Best AT tire rough offroad reliability and snow - Duratrac vs KO2

Such a tough choice. Everyone has their preferences and specific needs.
My needs are rough off road reliability/puncture resistance then off road and on road capabilities. Obviously better gas mileage is nice but sadly you can't get everything in one tire.
I am tempted to try the Duratracs but have used BFG KO's then KO2's load range E in the past and have never once gotten a flat (knock on wood) with those tires in extreme jagged rocky, cactus and other terrain. For that reason alone, I should probably stick with them.
The Duratracs in load range E are basically the same price. They look more aggressive, might be better off road, a tad better in loose snow but are likely louder on pavement and have higher rolling resistance resulting in worse mpg. Puncture resistance, dunno?

These are the only 2 tires I am currently considering.
Packed snow and ice performance does matter since I live at high elevation in the snowy mountains.
Has anyone run these tires and can give a fair comparison?

Thanks!

 

I own the ko2s, and only use them as a summer tire. They slip in the rain and dont do well in snow and ice in my opinion. 3rd set ive owned, they are good at certain things.
My cooper mud tires are the best snow tire ive owned, and those go on for winter.

 

I preferred Falken WILDPEAK AT3W over both. I have run all three.

 

I think what you will find is the Duratracs are better on snowy and slick roads and the KO2s have MORE puncture resistant sidewalls. Will be interesting to find out if that is actually the case but its unlikely anyone here has run both AND in the same way you intend to.

Edit - MORE not less. Sorry. <facepalm>

 

I have had both, they are both so-so in all conditions. I'm going to give Mickey Thompson Boss AT's a try. Should be on in a few weeks. Will review.

 

X2

 

Hmm, sounds like a good combo. At this stage I don't really want to swap tires. I have noticed the ko2 being a little more slippy on slick ice/snow but attributed that to the tires being oversize for my truck and wider. They "float" more

 

Will have to take a closer look at these, thanks for sharing.

 

Do you mean that KO2's have more puncture resistance?

 

Those Bosses do look nice also. Please do give a review on those when you can. The look of them makes me think that they would be great rock crawlers, mud tread and some good siping

 

Duratracs have really low durability. Expect premature wear

 

I’m in central PA. All sorts of terrain and weather. I see a lot of both tires on trucks around here. Me, personally, I’ve had KO2’s on mine for a while now. No complaints. I don’t think you can go wrong with either. I will say, my KO2’s are wearing extremely well. They’re definitely a tough tire.

 

There is a thread on here about them. Sounds like the do well, in all conditions. Made by Goodyear, as well as Coopers.

 

IMO both are overrated and overpriced.

The Falken's or Coopers are likely just as good. They USED to be value priced, but lately I'm not seeing them much cheaper than BFG, Michelin, or Goodyear.

 

I would also look at Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T

 

What size did you go with and are you doing the LT's or the SUV variation? I wish they came in a 285/75/17.

 

On paper and in research the Falken Wildpeaks look good but for some reason I just don't like them. Spent last night walking around town looking at tires, we have lots of offroad capable vehicles in the mountains.
KO2's were most popular. Look good in general medium aggressive.
Falken Wildpeak AT3w saw a bunch a few years old, didn't look particularly good to me. 2 on friends vehicles had dry cracking in-between the treads just like my ko2. It's dry up there.
Falken Wildpeak AT- is this a different tire? I didn't notice the at3w stamp on these (walking by). I saw 2 of these that were newer. Looked beefier and more capable than the ones mentioned above. Maybe it is the difference between E rated and 116t?

Saw a set of Cooper STT Pro's on a Jeep. Those were BAD! but not what I need.
Duratracs looked nice and capable but I can see where and why they would become loud and maybe a bit unstable on road with wear.

Spent a whole bunch of time researching Mickey Thompson Boss AT's and I am now seriously considering those.
However, nothing is ever easy!
I'm getting 265/75/16, 1" larger than stock tires.
My goal for this truck is capability, reliability while keeping ok mpg's.
The Boss AT's come in either SL or E. I have been partial to ko2 E's on my 1st gen tundra, very similar capabilities to new tacoma because the tires have been bomb proof.
Trouble is the Boss E rated weighs 58lbs and from "reports" will reduce mpg by 2-5...ouch for dd and be slower, more wear at this weight etc.
The STD, SUV or SL or 116T tire weighs 42lbs. Just don't know if it will be tough enough for backcountry exploration....

If I care about mpg's and towing power, I might have to go with the lighter Standard tire on this tacoma or pick a lighter E rated.

 

You make decisions a lot harder when you want it all. Time to prioritize your wants.

 

Buy tires for performance, not looks.

 

Ive read that the KO2s have a more robust sidewall so are marginally better at resisting tears and punctures. No idea if that is accurate and I've never run them myself. Neither tire would hold up rock crawling someplace like Johnson Valley. I've run nothing but Duratracs on my Tacoma and KM2s on the Jeep.