Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Question

[Shaved Ice]

I know lots of guys running them in the Colorado rockies. Lots of gravel road use, never seen a failure. They are not my first choice for the Jeep because they are 2 ply side wall instead of 3 like many others choices. I am pretty sure the C rated KO2's are down to a 2 ply sidewall so maybe it isn't an issue on a lightly loaded Jeep. I will be swapping out tires on my new F-350 for the 295/70-18 Duratracs immediately, to be used plowing snow and hauling sleds up forest service roads all winter. I know a dozen guys who swear by them, including me.

My flat was on my Power Wagon with less than 10K on the tires. I pulled the piece of gravel out myself and the hissing started. It wasn’t even gravel from a trail. It was literally gravel from a gravel parking lot.

Sponsored

 

[FFM069]

Lot's of people running tires wider than that on stock wheels. I am going to run 35x12.5-17s on mine and do not anticipate any problems. The difference between 285 and 295 is 10mm, less than half an inch. 315 is the approximate comparable to the 35x12.5. I personally wouldn't even think twice.

I have a Sahara so I think the axles are not as wide as on a Rubicon. That’s why I’m concerned about rubbing on the control arms etc. when the tire is too wide.

 

[aldo98229]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I really appreciate it.
Yeah for whatever reason that particular size doesn’t have the 3 peak snow rating.
I liked the DuraTrac in that size because it only weighs 61 lbs. I think the KO2s are 5 lbs heavier. Also 12.5 inch is too wide for my stock rim which I’m trying to keep. Looking at Toyos and Cooper now... man it’s a tough decision lol

Yeah, I was originally looking at that size in trying to keep my Sahara rims. Unfortunately, there aren't very many options.

The other tires I was considering in that size along with the Duratrac were the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and the Cooper Discoverer AT3. I believe they are both snow rated. The Falken wins if only because it looks more butch.

Here are all the tires available in that size: https://tiresize.com/tiresizes/285-75R18.htm

 

[aldo98229]

BTW, each Falken Wildpeak AT3 in 285/75R18 costs $50 more than a 35x12.5 General Grabber. Something to factor into your budget when you are trying to keep your OE wheels.

You pay for the wheels once; you pay more for each tire every time you replace them.

 

[rcadden]

Having a helluva time with the similar core issue (trying to get bigger tires on my stock 18" Sahara wheels).

The cheapest option is to buy some Rubicon takeoffs (~$1-1.3K on FB Marketplace). This would get me up to more aggressive 33s (KO2s or Falkens) and down to a 17" wheel, so that my *next* set of tires will be cheaper with a wider variety.

Otherwise, I'm looking at nearly $3.5-4K up front to get new smaller/wider rims and 34s to go on them.

I know the whole "buy once cry once" but I've got ~$3.5K total budget available right now. If I do the Rubi takeoffs, I'll have enough budget to also get bumpers, which will basically "complete" my desired look for the next ~12-18 months, save for a winch. If I blow my whole budget on wheels/tires, it'll be another ~12-18 months before I have the funds available for bumpers.

 

[MinnetonkaJeep55345]

Every Jerp I’ve owned had white letters and I really want them on my new tires except Goodyear Wranglers stop putting WL on 265’s.

Sponsored