Am I crazy to be considering Goodyear Duratracs?

[a-d-s]

I need to replace the worn out michelin LTX m/s on my 2004 Expedition. I know I want to move to an LT tire and I am pretty sure I want a load range C, not E. I tow a 24' Hideout with a GVWR of 7600#. We only drive maybe 8000 kms a year with roughly 1500 kms of that towing. The rest of the time it's a kid mover with occasional logging roads for fun. We do get snow in the winter and I would like a tire that can handle ski resort roads when they get nasty.

So in the 265/70/17 there is pretty limited availability in load range C. The GY Duratrac and Silent Armor are the two that seem to fit the bill. I get the snowflake rating which is important to me so as not to get stopped by police on a ski trip.

The Duratracs seem to be the best option, they get fantastic reviews for the most part. My biggest concern is that they will drop my already abysmal fuel mileage even lower. I am also a little concerned about the road noise, although all the reviews say it is low - but is this in comparison with other aggressive tread tires???

I'm a bit worried about the silent armor's snow and off-road performance and a few sketchy reviews out there.

A lot of people recommend the mich LTX m/s 2's but they don't come in load range C and don't get the best reviews for snow.

Tire purchases always confound me b/c once you've bought them there is really no recourse if you don't like them...other than throwing more money at it!

Thanks everyone!
Andrew

[a-d-s]

Well we finally had our summer trip and put on about 800 kms towing. I am very happy with the Revo 2's. I aired them to 50 psi all around and everything felt good. Mileage seems to have stayed the same as with P-metric tires (towing or not). And dry road handling seems good too. Wet season is just around the corner so we'll see how they do in the rain and snow.

[a-d-s]

Well I decided on the Silent Armor's as I really couldn't justify the aggressive the tread the Duratrac's had given that most of the driving is on-road. I had an appointment on Saturday to get them installed, but due to some terrible customer service at the local Goodyear rep (Fountain Tire), I bailed. I managed to get an equivalent deal on some Dueler Revo/2 LR-E from KalTire and am having them installed tomorrow. I feel totally comfortable going with these tires given great reviews and that my dad is on his third set and really likes them.

Thanks for all the feedback, I really appreciate the advice. I'll report back after some driving experience.

[The_Texan]

CND SuperCrew wrote:
My first choice would be Hankook ATm, then TOYO Open Country AT II Unfortunately neither of them offer your size IIRC

My first choice too and what is on my truck. They do make them in his size, as that was the size on my 2005 GMC.

[christopherglen]

I run duratrac's on both trucks. My dually tows my 40' TH with no issues, my wifes 2500 drags the boat up slimy ramps without issue. Both trucks carry chains, but have never put them on (other then in the driveway). Snow, sand, mud are no problem (with 4x4). I have run over the Sierras in snowstorms, and in 8 inches of muddy goo in farm fields. The ONLY time I have EVER been stuck is high centered. My wifes truck is getting another set in the fall, only about 50k on the current set.

[CND_SuperCrew]

My first choice would be Hankook ATM, then TOYO Open Country AT II Unfortunately neither of them offer your size IIRC

[Cummins12V98]

a-d-s wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I would never tow anything with a load range C tire. For a lighter rig like yours a D would be much better. More stability and they will last much longer than the C.

Interesting feedback. My opinion on LR C was based mainly on searching numerous threads on this forum and the popular opinion for 1/2 ton trucks. Again I don't mind going E it just looked like a C rating was the best compromise.

I had a friend put Michelin load range E on his 1/2 ton Chevy PU and he loved them. Ride was not as SOFT but he went well over 100K . Much better stability, that is what you want if you are going to tow a TT.

I would opt for the E.

[2012Oudoorsman]

I have the silent armor in load range e on my ram 1500, they came on it stock. I had noticeable difference in treadwear from front to back at 4k miles when I rotated them. Per door sticker I should run them at 43psi. I usually run them around that in the winter but with towing the tt every weekend I leave them between 65-70. I do not think they will last more than 30k miles however they do have a 50k warranty but for what they cost I think I'm going to look at other options. My fil has the duratracks on his 12 f350. They seem decent but do hum at all speeds. Can easily be drowned out by radio but it is present. Mine do not hum. Another thing to consider is the extra tread depth of the duratrack, however they could have a softer tread ccompound and not last as long.
Personally I'm not overly impressed with the silent armor traction in wet snow. I think its in part of the tread being close to one another in the middle of the tire. For this reason along with the price I think I'm going to get a set of coopers that have the aggressive tread design bc I can get those tires for about 65$ less a tire on discounttiredirect.com

[a-d-s]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I would never tow anything with a load range C tire. For a lighter rig like yours a D would be much better. More stability and they will last much longer than the C.

Interesting feedback. My opinion on LR C was based mainly on searching numerous threads on this forum and the popular opinion for 1/2 ton trucks. Again I don't mind going E it just looked like a C rating was the best compromise.

[a-d-s]

Fisherman wrote:
Maybe you are missing something, the link I gave you sends you to the Michelin load range C although indicated as a 113S SL. Check the specs, it's over the weight rating you're looking for.
P265/70R17
113S SL 500 A B 2535 lbs.

Those are P-metric tires and from what I gather a totally different tire than an LT rated one. I realize P-metric tires can handle the loads, but there are other advantages to LT tires well documented here and on other websites.

[Cummins12V98]

I would never tow anything with a load range C tire. For a lighter rig like yours a D would be much better. More stability and they will last much longer than the C.

[Fisherman]

a-d-s wrote:

Fisherman wrote:
Why not the Michelin LTX AT/2, they are also at the top of the reviews and come in a load range C.
Michelin LTX AT/2 LR C

They don't look like a bad tire, but no load range C available in my size. I'm trying to limit my options to LR C and my size, if I can't find anytghin suitable I'll look elsewhere. But it looks like the Duratrac or SIlent Armor will fit the bill.

Maybe you are missing something, the link I gave you sends you to the Michelin load range C although indicated as a 113S SL. Check the specs, it's over the weight rating you're looking for.
P265/70R17
113S SL 500 A B 2535 lbs.

[ronny7800]

Since I see you are in Canada.... Canadian Tire sells "Wrangler Territory" which is functionally the same tire from what I hear with a slightly different tread pattern, just built specifically for Can-tire. There is a significant difference in price with this tire.

Do some research, but from everything I have heard and read, the are of identical construction.

[APT]

Tirerack offers 7 tires in the size LT C, 37 LT E. The Revo 2 and Firestone Destination LT E are 46 pounds, right in the middle of the C tire weights. Ride quality at the same tire pressure will be little different.

I'm not saying only get LT E tires. Weight is important IMHO. But quality, reviews, feedback is more important than LT C vs. LT E.

[a-d-s]

APT wrote:
What's wrong with Load Range E tires on youtr half ton? You can run the same pressure as load range C, 35-40psi non-towing and 50-55psi towing. I had no problems with Bridgestone Revo 2 on my 2003 F-150. Liked them far more than the BFG AT load range D I had.

I am going on a lot of advice from this forum on going with LR C vs E. Seems I will get a better ride when not towing, the tires are lighter (better fuel mileage). Plus I will be saving money on an already pricey tire (Tires in Canada are 20% more expensive).

I'm not totally ruling out LR E, but if I can find a good option in C then it seems like the best compromise. Still well whithin the load specs (2470 lbs per tire) whereas the rear axle wr is 4300lbs.

- A