We can't give valid useful recommendations until you tell us how you intend to use the tire. Sharp rocks require one type of tire, mud another, sand something else again, and mall-crawling is happy with nearly any type tire.
yea, i know. like them both alot. have had bfg ats and like them alot except in mud. Got like 70000miles out of em on my old jeep but want better mud traction and still good road ride. The BFGs are $50+ bucks more each and trying to make sure the duratrac will not let me down just cause im saving some coin. Also, I know alot of peeps run the 33-1250 duratrac on a 15x8 and was planning on the same but am now concerned after Tirerack.com rep refused to mount due to manufacture minimum of 8.5 width rim. Will it really compromise the wear of the tire? Will a 15x10 improve things that much? Think the 15x8 is more common trail gear but want to know whats best? I like the wider look and a 15x10 will stick out about 2 more inches but that may be too much when slinging the mud around.
Probably 85% road riding (not by choice) and 15% moderate trail riding. I like to push my ride so if rocks, mud, water, etc. are on said trail Im gonna try it within reason as it is my DD.
I recently did allot of research between Goodrich KM2 and Goodyear MTR Kevlar, both good tires. For rocks I found allot of people liked the MTR Kevlar (you did mention possible rocks in your OP). One thing to consider, apparently the 33” KM2 is actually a slightly smaller diameter then a 33” MTR. Yes the manufacturer's minimum rim width is 8.5" however IMO an 8" rim is fine. Also with a 12.5" width tire on a 8" rim you get better rim beard area protection. These were delivered to me today..
I recently did allot of research between Goodrich KM2 and Goodyear MTR Kevlar, both good tires. For rocks I found allot of people liked the MTR Kevlar (you did mention possible rocks in your OP). One thing to consider, apparently the 33” KM2 is actually a slightly smaller diameter then a 33” MTR. Yes the manufacturer's minimum rim width is 8.5" however IMO an 8" rim is fine. Also with a 12.5" width tire on a 8" rim you get better rim beard area protection. These were delivered to me today..
I have a question. I have been looking around where all these people say that the Duratrac's have 2 sidewall but those must be only on the C rated. The E rated are 10 ply so maybe the sidewall is stiffer? I have been searching around and can not find out that tidbit of data. If anyone else has that, it would be appreciated.
that may be true but a jeep only needs a C rate tire beside if your that concerned with it the duratrac is not the right choice for you and your intended purpose it is after all just an aggressive AT.
I dont think there is a 10 ply option for a Duratrac?! If there was or is Id be interested in learning more. Also, supposedly the Duratrac does well on rocks traction wise but have weaker sidewalls that could puncture easier.
Tire rack, TireCrawler, and such sites state the E is a 10 ply but no hard proof from the manufacturer. I am getting KM2's myself since I will be wheeling in SoCal and have seen a friend puncture a tire, replace it with his spare and do it again right in the same spot
Naw some off brand tire. It had a good tread but the sides were really weak as we found out that day. I was using the older MTR's and he switched over. In fact, I still have those same tires on my Bronco Just rotate the bejeezers outta your off road tires and they last a LONG time.
The KM2 has an outstanding tread life, I'd expect no less than well over 50K miles on them. Not quite as good as the nearly incredible tread life of the BFG All Terrain KO but still among the best at tread life.
I guess you have your answer Drock !! blue6tj is a big bfg fan so that should justify your decision....oh, and he added the fact that gy sucks....now that would certainly make my mind up !!! LOL
Now for a more technical and practical approach, the un-sprung weight of the km2 is 58 lbs. Both the KM2 and the DT are load rated C tires in the 33 12.50 15 size, so I would consider them both to have the 6 ply "equivalent" strength in the sidewall. Both have a 2205 lb max load rating and 35psi max inflation pressure. The un-sprung weight of the DT is 49 lbs. of which one could easily argue the km2 is better, however this is a case where less is better for performance, maybe not longevity. Un-sprung weight is much more critical in everyday operation of the vehicle than suspended weight for a multitude of reasons, the biggest being inertia. The total un-sprung weight is 36 lbs. less with the DT's plus 9 lbs. of suspended weight less for the spare!!
Now comes my opinion!! LOL.....opcorn:
The km2's that I have experienced on friends vehicles are great when new, but after 6k or 8k miles, they tend to get louder, as all of the terrain-design tires do, not just the km2's. The km2 will likely give more overall miles of service if you can stand the roar. It is truly a "terrain" tire, whereas the DT is more of an aggressive all-terrain tire.
I currently have the DT's and love the less inertia in starting and stopping, as I tend to do that daily. I only get to wheel once or twice a month; It's that ratio thing you mentioned 85:15... I absolutely am sold on the DT's until something comes up down the road to change my mind....They ride smooth, took very little weight to balance out, and are quiet as my E350 on the highway. Perform great in mud, rain, snow ( hit a little in Maggie Valley) and I cannot comment on rocks yet. Ask me after Easter as I will be in Moab......
It is obvious both units are very good choices, and neither really "suck" as indicated above.
I hope this helps your decision, and be happy with whatever you choose....Good Luck.......
Yea, B.B.'s pics helped solidify my decision of the DT. I,ve got the same ride (but black) and they look good on there! So unless someone can prove I am making a bad mistake by the time I finish saving for these (two weeks) I am pullin the trigger!
KM2 is better HEAVY traction & overall mileage highway tire with less tread block movement for better handling & because of the heavier larger lug pattern putting more % of rubber on the road IE: heavier tire, more rubber, more $. However tread wear ratings show very similar on web sites to DT. If you spent more time in ALL TERRAINS Rain, Snow, Ice and Sand it would be the DT. But lots of highway & good off roading time to time KM seems to be more likely choice. Worked in sears tire center for long period of time & yes they do come in E load range in specific sizes as should the KM2. Call em up if you have a local Sears, THEY WILL MEET OR BEAT ANY TIRE deal.....yes including online which they include shipping costs in their totals but could save you few more bucks & have local place for warranty rotate re-balance etc. They also have "friends & Family" nights which you get 10% off usually once a month on sundays. Order them then! They will not match price & give 10%, sorry - They will also be able to tell you load range options for size your looking for. C YA
Not at all B.B. - I almost couldnt read the message from the residual vibration in my eye sockets from my last drive LOL, they were a cheap step up from the seperated tread, spacered & bent 8" wheel with no tread 35's that were on it when I got it. Price is everything on the up build process. I will run the 35 MTR when its ready for the daily drive. For now its trail rig mostly.
I have not had my jeep that long, plus I am in the military and don't make much money AND Congress wants to cut even more of my benefits. Lucky Me :banghead:
Sorry for soap box but anyway. I ACTUALLY have MTR's on my Bronco and will prob get the KM2's or MTR's at this point unless someone comes out with a better tire. I will be buying rims and tires this summer so I can rock my Gas Sippers during the week and put my Many tires for the weekend
Yah, I have never had the DC and when I lifted the Jeep I wanted the BFG A/T TA's but the was a 16 week back order from the factory and NO ONE had them in stock, I heard a lot of good stuff about the DC so, hopefully they will be a good tire, but my next set will be the BFG again.... Good luck with the GY's... and Happy Jeepn'
Again thanks, Hopefully they live up to their rep and I will be sure to write up a review after I get whatever tire. And same to you Bro, always Happy Jeepin!:dance:
Strength-wise, when compared to the BFG MT KM2, the MT/R is a much stronger and MUCH more cut-resistant tire due to its kevlar reinforced sidewall. Among experienced offroaders that rock crawl in sharp rocks, the two most common radial tires you'll find (in sharp rocky trails) will be the BFG Krawler and Goodyear MT/R. I stopped running BFG Mud Terrains in sharp rocks because their sidewalls were getting cut every single trip. After switching to the first-generation non-kevlar GY MT/Rs, I experienced one cut sidewall in two sets of MT/Rs, and no cut sidewalls at all since switching to my present Kevlar reinforced MT/Rs.
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