Goodyear Wrangler DURATRAC's

I'm selling my previous wheels and Duratracs here
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wh...31-raceline-r6-wheels-goodyear-duratracs.html

 

ok time for the stupid question..what is the difference between the $230 load c and this $170 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Wrangler+DuraTrac&partnum=67SR7WDT&GCID=C13674x012-tire&KEYWORD=tires.jsp_Goodyear_Wrangler_DuraTrac_Tire&code=yes&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=44-9102683-2&AID=10398365&PID=2206300&SID=two2598255

 

Lt tire has a deeper tread 18/32" vs 16/32" and often has a more aggressive tread pattern (lugs further apart;etc) and typically designed to better withstand more off-road abuse. The tread compound can be different for to better withstand off-road and/or performance. The lt may have more plys, but maybe not in this particular case since the load c has lower weight rating than the non LT tire.

The standard (non LT) tire will have better road manors and should be able to do more miles before the tread is worn out.

I would want to see each side by side, to see the tread pattern differences and the the plys listed. But that's just me; I am a weirdo that likes checking out that kind of stuff.

Hopefully there are people here that can comment with first hand expirence with the differences of the two versions of that size tire...

 

Just look at the specs. The 115SL tire has a higher load rating (C+ Load?) but interesting on the 16/32 tread depth? I assumed all were 18/32. I'd get the $170 one. As tall dude said they probably will ride better on the street but still are aggressive. I doubt the tread is much different.

 

Does anyone's Duratracs seem to have poor wet traction? When taking off from a stop when the road is wet, I seem to brake the tires loose easily. It seems like the stock BFG Rugged Trails had better wet traction.

 

Mine have gotten worse with age, as every tire I've ever owned has. I'm at 45k miles or so, but when they were pretty new, wet weather was excellent.

 

Replaced mine just the other day, 45,000, a bit noisy and when we had a fine mist, entering the freeway when I had the green light on the ramp with a slight upgrade, could not get traction, and I was being easy on the gas. That night picked up my new KO2's

The DT's did fine off road for a bunch of trips. Just don't think any one tire will make everyone happy.

Also unlike some here, I always get "E" rated tires. The strength on the sidewalls, the ability to haul my rig with boat, shell, armor and winch. Ride is not like a car, but I have a car for that ride.

 

Yep

 

My duratracs have no wet traction at all. The are horrible on wet roads and when going up hills it's like driving in the snow. Worst tires I've ever owned for wet traction! I so can't wait to get something else!

 

Best wet traction tires I've owned. No comparison to my BFG ATs. Haven't been in deep snow yet. This should be my first chance this year since we moved.

 

This is my first AT tire, but compared to a stockish tire they suck on wet roads. I still like them though. Time for snow where they shine.

 

I'm in this same boat. I'm trying to figure out if I should go with C or SL.

I just got off the phone with Goodyear and this is what I found out.

265/70/17
SL - 4 ply - 44.84 lbs/tire - 16/32 tread depth - 51 psi max.
C - 6 ply - 43.04 lbs/tire - 18/32 tread depth - 50 psi max.
E - 10 ply - 51.92 lbs/tire - 18/32 tread depth - 80 psi max.

Also SL has a different tread pattern than the LT versions.

This left me confused....how could C weigh less than SL and have a lower max pressure ?

EDIT: I think the GY lady got her wires crossed. Tirerack shows SL is 43lbs and C is 44lbs.

 

One pound difference between them, and more tread, I'd go with the C. That sidewall on the SL is gonna be really thin. I wonder though if the SL balances easier than the C or E?

 

Everybody that's getting bad wet traction, what psi and tire size are you running?

If you're running more than 25 - 30psi with oversized tires( stock 1 gen tires being more oversized than stock 2 gen) wet traction should suffer.

Higher tire pressure will reduce wet traction in all tires.


Duratracs don't have all the much siping and are not an especially sticky tread compound.

So if you have the tires aired up to like 40 psi or something, not much tread is going to contact the asphault; the edges of the tread do most of the gripping when it is wet.

So if you if there isn't tread edge on the ground don't expect much traction.

I had traction problems with the factory tires Dunlop at21(?), they sucked... I think I just ran door sticker pressure but may have aired them up for more mpg, not drop them down for wet roads; I can't remember. Well it was a dozen years ago when I had those tires..

I haven't had these duratracs out much in the rain yet, guess I'll play around with different psi on wet roads & report back.

 

Ive had mine on for a week now, figure I'll post some insight...

First off some background info -

They 265/70/17 C rated. I bought 2 them used @ 10/32nds and 2 of them new. They are on stock Sport wheels. Fronts are the used ones @37psi. Rears are the new ones @ 35psi. They balanced out fine and have no vibrations between zero and 75 mph (havent found a reason to go over 75mph yet)

So far, Ive driven in 15* snow, rain, mud, dirt, and 60* degree sun with them.

They are louder than the E rated 265/70/16 Cooper AT3s I used to have on the truck. I think most of the noise is coming from the fronts though as the noise gets louder when Im turning at a low speed. My girlfriends Jeep JKU has 275/70/18 E rated Duratracs on it with about 2000 miles and they are super quiet. The noise mine make isnt that bad, but its noticeable.

The wet/snow/cold traction is great with them. No issues as described by other members. The dry traction is is fine too. They handle mud and dirt fine as well.

Cant really complain at all about them. Once I found the proper psi to run them at theyve been awesome.

 

Mine have been fine in heavy rain. Still take freeway on/off ramps at 50+mph. I did spin the rear once from a stop on a hill in the rain tho. And when it rains in Hawaii, it rains hard.

 

This got me thinking more though. For only a difference of 1 pound per tire, how could the sidewall really be that much stronger? 1 pound can't be that much material, and the additional tread depth must eat up a bit of that weight difference too. There was a price difference of $60 CAD/tire to go from SL to C. There is a clear difference in weight of the E range so it's easy to see they have been reinforced. I'd love to hear someone elses take on this. Maybe I'm just delusional. $60 for 1lb of rubber seems off to me.

 

I've had wet traction issues anywhere from 32 to 37 psi. Wet traction gets worse with age. When they're new, they're not as bad. Get some miles and they're horrible on wet roads.

 

Again, with age is when these tires start having traction and noise issues. When new they're not bad.

 

Yep. Not really worried about the noise though.