The Duratrac's are great tires and ones I would definitely recommend. The only other one I might recommend along the same lines is the new Toyo Open Country AT's as they now come with a 65,000 mile warranty.
15" or 17" wheels?
- Thread starter JethroJK
- Start date
The Duratrac's are great tires and ones I would definitely recommend. The only other one I might recommend along the same lines is the new Toyo Open Country AT's as they now come with a 65,000 mile warranty.
Those are nice tires but appear to run around 380 which I truly don't want to spend right now. I found the Duratrac 315/70R-17 for 293. But I still haven't ruled our Mud Grapplers.
One main reason I am looking at DuraTrac is I was getting transferred to San Diego but now getting transferred to CT which looking at terrain and snow (weather).
StrizzyChris
New member
You're absolutely correct! Winter and rain in the midwest/northeast coast and youll want all the sipping that you can get! Duratrac's are probably your best bet! If you plan to go back to cali or hit the rocks hard...the duratrac wall is a little weak for that and more likely to puncture
So correct me if I am wrong but a D rated tire is a D rated tire in that it is a 8-ply tire, so the sidewall should respond as any 8-ply tire would correct? Unlike a Mud Grappler which is a E rated 10-ply tire.
I still plan to wheel these on rocks and once on east coast more mud but there will be some rocks etc. If the DuraTrac is not good for that application on top of the weather conditions let me know. I have seen where many say the DuraTrac holds up on the trails very well.
Fueljunkie
New member
I enjoy my 15s. Softer ride offroad. 
OverlanderJK
Resident Smartass
How do your 15" wheels give you a softer ride then 17" wheels?
Well I finally decided. Went with my first choice, 17" inch wheel and 35" tires. But the wheels I ordered are on back order until end of April, so the new wheel Black Rock Intruder 910B are 17x8.5 with -6 offset and 4.5 backspace (which I haven't ordered yet) The 2.5 TF BB max backspace is 4.5 so I should be good right? These are getting fitted with Nitto Mud Grapplers, couldn't resist.
Fueljunkie
New member
More side wall. When you air down you get more flex or cushion.
Yeah, you should be good with 4.5" of back spacing. It's the maximum I would recommend.
Range C tires will do that too. Range D or E will allow you to air down further and still have nice flex/cushion and still offer tough sidewalls. Of course, that's just my opinion.
Awesome. I was thinking I would be ok but with it being the max back space and with the -6 offset just wanted to make sure I wasn't looking at it wrong. Thanks.
The future upgrade was a big decision point for me.
RockyJk
Active Member
Same here but i wont do 37s unless i get my Jeep stretched so ill be on 35s for a while haha!
MTNBKR
New member
JETHRO 71
I live in Ohio and have a lot of the same weather as you will have in CT. I run PROCOMP ATs and I can affirm, they have exceptionally well in the snow and rain. They clear thenselves of mud very well also, as well as running in $240:00 range. Good you went with 17's. I run 16's and may need to change later to 17's. Remains to be seen for the moment. 15's will fit some of the newer Jeep's, however another issue, besides caliper clearance, is mud packing into and around all you brakeing components due to closeness vs a 17" rim.
Good luck on your tire choice and PCS.
MTNBKR
I live in Ohio and have a lot of the same weather as you will have in CT. I run PROCOMP ATs and I can affirm, they have exceptionally well in the snow and rain. They clear thenselves of mud very well also, as well as running in $240:00 range. Good you went with 17's. I run 16's and may need to change later to 17's. Remains to be seen for the moment. 15's will fit some of the newer Jeep's, however another issue, besides caliper clearance, is mud packing into and around all you brakeing components due to closeness vs a 17" rim.
Good luck on your tire choice and PCS.
MTNBKR
StrizzyChris
New member
you are correct, the rating is in respect to ply...BUT not all d rated tires are created equal! different rubber compounds and construction. Goodyear MTR-K's are D rated and have TERRIBLE sidewall strength.
Didn't think about the mud packing in around that 15" wheel. I will only be in CT for about 6 months and then to GA, so I finally decided and went and got me some Nitto Mud Grapplers. The problem is availability and selection of wheels. There are many wheels. I think I am going with a Level 8 ZX. We will see.
I hear you on "all things are not created equal" concept. I had heard about the MTR-Ks. I hope the Nitto Mud Grapplers live up to their name. Thanks