An Overview of Goodyear Truck Tires

The History of Goodyear

Founded in 1898, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was established by Frank Seiberling in Akron, Ohio. The company is named for chemist Charles Goodyear, who accidentally discovered that the combination of heat and sulfur alters the consistency of rubber. This process is known as vulcanization. It makes rubber stronger, more flexible, and considerably resistant to heat and other environmental conditions.

Vintage 1929 Goodyear truck tire advertisement

Seiberling opened the first Goodyear factory in 1898 with 13 employees. The company quickly emerged as a leader in manufacturing bicycle and carriage tires, rubber horseshoe pads, and poker chips.

In 1901, Goodyear provided Henry Ford with racing tires. By 1903, the company developed the first tubeless automobile tire. It branched into the aviation industry in 1909, producing the first airplane tires. Before this, planes primarily used bicycle tires.

By 1916 Goodyear had become the largest tire manufacturing company in the world. During the 1950s and ’60s, Goodyear’s innovations in racing tires resulted in more stock and sports car race wins than any other brand. In 1963, Goodyear produced its one billionth tire.

Today, thanks to its acquisition of Cooper Tire in 2021, Goodyear is the third largest tire manufacturer in the world behind number one Michelin and number two Bridgestone.

What are Some of Goodyear’s Top-Selling Truck Tires?

The Goodyear Wrangler family of tires has been a favorite among truck and SUV owners for a long time. These Goodyear tires are designed to be tough and durable, with excellent on/off-road performance. And they look good. These features make them tough to beat.

Wrangler Workhorse AT

With stable on-road driving characteristics, plus the ability to dig into loose, muddy, or sandy terrain, these tires are designed to confidently and capably take you most anywhere. They earned Three Peak Mountain Snowflake classification as a legitimate snow tire and carry a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. Goodyear says the Workhorse AT is best for accessing remote job sites in challenging road situations.

Wrangler DuraTrac Truck Tires

Goodyear’s Wrangler DuraTrac tires are hardworking, versatile tires that offer on- and off-road traction. This is an enhanced traction tire with patented TractiveGroove Technology designed for deep mud and snow, with self-cleaning shoulder blocks that clear the tread of gravel and mud. Rim protectors protect wheels from accidental curb damage. Most sizes carry a severe snow-certified rating. These tires are pinned for #16 metal studs for winter driving, where permitted. Goodyear backs this tire with a 50,000-mile warranty for premature tread wear.

Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar

The Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar tire is the workhorse in the range, engineered for crossovers and small SUVs. If you want a comfortable drive with all-season traction on most driving surfaces, this is the best tire for you. DuPont Kevlar and Durawall technology help prevent cuts in the sidewall. The LT sizes are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake Certified and include two layers of Kevlar plus 30 percent more steel. The open block tread pattern results in versatile off-road traction in wet, muddy conditions, reduced noise, and increased lateral stability. They offer superb traction in the snow and rain thanks to tread compound and biting edges that grip the road. This means that this tire is also great for towing and hauling. Wrangler Adventures have a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Wrangler Fortitude HT Highway Truck Tires

The Wrangler Fortitude HT is an all-terrain, all-season tire, a top-level tire designed for on-road use–despite its off-road look and name. The long-lasting tread is built to be quiet on the highway. This tire is designed for a sophisticated, comfortable, and quiet ride.

Full-depth snipes and biting edges provide excellent traction in snow. Four deep aqua grooves protect against hydroplaning. The tire does have some decent off-road grip on gravel and dirt, but if you’re into serious off-roading or overlanding adventures, this isn’t the tire to buy.

Goodyear offers the Fortitude HT and the Fortitude LT (light truck) tires. While similar in several respects, it’s important to note what you’re getting. The light truck version is designed only for five select pickup truck sizes. They don’t come with the same treadwear warranty as the standard HT (50,000 mile warranty vs. 65,000 miles).

Wrangler Territory MT

Off-road maximum traction (MT) light truck tires, sometimes called mud tires, are often original equipment on light- and medium-duty four-wheel-drive pickup and sport utility vehicles like the Ford Bronco and Chevrolet Silverado ZR2. Wrangler Territory MTs are for drivers who want a combination of on-road aptitude and aggressive off-road ability. They offer the best traction when trail and terrain conditions are at their worst. With rear-resistant and chip-resistant tread compound and interlocking tread blocks, Wrangler Territory MT tires deliver both off-road capability and on-road drivability.

This tire features an open tread design that forces mud, dirt, rocks, stones, water, slush, and other unwanted debris out of the tread for consistent traction on- and off-road and to protect the casing from damage. Wrap-around shoulder lugs bite into deep mud and snow to increase grip. The Wrangler Territory MT’s sequenced pitch pattern reduces road noise and vibrations to create a comfortable ride on paved roads.

This tire is eligible for Goodyear’s satisfaction pledge, which gives you 30 days to decide whether to keep your tires or exchange them for a different set of tires.