Goodyear Duratrac Issues

[jbirk]

Just picked up my 2010 Black Trail tonight at the dealer, and while I was there I had them install 265 70 17 Goodyear Duratrac tires. I guess the Tech's were having issues mounting the tires and balancing them. They finally got them mounted, and said it took a ton of weight to balance.

Anyone else has similar issues with these tires?

Thanks

 

[SeattleMike]

Just picked up my 2010 Black Trail tonight at the dealer, and while I was there I had them install 265 70 17 Goodyear Duratrac tires. I guess the Tech's were having issues mounting the tires and balancing them. They finally got them mounted, and said it took a ton of weight to balance.

Anyone else has similar issues with these tires?

Thanks

I have not. I have an "E" load rating. What rating do you have?

 

[SeattleMike]

And welcome to the TE club!

 

[jbirk]

Thank you!

I went with C Rating.

 

[SeattleMike]

Thank you!

I went with C Rating.

I want to be clear, I have no data to back up my opinion here. However, when reading the complaints on the various forums and tire sites, the people who had issues all seemed to have "C" rated tires. I would strongly recommend you reconsider going with "E" rated tires.

 

[Saberman]

Take my advice

Hi,

I own a 2010 black TE loaded. I had the dealer install Mickey Thompson ATZ Bajas stock size. Long story short the dealer had no idea how to balance the wheels properly. I had to go there twice and they still fugged it up. After I got it back the second time from the dealer they said the wheels were perfect. I was still having vibrations so I brought the truck to a custom wheel shop and was standing there as they ballanced the wheels again. Each wheel was out between 3 and 5 ounces per wheel,one wheel was out 9 ounces. It was a joke. after that the truck was smooth as glass. I called the dealer and told them and they paid for the balancing $70. Food for thought.

 

[gm350reratliff]

It doesn't matter who is mounting and balancing your tires, if they don't know how or don't care, you will always feel it when you drive. I would get a second opinion.

 

[harper7]

I want to be clear, I have no data to back up my opinion here. However, when reading the complaints on the various forums and tire sites, the people who had issues all seemed to have "C" rated tires. I would strongly recommend you reconsider going with "E" rated tires.

I agree 100% if your taking it offroad and the stronger E rated sidewall is cheap insurance against sidewall damage and giving up only a little onroad comfort . Believe me the sidewalls take a beating offroad.

 

[sandcrawler]

I want to be clear, I have no data to back up my opinion here. However, when reading the complaints on the various forums and tire sites, the people who had issues all seemed to have "C" rated tires. I would strongly recommend you reconsider going with "E" rated tires.

i'll second SeattleMike's "intuition"/feedback re: the Duratrac C range... complaints specific to the Cs seemed to be a trend in the reviews. note that the Duratrac E range is actually lighter than comparable E tires... i went with the E range as well. (i actually checked in with harper7 and SeattleMike before doing so.)

jbirk: did the dealer try to steer you to the Cs? (they did with me.) if so, and you're still having problems, you can try to get them switched out now before too much time has passed.

 

[453030]

i'll second SeattleMike's "intuition"/feedback re: the Duratrac C range... complaints specific to the Cs seemed to be a trend in the reviews. note that the Duratrac E range is actually lighter than comparable E tires... i went with the E range as well. (i actually checked in with harper7 and SeattleMike before doing so.)

jbirk: did the dealer try to steer you to the Cs? (they did with me.) if so, and you're still having problems, you can try to get them switched out now before too much time has passed.

Do you guys think there is a noticeable difference in sound or harshness with the E versus the C? My Trail arrives soon (and with KDSS the test drives were very smooth so I doubt a stiffer tire could so adversely affect the on road ride). I was leaning towards trying the Duratracs over the BFGs. I was set for a C range. Reading this thread makes me certainly go for E if buying the Duras. Any estimates or hopes as to how many miles your E range Duratracs will go? Thanks.

 

[sandcrawler]

can't imagine there's any difference sound-wise. as far as "harshness" goes i can only say that you would never describe them as "squishy" or "floaty"... they are more firm/stiff (inflated to 44psi to compensate for the switch to LT tires, of course). me, i like the ride, but harper7 said it best: "rides like a truck!"

i only have 4k miles on my Duratracs. SeattleMike has more and will surely respond with his impressions as well.

so far, i'm very happy with my choice of the Duratracs in the E load range.

 

[SeattleMike]

Like Sandcrawler said, I have 10k+ miles on my tires. They sound just like they did when new, and with regular rotation and proper inflation, they have been wearing just fine. I'll snap a pic later and post it here.

I can't give a mileage estimate. It depend on where you drive and how you drive and what surface you are driving on will also have an impact. So many variables make estimating longevity nigh impossible.

 

[jbirk]

I went with the C's since I will be driving on road more than offroad. Took the new rig for a spin late last night. Seemed to drive true with no steering vibrations.

Already have sliders, new badges (for blackout), and husky floor mats on the way. So far I am impressed with the quality.

 

[marked]

Happy with my C's

I've had the C rated on for about a month and am really happy with them both on road (run at about 39 psi) and have had them off road on lots of rocks 4 times and they've performed just great.

So here's at least one vote for the C's, although I'm sure the E's will be tougher.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I've had my C load range Duratracs on since October and no issues with them at all and the rides fine but it might be a little differnet comparing a 4000lb 3rd gen to a 4700lb 5th gen. I'm glad I got my Duratracs when I did since there's been a $160 price increase since I got mine for all 4 out the door.

 

[Snooperstyle]

Just picked up my 2010 Black Trail tonight at the dealer, and while I was there I had them install 265 70 17 Goodyear Duratrac tires. I guess the Tech's were having issues mounting the tires and balancing them. They finally got them mounted, and said it took a ton of weight to balance.

Anyone else has similar issues with these tires?

Thanks

Not with those tires, but with my BFG E-rateds. Taking it in tomorrow for another balance job. I am requiring that the tech takes a test ride before they pull the wheels off. Any other tips for me to make sure they get it right this time???? Also, should there be any vibration AT ALL at higher speeds? What is normal?

 

[453030]

Not with those tires, but with my BFG E-rateds. Taking it in tomorrow for another balance job. I am requiring that the tech takes a test ride before they pull the wheels off. Any other tips for me to make sure they get it right this time???? Also, should there be any vibration AT ALL at higher speeds? What is normal?

The majority of my highway commute has a posted speed limit of 75mph, so I am going 80-85 the whole way just to keep in the flow of traffic. I honestly have no vibrating or shaking of any kind. My Duratracs are E rated (thanks again to all the contributors in this thread who helped me make the proper decision) and I guess Discount Tire did a great job. I think having them experience the problem first is a great idea, but maybe they just need to do a better job balancing each wheel.

 

[rlinger]

Gas Mileage?

Does anyone know the impact of E Load vs C Load in the Duratrac tires on Gas Mileage? I am planning for new tires, as soon as these Dunlops wear out...

:thanks:
Charley

The majority of my highway commute has a posted speed limit of 75mph, so I am going 80-85 the whole way just to keep in the flow of traffic. I honestly have no vibrating or shaking of any kind. My Duratracs are E rated (thanks again to all the contributors in this thread who helped me make the proper decision) and I guess Discount Tire did a great job. I think having them experience the problem first is a great idea, but maybe they just need to do a better job balancing each wheel.

 

[Kraeken]

I have C range Duratracs. They had to be rebalanced once. I'm running them with 42lbs. I do notice they are very sensitive to the road surface. I sometimes feel a vibration at highway speeds, but it comes and goes. On some roads at speed, my tires feel a little unbalanced, then on the next section of road they feel fine at the same speed. Never experienced that before.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I would not want E tires on a 4runner, way to stiff. A good C rating on a tire with 3 ply sidewall should be fine. E tires are generally much heavier in weight to haul heavy loads in a pickup truck etc. I have off roaded many miles in the dessert on my BFG all terains over the years with no problem . When a tire takes to much weight they need to break the tire beads down and rotate the tire 180 degree on the rim and rebalance. you may have a defective tire, if so make them replace it.