Wondering Why Duratrac's?

[KonaHI808]

Just a thought with no judgement. They are decently looking tires but I was just wondering why almost every 4Runner I see with non-stock tires will be seen with Duratracs. Here in Hawaii, the tire of choice for stock rims are BFG's and the for aftermarket rims, my personal preference, even though pricey, are Toyo M/T's...

 

[Clemsonfan15]

They're a pretty sold all around tire. Not much road noise considering how aggressive they look.

I personally like them more than the BFG's.

 

[offroadingatc]

I prefer the look fo the BFG A/Ts to the Duratracs, and was set on putting them on when i upgraded. However, recently (i think in the last year or so) they lost their severe winter rating. I don't know if they actually changed the compound but i know the industry is taking steps to clean up that rating so I'm guessing it was part of that. Anyways, in Canada there can be considerable insurance advantages to having that rating so I went for the Duratracs. I might be biased but everything I've read has indicated that while the BFG is the 'gold standard' compromise AT tire, the Duratrac is newer and better technology (although not as good looking IMO)

My only caution is that you will probably loose more mileage that a lot on here are saying you will. I'm still experimenting with tire pressure but I'm around 1.75(us)mpg's down real world. FWIW I'm running C load 265's at 42 psi right now

 

[cbielat]

I'm happy with mine. Instills confidence in poor weather conditions from what I have encountered thus far. I also like the look of them.

 

[Mick1]

I agree with posters above, it is relatively quite, has good wet, snow, ice performance as well as off road capability, and I like the look of the Duratrac more than the AT BFG. Get compliments on it even.

I especially agree about the mpg hit. I put the duratracs on at about 1,000 mile mark. Rock sliders at 3K mi. Borla at 6K, Skids at 10K. Am now at 17.1K. I have kept accurate mileage / gas log. In fact here are all of my recorded MPG numbers. First two tanks were with stock tires. Rest with Duratrac. The numbers are calculated at fill-up, it may or may not be a full tank of gas burned. I can't easily cut the mileage out of excel to paste next to the mpg calc numbers.

Worst MPG was 14.2, probably around town, best was 19.3 mpg hwy going through Ohio at 55 mph I recall.

Average hwy mpg at 70+mph is 16 mpg.

18.330

17.947

16.723

17.496

19.342

16.979

15.200

15.649

16.267

17.588

15.854

16.403

16.758

15.493

15.233

17.603

16.274

18.610

16.923

16.746

16.425

15.416

17.447

16.194

16.050

17.094

15.998

16.503

15.238

17.568

16.505

14.851

15.812

15.963

15.545

16.361

15.671

16.046

14.283

14.576

14.634

17.073

17.524

17.323

16.965

18.193

17.711

15.497

16.650

17.439

17.629

17.786

15.792

16.346

15.571

15.202

14.245

15.076

15.753

16.515

16.675

15.582

14.653

Edit to add: Stock size GY Duratrac 265-70-17, I believe the load is C, but will have to check. I know it is not E.

 

[sandcrawler]

Mick1: be sure to include your tire size and load rating (C, D, or E) when putting your numbers out there.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

tire comparisons The Hot Sheet: 33 Off-Road Tires Tested - Jp Magazine There are a lot of nice tires out there.

 

[kbaum11]

I have e rated duratracs on my 4runner and 99 landcruiser and like them alot. I am wondering why most of these tests do not include the Hankook Dynapro AT and MT, the few tests that I have read thatt they are in seem to put them on the top of the performance testing off and on road.

 

[scanny]

My only caution is that you will probably loose more mileage that a lot on here are saying you will. I'm still experimenting with tire pressure but I'm around 1.75(us)mpg's down real world. FWIW I'm running C load 265's at 42 psi right now

I think I lost about 1 l/100km with Duratracs, but it's hard to say because it's winter. By the way at 42psi it's going to be better fuel consumption, but wear will be more in the centre of the tire and traction on wet road should be not as good. 35-37 psi would be better pressure on my opinion, but fuel consumption and quietness will take a hit.
4Runner GAWR for rear axle is 3439 lb, so tire should support 1715.5 lb on maximum load. According load inflation tables
minimum pressure for fully loaded SR5 is minimum 34psi.

 

[brockeverly]

I have lost approximately 2-3 MPG between my wheels and tires, lift, and rack. Not sure what went where, but that has been my experience. It is more noticeable on the highway than around town, and even more so with my camper behind me (camper is also lifted to be fair). Its all about smiles per gallon, ignore the miles per gallon unless your wallet won't allow you too.

 

[msommers]

Not a quantitative measurement by any means but I've driven in some really crappy situations with my Dura Tracs and I've made it safely through it all. Most of the time my co-worker is in 4wd while I don't even think about it.

When my Dura Tracs wear down, I'll just buy another set. Without question.

 

[AZrunner11]

Duratracs hands down

I have BFG ATs on my work truck and I have the Duratracs on my 4Runner. I'm not very impressed with the BFGs, but I love the Duratracs. I will also be replacing them with Duratrac without a secod of hesitation.

My work truck will be getting Duratracs as soon as they need to be replaced.

 

[Koz]

Simply because the Duratracs' are a better tire (except life of tire)! The BFG is a VERY popular tire but don't work as well, especially in the snow.

Koz

 

[rocket67]

Had Duratracs on my Taco and that thing way amazing in the snow/trails etc. I had bfg at before the duratracs and the DT's are much better in the snow. I installed them on my trail edition 60km after I took ownership. They ROCK!

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I got my duratracs for the snow and have been very happy with their performance on all surfaces. I have run BFGs ATs o. Previous trucks and have not been impressed with the snow performance. I would and ha e recommended duratracs and probably ly will get them again once these wear out. Currently I have approximately 22,000 miles on mine and have PLENTY of life left on them.

 

[JB.]

....I was just wondering why almost every 4Runner I see with non-stock tires will be seen with Duratracs.

Number one reason is no doubt looks. Very aggressive tread, and sidewall bling to draw attention to it.

Beyond that, the tire does seem to offer a lot of on/off-road versatility. As a desert dweller, I'm not willing to take the hit to dry braking, handling, and hot weather speed reserve to get that versatility, but I can see the appeal.

 

[Jeremy556]

Duratrac > BFG T/A KOs. The T/A KOs were a quantum leap when they first came out (1.5-2 decades or so, ago), but the only reason they still exist is the tough looking tread pattern. Pretty much every modern A/T beats it in everything but the looks category.

I am a recent Duratrac convert, due to this site, and I must say, so far they are fantastic. These are my first set, so treadlife and noise towards then end of tread life are still to be seen, but so far they are damn near M/Ts in performance off road, without (most) of the noise on the highway. Exactly what I am looking for, really. Even if these give out in 30K miles or less, I will replace with the same.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Duratrac > BFG T/A KOs. The T/A KOs were a quantum leap when they first came out (1.5-2 decades or so, ago), but the only reason they still exist is the tough looking tread pattern. Pretty much every modern A/T beats it in everything but the looks category.

I am a recent Duratrac convert, due to this site, and I must say, so far they are fantastic. These are my first set, so treadlife and noise towards then end of tread life are still to be seen, but so far they are damn near M/Ts in performance off road, without (most) of the noise on the highway. Exactly what I am looking for, really. Even if these give out in 30K miles or less, I will replace with the same.

My BFG all terrains are almost worn out but they have been very good to me. I off road a lot in the desert and the article says the Durtrac sidewalls are only 2 ply and cut easily. This has me concerned as I am in the rocks a lot. My 3 ply sidewall bfg along with many of my buddies never have any problems but I have seen problems wiith other stock type tires punturing the sidewall. I am just not sure i am ready to switch away from what I know works.

 

[Jeremy556]

I am not intimately familiar with their construction, but after airing them up today, I think they do mention on the sidewall that they have 2 steel and 2 "other" plies.

 

[Laubage]

I don't know about you guys, but I bought some Cooper Discoverer ATR's (265's load C) and I've been really pleased with them so far. I haven't done too much offroading in them, but I did get into mud up to my door once and they managed to get me out.

Not to mention that I drove from Oklahoma City to Dallas (200 miles) with 22.8mpg fuel efficiency. Tail wind was 5-10mph the whole way down. On they way back to OKC, wind was calm the whole way and I got 21.4mpg. In the pics, you can see it took me a quarter tank to get there. Fill up was just outside the city limits for Norman.

Not as monster truck looking as Duratracs, but I these tires have done me great, and they are cheap. On top of this, I get a 50,000 mile warranty. Can't ask for much more.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/ti...bmitProductSize.do?r=TLFINT|pc|75935&pc=27681