I really like the Firestone Transforce A/T's on my SuperDuty (03 Excursion). The first set was put on the day I bought the truck and had over 60,000 miles on them, they were not bald at that point, but with the age, and damage from a FREAKIN SCREW, the tire shop was concerned about the weather splitting on the sidewalls when they reinflated the tire. So I ran the spare for a week, until I picked up a screw in another tire. I replaced the 4 Transforce I had, with another set of 4 Transforce A/T's just like I had. This is the first time I've liked a tire enough to buy a second set of the same ones. Dad even like the performance of them, he bought a set for his last truck.
As for the condition, I agreed, and do not play with tires. THEY WILL KILL YOU!!!!! This is not paranoia, but tires are very dangerous. I personally know a couple of guys that were nearly killed inflating tires after they had been put on the rim. A "tire guy" says no, I don't argue. I was concerned they wouldn't touch the tire before I ever went in, so it wasn't a surprise. They were getting a bit rough. They were 8 years old with a lot of miles for a truck tire. I will buy Transforce A/T's as long as Firerock makes them.