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TIRES: Duratrac vs. Wildpeak AT3
Hi. I'm about to buy new tires and have narrowed it to either the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac or the Falken Wildpeak AT3. I'd love to hear from people who have had BOTH on their Jeeps at some point and can speak to the relative advantages and disadvantages of one compared to the other.
Please, don't just extol the virtues of your favorite tire if you haven't had experience with both of these. I'm looking for very specific experiences, if anyone has some informed experience to share?
Thanks!
Please, don't just extol the virtues of your favorite tire if you haven't had experience with both of these. I'm looking for very specific experiences, if anyone has some informed experience to share?
Thanks!
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
I used to run Duratracs in the winter for icy/slushy roads and MTs in the summer because the rocky trails round here destroy Duratracs.
I now run Wildpeak AT3Ws all year - they are every bit as good as Duratracs in the winter and tough enough for the trails in the summer. They are not as good in the mud as true MTs.
I now run Wildpeak AT3Ws all year - they are every bit as good as Duratracs in the winter and tough enough for the trails in the summer. They are not as good in the mud as true MTs.
Ran 3 sets of Duratracs on various Jeeps and a set of Falkens AT/3s.
Duratracs did not wear as even
Falkens were cheaper
When I do it all over again for a 3 peak rated tire, I'll go with the Falken.
Duratracs did not wear as even
Falkens were cheaper
When I do it all over again for a 3 peak rated tire, I'll go with the Falken.
Apologies to the OP for jacking his post, but when I replace my Duratracs, it will be with Falken Wildpeak AT/3W.
I ran both. Duratracs are overpriced, loud after a couple of rotations, and HORRIBLE on wet or slick roadways. However, in deep snow they did excellent and they're pretty good mudders too. They wear like iron and last forever.
A/T3W is quiet, smooth, and sticks to the road like glue. Much safer as a road tire. Packs up with mud quite easily, and also throws gravel really bad.
Really, these two tires are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Any particular reason you narrowed it down to these two?
A/T3W is quiet, smooth, and sticks to the road like glue. Much safer as a road tire. Packs up with mud quite easily, and also throws gravel really bad.
Really, these two tires are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Any particular reason you narrowed it down to these two?
Great info - thank you.I ran both. Duratracs are overpriced, loud after a couple of rotations, and HORRIBLE on wet or slick roadways. However, in deep snow they did excellent and they're pretty good mudders too. They wear like iron and last forever.
A/T3W is quiet, smooth, and sticks to the road like glue. Much safer as a road tire. Packs up with mud quite easily, and also throws gravel really bad.
Really, these two tires are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Any particular reason you narrowed it down to these two?
I'm upgrading from the stock street tires it came with. I want an aggressive AT that will be good in snow and dirt but still safe and quiet on the road as this is my daily driver as well as weekend adventure vehicle. I also want to go from 32" to 33". I had BFGs about 10 years ago on a Pathfinder and found them to be very loud, plus they're known for running small and I don't want to go to larger tires only to find they're actually the same size as what I have. From what I've read, the Duratracs fit the bill. But lately a lot of people have been extolling the virtues of the Wildpeaks, so I figured I should consider them before pulling the trigger.
I don't do extreme rock crawling. Mostly dirt trails in the desert and mountains, occasional beaches, and deep snow in the mountains in winter.
I'm distressed to hear the Duratracs are bad on wet roadway as the reviews I'd read said the opposite, and their siping looks pretty good.
I don't do extreme rock crawling. Mostly dirt trails in the desert and mountains, occasional beaches, and deep snow in the mountains in winter.
I'm distressed to hear the Duratracs are bad on wet roadway as the reviews I'd read said the opposite, and their siping looks pretty good.
I ran both. Duratracs are overpriced, loud after a couple of rotations, and HORRIBLE on wet or slick roadways. However, in deep snow they did excellent and they're pretty good mudders too. They wear like iron and last forever.
A/T3W is quiet, smooth, and sticks to the road like glue. Much safer as a road tire. Packs up with mud quite easily, and also throws gravel really bad.
Really, these two tires are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Any particular reason you narrowed it down to these two?
Running the Falkens 28570r17s on both my JKUs.. impressed with the wet pavement behavior and low noise (quit as the OE wranglers). Wearing well.. that's my .02.
As mentioned, the Duratracs are a mud tire, where as the AT3Ws are a light duty A/T. The Duratracs will be a lot louder going down the road and won't offer the road grip, whether in the dry or in the rain, that the AT3W will. But it is something of an apples to oranges comparison. The AT3Ws won't deliver the off road traction the Duratracs will, especially in the mud.
Other options to the AT3Ws include the KO2, as well as options from Cooper / Mickey Thompson, Nitto, and others. Goodyear does make AT tires, but the Duratrac ain't it.
Other options to the AT3Ws include the KO2, as well as options from Cooper / Mickey Thompson, Nitto, and others. Goodyear does make AT tires, but the Duratrac ain't it.
I'm upgrading from the stock street tires it came with. I want an aggressive AT that will be good in snow and dirt but still safe and quiet on the road as this is my daily driver as well as weekend adventure vehicle. I also want to go from 32" to 33". I had BFGs about 10 years ago on a Pathfinder and found them to be very loud, plus they're known for running small and I don't want to go to larger tires only to find they're actually the same size as what I have. From what I've read, the Duratracs fit the bill. But lately a lot of people have been extolling the virtues of the Wildpeaks, so I figured I should consider them before pulling the trigger.
I don't do extreme rock crawling. Mostly dirt trails in the desert and mountains, occasional beaches, and deep snow in the mountains in winter.
I'm distressed to hear the Duratracs are bad on wet roadway as the reviews I'd read said the opposite, and their siping looks pretty good.
BFG KO2's are not remotely close to what you were running 10 years ago. I have run them in 34x10.5-17 which is about the exact same size as a Falken wildpeak 255/8017 which I am currently running and would get another set in a heartbeat. Both of these sizes are what most people call 33" pizza cutters.
I was planning on going to 285/75 R16. I don't have a lift and don't plan to install one in the next couple of years. I like the 33 x 11.5 approximate dimensions. Do the BFG's really run as small as everyone says? What size might get me closer to what I'm looking for if I went with them? Would you recommend them over the Wildpeaks?
BFG KO2's are not remotely close to what you were running 10 years ago. I have run them in 34x10.5-17 which is about the exact same size as a Falken wildpeak 255/8017 which I am currently running and would get another set in a heartbeat. Both of these sizes are what most people call 33" pizza cutters.
Well, the Duratracs were the worst rainy road tires I've ever used, and I've actually seen several other reviews online where people shared the same results. I think even some of the Tire Rack reviews indicated that. But, they aren't necessarily a bad tire overall.I'm upgrading from the stock street tires it came with. I want an aggressive AT that will be good in snow and dirt but still safe and quiet on the road as this is my daily driver as well as weekend adventure vehicle. I also want to go from 32" to 33". I had BFGs about 10 years ago on a Pathfinder and found them to be very loud, plus they're known for running small and I don't want to go to larger tires only to find they're actually the same size as what I have. From what I've read, the Duratracs fit the bill. But lately a lot of people have been extolling the virtues of the Wildpeaks, so I figured I should consider them before pulling the trigger.
I don't do extreme rock crawling. Mostly dirt trails in the desert and mountains, occasional beaches, and deep snow in the mountains in winter.
I'm distressed to hear the Duratracs are bad on wet roadway as the reviews I'd read said the opposite, and their siping looks pretty good.
I think that for your described usage, you'd be happier with the Falken Wildpeaks.
Another tire you should consider is the all new Yokohama Geolandar X-AT. Those are a bit of a hybrid tire and they're really nice for all conditions. I ran those briefly on my Gladiator and will likely go back to them long term when my Cooper STT Pros are worn out.
I have run 285/75-16 in toyo at2 and was a great tire size for a stockish jeep. Any reason why you want 16” vs 17”? I have not seen ko2 in that size so don’t know if they run small, they do in 34x10.5-17 and 315/70-17.I was planning on going to 285/75 R16. I don't have a lift and don't plan to install one in the next couple of years. I like the 33 x 11.5 approximate dimensions. Do the BFG's really run as small as everyone says? What size might get me closer to what I'm looking for if I went with them? Would you recommend them over the Wildpeaks?
I like the look of the larger sidewall. It makes a smaller tire look "bigger" and more "aggressive" for the size. And of course, the added flex of more sidewall should be a little better offroad.
I have run 285/75-16 in toyo at2 and was a great tire size for a stockish jeep. Any reason why you want 16” vs 17”? I have not seen ko2 in that size so don’t know if they run small, they do in 34x10.5-17 and 315/70-17.
Before I bought my Falken AT3W's, I read this forum about them and Duratracs. Everyone was positive about the Falkens and unhappy with the Duratrac flimsy sidewalls in rocks, etc. My personal findings were very positive on the Falkens. Excellent road traction, dry or wet, or Good off-road as well. Quiet.
I guess I'm going to have to start reconsidering the BFG ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2, and maybe go one size taller to account for their reputation of running small?
So, how about responses from people who've owned both the latest BFG AT and the Falken?
So, how about responses from people who've owned both the latest BFG AT and the Falken?
I try not to discount other peoples experiences but to be blunt there's some horrible information in this thread. I've ran Duratracs for 6 years now daily driving in the northeast. They're excellent in snow, slush, slick conditions, rain and very good in mud/dirt. I have to doubt the validity of any review that says they're poor in rain or wet conditions. On pavement they ride like you'd expect from an AT(The Falkens or KO2s ride better). Mine have worn even and the original DTs on my JK went 47k miles with a decent amount of tread left before I sold that Jeep.
Duratracs have two weaknesses. 1. Their weak sidewall which makes them a poor choice for playing in rocks. 2. Their price. They're pretty expensive. Other than that they're a great tire to run.
Duratracs have two weaknesses. 1. Their weak sidewall which makes them a poor choice for playing in rocks. 2. Their price. They're pretty expensive. Other than that they're a great tire to run.
Most personal reviews are based on personal use history 
. We all have used different tires on different vehicles. Tires change and improve over different generations of the tires. If we're all talking about the Wrangler and the tires that come stock with the vehicle our first comparison is with the previous vehicle(s) we drove and the tires that were on it.
My personal example is the inside rear tire lifts and spins easily when accelerating out of a corner. My previous vehicle was a C6 Corvette. It didn't have that problem.
My current tires that came on the Rubicon are the BFG KM2's. I have 54k on them with plenty of tread to go another year (now 2.5 years old). They are not good in the wet on pavement. They might be great in the mud, but I have no intentions of ever seeking out mud. I spend my time on the pavement like most that DD their Jeeps. I spend a little time exploring gravel fire lane roads with some hills and tree roots involved and a lot of sand when at the beach. Reading these opinionated reviews I think I may go with the Falken ATW3 or a new version if one comes out in the next year.
The reviews I've read over the last 3 years would have lead me to believe the BFG KO2's would be the best choice for my use. Now I'm leaning towards the ATW3's.
Keep the opinions coming!
. We all have used different tires on different vehicles. Tires change and improve over different generations of the tires. If we're all talking about the Wrangler and the tires that come stock with the vehicle our first comparison is with the previous vehicle(s) we drove and the tires that were on it.My personal example is the inside rear tire lifts and spins easily when accelerating out of a corner. My previous vehicle was a C6 Corvette. It didn't have that problem.
My current tires that came on the Rubicon are the BFG KM2's. I have 54k on them with plenty of tread to go another year (now 2.5 years old). They are not good in the wet on pavement. They might be great in the mud, but I have no intentions of ever seeking out mud. I spend my time on the pavement like most that DD their Jeeps. I spend a little time exploring gravel fire lane roads with some hills and tree roots involved and a lot of sand when at the beach. Reading these opinionated reviews I think I may go with the Falken ATW3 or a new version if one comes out in the next year.
The reviews I've read over the last 3 years would have lead me to believe the BFG KO2's would be the best choice for my use. Now I'm leaning towards the ATW3's.
Keep the opinions coming!
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
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