4RunnerTrail
New member
Who has run both the MTR and Duratrac tire. The mtr comes in 275 70 17 which would fit without any rubbing. Wondering how this tire is compared to 285 70 17 Duratrac.
thanks
thanks
MTR vs Duratrac?
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453030
New member
I will give you my input. I put 265/70/17 E DuraTracs on my truck the first week I had it and ran them for about 22k. Now I have the 275/70/17 E MT/Rs with 5k on them. As a quick point the MT/Rs do rub ever so slightly at full lock in reverse on my Trail, and I have a lift too. I have not done the front fender mod yet and that is where they touch. Easy to eliminate.
On the highway, the mud terrains are just as smooth. IMO about as quiet too. I suspect the DuraTrac would handle better in an evasive maneuver. The MT/Rs channel rain without problem, and I drove them through several heavy rainstorms. I have not had them in snow yet, just slush right after they were mounted. I think the DuraTrac will be a better tire on snow and ice. MT/Rs are most audible between 35-45 and they actually sound great in that range :guitar2: They are much heavier than the DurTracs. In fact, the 275 MT/R outweighs a 285DT by 4 pounds. I do notice a substantial difference in power on the highway above 65mph from my old 265 Duras. I am very curious as to how the 275 MT/R would compare to the 285DT in that regard - probably about a wash.
The real difference in the two is the MT/R is much stronger in the sidewall with its kevlar reinforcement. When Discount was changing my set we did a comparison between the two. With the tires standing next to each other we pushed straight down on them to see how they flex. Man it is night and day. It made my E rated DuraTrac look very soft. If you go off road and like rocky trails, the MT/R is vastly superior at puncture resistance.
All that said, I took my 265 DuraTracs on several challenging trails and never had a problem. They offer great traction. However, after comparing the two tires off of the wheels, I felt lucky I never had an issue. I think Goodyear would have the single best tire on the market with the DuraTrac if they added the kevlar reinforcing to it. Cooper's S/T Maxx looks about as aggressive, is E rated, and does offer extra sidewall protection (whopping 60 pounds in a 285 though).
I have a new set of Konig Countersteers in anthracite due in any time. I am going to keep my 275 MT/Rs for off-road only, and wrap the Konigs in a more highway friendly tire. Believe it or not I might choose the 285 DuraTrac. It really is much more mild than the MT/R.
On the highway, the mud terrains are just as smooth. IMO about as quiet too. I suspect the DuraTrac would handle better in an evasive maneuver. The MT/Rs channel rain without problem, and I drove them through several heavy rainstorms. I have not had them in snow yet, just slush right after they were mounted. I think the DuraTrac will be a better tire on snow and ice. MT/Rs are most audible between 35-45 and they actually sound great in that range :guitar2: They are much heavier than the DurTracs. In fact, the 275 MT/R outweighs a 285DT by 4 pounds. I do notice a substantial difference in power on the highway above 65mph from my old 265 Duras. I am very curious as to how the 275 MT/R would compare to the 285DT in that regard - probably about a wash.
The real difference in the two is the MT/R is much stronger in the sidewall with its kevlar reinforcement. When Discount was changing my set we did a comparison between the two. With the tires standing next to each other we pushed straight down on them to see how they flex. Man it is night and day. It made my E rated DuraTrac look very soft. If you go off road and like rocky trails, the MT/R is vastly superior at puncture resistance.
All that said, I took my 265 DuraTracs on several challenging trails and never had a problem. They offer great traction. However, after comparing the two tires off of the wheels, I felt lucky I never had an issue. I think Goodyear would have the single best tire on the market with the DuraTrac if they added the kevlar reinforcing to it. Cooper's S/T Maxx looks about as aggressive, is E rated, and does offer extra sidewall protection (whopping 60 pounds in a 285 though).
I have a new set of Konig Countersteers in anthracite due in any time. I am going to keep my 275 MT/Rs for off-road only, and wrap the Konigs in a more highway friendly tire. Believe it or not I might choose the 285 DuraTrac. It really is much more mild than the MT/R.
Intruder
New member
I've heard nothing but good things from my friends who run the MT/R. One of them went from Duratracs to MT/Rs on his 3rd gen and he's loving them, though he has not run them on snow and ice yet. I've decided that when it comes time to replace my current set of Duratracs I'm probably going to get MT/Rs for summer and studded Duratracs for winter.
453030
New member
I have to say, I have been doing a ton of highway and pavement miles lately, and the MT/Rs handle it just fine. Part of my reason for the second set is that I don't want to wear out these awesome off roaders on the pavement. But they really do just fine on it. I was always thrilled with my 265 DuraTracs, so I think the 285 will be a fine highway tire. I might consider a Silent Armor too.
swansong04
New member
have mt-r's on my dodge 3500 and the duratracs on my work truck .. there is no differnce in road noise between the two .
the mt-r's are awefully sexy though !!!
they are both awesome tires imo.
but my nitto terra grapplers on my 4runner are the sexiest !!:tongue:
the mt-r's are awefully sexy though !!!
they are both awesome tires imo.
but my nitto terra grapplers on my 4runner are the sexiest !!:tongue:
Dot Calm
New member
Ask 10 people their opinion on tires and you will get 10 different answers. It is so dependent on personal preference and how/where you drive your truck.
I have Duratracs on my 80. I consider them a hybrid between AT and MT tires. I’ve taken them through the Con and to Moab and think they are an awesome tire. And they perform well in wet/snow conditions. But, I live in SoCal so my wet/cold conditions are during trips, not DD. However, they balance like sh*t and don't hold air too well.
When I replace the dealer supplied street tires on my TE, it will be with Duratracs.
I have Duratracs on my 80. I consider them a hybrid between AT and MT tires. I’ve taken them through the Con and to Moab and think they are an awesome tire. And they perform well in wet/snow conditions. But, I live in SoCal so my wet/cold conditions are during trips, not DD. However, they balance like sh*t and don't hold air too well.
When I replace the dealer supplied street tires on my TE, it will be with Duratracs.
mikey's2010SR5
New member
I am loving my Duratracs and did have a sidewall puncture once when wheeling. I am really thinking of trying the MT/Rs once these wear out since it no longer is a daily driver.
I think I am on the same waiting list as you for those wheels, except I'm going with the black. Cant wait to see some pics of the antracite on a mag grey!
*off topic question, do you think the 265/70/17 duratracs would look out of place on a 3/2 lifted 4runner? I just ask as I cant decide between the two.
On topic, I too can vouch for the difference in weight and sidewall strength between the MTR's and the duratracs. I was at Kaufmann tire yesterday comparing the two side by side. Those mt/r's are mean looking, but very heavy.
infamousRNR
Senior Member
Balancing problems
...... Do they really balance bad? Are you running stock rims or aftermarket?
...... Do they really balance bad? Are you running stock rims or aftermarket?
adam2562
New member
yes mine had a hard time getting balanced.. on oem rims and on aftermarket rims.. inthe end they're balanced pretty close but not quite perfect
Intruder
New member
Having driven both tires in the same size I agree with your comparison pretty much 100%. One thing I've noticed - and it may be the difference in treads - is that the MT/Rs look bigger. I actually had a few people ask me if my 285s were 34s or 35s.
AZrunner11
New member
MT/Rs
I'm lifting my truck in the coming days and the 285 MT/Rs are getting the nod. With that said I have 4 good 265/70R17 Duratracs with a new 5th underneath the truck for the last couple of months. Will list in the classifieds soon. Can't wait for the lift, the budbuilt armor, and MT/Rs to be on my Trail:dance:
I'm lifting my truck in the coming days and the 285 MT/Rs are getting the nod. With that said I have 4 good 265/70R17 Duratracs with a new 5th underneath the truck for the last couple of months. Will list in the classifieds soon. Can't wait for the lift, the budbuilt armor, and MT/Rs to be on my Trail:dance:
G8RB8_12SR5
New member
Cs or Es...i'm debating but they'll probably be gone when I'm ready to buy...
eddiebx
New member
It's actually because they are bigger...I noticed that according to GY's spec on any given tire size compared to the same sized Duratrac, the MT/R run ~1/4" taller. For example your 285s are an even 33"; while the Duratrac is 32.8".
However, the people asking you if they are 35s must be smokin' crack, lol.
BamaRunner
New member
I've never had the duratracs but I did recently go from 275 BFG ATs to 275 MTRs. With a daystar 3/2 leveling kit on my LE, the BFGs didn't rub. The MTRs do rub slightly at full lock. That being said.... The alignment was much easier with the MTRs. No idea why or if that is just coincidence.
Intruder
New member
I think it's also because when I went to MT/Rs I also switched to SCS Stealth 6s with a different offset than the TE wheels. They stick out a lot more so that probably has something to do with it.
Hellamatic
New member
Lol, the OP has been waiting 3 goddamn years and he's finally getting an answer!
