Going from Geolanders to Duratracs?

[atalarico]

Hey all,

I'm considering ditching my Geolander A/T-S's for some GY DuraTrac's for my 97 T4R (same size probably, 265/70/16). I'm wondering if I'm thinking about this clearly, so that's where I was hoping to get some insight/advice about this. I saw this really old post about someone going the opposite way (swapping DTs for Geos) http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/93610-265-duratracs-285-geolander-t-s.html

I've had my Geos since 2011, and they have about 35k on them. They've been off-road a recreational amount, but I'm not an every weekend wheeler. I think they still have a reasonable amount of tread on them (though I haven't measured in a while) but I feel like they just don't have great traction in the last two winters here in Colorado. Now that winter has suddenly arrived this week, I am feeling like I have to figure this out soon.

I spin out in situations where I feel like I really shouldn't need 4wd, and my confidence in these tires on the highways is pretty low. I'm not sure if it's in my head, but I just don't feel like they have great traction. I've just accepted it for the last two years, and used my 4wd when in doubt. That was problematic for the last two years as my 4wd button wouldn't disengage the 4wd, so I would have to stop and shut off my engine to get it to disengage (this has been resolved when either I replaced my t-case fluid, or replaced the front output drive shaft seal, or both?)

I've wanted GY DuraTracs for a little while now. I like the more aggressive tread, and I see them on a lot of other cars and trucks that have no traction issues as they pass me on the highway. I'm not going to go super oversized because I need good highway performance, but I do have a 3" lift, so I could accommodate the larger tires.

The confusing part is that on Discount's website, they say the Geolanders have better traction rating than the DuraTracs. This makes me wonder if I'm just doing something wrong with the inflation, balance/rotation, etc. I grew up in Michigan, so I'm not a winter driving newb.

Anyone have any experience with both of these tires?

 

[fourwd1]

Moved to tire section.

 

[preacher35]

Hey all,

I'm considering ditching my Geolander A/T-S's for some GY DuraTrac's for my 97 T4R (same size probably, 265/70/16). I'm wondering if I'm thinking about this clearly, so that's where I was hoping to get some insight/advice about this. I saw this really old post about someone going the opposite way (swapping DTs for Geos) http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/93610-265-duratracs-285-geolander-t-s.html

I've had my Geos since 2011, and they have about 35k on them. They've been off-road a recreational amount, but I'm not an every weekend wheeler. I think they still have a reasonable amount of tread on them (though I haven't measured in a while) but I feel like they just don't have great traction in the last two winters here in Colorado. Now that winter has suddenly arrived this week, I am feeling like I have to figure this out soon.

I spin out in situations where I feel like I really shouldn't need 4wd, and my confidence in these tires on the highways is pretty low. I'm not sure if it's in my head, but I just don't feel like they have great traction. I've just accepted it for the last two years, and used my 4wd when in doubt. That was problematic for the last two years as my 4wd button wouldn't disengage the 4wd, so I would have to stop and shut off my engine to get it to disengage (this has been resolved when either I replaced my t-case fluid, or replaced the front output drive shaft seal, or both?)

I've wanted GY DuraTracs for a little while now. I like the more aggressive tread, and I see them on a lot of other cars and trucks that have no traction issues as they pass me on the highway. I'm not going to go super oversized because I need good highway performance, but I do have a 3" lift, so I could accommodate the larger tires.

The confusing part is that on Discount's website, they say the Geolanders have better traction rating than the DuraTracs. This makes me wonder if I'm just doing something wrong with the inflation, balance/rotation, etc. I grew up in Michigan, so I'm not a winter driving newb.

Anyone have any experience with both of these tires?

I have experience with both tires. I went from 265 Geolander A/T-s' to 285 Dura Tracs about nine months ago. I have no experience in the snow with the Dura Tracs, but comparing off-road traction is no contest: the Dura Tracs win hands down. On road, the difference on wet pavement is negligible. On dry road handling, the Geolander's indeed, are the better tire. Let's face it, the Dura Trac is much closer to an M/T tire, than an A/T tire and thus, is better acclimated to off road use/handling. That being said, I still feel very confident with the Dura Tracs on road. For the record, I really appreciated my Geolanders as they were a very rugged, dependable tire. I hope that helps!

 

[atalarico]

I have experience with both tires. I went from 265 Geolander A/T-s' to 285 Dura Tracs about nine months ago. I have no experience in the snow with the Dura Tracs, but comparing off-road traction is no contest: the Dura Tracs win hands down. On road, the difference on wet pavement is negligible. On dry road handling, the Geolander's indeed, are the better tire. Let's face it, the Dura Trac is much closer to an M/T tire, than an A/T tire and thus, is better acclimated to off road use/handling. That being said, I still feel very confident with the Dura Tracs on road. For the record, I really appreciated my Geolanders as they were a very rugged, dependable tire. I hope that helps!

Thanks for the insight! It's a tough call for me then, but I think I might try the DuraTracs. Discount has a great satisfaction guarantee on paper, so I'm sure if I really hated them I could bring them back in a reasonable amount of time.

Cheers!

 

[atalarico]

Moved to tire section.

Sorry if I posted in the wrong spot. Do you think this could be put in the "Engines/Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Audio/Accessories" instead of the classifieds? I'm not actually selling or buying anything, just looking for tire advice.

Thanks!

 

[AZrunner11]

Duratracs

I have had Duratracs for several years and I think they are very good snow tire. My use in the snow is limited to driving up to and around Flagstaff after a decent snow storm. The tires were great in my opinion-