center section increases its contact patch and offers decent handling.
Lastly, steering. Steering is an enemy for lug-type tread patterns. In that case, the center section must be work like a circumferential rib and preserve stability. Well, I think Destination XT’s engineers made it very well. The middle center block supports each side with larger side blocks. Therefore, it works like a rib during the wheeling.
Comfort and Road Noise
Due to its wide shoulder design, well-balanced compound, and solid internal structure(2 steel belts support by a 2-ply polyester cord), you don’t feel bumpy like driving a mud-terrain tire. That’s a huge plus.
On the other hand, it performs even better regarding noise cancellation. Due to its interlocked center section( explained in the tread appearance section), this tire is deaf for a heavy-duty tire. Moreover, its void area is narrower than most of its competitors. This feature also brings an advantage to noise cancellation.
Destination XT is quiet and offers a smooth ride. You can confidently go with it if these are your priorities. Yet, Firestone Destination AT2(review) could be a better selection if you wanna extend your riding conditions.
A side note here: Even though some tires tend to make noise because of their tread patterns, it’s still possible to keep your tire noise down.
I’m leaving a perfect explanation below from DiscountTire for those who need it;
How to Keep Tire Noise Down? –>
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise
Fuel Efficiency
Due to its low rolling resistance and lightweight, Destination XT is one of the most fuel-efficient tires in its class. For comparison, it’s at least 1mpg better than BFG KO2 for every available size.
Wet Performance
While I’ve been researching this tire for my comparison articles, I was pretty impressed by its wet performance.
Its full-depth 3D sipes increase its biting edge density. This feature increases its biting capability on wet grounds and improves wet traction. However, this’s a heavy-duty tire. Therefore, its compound is relatively stiffer than regular all-terrain tires. That feature decreases its wet traction a bit. Yet, its wet traction is decent. Let’s say 8.5 out of 10.
The keynote speech is hydroplaning resistance. Its open shoulder blocks improve water evacuation and restrain hydroplaning resistance. Due to its tread design(2 circumferential grooves), this tire doesn’t keep water inside of the tread. So, you can confidently drive this tire at high speeds in the pouring rain.
Destination XT is a beast on wet surfaces. I strongly recommend it.
Note: Hydroplaning is vital for a safe ride under the pouring rain. However, it might occur even with the best tire. Maybe you can’t prevent it but if you know what it is and how to deal with it, you can easily stay on the safe side.
Here is an extremely efficient guide about ‘How to Deal with Hydroplaning?‘ –> https://www.discounttire.com/learn/hydroplaning
Winter Performance
Winter is where Destination XT shines. Due to its specific rubber, it heats up quickly and maintains its gripping ability in cold winter conditions.
Destination XT is a severe snow-rated tire(3PMFS). Yet, it isn’t the perfect pick for all winter conditions.
Due to its full-depth sipes, it’s a monster on light snow. It can evacuate melted snow very well and avert hydroplaning.
Due to its staggered shoulder lugs, it has massive traction ability on deep snow. Moreover, its divided center lugs(3 pieces with 2 full-depth sipes) can work separately and increase its self-cleaning ability.
Ice is where it fails. Due to its low rolling resistance, its braking distance on ice is average. I don’t recommend it for ice usage.
Destination XT is a safe pick for light and thick snow. However, ice isn’t its expertise.
If you need a solid and durable tire for winter, I recommend you to check this article out!
Off-Road Performance
Even though most heavy-duty tires can perfrom only in mild off-road applications, Destination XT makes a difference and can perfrom on most severe off-road conditions very well. Let’s dig into it!
- A side note here: If you’d like to see the best all-terrain tires by vehicle or usage, this article is GOOOOLD –> https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires/
Dirt and Gravel Performance
Dirt and gravel performance are what heavy-duty vehicles need most. Well, Firestone didn’t miss that point.
Due to its well-placed sipes, it has enough biting edges to provide a decent grip on dirt. However, this tire’s dirt performance is remarkable because of its ‘u’ shaped lugs. This design allows the lugs to move independently. As a result, increases self-cleaning capability significantly. So, its grip ability on dirt is a phenomenon.
Due to strategically placed stone ejectors, Destination XT doesn’t hold small stones on the shoulders and center section. Hence, it can maintain its traction on the gravel.
Destination XT can handle dirt and gravel with ease. You can confidently use it on these surfaces.
Sand
Here is the deal, all all-terrain tires tend to dig into the soft sand. Yet, Firestone Destination XT’s wide shoulders help it to float on sand and maintain its traction capability. Moreover, the tire is naturally wide. Therefore, it can stay on the sand more easily than most of the tires on the market.
Firestone Destination X/T is the master of all-terrain tires on sand driving. I strongly recommend it.
Mud
Due to its big side biters, it can grip compact mud very well. Moreover, its evacuation ability steps in again and helps it to move on muddy days. In this case, its deep and voided tread is the biggest assistant. Especially for the flotation sizes (these sizes specifically have 17/32” tread depth).
Firestone Destination X/T is an assertive candidate for best mud terrain tires. I can confidently say that it’s the best for 3/4 ton work trucks.
Yet, if you need a tire for adventure, you might want to check this article out.
Rock
Firestone Destination X/T is specially built for 3/4 ton or above trucks. Well, it should have strong sidewalls and it does. In my point of view, what makes this tire special is its lightweight even for these extremely strong sidewalls.
So, this lightweight is kinda proof of its alpha-plus air-down performance. It doesn’t get heated due to its thin but durable material. As a result, you can use this tire for an ages on air-down and doesn’t hurt the tire bead.
I’ve already talked about its traction and grip capability. Well, when you combine it with heat resistance, you can get one of the best rock-crawling tires.
Sizes
Most tire sizes begin with modifier letters(P, LT, etc.) that identify the type of vehicle or type of service for which they were designed. Here is a perfect guide for reading tire size –> https://tireterrain.com/how-to-read-tire-size/
Firestone Destination XT Sizes for 15'' Rim
| Tread Depth | Load Range | Speed Rating | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT30.5X9.5R15 | 14/32” | C | R | 35 lbs |
| LT31X10.5R15 | 15/32” | C | R | 40 lbs |
| LT33X12.5R15 | 17/32” | C | R | 50 lbs |
Firestone Destination XT Sizes for 16'' Rim
| Tread Depth | Load Range | Speed Rating | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT215/85R16 | 14/32” | E | S | 36 lbs |
| LT225/75R16 | 14/32” | E | S | 35 lbs |
| LT235/85R16 | 14/32” | E | S | 39 lbs |
| LT245/75R16 | 14/32” | E | S | 39 lbs |
| LT265/75R16 | 15/32” | E | S | 44 lbs |
| LT285/75R16 | 16/32” | E | R | 51 lbs |
Firestone Destination XT Sizes for 17'' Rim
| Tread Depth | Load Range | Speed Rating | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT235/80R17 | 14/32” | E | S | 40 lbs |
| LT245/70R17 | 14/32” | E | S | 41 lbs |
| LT245/75R17 | 14/32” | E | S | 42 lbs |
| LT255/75R17 | 15/32” | C | T | 40 lbs |
| LT265/70R17 | 15/32” | E | S | 45 lbs |
| LT275/70R17 | 16/32” | E | R | 48 lbs |
| LT285/70R17 | 16/32” | E | S | 50 lbs |
| LT315/70R17 | 17/32” | E | R | 61 lbs |
Firestone Destination XT Sizes for 18'' Rim
| Tread Depth | Load Range | Speed Rating | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT265/70R18 | 15/32” | E | S | 47 lbs |
| LT275/65R18 | 16/32” | E | S | 49 lbs |
| LT275/70R18 | 16/32” | E | S | 50 lbs |
| LT285/65R18 | 15/32” | E | R | 51 lbs |
| LT35X12.5R18 | 17/32” | E | R | 60 lbs |
Firestone Destination XT Sizes for 20'' Rim
| Tread Depth | Load Range | Speed Rating | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT265/60R20 | 15/32” | E | S | 48 lbs |
| LT275/55R20 | 16/32” | E | S | 48 lbs |
| LT275/60R20 | 16/32” | E | R | 52 lbs |
| LT275/65R20 | 16/32” | E | S | 52 lbs |
| LT285/55R20 | 16/32” | E | R | 51 lbs |
| LT285/60R20 | 16/32” | E | S | 52 lbs |
| LT285/65R20 | 16/32” | E | S | 53 lbs |
| LT295/60R20 | 16/32” | E | S | 56 lbs |
| LT305/55R20 | 16/32” | E | R | 56 lbs |
| LT35X12.5R20 | 17/32” | E | R | 60 lbs |
A side note here: If you are planning to upsize or downsize from your original equipment size (changing tire size with a smaller or bigger size), or if you have already done, it’s crucial to remember that changing tire size will decrease the accuracy of your speedometer. If this is the case, I strongly recommend checking DiscountTire Speedometer Guide.
Warranty
Firestone offers 50,000 miles treadwear warranty for all Destination XT products.
Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire, If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:
Spec
| Firestone Destination XT | |
|---|---|
| Category | All-Terrain Tire |
| Vehicle | Light Truck, SUV |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20” |
| Weight | 35- 61 lbs |
| Made In | Canada |
| Snow Rated | Yes |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 50,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 50,000 Miles |
| Prices | Continue below to see best possible prices |
Price
The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.
Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.
Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,
DiscountTire
- Biggest dealer in the US. Founded in 1960
- 1000 stores in 35 states. You most probably find one on your parallel street
- Free rotation and balancing
- 5% off for DiscountTire cardholders on online purchase
- Highest rated online tire dealer in Consumer Affairs
- Almost all brands are available
- Delivery takes 2-4 days (30% shorter average waiting time when you book online)
- Frequent discounts and promotions
Firestone Destination X/T: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/firestone-tire-destination-x-t
TireRack
- Fast and Free shipping
- Usually delivered in 1 day
- Joint venture with DiscountTire(their installers and dealers are on your service)
- Tons of installer options, they also help you to choose the best one
- Mobile installers in many areas, your tires will be replaced while you’re working in the office
- Tire test results and comparisons can be found on the most product page
- 4.6/5 points on Google rate
Firestone Destination X/T: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/firestone-destination-x-t
SimpleTire
- Free shipping
- Delivered in 2 days
- Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
- Mobile installation option
- 7 million customers since 2021
- 4.7/5 points on Google rate
- Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match
Firestone Destination X/T: https://simpletire.com/brands/firestone-tires/destination-x-t
While choosing dealers, I especially pay attention to reliability. All of the dealers on this list have 15-20 years of experience in the online tire business. Therefore, I can guarantee a smooth and fast tire buying process.
Conclusion
Firestone Destination XT is a golden opportunity if you use it on the right vehicle and right operation. Moreover, it has an affordable price for this level of performance. You can check the below table to see if it fits your operation.
| Firestone Destination XT | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Fuel efficiency for 3/4 ton or above light truck, smooth ride, light snow traction |
| Test Report | vs Open Country AT3 & Grabber ATX & Discoverer AT3 LT (August 4, 2021) |
| Category | All-Terrain Tire |
| Vehicle | Light Truck, SUV |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20” (Ensure these tires fit your vehicle) |
| Weight | 35- 61 lbs |
| Made In | Canada |
| Labels | 3PMSF |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 50,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 50,000 Miles |
| Available on | DiscountTire: Check Price TireRack: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price |
Take-Home Points,
- LT sizes have stronger sidewalls. That feature makes them more durable. Yet, these tires offer a rougher ride. (LT vs P-Metric tires)
- XL sizes tend to carry more load and offer better handling. Hence, if you’ll go with p-metric sizes, they might be a better pick for hauling and towing( XL vs SL tires)
- Please pay attention to the load range and speed index. These metrics are essential if you expect decent tread life
- There isn’t a bad tire in the market right now, you should just know what to expect from tires
A side note here: If you’d like to get local advice and find the best fit for your driving habits, location, and road conditions DiscountTire – Treadwell Tire Guide can give you masterpiece recommendations.
If you have any further questions, please leave them below. I’ll be glad to help. Have a safe ride folks!
Great information. I cannot get a straight answer out of Firestone. What tire pressure can I run them at when towing a heavy trailer (12,000lb, 1,200 hitch weight) Cold? Hot? I want the most stability.
Thanks,
Rush
Hey Rush,
Hope you’re doing well! So, about that tire pressure, here’s the deal. I’d suggest cranking it up to its max inflation pressure. But, to be totally transparent, I’m flying a bit blind here without knowing your specific tire size.
Most of the time, we give a big thumbs-up to 80psi for top-tier stability. But hey, why not kick things off with 75 PSI when the tire’s cold? Then, take it for a spin and feel the vibes.
A heads-up, though: going all-in on the inflation pressure can make the ride feel a bit stiff. If you’re not vibing with that firmer ride, dial the pressure down a notch or two. Just a pro tip: keep an eye on the tire tread depth while you’re at it, especially the center. Too much air can lead to the middle wearing out faster than the rest.
Oh, and don’t forget the weight factor! The load you’re carrying plays a role. Dive into page 7 of the link below, multiply those numbers by 4, and if the total feels right, you’re in business. The table’s a goldmine for fine-tuning your tire pressure.
Firestone TBR Load & Inflation Tables
Stay safe and roll smoothly out there!