Goodyear DuraTrac mounted and tested

[Sverige]

I have been really impressed with mine so far. No difficult wheeling yet, but snowy roads and highways they've been excellent, so much better than the Toyo MT's.. and the quietness is excellent, plus I still think they look cool even after 6 months.

I am still a little leery on the whole weak sidewall thing though, but I bought the ARB repair kit and have that in the truck, also bought the replacements certs from Discount, and also have AAA! None of those three are as good as not getting a flat in the first place though, but at least I feel somewhat prepared, plus I rarely go out alone.

Tire plugs are not designed to be used in sidewalls due to flexing. If aired down or if the plug is in one of your front tires know that a sidewall repair can/will fail at a really bad time creating a dangerous situation. Ask me how I know. If you bought the ARB kit to feel better about weak sidewalls I hate to burst your bubble...

 

[nakman]

Tire plugs are not designed to be used in sidewalls due to flexing. If aired down or if the plug is in one of your front tires know that a sidewall repair can/will fail at a really bad time creating a dangerous situation. Ask me how I know. If you bought the ARB kit to feel better about weak sidewalls I hate to burst your bubble...

I bought the ARB kit to give me one more way to get off the trail and to a tire shop. Good point on not running it in front though, I'll remember that if I need to do any highway time. I have witnessed a Dura Trac get a sidewall puncture in a back tire, enough to cause a leak that took a tire from 25 to 10 in about an hour. the ARB kit fixed it, and he continued to wheel that tire for 5 more days.

 

[Topmounter]

My Dura-Tracs are better in the snow than my AT/KO's were, but not dramatically better. The Dura-tracs do feel grippier off-road, but my AT/KO's were never not enough. The AT/KO's were significantly better on dry pavement, but I'm finally sort of used to the Dura-Tracs at interstate speeds.

Now that I have a house with a proper garage again, on my next set of tires I'll probably go back to AT/KO's and a set of proper snows.

 

[3D FJ]

is sidewall strength an issue with these tires? I've heard this mentioned once before. How do these do running around on the rocks?

 

[Jrod]

My Dura-Tracs are better in the snow than my AT/KO's were, but not dramatically better. The Dura-tracs do feel grippier off-road, but my AT/KO's were never not enough. The AT/KO's were significantly better on dry pavement, but I'm finally sort of used to the Dura-Tracs at interstate speeds.

Now that I have a house with a proper garage again, on my next set of tires I'll probably go back to AT/KO's and a set of proper snows.

Please elaborate. I've heard the Duratracs can be squirrelly on road. Anyone experienced this?

 

[RobRed]

Please elaborate. I've heard the Duratracs can be squirrelly on road. Anyone experienced this?

I've put 5k on my Duratracs and been nothing but impressed.

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[arbetrader]

Please elaborate. I've heard the Duratracs can be squirrelly on road. Anyone experienced this?

Never had this experience with mine. Perhaps pressure wasn't kept to minimum requirement?

 

[nakman]

I have run both BFG AT's and Dura Tracs now, and I'd give the edge to the Dura Tracs on snowy roads getting home. They have been great this winter in a few pretty slick conditions.

is sidewall strength an issue with these tires? I've heard this mentioned once before. How do these do running around on the rocks?

Yes it could be. Could be a can of worms with air pressure, line selection, wheel spin, temperature, whatever other variable you want to toss in there too. but same everything, the DuraTrac is going to rip a sidewall before the TSL. My personal opinion is they're not the strongest but if I thought they were a huge liability I probably wouldn't have run them.

 

[TheFuzz]

Please elaborate. I've heard the Duratracs can be squirrelly on road. Anyone experienced this?

I've had nothing but confidence in my DTs. In dry weather they do fine, but wet/snowy/icy roads are where they really show their stuff...to the point that I become overconfident and find myself driving like "that guy in a 4x4" during bad weather. I have to make myself slow down a bit.

A tire feeling "squirrely" is purely subjective and can be affected by a number of factors. I've never had an issue with them on my LC, they always stay planted and are confidence inspiring...but on a 1-ton Dodge cummins dually, that could be a different story.

 

[RobRed]

^^^^ What "that guy" said.

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[KlausVanWinkle]

MPG

285's performed very well. More road noise than a worn out LTX but not heinous or obnoxious. Had a chance to put 500 miles on dry and wet pavement, washboard, rocks and powdered dirt up some decent hills (18-20%). So far I think I choose well. This tire with stock 16" LC wheel combo is 82.9 pounds.

Have you noticed any gas mileage difference with these more agressive (and I'm guessing bigger if you switched from LTX's) tires? It looks like they're heavier than the BFG AT equivalents.

 

[TheFuzz]

Have you noticed any gas mileage difference with these more agressive (and I'm guessing bigger if you switched from LTX's) tires? It looks like they're heavier than the BFG AT equivalents.

I came from LTX's and haven't noticed a huge hit, maybe 1 MPG overall between the lift, tires and front bumper. My rig seems perpetually stuck in the 12s no matter what I do to it or how I drive it.

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[RobRed]

Have you noticed any gas mileage difference with these more agressive (and I'm guessing bigger if you switched from LTX's) tires? It looks like they're heavier than the BFG AT equivalents.

Same as Fuzz... Nothing to complain about. These things are 83lbs on the 16in wheel at 285 size so slightly heavier

 

[yeti in ga]

I am getting a little better MPG then with my warn and out of balance BFG AT. These tires clean out so much better then BF AT that there is a huge advantage with them in the right conditions. I am sold on these tires.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Same as Fuzz... Nothing to complain about. These things are 83lbs on the 16in wheel at 285 size so slightly heavier

Hmmm. I thought I was set on some Nitto Terra G's... now I've got a decision to make...
I'm getting 13-14 average in LA traffic. 17 highway, 15 mixed without traffic. But I'm just running stock LTX's and a 2" lift.

 

[TheFuzz]

The Terra Grapplers are an excellent tire for a rig that sees mild trail use. They are quiet, wear evenly, do great in the winter, but as with most typical AT's they kinda suck in mud. I ran them on my Yukon for years and they were fantastic. That truck never saw much off road time though...some light trail/camping stuff is all.

Being that the LC is a much more capable vehicle, I decided to take a chance on the more aggressive tire. The DT's are a bit noisier than the TG's, but they are EXCELLENT in just about every condition. Best combo of AT/MT as far as I'm concerned. Just depends on your needs.

 

[mgeiger]

I've got nearly 15k on my DTs. Very happy with them, and will put DTS on again when these wear out.

 

[Topmounter]

Please elaborate. I've heard the Duratracs can be squirrelly on road. Anyone experienced this?

They are definitely more squirrelly than my AT/KO's were, but that is all relative and I've gotten used to them for the most part.

 

[RobRed]

They are definitely more squirrelly than my AT/KO's were, but that is all relative and I've gotten used to them for the most part.

What air pressure do you run?

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

Might be my next set, sounds like a a great all around tire.