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My 2007 4Runner
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4Runner History
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Other
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Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac A/T 265/70/R17 SL Load
When upgrading to the 2nd iteration of the 5th Gen TRD Pro wheels,
I decided to put new tires on even though I was not even at the half-life point of my Duratrac C Load tires.
Why replace tires before they wear out?
It is much easier to sell 15+ year old factory wheels as a matched set of five that already have mounted & balanced tires and
include factory TPMS sensors, saving the new owner both time and expense.
Tires have a finite lifespan regardless of mileage. My mileage on this vehicle is very low, and even if the tires have not reached
their manufacturer expected mileage lifespan, they will eventually experience rubber material degradation, dry rot and other types of
potential damage. Therefore, tires are advised to be replaced regardless of mileage after six to ten years. For example,
these new Duratrac tires are guaranteed for 6 Years OR 50,000 Miles, whichever comes first. While you can go more than 6 years without issues,
it is a good time to sell and recoupe any remaining value.
I decided to sell my original set of Duratracs C Load with the factory wheels while they still retain half their value and have more
than half their rated mileage left but are getting close to time expiration. Someone who puts a normal to high amount of mileage on their
vehicle can finish out the remaining half-life of tire tread after only two years (and save a lot by buying used) while it may take me
much longer to do that amount of miles.
Why this size?
Once again, I chose to go with a 265/70/R17 (32") tire. From the factory this vehicle came equipped with a 265/65/R17 (31") tire.
This 1" increase is sometimes known as a Plus One (+1) sizing. It is NOT the traditional Plus One sizing whereas you
increase the wheel diameter one inch but reduce the aspect ratio and keep the overall tire diameter the same, but rather this is where
you increase the overall tire diameter one full inch. Moving to a 285/70/R17 (33") would be considered Plus Two sizing in the off-road world.
Right Sizing
I am satisfied with the 265/70/R17 (32") tire size, because for my application it is "Right Sized".
The ISO Metric E.T.R.T.O. (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation) SL Load tire is plenty capable of carrying the maximum load the
SUV/truck is designed and rated for at a lower psi than would be when using an LT-metric to carry the same load.
With lower psi, the ride will be more compliant. The SL tire is lighter weight, which helps with fuel economy, acceleration and
braking responsiveness. Since I don't off-road much or need the capabilities of a tire larger than 32", there is no sense
in loosing power, acceleration and gas mileage for the look of a slightly larger tire.
Sure, re-gearing the front and rear differentials can offset these issues, but at significant cost and effort.
Therefore, the 265/70/R17 (32") is the right size for my use.
Tire Sizing |
Tire Sidewall Markings |
Why Goodyear Duratrac?
I really liked my Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac A/T LT265/70/R17 C Load tires and wanted to replace them with the same exact spec.
BUT, they no longer produce the C Load versions. E loads are too stiff, harsh and heavy for my liking and usage.
While E loads are great for off-roading and or towing, that is not my focus with this vehicle and as such do not want to incur the associated
penalty in power or gas mileage that accompanies E load tires.
My experience with the Duratracs were that they balanced perfectly, rode great, wore great, have a nice agressive look,
have considerable siping for wet weather traction and overall just performed very well.
I saw that they have a new Standard Load version (which was not available back when purchasing my C load tires) and decided to give that a try this time.
While they have 2/32" less tread depth (16/32" for the SL vs 18/32" for the C Load), they actually have a higher weight carrying capacity (2,679 lbs. vs 2,470 lbs.)
Additionally the SL versions have a higher speed rating (S=112mph vs Q=99mph)
Again, even with these added benefits of the SL tire, I would prefer the C Load as it has 6-Plys compared to the SLs 4-Ply construction. But with the only choices being 4-Ply SL or 10-Ply E Load,
I will go with the SL considering my lack of hard core off-road usage.
Other Tires considered.
Somewhere around 2015 or so, Hybrid tires were making their introduction to the American tire market.
This class of tire is a combination of all-terrain (A/T) and mud-terrain (M/T).
They have a center tread pattern similar to that of an all-terrain tire, but the shoulder lugs are widely separated and have a scooping-style
shape like mud-terrain tires. This gives hybrid tires a good blend of both all-terrain and mud-terrain performance
and many have a more aggressive look than an average A/T tire.
Two Hybrid SUV and Light Truck tires I highly considered were as follows:
Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek 265/70/R17 XL Load
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss 265/70/R17 XL Load
Interestingly, at the time I was placing my order for tires, I learned that Goodyear was introducing a new Rugged Terrain tire:
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT L/T E Load
Unfortunately it comes in E Load only, at least initially, and that rules this tire out for me.
Anyway, to me, the non-RT Duratrac tire looks more aggressive with its more spaced out tread lugs.
The Hybrid Rugged Terrain version has closer spaced lugs to reduce associated road noise.
I will post their specifications here for comparison purposes:
| Tire |
Size |
Service
Description |
Load
Rating |
UTQG |
Max
Load |
Max.
Inflation
Press. |
Tread
Depth |
Tire
Weight |
Rim
Width
Range |
Meas.
Rim
Width |
Sect.
Width |
Tread
Width |
Overall
Diam. |
Revs
Per
Mile |
| Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac A/T |
265/70/R17 |
115S
|
SL
|
500 B B
|
2679 lbs.
|
51 psi
|
16/32"
|
45 lbs. |
7-9"
|
8.0"
|
10.7"
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8.2"
|
31.7"
|
659
|
| Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek A/T |
265/70/R17 |
116T
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XL
|
600 A B
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2756 lbs.
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50 psi
|
16/32"
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45 lbs. |
7-9"
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8.0"
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10.4"
|
8.7"
|
31.9"
|
?
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| Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T |
265/70/R17 |
116T
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XL
|
600 A B
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2756 lbs.
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50 psi
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16/32"
|
44 lbs. |
7-9"
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8.0"
|
10.4"
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8.7"
|
31.9"
|
?
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| Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT L/T |
LT265/70/R17 |
123
|
E
|
N/A
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3415 lbs.
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80 psi
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18/32"
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~ 51 lbs. |
7-9"
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8.0"
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~10.7"
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~8.7"
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31.9"
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652
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Other Tires Considered
Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek |
Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek |
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss |
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss |
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT L/T |
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT L/T |
The Coopers and Mickey Thompsons are very similar and for good reason.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company purchased Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels (Max Trac Tire Co. Inc) in 2003.
Additionally in July 2021 Goodyear Tire completed its acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.
The reasons I considered these two tires over the Duratrac was my desire to find a tire with a higher ply rating than the SL Load Duratrac, since Goodyear discontinued the C Load in my 265/70/R17 size.
The XL Load rating of these two tires is higher than SL Load but below the C, D and E rating of others on the market.
I was going to choose the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss 265/70/R17 XL Load as my new tire choice as I liked the tread pattern, lug siping and
aggressive side wall lugs. BUT after considerable research, I found that the XL Load version of these tires DO NOT have the
extra deep sidewall lugs and they DO NOT have the rim protector that the LT version of these have. They do have the same sidewall pattern,
just not nearly as deep and aggressive. While their tread width is greater than the Duratracs, their overall width is less.
Their siping is straight and not the squiggly type (read: more effective siping) found in the Duratrac and Cooper tires.
Lastly, their Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) of 600 indicates that these tires will last longer as they have a harder compound.
But, I prefer a softer compound like the Duratracs 500 rating, which will provide better wet weather performance, with the tradeoff of
a shorter lifepan not being a worry for my usage.
That being the case I decided to continue on with what I know and am completely satisified with...the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac A/T.
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac A/T
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac |
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac |
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac |
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac |
DESCRIPTION:
The Wrangler DuraTrac is Goodyear's Commercial All-Terrain light truck tire developed for the drivers of multi-purpose full-sized pickups, vans, sport utility and
commercial vehicles looking for tires that play hard and work harder. The Wrangler DuraTrac is designed to be a versatile tire offering off-road competence in dirt, gravel and
mud with on-road composure in dry, wet and wintry conditions.
Wrangler DuraTrac tires feature a rugged tread compound that helps resist tread block chipping, chunking and tearing, especially during heavy loading and towing applications.
Its symmetric tread design combines large shoulders and highly angled center tread blocks to enhance stability and traction in dry and wet conditions.
Self-cleaning, stepped shoulder blocks, zigzag sipes and Goodyear's TractiveGroove Technology at the base of the circumferential grooves provide thousands of biting edges to enhance
traction in deep mud and snow. Wrangler DuraTrac tires feature a rim lock that helps prevent wheel slip throughout the life of the tire and offers a built-in rim protector to
help protect wheels from accidental damage on- and off-road.
Wrangler DuraTrac light truck tires (with the exception of the 255/55R19-size) are branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol to identify they meet the industry's severe snow service standards.
FEATURES:
TractiveGroove Technology™ offers enhanced traction in deep mud and snow
Self-cleaning shoulder blocks help provide enhanced traction in dirt, gravel, and mud
Highly angled center tread blocks enhance traction and lateral stability while reducing road noise
Mountain snowflake symbol designation means outstanding winter traction
Rugged tread rubber resists block chipping, chunking, and tearing for a longer treadlife
EC symbol means compliance with Eurpoean standards for pass-by noise for a tire of this type
Rim protector helps protect wheels from accidental curb damage
SL Load sizes are NOT Studdable (LT sizes are pinned for #16 metal studs)
Severe Snow Certified (Excluding size LT275/65R18 113Q , LT275/70R18 125R and LT285/75R18 129Q)
50K Mile Manufacturer Warranty (6 Years / 50,000 Miles Excludes LT and flotation tires)
3PMSF:
This tire bears the Severe Service Emblem otherwise known as the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol (3PMSF) denoting that it is suitable for use in severe winter conditions.
Tires bearing this symbol will provide better winter performance than tires only bearing the M+S rating.
What is the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol?
In 1999, The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) agreed on a performance-based standard to identify passenger and light truck tires
that attain a traction index equal to, or greater than 110 (compared to a reference tire which is rated 100) during the specified American Society for Testing and Materials traction tests on packed snow.
The standard is intended to help ensure drivers can easily identify tires that provide a higher level of snow traction, and tires meeting that standard are branded with the
three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.
Some important information to remember about 3PMSF branding.
Testing measures a tire's acceleration traction on medium-packed snow only. Braking and turning on snow, along with ice traction are not components of the test.
Tires branded with the 3PMSF symbol are expected to provide improved snow traction beyond a standard M+S branded all-season tire,
however 3PMSF-branded all-season and all-terrain tires cannot match the traction of dedicated winter / snow tires in all winter weather conditions and should not be considered a
replacement for where and when a dedicated winter tire is needed.
| Tire |
Size |
Service
Description |
Load
Rating |
UTQG |
Max
Load |
Max.
Inflation
Press. |
Tread
Depth |
Tire
Weight |
Rim
Width
Range |
Meas.
Rim
Width |
Sect.
Width |
Tread
Width |
Overall
Diam. |
Revs
Per
Mile |
| Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac A/T |
265/70/R17 |
115S
|
SL
|
500 B B
|
2679 lbs.
|
51 psi
|
16/32"
|
45 lbs. |
7-9"
|
8.0"
|
10.7"
|
8.2"
|
31.7"
|
659
|
| Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac A/T |
LT265/70/SR17 |
112/109Q |
C |
none
|
2470 lbs.
|
50 psi
|
18/32"
|
44 lbs. |
7-8.5"
|
8.0"
|
10.7"
|
8.2"
|
31.7"
|
657
|
| Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo |
P265/70/SR17 |
113S |
SL |
500 A B
|
2535 lbs.
|
44 psi
|
13/32"
|
43 lbs. |
7-9"
|
8.0"
|
10.6"
|
7.8"
|
31.7"
|
658
|
| Dunlop AT20 |
P265/65/R17 |
110S |
SL |
300 B B
|
2337 lbs.
|
51 psi
|
11/32"
|
36 lbs. |
7.5-9.5"
|
8"
|
10.4"
|
8.0"
|
30.6"
|
711
|
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac A/T 265/70/R17 SL (32's)
Daystar Lift (front and rear)
FJ Rear Springs and Air Lift 60744
TRD Pro Wheels 17x8.5" 0mm ET
NO Wheel Spacers |
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Comparison of the SL Load Duratracs to the C Load Duratracs:
I am not noticing any discernible difference. I use 42psi in both versions of this tire.
Five Tire Rotation Pattern:
5-Tire Rotation Pattern |
6-Lug Torque Pattern |
The 4th generation 4Runner comes equipped with a full size spare tire mounted on a matching full size aluminum alloy wheel.
I have upgraded the spare tire as well to a 32" Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tire. The one inch larger than factory tire does fit in the stock spare location.
A five tire rotation pattern results in equally distributed use that will help maintain equivalent tread depths
on all five tires throughout their life. When applied to the 4Runners full time four wheel drive system
(all wheel drive is standard with the V-8 engine option), this will prevent driveline damage if a flat tire forces
a spare to be put into service with partially worn tires on the other three wheel positions.
By rotating the spare into the pattern, you accomplish a secondary benefit of extending the other tires life a little
longer and getting useage out of the spare. Remember, tires have a shelf life and do dry out after many years.
You may as well get some use out of the spare rather than discarding it unused when your main four tires wear out.
I have chosen to rotate my tires every 5,000 miles using the pattern shown above.
The spare will be inserted in the passenger side rear position at each rotation.
Also be sure to torque your lug nuts to 83ft. lbs. using the star pattern shown above.
Cleaning and Protecting:
Here are some of the detailing products I like to use for these tires.
Simple Green APC All Purpose Cleaner
Effective and cost efficient for cleaning the tires as well as wheel wells, suspension parts, engine, etc.
Simple Green APC |
Detail Factory Pro Grip Tire Brush
Stiff synthetic bristles
Rubberized ergonomic grip
Hang hole for drying/storage
Chemical resistant handle material
Metal-Free construction to prevent scratching
A must have item for scrubbing the sidewalls of your tires.
The Detail Factory tire brush features a solid, rubber-overmolded handle with an ergonomic “D” profile and ribbed rubber texture for superior grip during use. The chemical resistant filament-type bristles are perfect for scrubbing tires, floor mats, running board step plates, and much more.
Detail Factory Pro Grip Tire Brush |
Detail Factory Curveball XL Ultra Soft Synthetic Brush
Oversized head for cleaning large areas
Rubberized ergonomic grip
Mountable drying/storage rack included
Chemical resistant handle material
Metal-Free construction to prevent scratching
Ultra-Soft bristle material for delicate surfaces
Makes easy work of getting tire shine into the large sidebiter tread blocks of the Goodyear Duratracs.
The Curveball is an all-new concept utilizing our famous Ultra-Soft synthetic bristles in a much larger package. This brush features an ergonomic, full hand grip for maximum comfort when using such a large brush. With it’s Ultra-Soft bristles, the Curveball is optimized for large areas that may require a delicate touch. Leather/vinyl seats, large plastic interior panels such as SUV cargo areas, door panels, and soft-top convertible roofs are all great places to put the Curveball to work. The Curveball also comes with a mountable drying stand so it can be dried and stored between uses.
Detail Factory Curveball XL |
Adam’s Graphene Tire Dressing
Contains Graphene Ceramic Resins
Generates a Highly Durable, Like New Tire Appearance
No-Sling Formulation
Designed To Work Great On Large Tread Blocks
Watermelon & Fruit Fragrance
In combination with the Curveball XL brush, this goes on easily and gets into the large sidebiter tread blocks of the Goodyear Duratracs.
Dries well and does not stay either greasy or sticky. Last a long time.
A little on the shiny side initially but can be buffed down to a nice satin finish.
If you’re looking for a deep black, like new tire appearance then you’ve come to the right place. Graphene Tire Dressing™ is a must-have for those that aren’t interested in a shiny, wet-looking tire and want to maintain a satin appearance for as long as possible with zero opportunities for sling.
Adam’s Graphene Tire Dressing |
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