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Review of the
Firestone Destination MT Mud Tire
 When
Rover Accessories, the premier California-based supplier of aftermarket products
for the Land Rover family of SUVs, went looking for tires to outfit its fleet of
project vehicles for the automotive show and off-road circuits, it looked to the
Firestone brand's newest entry to the off-road market, the Destination (tm) M/T.
The Firestone Destination M/T, introduced to the marketplace last fall by
Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), is a full traction-depth
tire featuring UNI-T® technology for excellent wet and mud handling. The tire
features a square footprint and heavy-duty construction to protect it in the
most extreme terrains, and has a high void to help clear debris from the tread.
Aside from marketing aftermarket products for Land Rovers, Rover Accessories
builds specialty Rovers for individual buyers, and also is deeply involved in
off-road racing and outdoors events in the western United States.
According to Charles D'Andrade, a founder and president of Rover Accessories,
the company built three project vehicles which all ride on Firestone Destination
M/T tires. The vehicles have garnered plenty of attention since their debut at
last year's SEMA Show. They include: the FlyFisher 110, a Land Rover "Defender"
model, designed as the ultimate luxury fly fishing purpose-built vehicle for
getting off the beaten track in luxury with all the comforts available; the
Hannibal 80, an everyday driver with a rooftop tent, which also can easily
handle a trip out into the desert or to the mountains for isolated camping; and
the Discovery Destination, designed for the urban weekend warrior to use for any
number of adrenalin sports, including snowboarding, kayaking, surfing, mountain
biking or rock climbing.
"The first major excursion where we used the Firestone Destination M/T tire was
an overland trip for 4WD & Sport Utility Magazine, which included 10 very unique
vehicles. The ride covered a varied terrain from very hot desert conditions to
heavy snow in the Sierra Mountains," D'Andrade explained. "We ran the Firestone
Destination M/T on our FlyFisher 110 and Hannibal SUVs, and of all the vehicles
participating, the Destination tires performed perfectly - they were one of the
very few tire brands that gave us no trouble whatsoever."
He added that in the mountains, the Firestone Destination M/Ts easily overcame
more than a foot of snow, ice and slush, and came to be dubbed "The Black Snow
Tire," because even in the deepest snow, the Destination M/Ts completely
dispersed the snow, hence making the treads appear black.
Since that event, D'Andrade said he has subjected the tires to extensive road
driving around Los Angeles, and has been impressed with their smooth, quiet
highway ride.
"In fact, even in heavy rains, we had a hard time inducing any kind of skid with
our FlyFisher 110, which doesn't have ABS braking systems. I was most impressed
that the Destination M/Ts can hold the road in even the most slippery rain
conditions."
D'Andrade also added that Rover Accessories built a Destination Discovery for an
East Coast client, who runs a hotel in Washington, D.C. "This past winter, when
the worst snowstorm to hit the capital in 20 years dumped 2 ½ feet of snow and
effectively paralyzed the city, this person was able to act as a taxi to bring
staff members into work, and also to ferry hotel guests around town, because the
tires could get through almost anything," he said. "His hotel was completely
booked, and his was the only vehicle on the roads besides the snow plows. He
said the tires drove unbelievably well. We're sold on the Firestone Destination
M/Ts."
Phil Pacsi, executive director, North American Consumer Tire Brand Marketing for
Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC, said he wasn't surprised to hear
these stories about the Firestone Destination M/Ts' performance.
"These tires were purpose-built to perform in these extreme conditions," Pacsi
said. "With the Firestone Destination M/T, we've been able to combine the most
rugged off-road characteristics with a smooth, quiet highway ride, to give
consumers a superior all-around, off-road tire."
Pacsi added that to date, the Destination M/T has been selling well above the
company's initial expectations.
Rover Accessories, based in Torrance, Calif., was developed from the love of the
outdoors and overland travel. The company provides accessories for Land Rovers
including Range Rover, Discovery and Defenders. With trained factory technicians
and state-of-the-art facilities, Rover Accessories can modify your Land Rover to
your specific needs. The company manufactures its own line of accessories and
performance products and is exclusive to some of the most unique 4x4 equipment
available in the USA. For more information, call 800-ROVER-55, or visit
www.roveraccessories.com.
Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary
of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone
Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops,
manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and
private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment
markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road,
agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America.
Source:
News Release: Firestone Destination M/T Tires Make The Grade On Rover
Accessories' Project Vehicles, NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 30, 2003).
Manufacturers description of this tire:
The Destination M/T is the first Firestone light truck tire with exclusive
UNI-T technology to advance wet handling and braking. Plus, you get a whole
package of advantages from DMR Max Traction Light Truck Tire Technologies,
exclusively from Firestone. With deep skid lugs, 3 body ply construction,
over-the-shoulder tread/lug design and our special Rim Gaurd Off-Road Protector
Rib, the Destination M/T is as tough and durable as it looks. Since it's pinned
for studs, the Destination M/T is also ready to deliver extra grip in witner
conditions. All these features add up to a light truck tire that has what it
takes for off-road, all-terrain, all-season performance.
Innovative Tire Design - A Comprehensive Tire Design Method
This method improves handling in wet or dry conditions and reduces irregular
treadwear by combining an ideal tread design, casing shape, materials and
construction.
Innovative Roundness - Rounder Is Better
Rounder overall tire shape provides better balance for wet or dry handling.
Innovative Compound - Longer Is Stronger
L.L. Carbon utilizes a special form of molecular re-engineered carbon black, a
key factor in improving tire wear while enhancing wet performance.
Rim Guard Off-Road Protector Rib
This helps protect the wheel by deflecting off-road debris from between the tire
bead and rim area, keeping the lower sidewall stiffer and making the bead fit
tighter to the rim.
Dura-Loc 3.0
A unique high-strength tie-in construction, combines 3 full polyester body
plies, 2 high-tensile steel cord belts and a full spiral-wrapped nylon cap ply
for outstanding resistance to on- and off-highway hazards.
Mud and Off-Road Traction
The result of a unique over-the-shoulder tread/lug design that increases
Extraction Traction to help get you through ruts and mud combined with low 23'
Attack Angle to increase pulling power. Wide wraparound lugs and special tread
element shapes and angles help deflect road hazards from the shoulder areas as
well as improve self-cleaning in mud and snow conditions.
Pinned for studs.
For extra grip in winter conditions.
The Destination M/T is the first Firestone light truck tire with
exclusive UNI-T technology to advance wet handling and braking. With deep skid
lugs, 3 body ply construction, over-the-shoulder tread/lug design and our
special Rim Guard Off-Road Protector Rib, the Destination M/T is as tough and
durable as it looks.
Features
- Innovative Tire Design method improves handling in wet or dry conditions
and reduces irregular treadwear by combining the ideal tread design, casing
shape, materials and construction.
- Innovative Compound - L.L. Carbon utilizes a special form of molecular
re-engineered carbon black, a key factor in improving tire wear while
enhancing wet performance.
- Rim Guard Off-Road Proctector Rib helps protect the tire by deflecting
off-road debris from between the tire bead and rim area, keeping the lower
sidewall stiffer and making the bead fit tighter to the rim.
- Dura-Loc 3.0 is a unique high-strength tie-in construction, combining 3
full polyester body plies, 2 high-tensile steel cord belts and a full
spiral-wrapped nylon cap ply for outstanding resistance to on- and off-highway
hazards.
- Pinned for studs for extra grip in winter conditions.
Innovative Roundness - Rounder Is Better
Rounder overall tire shape provides better balance for wet or dry handling.
Innovative Tire Design - A Comprehensive Tire Design Method
This method improves handling in wet or dry conditions and reduces irregular
treadwear by combining an ideal tread design, casing shape, materials and
construction.
Mud and Off-Road Traction
The result of a unique over-the-shoulder tread/lug design that increases
Extraction Traction to help get you through ruts and mud combined with low 23'
Attack Angle to increase pulling power.
Wide wraparound lugs and special tread element shapes and angles help deflect
road hazards from the shoulder areas as well as improve self-cleaning in mud and
snow conditions.
Rim Guard Off-Road Proctector Rib
This helps protect the wheel by deflecting off-road debris from between the tire
bead and rim area, keeping the lower sidewall stiffer and making the bead fit
tighter to the rim.
Innovative Compound - Longer Is Stronger
L.L. Carbon utilizes a special form of molecular re-engineered carbon black, a
key factor in improving tire wear while enhancing wet performance.
Dura-Loc 3.0
A unique high-strength tie-in construction, combines 3 full polyester body
plies, 2 high-tensile steel cord belts and a full spiral-wrapped nylon cap ply
for outstanding resistance to on- and off-highway hazards.
Pinned for studs.
For extra grip in winter conditions.
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