Life with Duratrac's.

I wouldn't use P-rated tires on rocks either. From what I can tell, the Duratracs seems to be a soft compound as I can see the sidewalls can get scratched easily. Don't know if I'd use them for rocks either.

 

Thank you folks for your input. I figure I'll go with the P, have a full size spare and the warranty in case anything happens.

 

I beat and banged around on quite a few trails with my Duratracs. We have a lot of slate and shale in this area. It can be like razor blades. Not one single cut, scrape or abrasion that I can find. I destroyed a set of Goodrich KM2's on a Dodge 3/4-ton in this stuff.....The duratracs seem to be holding up just fine.

 

For on-road mostly use, I think you'll find that a P rated tire of the same size has greater load capacity than a C. Not saying they are better for off-road, but if weight and towing are your focus, you should be fine.

 

Glad I found this thread. I raised the pressure in my Duratracs to 37-38 psi. HUGE difference! Even though I had the tires road force balanced,there was still a shake after 60mph. After raising the pressure,the shake was barely noticeable. I'm due for a rotation soon,and will have them balance out at current psi.

 

I've heard several interesting theories as to why this is so. The most common one is that these tires aren't 100% "round", instead having a few flat spots when left at lower pressures. Inflating them to above 35psi sort of rounds them out better. While this sounds kind of bogus, the reality is, they simply ride smoother and wear better when inflated to 37/38psi. Another theory is, the outside row of cleats on the tread are where the vibrations are created. Inflating to a higher pressure keeps the tire from riding on the outer ends of those cleats, resulting in smoother operation. Either way, or even if it's another reason, my results seem to prove 37 to 38 psi is where I need to be for highway use.

The last trip to get my tires balanced, the work was performed by a tech who at first wasn't so "confidence inspiring". My initial impression was this kid wasn't the brightest crayon in the box....He had a shadetree mechanic persona...and I was doubtful. The first thing I noticed was he put a great deal of effort into getting all 4 tires inflated to EXACTLY 40 psi. THEN he balanced them. He also used a slightly different rotation pattern than is normal for radial tires. He brought rears to front on same side, but took left front to right rear and right front to left rear. After that, he adjusted air pressures back to the 37 I had 'em at. 5000 miles later, even better. Tires have ZERO tread feathering, EXACT same tread depth measurement tire to tire, and the truck simply rides and drives better than it had before. His efforts resulted in the best balanced set of tires this truck has seen.

Apparently this kid knows something I didn't.

 

Back again! We just completed the 2nd annual TacomaWorld Black Mountain Week after the Fall Crawl Meet. 5 Tacoma's and 7 people total. We hope to increase numbers for next years run.

This is a true tire test! 225 mile highway sprint to Harlan, followed by 2 days on rocky, slick, sometimes wet terrain, covering roughly 48 miles of trails, then 225 miles back to home base! This year, an added feature that wasn't in last years agenda. I have an ARB tire deflator and a CO2 inflation rig. Tires were @ 36 psi upon arrival, aired down to 18 psi on the trails, then re-inflated to 36 psi for the trip home. The equipment worked to perfection. So did the tires! Duratracs @ 18 psi would grip ANYTHING!

It rained a BUNCH on the way down. Not only did I get to see how Duratracs with 33,000 miles did on wet roads, we got a look at sloppy wet trails first thing on Saturday morning. BOTH instances, the tires performed to perfection! The trails dried up as the day went along.

On the highway, NO vibration...NONE. I've heard people say Duratracs have inherent issues with road vibration. Balanced correctly and inflated correctly, that is simply NOT true. The 450 miles of highway driving saw 22.75 mpg average. You simply will NOT get that sort of mileage out of a 4.0/auto Tacoma unless the tires are top shelf.

On the trails, my Duratracs held their own against a brand new set of Goodrich KM2's....AND a set of brand new Cooper SST Pro's......The ride quality on rocks and hard packed trails is incredible with air pressure @ 18 psi.

Finally, as mentioned, I'm at 33,000 miles. Wear is minimal. (4/32nds wear) No uneven wear, no feathering, and most of all, not one single scuff, abrasion, chunking, or cut. Sidewalls are unscathed. These tires are tougher'n a $2 steak! I would not hesitate to put another set on the next go round!

 

35,000 mile mark! The Duratracs are still performing as well as any off road capable tire I have ever owned. They are starting to show wear, but not anything substantial. From new, they've given up 7/32nds, pretty evenly on all 4 tires. Balance is staying great once I went back with clip on weights again. I do NOT care for sticky weights....

Job bonus is due in a couple months. I'll probably buy new tires then, while these are still good enough to sell. I'd like to go bigger, maybe 285/75/16's, but it'll be tough to go away from what I KNOW works well.!

 

My Duratracs have been good to me but I'm seriously considering going 255/85-16 for my next set of tires. Since the Duratracs don't come in that size I'll probably go with Cooper ST Maxx in that size. Decisions...decisions...

 

Also on my short list. May do KM2......? Choices in that size are very limited.

 

Was talking to a buddy the other day who owns a 13' F-150. He runs Duratracs (not sure of size) and got 70k out of the set.

 

Just about to hit 40K! They show some wear, but FAR LESS than I would have guessed at this point. Unless I'm badly fooled, they're good for another 25K before sipes start to wear away. This set will probably be swapped for new one's in about 2 months. I'll be getting my performance bonus @ work about then. Seems like a good opportunity to put new tires on! The current Duratracs will be sold. I've got a standing offer from a friend for $350.

In the past 2 weeks, we've been on 4 different long road trips (funerals, Christmas visits, etc) The ride is still great and I'm getting north of 21mpg on 70mph+ interstate highway trips. One trip, just over 550 miles round trip, we saw 22.6mpg. That was 75mph most of the way. Bad tires won't do that.

 

I would think a Heavy Duty gas shock would be better than the OEM Tokico shocks, if your stock suspension and not looking to lift the truck Bilstein 4600 HD is the way to go.

 

Old post, I know... What did those TRD center caps come off of? I would really like to get a set.

I like the Duratracs too, I am on my second set. For anyone not impressed with them, take them through some deep snow, you will be amazed. I had over 70K on my first set (gen 1), but they became a pain to keep balanced because they started to chunk as they aged.

 

FJ Land Cruiser Trail Team wheels. I'll dig around and see if I can find the link. Will post here if I can....

 

I just put 265-75x16 Duratracks on my Taco about 3 weeks ago. We've had some pretty good snow here in MI.
And these tires have worked great, both on the road and in 18" of snow on fire service two tracks.
I looked at Falken, but they only had 13/32 tread compared to Duratracks 18/32 tread.
Very happy with my decision.

 

just got a rotate and balance over at discount yesterday. i am running duratracs in 265/75/16 Load C. I have been super pleased with performance, on and off road. I air down to about 18 when off the pavement. although the need balancing readily, I get them done every 5-7K, free at DT. I have put about 35K on mine, and are wearing very well. I run about 38-40 PSI, I do a lot of highways miles. they measured out at 14-15 / 32s, I believe they started at 19/32s. I might could get 60-70K out of these, but wanting to go to a 255/85/16 tire soon, (ST Maxx, maxxis bighorn ? ) so I might not make it, might sell them while they still have some value to someone.

 

@ the 45,000 mile mark. Still good! PLENTY of tread left. Just a guess, but I'd say another 30,000 of good life left. Had balance checked last week. One tire needed 1/4 oz weight removed. Other 3 were still spot on. Fuel mileage still @ 20+ on winter gas. Noise level relative to air pressure. Lower it and they get louder. @ 34, not bad at all!

Oh how I wish these were available in 255/85/r16's.....

 

I find the noise level the same at either 34 or 38. Just different pitch.

 

Thanks for the awesome review and updates! Right now I'm stuck between KO2 or the Duratracs both 265/75r16. The issue is 4wheelparts have them both but the KOs are about $90 less, which doesn't seem like much but when you told your wife you would buy tires for around $200 over it becomes an issue kinda.. she said to get whatever but I know her.. maybe I'll keep looking and can come across a better price for the Duratracs