I was wrong....10 ply vs 6ply. The whole truth...but the plot thickens on page 5....

How old are those tires from the second pictures? From what I understand the 3 ply sidewall on duratracs was on their 1st design. A few years back I had got 2 used but very good shape duratracs and bought 2 new ones to match them. Both Tire Rack and DTD had 2 of the same size (285/75/16) listed at that time so I ordered the "NEW" ones on DTD and when I received them they had the much weaker/softer 2 ply sidewalls. Luckily DTD is awesome to work with and 1 call later they had someone in the warehouse check and confirm to me that the old design had the 3 ply sidewall and the new ones had the 2 ply sidewalls, so they switched them for me right away. Great customer service!

 

Exactly what I went from. I thought about going 255 for a little while but figure I don't need the extra drivetrain wear and tear when I haven't had an issue travelling with friends running 255s. The ride is stiffer than a C rated tire, but the truck feels much more surefooted on stock suspension. Not interested in lifting since I have to deal with kiddos in car seats for a while to come. Plus I'll be towing a trailer if I ever get off TW and get it finished

 

The ply rating is just a rating. Load range "c" is 6 ply rated for a radial tire or same as a 6 ply bias ply tire. Load range "e" is 10 ply rated in radial construction. It is a load capacity rating. The sidewall construction will vary from tire manufacturer to tire manufacturer.
There is generally no xtra protection based on ply rating. But the all terrain and mud tires are built with what I like to call "stump protection".

 

So far have not had my Duratracs (C) fail me yet. If they do I'll make the jump to an E like many on here have but for the off-roading I've done so far the c flavors have not disappointed.

 

Pizza anyone... I'll cut.

 

I like your build OP. Similar to where I'll get some day. I may go with 235's when the stock tires wear out. Haven't decided on those or 265's yet. Probably go with BFG AT's.

 

You still lug around the stock spare??

 

No. It's a 265 75 duratrac on the stock spare rim underneath. And a second oddball BFG MT on an aftermarket rim on the swing out. Spares dont need to be pretty...just full of air.

 

235 FTW

 

my man! and STMAXX as well, eh? awesome. you are armored now, fo sho.

i love my STMaxx's but it is indeed true that even under 30psi these things are not compliant enough on tarmac on Tacomas. our trucks are kinda in between C & E for the right balance, but given all that i think you couldn't have made a better choice. you can actually just forget about your tires now, that's how reliable they are.

 

235andMT FTW!

 

I switched for a few reasons, but primarily I wanted to go 255/85/16 after doing my suspension. I was also curious if the howl was actually caused by my duratracs, because it literally sounded like a lower frequency whistle, similar to the LCA howl. Also, the reviews of the ST Maxx were nothing but positive, 3 ply sidewalls give me peace of mind. Full size spare fits nicely. If I were going for pure functionality I would probably still have the Duratracs, better for the PNW. Also, the ST Maxx seem to pickup more gravel.

265/75 duratracs vs 255 coopers unmounted


255s taking me places I probably shouldn’t be. Notice the pinstriping...

 

at least we can all agree duratracs sound like total shit

 

I got news for you (OP) 6ply and 10 ply is only on the tread. The sidewalls are the same.

 

While we are on the topic of tires, could someone here help me find some badass 275/70 R17" tires? I have some 17" rims that's been sitting in my garage for more than a year now. I haven't been getting much luck.

 

Amen to that!

 

235 FTW!

 

I lost THREE Duracraps to sidewall punctures within several days on an elk hunt. Same roads I've had Bridgestone MT's, Firestone MT's, and Goodyear MTR's down countless times, with zero issues. In fact in all my years of off roading, even with the stock Bridgestone HT's on the 2002 Tacoma, I can't remember a single flat I've had other than the Duratracs. Two sidewalls were lost to rocks, and a third was lost to a wet stick not much larger than a pencil in diameter. A wet stick. Right through the sidewall.

I didn't even keep the last good one for a second spare. That crap went where it belonged...in the trash. Both my spares now are the Goodyear MTR's I just took off the Gen1.

Had it not been for carrying two spares with me, I'd of been in for a long, cold, wet, and miserable walk out.

When I got back a search of the interwebs for "Duratrac weak sidewall" told the whole story. I was far from the only guy having problems. Unfortunately I bought the tires when they were not on the market too long, and there were no real world reviews on them out there.

I was running the "c" rated tire for improved on road driveability. After that, considered the "e" rated duratracs, but I was even reading where guys with the "e" rated tire were having problems. Nope, went to MTR's.

Put the ST Maxx's on this time. Didn't want to go MT's because this one is a daily driver now. The Maxx's are far quieter than the Duratracs ever were, and they howled damn near as bad as an MT once they got worn down. Really like the Maxx's so far, but don't have a lot of miles on them yet, and they're getting in the rocks and dirt for the first time next week, so jury is still out for me. Hopeful though!

I know we can all get a little defensive about our equipment choices, but I try to at least educate people with my experience with them when I can. There's the potential for flushing a lot of money down the drain best case, and worst case getting stuck out somewhere remote because someone lost more sidewalls than they had spares. To me they are a street tire posing as an off road tire. I think most get lucky with them, but far too many also get "unlucky" with them.

Headed out next week for 2 weeks in the sticks for my AZ deer hunt. Hopefully the maxx's treat me right in the dirt, but all reviews I've read of their toughness were good reviews.

 

I have some bad news for you. Like others have said, the load rating isn't really related to ply.

You tires advertise (from the brand not load) they have an extra layer of sidewall - which is good for your truck and use.

Mine aren't 10 ply nor are they e rated. I have the same tread and sidewall as your "10 ply" tires.

More of the issue is with the duratrac tires. They suck period.

 

I am thinking about getting the SL rated duratrac