Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
So far looks like another great tyre for the D3/4.
27th Jan 2013 7:56 am
steveraspberry
Member Since: 18 Sep 2011
Location: Nr Sevenoaks,Kent
Posts: 2081
Ok, so I have had the Duratracs on for a couple of days and I have some feedback about them.
My earlier comments about being a little louder than the GG ATs would appear to have been premature. The Goodyears are noticeably louder than the ATs but still not obtrusively so. We had a run round the forest off road course at Detling yesterday and they feel SO much more sure footed than the ATs in slick mud and over slippery logs and long inclines etc as you would expect. The ATs are very good off road, the Duratracs are a big step forward IMHO. Again, this is not unexpected given the two tyres' different roles. Very good grip and the G4 just kept driving forward relentlessly.
There was about 5 inches of snow over the fields and this gave us the chance to test the available grip in these conditions. It was about -3 there too and again the Duratracs seemed to be in their element. Effortless grip and a very confidence instilling drive in these conditions.
On the road over a mixture of wet tarmac, slush and black ice, I never felt nervous and the levels of grip available were comfortable and relaxing. Winter tyres indeed, even if the snowflake is tiny, the perfomance is huge. The ATs work better on the road and offer a bit more grip but the difference is only obvious when you're pressing on a bit. All things considered, everything I had read and heard about the Duratracs appears to be true. They are a great tyre, very suitable for the D3 and despite the wait, still competetively priced.
If you are undecided, I hope this will convince you that they are worth the investment. We do ALOT of off roading and this tyre is very suitable for that kind of use without sacrificing good on road manners. If you can live with (slightly) elevated road noise, (Nothing a small increase in stereo volume wouldn't sort out) they have to be a top contender when it comes to changing your tyres. So far, well worth the money IMHO
Best,
SteveMy17 Volvo XC90 Inscription
MY15 Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian
RGK Tiga Fx Wheelchair,
Large Alsation called Abbs
Medium blue Staffie called Piglet
Medium Alsation called Bailey
Last edited by steveraspberry on 27th Jan 2013 10:26 am. Edited 1 time in total
27th Jan 2013 9:11 am
AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
Nice one Steve, very fair reflection on the Duratrac and what I would expect from an MT tyre.
Very pleased you are happy with them.
27th Jan 2013 9:58 am
A.J.M
Member Since: 31 Oct 2009
Location: Carluke
Posts: 2847
Steve, thanks for the review.
Makes me feel more relaxed about sinking what is a large amount of cash into them.
Noise i can live with, having never had any AT tyres and running very worn out road tyres, as long as they handle the same i'll be happy.In loving memory of FA54WSK.
Rest well old friend, your work is done.
27th Jan 2013 11:46 am
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6386
they handle awesome for the type of boot tread and noise only a bit more noticeable than ATRs 'd say 30% of what MT/R used to be
done a short mud run and they run through it like it was hard tarmac (almost )
very nice et of boots
27th Jan 2013 12:43 pm
AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
Well this is the answer I have got back from Goodyear Europe;
"All Wrangler Duratrac sizes (besides this one) are imported from the US and have the Mountain snowflake symbol.
This size was an OE development for the Land Rover Discovery 4 and it was a Land Rover requirement to have only M+S marking and no Mountain snowflake symbol on the tyre".
Just need to get hold of someone who had them from me last year to check but this is now the answer........only M + S branded.
28th Jan 2013 8:56 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23811
I can see Land Rovers logic behind that. Many people could see the mountain/snowflake symbol and assume that the Duratrac will be as good on compacted snow and ice as a high silica compound multi sipe cold weather tyre. Looking at the difference between the two, it's obvious that this wouldn't be the case. Although of course the tread pattern on the Duratrac will perform well in deep fresh snow.
BTW, the symbol on the 16" Duractracs that I looked at last week was close to the bead not on the tread block.
28th Jan 2013 12:14 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Why would LR get so involved with tyre markings?
Why would they want to handicap their use on European mountainous regions that require the symbol?
Why would Goodyear respond to this request and restrict their market?
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
Agree ^^^^^^^^
The Lunatics are running the Asylum me thinks.
1st Feb 2013 8:04 pm
amazing
Member Since: 05 Mar 2011
Location: chengdu
Posts: 1542
illusion or not
I have a souce to get Cooper LTZ
may be able to get duratrac.find out this week...I am leaning towards duratrac as I haveoften driven on mud/snow but no rocks or sand. so they fit reality more.
question: looking at pics the LTZ looks wider than the Duratracs...is this a square shoulder thing or just illusion.
obviously a bit skinnier would work better in mud and snow. but doesnt look so cool.
could someone confirm or deny they are infact different by a wee measure or photo side by side.It is better to have and not need it then need and not have it.
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