BFG AT vs. DuraTrac

[DHC6twinotter]

Hey all,

I'll be buying some tires in the next month, and I think I've got my choices narrowed down to either the BFG AT T/A KO or the Goodyear DuraTrac. Looking at getting them in the 265/75-16 size.

I'm really leaning towards the BFG, even though I'm not a huge fan of the tread pattern. I know a lot of people here have them, and have had really good results.

I've also been looking at the DuraTrac. I haven't heard too much about them on this board, but the reviews for the tire on tire rack seem to be really good....even better than the BFG. The DuraTrac tires are a bit cheaper as well.

What do you all think? Should I go with my gut and get the BFG's, or try the DuraTrac?

Thanks. :D

[Robinhood4x4]

Can't go wrong with the BFG's, but I was seriously thinking of giving the duratracs a try on the 4th gen.

Now the only reason I'm waffling is because of gas prices.

[troyboy162]

Thats a hard one. The duratracs are a shade more aggressive in the amount of tread void. The also have some scales in the voids for snow traction. The BFG on the other hand is a proven high mileage, decent tire.

I would try duratrac myself if I felt like I was going to add in more highway to my routine. I'd go bfg if I was also going to add more sand wheeling along with highway.

[Seanz0rz]

I love my BFG ats and wouldn't trade them for any other tire.

[4x4mike]

I agree with everyone above. I've had BFG AT's on every vehicle I've owned and on each vehicle I got my money's worth. My last truck was a heavy full size and I got 48,000 miles on the first set and that set was wheeled hard.

A lot of guys on Expo like the Duratrac but like Troy said they have quite an aggressive pattern. That doesn't make them a bad tire, I just don't have any experience with them nor do I personally know anyone who has them.

FWIW my 3rd gen with the 5 speed and stock gearing can get 22 mpg with 265/75/16's easily on the freeway, even loaded. I've gotten as high as 25 mpg but it was super flat.

[04 Rocko Taco]

personally I would run the BFG's, but I really love them, I'm just to poor. Right now I am running a set of General Grabber A/T's. They are an imitation BFG A/T. I like them well enough.

[Robinhood4x4]

Well, my timeline has recently gotten moved up a year thanks to a giant bolt in my tire and the tire shop ripping the bead. I'm still debating which tire to go with, but as of right now, I'm leaning toward the duratracs in 265/70-17.

[Seanz0rz]

bottom line, i doubt you'd be disappointed by either tire. i guess it comes down to do you want to spend more on a proven tire, or take a risk (admittedly small) with the dura tracs?

[malteserunner]

I have had good luck with several sets of BFG A/T's. My buddy has Duratrac's, and loves them on and off road. I don't think you could go wrong, either way. FWIW, I really like the look of the Duratrac's, and think they would outperform the BFG's in rain, ice, and snow.

[4x4mike]

FWIW, I really like the look of the Duratrac's, and think they would outperform the BFG's in rain, ice, and snow.


The BFG's have been bashed for years about how bad they are in mud. Well, ok, they aren't a mud tire. One thing I've loved about the AT's is the strength. They have great sidewalls and the protector lip at the rim which helps protect the rim while in the rocks.

I've always bought load range D BFG's and found that when I bought my most recent set they only came in load range E. I did a ton of research and called a bunch of places. The topic has been brought up on other forums and after reading I decided I'd give the LR E (10 ply) a whirl. The tires are fine, weight is fine and I don't notice any difference. I'll find the link on Expo about it and look for my comments as there was other talk about the snowflake symbol and that some people want/need that and some of the tires didn't have it :drama:

[4x4mike]

Here it is:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/62458-New-BFG-AT-s-kinda-suck

[Seanz0rz]

i also bought load range E tires this time, the D's are more expensive and impossible to find. go figure...

so far the E's feel great. i notice a difference between old and new tires, but im not sure how much of that is due to the load range difference and how much is down to the fact that they are new and the old ones were OLD.

[CJM]

I tried BFG AT's, while they were ok they were not great. I found that if your going anywhere near mud they clog up and dont clean out too well, the also clog up with snow in the same manner, dont work well on ice and hydroplaned to easily for my liking.

I switched to dueler revos and found them much better and rode better too.

[4x4mike]

My first 2 sets of BFG AT's were on a fullsize pick up (285/75/16). When I bought my 4Runner it had a brand new set of Revo 2's (265-70-16) on there (the style before the present one). I was happy it had new tires but wanted BFG's in 265-75-16. I put a lot of miles on those Revo 2's in close to 3 years and they were great, I would recommend them. I chose the BFG's to replace those, when the time came, because I wanted something a little more aggressive, the next size up and the heavy sidewall.

Yes, I feel the AT's are a compromise. They aren't great in mud (I tend to avoid the stuff) and I've heard about the hydroplaning but have never experienced it. My snow experience is also 50/50. We do a some traveling in snow and ice going to Tahoe and visiting family in Nevada. At times it gets squirrely but I feel it would do the same with most other tire, in the same size and with the same amount of air in them. I don't live in the snow but if I did I would likely choose another tire for winter if I did.

[DHC6twinotter]

Thanks for all the great info guys!

I've heard about the mud issues with the BFG, but I don't plan on mudding (not my thing). I think it might be ok for what mud I may encounter on the trails, but I dunno. I've heard several other people, in addition to 4x4mike, mention the stronger sidewalls on the BFG. Stronger sidewalls would definitely be something I'd like.

As far as snow goes, the DuraTrac has really good snow reviews, and If I were moving to an area with plenty of snow, I'd probably get this tire. I submitted an application for a job in Flagstaff, so we'll see what happens with that. They get some snow there, so some better snow tires like the DuraTracs would be nice. :D

I'm leaning towards the BFG's, but I've got another week or so before I need to make up my mind.

I loved my Desert Duellers I had on my 2nd gen, and I really wish Bridgestone still made them. The Revos look nice, but not really as aggressive as I'd like.

Thanks again for all the input.

[04 Rocko Taco]

Let us know what you end up going with Dan!

[DHC6twinotter]

How important is the speed rating?

The BFG with a Q rating is more expensive than the S rating, even thought the S is rated for a higher speed. I don't get why, but maybe it has to do with the Q not having the white lettering. :headscratch:

Sears has the BFG tire with the S rating on sale at about the same price of TireRack, plus free mounting and no shipping charges. Total price is 800.96 + tax for set of 4. If anybody knows of a better deal, let me know!

Thanks!
Daniel

[4x4mike]

I think it depends on how fast you plan on driving. I'm not an expert on tires but I'm guessing the speed is based on a certain load, temperature, etc. If any of those change the number changes and even then there is probably some safety factor is built in. I've had my 4Runner at 90+ mph but not for very long and I don't plan on doing it again soon. As it is I drive like a grandma.

I looked into ratings and letters a bit in my search for BFG's. IIRC a lot of the LT tires were rated for less than 90+. Having one for say, 100 mph would probably only give piece of mind but I don't think it's necessary.

[Cebby]

I was a long time BFG AT guy and tried the Duratrac's last summer on my Jeep WJ. I've been pleasantly surprised.

They are a little noisier, but they wear like iron and I've not had any balancing issues that I heard GY tires are known for. This past winter they were great in the snow (we didn't get much this year, but they were good in what we had)

They look great with the side biter tread on the sidewalls too.

Running 265/70R17's

[DHC6twinotter]

Well, I ended up getting the BFG's today. Most I've ever spent at one time on any of my vehicles. :confused:

Thanks for all the input! We'll see how these turn out. :D

[Seanz0rz]

and those were the smaller size! last time i spent nearly 1100! on 33's!

glad you got good tires though!