DuraTrac vs BFG All Terrains(31x10.5R15)

[Cackalak Han]

A good snow tire grabs a layer of snow, keeps it in the tread, and uses it to adhere to the snow it then encounters.
Duratracs and Dunlop Maxx Tractions have the coveted snowflake emblem on them showing that they're not just M+S tires but, actually true snow tires.

I have a second set of wheels and high performance snow tires for my MINI Cooper. We have to actively look for snow but we get plenty for recreational purposes. It usually has a layer of ice under it, isn't too deep, and doesn't last long. You have to get right out and play in it.

Hmm, the BFG AT's also have that snowflake symbol (Severe Weather Service rating). I also have two sets of separate snow tires in my garage for my daily drivers that sees much snow during the year. Interesting that you say you had better traction with Duratracs. Looking forward to trying them out.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Thanks for the info, tommudd. I'll have to get a set to try out next time.

 

[Viggen]

Ive never had a good experience with BFG ATs in snow. They seem to pack up really quickly and depending upon wheel spin and temp, they dont easily let go. I know that ATs are better than MTs in snow situations but theres something about the tread design that holds onto the snow.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

I've been reading 100's of posts online about how much better these tires are than the "posters" old tires. Citing things such as noise, balance, ride quality, appearance (ok), etc, etc...

I'm wondering how many people say this after running their old tires for many thousands of miles of wheeling/offroading without ever rotating them.

Then I wonder how many of those same "posters" will say the same about how thier now "old" DuraTrac's didn't last, despite thier lack of tire maintenence.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no saint regarding tire maintenence, but the context of some of the posts I was reading had me questioning the validity of the "review".

Food for thought I guess.

 

[tommudd]

True some never hardly ever rotate and then there are some like me who rotate every 3000 miles or so
heading to the garage right now do to an lube,oil and filter change plus tire rotation:victory:

 

[soonenough]

I have about 22k on a set of Duratracs and rotate them every 5-6k. They're holding up fine and wearing evenly. If there's been any increase in road noise or ride quality I haven't noticed it.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I'm dropping my XJ off at the shop this coming week to get my 31" Duratracs mounted for the winter.
I'll let you know how they do in our disgustingly cold months that are right around the corner. --> It regularly gets below -30C around here, with the occasional -45C thrown in for "fun".

 

[JCMatthews]

Ive never had a good experience with BFG ATs in snow. They seem to pack up really quickly and depending upon wheel spin and temp, they dont easily let go. I know that ATs are better than MTs in snow situations but theres something about the tread design that holds onto the snow.

Look back at Hildwellers post. A good snow tire packs with snow and adheres to any snow it encounters. That is why the AT is better than the MT. The MT throws everthing out and then all you have is rubber grabbing at the snow. What you experienced is exactly what the engineers designed it to do.

I love the BFGs. I have run them for 15 years on an '76 J10 and on my '97 Cherokee. I have never been stopped due to lack of traction. Once I got myself high centered in the snow, but I have never been stopped due to my tires.

I ran my Cherokee through all kinds of terrain from Moab slick rock, clay mud, Mt. fire roads etc. I also drove on the highways a lot, to Alaska and Mexico, and because it was my daily driver. I loved the tires they will last upwards of 50 miles if the vehicle is in good shape. ie. front end is correct. (This is if it is wheeled. I have heard of them lasting closer to 80 if they don't leave the asphalt. I have never personally seen this however.)

As for the sidewalls, I damaged one when it was brand new on a trip to Moab. It had quite a slit in the sidewall. I had it checked and was told that it had not damaged the structure of the tire, and it lasted 45 K before I replaced it. I had another one get puctured by a stick on a deer hunt, so you never know. (The one that punctured was in need of replacement anyway maybe it was providence.)

My choice BFG. That is what will go on my vehicle purchase this coming summer.

 

[TwoTrack]

I've been reading 100's of posts online about how much better these tires are than the "posters" old tires. Citing things such as noise, balance, ride quality, appearance (ok), etc, etc...

I'm wondering how many people say this after running their old tires for many thousands of miles of wheeling/offroading without ever rotating them.

Then I wonder how many of those same "posters" will say the same about how thier now "old" DuraTrac's didn't last, despite thier lack of tire maintenence.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no saint regarding tire maintenence, but the context of some of the posts I was reading had me questioning the validity of the "review".

Food for thought I guess.

My dad had Duratracs on his Explorer. He rotated every 4-5k and ended up getting just over 30k out of them. 70% Highway, 30% Offroad. Great tire IMO.

 

[DrMoab]

My KM2's are about gone. My XJ will be getting a set of Duratracs next. I'm pretty impressed with what I've seen so far. The only thing I don't like is the price. They seem to be about $30 a tire more than anything else out there.

 

[FlyJester]

Here is a post that I made from another forum........... http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/wheels-tires/83671-goodyear-dura-trac-tires.html



****30K UPDATE****

I purchased these when they first came out a year and a half ago(1st post 3/09). Now after all that time, and 30,000 miles later I would like to say that these have held up to my expectations. I use them on my FJ which is my DD, and my commute to work is roughly 30-35 miles total, all freeway. I have been on the mountain trails(lots of odd rocks) that surround where I live, simple dirt/fire roads, long expeditions aired down, and on plenty of trails in Moab. I haven't had one problem with them. :bigthumb:

This is not my pic, but am using it for a comparison of what my tires look like after 30K miles, as opposed to being brand new.

NEW

....and after another trip to Moab and at 30K miles....I put the quarter in different spots...to get an overall tread depth...

Front Tire...

Rear Tire...notice that is not down in between the lugs in the deeper channels...so there is still lots of tread left.

...from the front...the siping is kind of "jacked-up" looking because I was at the end of a long trip home through the mountain trails...

In my opinion I would definitely buy these again, they handled everything I go through. From DD, to Winter storms in the mountains of Utah, to the redrocks down South. Unless of course a newer, better, tire comes out, until then it will be GY Duratracs. :rocker: :cheers: :bigthumb:


*If you didn't see my earlier posts...285/70/17's...winch, Exp-1 front bumper, sliders, Budbuilt skids, and a OME lift...and no chop.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Great follow up.

 

[BCHauler]

Thanks for the update. Helps with those of us contemplating the next set of shoes for the rig.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

Well, winter is in full force ere, we're at around -15C and about 10" of snow on the ground from the last 2 days of slowly falling snow.
The slow part is kind of crucial to poor conditions because most of the secondary roads have had the snow compacted and heated/frozen to a very slight layer of ice. There were a number of people in the ditches when I was coming home from my night class yesterday.
I've got 31's on my Cherokee and they grab both the snowy and icy roads quite well in my opinion. I pulled away from a stop in 2wd where other pickups were spining and sliding around. And I have a full Detroit locker in the rear, so if I had tires with lesser winter grip, I'd get sideways in a hurry.
I've been a big proponent of pure winter tires on daily drivers for a long time, but these Duratracs seem to perform at least as well as any other winter tire I've had in the past.

Big thumbs up from me!

 

[Topgun514]

Thank guys, I think I am going Duratrax today!