Firestone Winterforce LT Review

Capable and affordable winter tires designed for 3/4- and one-ton trucks, the Firestone Winterforce LT delivers as promised.

PROS

  • Attractive pricing
  • Great grip on snow
  • Excellent overall value

CONS

  • Not quite as capable as some rivals

   

For those looking to add traction to their heavy duty pickup or commercial van/truck, Firestone has built a winter tire that delivers sure-footedness at a reasonable price. It’s available in a decent selection of Load E rated (10-ply) sizes.

Looking almost like an all-terrain tire with it’s large amount of void space, the tire makes used of a directional tread pattern with large, heavily-siped blocks. These sipes grip the snow and hold it, using it as a friction surface against snow-covered roads. The siping even extends up the side of the shoulder blocks to give some added grip in cornering or in deeper snow. And for those who demand even more grip, it’s pinned to accept #15 metallic studs.

With a deep tread and clear circumferential grooves the tire also does an excellent job at easily evacuating water and slush.

Making use of a compound that resists freezing, the Winterforce LT stops impressively on dry roads in freezing temperatures, where conventional all-seasons don’t.

Critically, the tire makes use of twin steel belts wrapped in a polyester casing to deliver solid ride quality and durability. This is particularly important for heavy work trucks.

While no tread life warranty is given on the tires, as we’d expect, we’re pleased that owners generally seem to report around 40,000 miles on a set, which is par for the course for a conventional winter tire, but quite impressive for one designed for such big trucks.

In our survey of user reviews, owners are almost overwhelmingly a fan of this tire and the only customers showing any complaints are those who ran Bridgestone Blizzaks in the past. That’s not surprising, however, it’s important to point out that Blizzaks cost considerably more.

Who Should Consider These Tires?

This tire is built to provide solid winter grip for owners of 3/4 and one-ton trucks and can also be extended to half-ton owners who need an LT tire, either due to the heavy loads they carry or the work they do. It’s not the ultimate in winter truck performance, but it does an impressive job for a reasonable price. For those who want the safety and handling benefits of a true winter tire but don’t demand that next-level of performance, these are an impressive pick.

Firestone Winterforce LT Price

Pricing for the Firestone Winterforce LT starts at just around $165 for a 16-inch fitment.

   

Firestone Winterforce LT Warranty

As a winter tire the Firestone Winterforce LT does not come with a mileage warranty. It does, however, come backed by the brand’s standard limited warranty that includes replacement on a pro-rated basis for any tires deemed defective within the first five years of ownership.

Firestone Winterforce LT Sizes

16-inch sizes
LT225/75R16
LT235/85R16
LT245/75R16
LT265/75R16
LT285/75R16

17-inch sizes
LT225/75R17
LT235/80R17
LT245/70R17
LT245/75R17
LT255/75R17
LT265/70R17

18-inch sizes
LT265/70R18
LT275/65R18
LT275/65R18