315/75/16 Duratracs in the Eastern Snow

[Barry Lampke]

I am purchasing a 1997 LX450 and I’m trying to decide whether to go with one of two options and I am interested in people’s experience in the slush snow and ice of the eastern winters:

1) 30 mm coil spacers all the way around with 285/75/16 Duratracs; or

2) 3” OME lift with 315/75/16 Duratracs.

I understand the larger tires will be a challenge for gearing and braking, but I am particularly interested in people’s experience using these larger tires in the winter in eastern states. My inclination for winters is to go narrow but I cannot afford two sets of tires.

Thoughts?

BB

 

[Lumpskie]

I run Duratrac 315s all year round in NH. They are awesome in every kind of snow I have encountered, on or off road. I have no braking issues in 315s.

 

[Barry Lampke]

Great to hear that! Most of my driving is on 50 mile an hour two lane roads here in Vermont and sometimes it’s easy to get sideways if you’re going a little too fast in the snow. I have had jeeps with Duratracs that tended to float over the snow if the tire is too wide making it a stressful drive rather than feeling well planted and self-assured driving in the snow. I am guessing that the extra wheel base and weight of the Cruiser will take care of that-correct?

 

[decoco]

Great to hear that! Most of my driving is on 50 mile an hour two lane roads here in Vermont and sometimes it’s easy to get sideways if you’re going a little too fast in the snow. I have had jeeps with Duratracs that tended to float over the snow if the tire is too wide making it a stressful drive rather than feeling well planted and self-assured driving in the snow. I am guessing that the extra wheel base and weight of the Cruiser will take care of that-correct?

In my experience on an awd land cruiser it's pretty hard to go sideways... especially on ATs even on snow or ice.

aside from the wheel base your Jeep was P/T

 

[Barry Lampke]

To be clear, I love the Duratracs-it’s really a question of the wider tire.

 

[decoco]

ps those first durateacs should fit fine without the spacers

 

[SmokingRocks]

duratrac's are some of the best tires I've ever had in snow and ice. Just mind the sidewall.

 

[Barry Lampke]

Agree on DTs. My go to choice.

 

[Sc0-]

Had 285/75R16 Dtracs with stock sagging suspension, no issues. Brother has the 315 Dtracs with FOR 3" lift, no issues.

Am running a 2" lift now with 255/85R16 Toyo M55's.

 

[Lumpskie]

Great to hear that! Most of my driving is on 50 mile an hour two lane roads here in Vermont and sometimes it’s easy to get sideways if you’re going a little too fast in the snow. I have had jeeps with Duratracs that tended to float over the snow if the tire is too wide making it a stressful drive rather than feeling well planted and self-assured driving in the snow. I am guessing that the extra wheel base and weight of the Cruiser will take care of that-correct?

Yeah, the weight helps a lot. Also, like was mentioned above, the AWD helps a lot too. I went on the Exploring NH "Freeze your Gas Off" event last winter. After wheeling, I drove home through one of those crazy storms we got. All back roads which were in varying states of plow/not plowed. I passed at least 5 cars that had slipped off the roads and was passing cars who were getting stuck trying to climb the hills. Even when I tried, I couldn't break traction, with the tires aired down. It was crazy. I was going the speed limit all the way home.

***Note: Once I aired back up near home, I could get the traction to break away. But, it was still easy to control the vehicle.***

 

[Barry Lampke]

Had 285/75R16 Dtracs with stock sagging suspension, no issues. Brother has the 315 Dtracs with FOR 3" lift, no issues.

Am running a 2" lift now with 255/85R16 Toyo M55's.

Have photos of your rig with Toyos?

 

[COYS]

If off-road tire tech advances as quickly as sports car tire tech, id go with something newer like the bfg k02s. I can’t imagine running a nearly decade old model on a sports car when something more modern is available. Iirc pricing is similar too.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Ran 34" duratracs on my 1794 and even when I stood on the 5.7 V8 they didn't want to break loose on snow packed mountain passes

The KO2's are a great tire and I love them (even bought a set) but they still don't hold a candle to the duratracs when it comes to snow.

 

[Barry Lampke]

Yeah, the weight helps a lot. Also, like was mentioned above, the AWD helps a lot too. I went on the Exploring NH "Freeze your Gas Off" event last winter. After wheeling, I drove home through one of those crazy storms we got. All back roads which were in varying states of plow/not plowed. I passed at least 5 cars that had slipped off the roads and was passing cars who were getting stuck trying to climb the hills. Even when I tried, I couldn't break traction, with the tires aired down. It was crazy. I was going the speed limit all the way home.

***Note: Once I aired back up near home, I could get the traction to break away. But, it was still easy to control the vehicle.***

Interesting - you air down for deep snow or winter generally? What pressure do you use in different conditions?

 

[jonheld]

New Jersey winters are not Vermont winters. We tend to get mashed potato slush rather than hard packed powder on the road. That said, I run the Duratracs in a 315 on my LX450 as a daily driver. It has a 4" lift and I regeared to 4.88s so it can almost get out of its own way.
The DTs are great for any road conditions, and somewhat magic in snow. I've done some extensive road trips with them. They wear evenly and can get a bit noisy, but it doesn't bother me.

 

[Heckraiser]

I just did my first winter on 315's (coming from 265's) and I expected some more float and "hydroplane" type shenanigans, but they performed flawlessly in every type of snow we get in CO. Maybe the 80 is heavy enough that wider tires still cut down? Whatever the reason, no issues with 315's here.

Pro Comp AT Sport (think Toyo Open Country knockoff)

 

[80t0ylc]

I live in eastern Oregon and I run both 315 75 16 Toyo ATII Extreme & 255 85 16 Toyo M55 siped on my '94. In the winter, I much prefer the siped M55s. They are much more stable at speed on snow packed/ice. I have the 2.5" OME lift and for looks and the other 3 seasons, the 315s are fine, but for winter performance the siped M55s outshine the 315s.

 

[Barry Lampke]

Good to hear the 315s aren’t stupid unstable in snow! I have no doubt the skinny’s are better so I’ll likely take my chances this winter with 315s and decide if it’s worth buying a second set of 255s for winter.

 

[Lumpskie]

Interesting - you air down for deep snow or winter generally? What pressure do you use in different conditions?

I don't normally. But, since my rig was filthy and it was well after dark, I decided just to drive home aired down to trail pressure... probably in the 15psi range. The difference was incredible. So much so that, if I got into a situation where I was out on the road and slipping a bunch, I might just pull over and air down.

 

[80t0ylc]

Good to hear the 315s aren’t stupid unstable in snow! I have no doubt the skinny’s are better so I’ll likely take my chances this winter with 315s and decide if it’s worth buying a second set of 255s for winter.

My M55s are mounted on white steel wagon wheels. If you get a 2nd set of different size tires, I'd recommend getting a set of 5 since with the full time 80 series you want your spare to match what you're running. If you choose the Toyo M55, have the dealer sipe them before they mount them on your rig. The siping plus the skinny size makes the M55 255 85 16 a very capable winter tire on my 80. Not only for stability on packed snow/ice, but for breaking trail through unplowed snow. That's been my experience.