Duratracs in snow...

[TRD Am]

I need some winter tires that can get through some potentially deep & potentially undisturbed snow in northern Minnesota on a non-maintained road. Several tire shops have pointed me toward the Duratracs. I see there's been some discussion of them in the snow, but nothing in the last few years.

They look like a great tire, but does anyone have an opinions on them in the snow? I'm waffling between them and getting a dedicated snow tire. I know there are a ton of variables, but anything you can share would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Jono.ful]

this will be the third winter on my d-tracs. I have a set of studded LT285/70/17, they've done great - lots of tread left, and I've never gotten into a situation they couldn't get me out of. bare in mind however that only sizes in the LT range are winter rated, and then only because they are pinned to accept studs.

 

[philsey]

Been discussed lots ... you'll get no decision here ... are they better than P-rated? sure ... are they as good as Blizzaks/Hakkas? nope.

Companies make a dedicated snow tire for a reason. Mostly depends if you'll go to the trouble/expense of a winter wheel/tire set. I've owned Blizzaks/steelies on this and my 2 previous SUVs, and you just don't get better.

For the conditions you describe, I'd want the best I could get.

 

[comtn4x4]

I have run them five winters here in Colorado on a Tacoma and my 4runner. Been great for me, never any problems deep snow, ice or the spring slop which I think is the worst of the conditions we get here. Admittedly a dedicated snow tire would be more realistic for the area you're in and probably mine. But that being said my belief is that the Duratracs are the best of the aggressive AT tires in the snow. If you can run a separate set of tires winter and summer. I do that with my front wheel drive sedan and it completely changes the game for winter driving

 

[CO-Cygnus]

Go dedicated, get both.

Rely on the Duratracs to help you get through late/early snow when your dedicated winter set is not installed.

 

[Titanpat57]

doesn't anybody ****ing search anymore...

this...:rain:

on your parade...

 

[CO-Cygnus]

doesn't anybody ****ing search anymore...

this...:rain:

on your parade...

I think you meant: :smow:

 

[TRD Am]

doesn't anybody ****ing search anymore...

this...:rain:

on your parade...

eace:

Read again...I did search for snow specific feedback, but there wasn't anything in the last few years, so I asked again.

Nothing makes a forum more fun than a forum cop! Thanks for all you do!

 

[Titanpat57]

eace:

Read again...I did search for snow specific feedback, but there wasn't anything in the last few years, so I asked again.

Nothing makes a forum more fun than a forum cop! Thanks for all you do!

So does snow change over time?...ice? If it was the worlds most awesomist snow tire ever....they would still be raving about them?...right?

I'm not a forum cop..but I can pick out 12 questions on 2 pages that simple searches would have cured....because people are too f'in lazy to search, that's how we end up with 4 gazillion pages of CF BS....plus....calling people out is fun

 

[Jhalko]

eace:

Read again...I did search for snow specific feedback, but there wasn't anything in the last few years, so I asked again.

Nothing makes a forum more fun than a forum cop! Thanks for all you do!

Tire threads always go the same way, someone asks about a specific tire and you'll get so many opinions the thread typically becomes worthless. Some love the tire, some hate it and will never use it, plenty will tell you that THEIR tire they run is better and why, then some will tell you the 4Runner is so amazing it doesn't matter what tire you run. At least two people will tell you to search then two more will complain about the search nazi's. Actually this might describe a lot of threads around here...

Personally, I like my duratracs, they have been a great tire for me, in the snow and off-road, I'd like them to be cheaper and quieter and while I'm wishing I want to win the lottery.

Sarcasm for free today, I'm sitting home with two sick kids.

 

[AZrunner11]

Duratracs

Huge fan of their performance in both dry snow in AZ and wet stuff in Tennessee. I'd get them all day unless you really want a dedicated snow tire.

 

[MSRP.]

I would like to add that if you're in snow country, where everyone else may likely be on dedicated snows:

IF you are on all seasons, give yourself a big gap because they will stop on a dime while you SAIL by.

IF you are on aggressive all-terrains, you STILL need to give yourself a decent gap, because while you will stop shorter than an all-season, you will still sail by in comparison to the dedicated snow crowds.

So I believe it is not important which you think is better, rather, it is more dependent on the driving style that you default to.
Whether you're an aggressive driver that is typically passing others, or a very passive driver that keeps a conservative gap to cars up front.

I'm the former and install aggressive dedicated snows--I thank the next lesser-tire-ed fool for a CBI rear bumper this upcoming winter.

 

[TRD Am]

Just to put a bow on the thread, I ordered a pair of General Tire Arctics today.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[snowdave]

Been discussed lots ... you'll get no decision here ... are they better than P-rated? sure ... are they as good as Blizzaks/Hakkas? nope.

Companies make a dedicated snow tire for a reason. Mostly depends if you'll go to the trouble/expense of a winter wheel/tire set. I've owned Blizzaks/steelies on this and my 2 previous SUVs, and you just don't get better.

For the conditions you describe, I'd want the best I could get.

AMEN. I use the stock all season tires during the summer, since I don't off road much, and I have a set of Blizzaks I use for the winter, since I'm driving all around trying to ski where the best snow is.

 

[tackleberry1145]

I ran duratracs on my 08 FJ for a few years. They worked quite well in the snow. We got hammered here in Va at one point, we had about 28" in our area. I was able to get around with ease on them, even through unplowed drifts, etc.