AT3 vs. Duratrac

I’ve narrowed my tire search down to the Cooper Discoverer AT3 and the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac in 265/70/17, but can’t decide between standard or C load rating.

I’ve been going back and forth for a few weeks. Any input or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

what do you mean by standard rating? Like Passenger rated? or E rated?
E rated is overkill for our trucks but I'd say you should have at least a C rated tire.

I haven't tried the AT3 but had the ST Maxx in the past. They were great
I currently have the Duratrac in the exact size you're looking at in C rated. They're great.
But I will be getting rid of them come spring and upgrading. Still duratrac but D rated 285 70 17. Its only offered in D rated.

 

Unless you're carrying a heavy load, I'd stick with the standard load. You may find the C, E, rating hard and they'll cut back your mpg too. It's a light truck so unless I'm carrying 1k lbs on sharp rocky terrain, I would stick with ome standard

Just my .02 cents
Cheers!

 

P or SL is considered standard. Or that’s what I consider standard lol.

 

OEM standard on our trucks is C rated.

 

But my truck came with P from the dealership.

 

well our trucks are suppose to be C rated.

 

really?
must be an SR5 thing I guess.
and TRD line comes with C rated.

 

I’m running AT3s, they have more road noise than the stock wranglers but it doesn’t really bother me. Overall they look great and perform well in AZ. Not to mention the price was good compared to other popular brands.

 

Duratracs in C are pretty cool.

 

I have duratracs, I like the side wall over the at3. They can be studded.

 

I have the Duratracs as well, I went for them because they were 44# a piece, got great reviews for longevity and they look bitchin'. I have read the shootout that Expedition Overland (or whatever that site is called) and the AT3 got crazy good reviews and in one area that I feel the Duratracs are lacking, wet traction. If you read enough AT3 threads on here people complain that the non-LT AT3s do not get a lot of life, 30k or so. My Duratracs are at 35,000mi and look like they have at least another 10-15k in them. I would not put a E or D rated tire on a Tacoma, which does make shopping a bit of a trick.

This is the AT3 I was considering:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...iscoverer+A/T3&partnum=575TR7DAT3OWL&i1_Qty=4

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...=Wrangler+DuraTrac&partnum=575SR7WDT&i1_Qty=4

 

I'm running P 265/65/17 BFGoodrich Rugged Terrain A/T, very comfy on & offroad, good traction but no heavy loads on bed just 500# gear on bed tow a boat now & then no issues.

 

thats interesting.
I haven't tried the falken but I haven't really had an issue with duratracs in wet.

Only real issue I ever had was if it was really wet and i was at a stop light and really gunned it hard I'd feel them slip in the back a little but that was it. Never had any issues with sliding and most of all hydroplaning.
I had the KO2s in the past and that was one thing I absolutely fucking hate about them. I've nver seen a tire be so fucking terrible for hydroplaning. Hell when I had them on the work truck for my old company I hit the barrier on the highway once. Wasn't even going fast nor was it even raining that hard. it was drizzling and only a little standing water and I hydroplaned right into the barrier only doing like 70km an hour. Seriously hate how they have such a huge following when my experience with them on my jeep and work truck was terrible and I know others that have had the same issues.

Regardless though the Duratrac has been great for me. Great off and on road, good enough in rain. No AT will be amazing off road and on road but I certainly love how well it performs off road and in dry on road its fine and in rain its better than others for sure. It doesn't hydroplane which is important to me. Otherwise it just means adjust speed and don't corner too fast.

I don't really have a choice in going D rated as the 285 70 17 is only offered in D rated for the duratrac.

 

Where I have issues is when the Duratracs are loaded, like the outside tires on a curve on the interstate or getting on the on-ramp and they will loose lateral grip and push the front-end. The traction and cleaning in mud and snow and everything else the Duratracs are some of the best tires I've ever owned. I hear you on being stuck to D rating with certain sizes, I hate that.

 

my only reason for not hating D rated is the stronger side wall.
All depends how hard you wheel. For me going down to low PSI and being on lots of rock that stronger tire is good to have.

I did have one sidewall go on my duratrac luckily where I got them from had a pro rated warranty where they gave me a new one for $30 since it happened right when I got them. And it is something the duratrac was originally known for. It has gotten better but they were known for having weak sidewalls.

I know what you mean though with the weaker lateral. I remember going on a trip in October and one of the guys following behind was telling me how every time I cornered you could see the outside side wall just go down a lot and give. Could also be cause I was at 32PSI and had the truck fully loaded with gear. Now that I think of it come spring when I get the 285s I should really be running higher like 35psi or more. Especially with all the weight in armour I carry.

 

It seems like y’all prefer Duratracs. I’ve read about the sidewall issues. That’s what leans me towards getting C load rating.

 

as long as you're aware of it its not that big of an issue.

I wasn't aware of it when I first had that puncture but now I just wheel a little more carefully.
Thing was when i had my jeep I had the st maxx which was much stronger.
Otherwise though yes I absolutely love them. Thats why I'm getting another set come spring time. Honestly if you weren't so far I'd tell you you can have mine haha. I have 4 that only have 10k KM on them and one brand new never used as it was my spare.
If you were in say upstate NY area I'd drive them down no problem. Going to be selling them for $800CND for all 5 anyways. Full set here was like $1400 so figure pretty fair price given they have very limited milage on them.

I'm on winters now so thats why I'm waiting. I know the duratracs are considered pretty good in the winter but to me still no where close to as good as a proper winter. And given I run the Nokian Hakkapelitia R2...its hard to compare any AT tire to it when they're considered one of the best winter tires on the market. That said you're in Louisiana so snow is clearly not an issue for you.

You will not be disappointed with the duratrac though. Although I dont often like Goodyear that much the Duratrac is by far one of my favourites.
Technically from the way I use my tires I should have a MT but i'm not ready for the noise, quick wear and most of all the terrible rain performance all MT have since my truck is also my daily. So won't be getting the Cooper STT Pro. But by far they would be my choice for a mud terrain.

 

16/32" will flex but I can't say I've ever broke grip personally. And I've got one hell of a corner I NASCAR daily for fun.

How are the D compared to E? In my personal experience I had grabbers in E and when I aired down , the truck itself wasn't enough weight to flatten the tire out.

I do 22 with my C quite a bit. I agree with what you said though. I've heard lost of people having issues with sidewalls. None of mine have gone yet. Wonder if they've resolved some of the issue?

 

I wonder if it has to do with the greeny de-icer they use out here, you folks still get good old salt on your roads. We have this non-toxic stuff that is slicker than snot it would seem.