These are my initial impressions of the Goodyear DuraTrac on my Ford F150 HDPP (275/75R18). I'm putting this in towing / hauling / plowing because this is where the HDPP people hang out and this is what these trucks are purchased for. My stock Goodyear AT Adventures with Kevlar (275/65R18) have 35,000 miles and have maybe 15K left in them. The tread is too thin going into winter thus the new tires. I'll put the AT Adventures back on in the spring to use them up. All of my initial impressions are in comparison to the AT Adventures.

Noise - Surprisingly quiet for such an aggressive tire. There is a faint hum that most passengers wont notice. On smooth roads they are not as quite as the AT Adventures (which were basically silent). However, on rough pavement (like construction areas where the blacktop has been stripped) they are quieter than the AT Adventures.

Rubber hardness - noticeably softer and more pliable than the AT Adventures (probably why they are so quiet). This should be much better in cold weather than the AT Adventures.

Grip - Grip is fantastic on every surface I've been on. I have not been in snow and ice yet. Grip is far better than the AT Adventures.

Handling - for the way I drive I can't tell a difference. However, based on the softness of the tread and the higher profile that I chose I would expect it to feel less solid in a hard corner or panic situation.

Stiffness - The stock tires were Load range C. The new ones are Load Range E. I thought the DuraTracs would ride harder. To my surprise, the DuraTracs at 50psi ride softer than the Adventures at 40psi. This must be because of the thicker tread and softer rubber providing more cushion. The ride is improved with the DuraTracs.

Load handling - Stock tires ~2500 pounds. DuraTracs ~3500 pounds.

Towing - I've only towed my equipment trailer empty (2700 pounds) and had 4 tires + floor jack, cap and bed mats in the truck. So 400 pounds of tongue weight and 500 pounds in the bed. Not much of a test. The ride was great. Handling was normal. Again, not much of a test.

 

Thanks for the review! This Duratrac will be on my list of choices when I'm ready to get new shoes.

 

They will harden over time but I currently have 61,000 miles of my original Duratracs and they will probably go 70,000.... load range E as well.

 

OEM's on our 13 was BFG's. When time came to replace, we went with Michelin Defenders and am really pleased with em.

 

Mileage take a hit?

 

I'm guessing it will. Too soon to tell. My gut feeling from watching my average in places I usually drive is 1/2 to 1 MPG lower. This is accounting for the 4% larger diameter.

 

Just installed the DuraTracs a month ago. Like yourself I’m amazed at how quiet they are. I’m really looking forward to some playtime in deep snow this winter. What PSI are you running ?

 

They're around 47 cold. I think the garage shot for the 48psi on the door sticker. What psi are you running? And yes, almost crazy how quiet they are. And did I mention they are really quiet?

 

I’m running 38psi. I’m wondering if that’s right. I’ll have to check the side wall in the morning. The dealer that installed them had them set at 35.

 

The HDPP has higher PSI on the door sticker than the non HDPP models. At 48 psi with the stock tires it is set up to handle the 4,800 rGAWR. I would think most f150s would be around 38 psi on the door sticker. The DuraTracs actually cannot handle as much weight per pound of pressure as the stock tires did. But their max pressure is much, much higher (80 psi vs 51 psi). 53 PSI is what I should run if I'm loading the rear axle to the 4,800 pound max. If your rear axle is rated at 3,800 like most of them and you have the 3640 pound at 80 psi DuraTracs, you should be at 43 psi in the rear for max loading.