SUV and truck tires are quite expensive, even more, are those that are meant for all-terrain driving. So you need to be 100% sure before spending your money.
There are a lot of companies that make all-terrain tires, but it mostly comes down to DuraTrac vs KO2. This review will look at all the factors and choose which is better.
BF Goodrich KO2 vs. Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac
The Goodyear Duratrac has been well-known for many years. It’s good for off-roading, driving every day, on muddy tracks, especially in winter. The tires appear to be helpful, satisfying, and dependable. Its design does a great job of blurring the line between all-terrain tires and mud tires.
On the other hand, the Goodrich KO2 tire is also the next step in the segment. It works well both in muddy areas and for daily driving. Its new CoreGuard technology makes it unique.
Both are high-quality and popular all-terrain tires in the market because they can be used in many different ways. Duratrac vs ko2 Comparative study:
Tread Life
Tread life is where they don’t have the upper hand. For extreme off-road terrains, tires need to be chosen carefully.
The tread life of KO2 is not as variable as Duractrac’s. Still, it has a lot of uses and can be used on lifted off-road vehicles, heavy trucks, diesel trucks, or light trucks without any problems. The KO2 tires with the new tread pattern can resist cuts and tears better. The KO2 has a longer tread life.
Check out the one made of Duratrac! So, this one stands out because it has a gentler feel. Due to its narrower tread pattern and higher load range, Duratrac works best when towing or hauling heavy loads.
Durability
Hardly any truck and SUV owner can ignore how long the tires will last. The more durable tire between Duratrac vs KO2 is, the better it can protect against outside impacts (rock edges, sharp stones, etc.). They use a new tread compound which makes them stronger.
The KO2 is one of the best sidewalls in the world. Its CoreGard technology can scare any user and makes the sidewalls 20 percent more durable. Compared to its earlier models, the new tire seems like it is the best. Goodyear’s current change to its internal structure takes away from the comfort of its Duratrac tires.
Design
At first glance, these two look a lot alike. KO2 looks more attractive and stylish. The Wrangler Duratrac, on the other hand, is beautiful with its sporty and open design.
Price
When looking for the best off-road tire, the price is significant. DuraTrac costs more, but you can see why it costs more when you look at what it can do. Because it is made of blocks and has deeper grooves, it can handle even the roughest terrain.
Even though KO2 tires cost less, that doesn’t mean they aren’t good. The performance is excellent.
On-Road Performance
Behind great tires are great ups and performances that stand out. After looking at the main differences between Wrangler Duratrac vs KO2, we see other essential differences. The tread pattern of both tires is perfect for paved roads but an aggressive tread pattern is better for off-road conditions. Now let’s talk about how they do in on-road performance:
● Street Noise
How loud a tire is on a smooth road is based on how its treads are made. The tire may squeal more when the grooves are more prominent. KO2 makes less noise on the road. Due to its thick & wide pattern blocks, and tire size, Goodyear Duratrac makes more noise than KO2.
Smaller gaps and smaller blocks significantly reduce the road noise. On the other hand, Duratrac’s ability to reduce noise is not very good. The Goodyear DuraTrac can be noisy due to the wide tread pattern.
● Vibration
Any all-terrain tire must have minimal vibration. Vibration shows how well the tires are balanced when they are being used. Both Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac and BFG KO2 are easy to balance. However, the BF Goodrich KO2 is better at reducing vibration.
● Comfort
The comfort of a tire is directly affected by how stiff the sidewalls are and the compound. The material in Goodyear Duratrac is softer, which makes it lighter and easier to use.
Most all-terrain tires are made with stiffer compounds because they need to last longer and cut better. In this way, Goodyear and BFG are well known in the off road driving circuits. Still, it looks like Goodyear will win.
Off-Road Performance
These all-terrain tires work well almost everywhere. Each will be at its best in a different setting.
Here are the tires off-road performance specifications:
● Mud
Are you fretful about deep mud? BF Goodrich is much better in this case. It can almost clean itself. Soil fits into the tiny, deep grooves, keeping the all terrain tire in the best possible contact with the ground. This gives the real mud tires a stable, strong grip.
Duratrac looks good on soft surfaces. However, its deep grooves still keep dirt and mud on the tires. The KO2 also has mud buster bars that keep it safe from damage in off road conditions. In mud, you could go either direction. The Goodyear Duratrac is a better choice for a trip like this.
● Dirt and gravel
Dirt roads and gravel don’t bother these beasts at all. But the Wrangler Duratrac is better because it has a better grip on loose surfaces and a higher void area ratio. There’s no reason to think less of how well they do on dirt roads and gravel.
● Rock
The best rock crawler is KO2. This tire is tough enough to handle sharp rocks and gravel or loose stones with better traction. Its cutting-edge Coreguard technology makes its strong sidewalls even better. Also, the serrated design of the shoulders keeps the whole tire from getting damaged or bruised.
The Goodyear Duratrac, on the other hand, has a grip and handling on rocks that will blow your mind. Its cuts give it a firm grip with its strong shoulders, making it easier for it to cross the rocky ground.
● Sand
The deep treads on the Goodyear Duratrac don’t make it better in the sand. Because of this, you’ll get stuck in no time when in off road conditions.
Driving a BF Goodrich KO2 on the beach is quite good. The car can go as fast as it can on sand without much trouble with grip or stability.
Rain Performance
Most all-terrain tires, which have stiff compounds and deep treads, won’t want to drive in the rain on a wet road. To explain, deep treads make it harder to get out of a building. And stiff materials make it harder to grip.
Both tires are better than their competition in the market in the rains. Wrangler Duratrac will not give a cause for concern with its softer and notched rubber.
If you look at the BF Goodrich KO2, you’ll love the way it’s bigger shoulders let water out. In short, both of the best tires are good in the rain. Still, the BF Goodrich KO2 seems to be a good choice for drivers who go fast.
Winter Performance
These two top tires are known worldwide for their solid footing, good grip on rocky roads, and other high-end features. We’ll talk about how well these two tires work in the winter in these three sub-sections.
● Deep Snow
They both work well because they have strong points with different designs. The Goodyear Duratrac, on the other hand, has deeper tread grooves that give it a stable snow grip.
Still, the KO2’s angled shoulders give it a lot more grip on surfaces that aren’t very stable and better tread life. Because of how well they do in deep snow, they get to do things that the others can’t.
● Traction on Ice
Traction on icy roads is one of the most important things to consider when valuing all-terrain tires.
Find out at Goodyear, where you can set up studs. If you don’t use the studs, it’s a pretty average tire on ice. A deep tread depth is necessary for safer rides.
● Light Snow
In reality, they don’t do much different in light snow or when driving on wet roads. When hot tires touch light snow, the snow turns into water. So, evacuation and the ability to hold on are two ways to deal with wet ground. You need more traction capability.
Both work well when there is light snow, but the Goodyear Duratrac is better with a strong wet grip.
Before Buying All-Terrain Tires, Things to Think About
You have to think about many things before buying tires, to get the right tires for off road driving or on road driving adventures. Points to be considered:
● Cost
Should you buy all-terrain tires that are less expensive? If you are new to off-roading, you might be tempted to buy the cheapest tires you can find. But these tires may have problems, like being poorly made, which will cost you more in repairs and replacements.
Choose a tire that gives you the most for your money. Choose a great tire with great features, such as durability and a fair price.
● The Terrain
Off-road tires are made for different types of terrain. Some tires work well on snowy trails, and others work well on soft terrains. Learn about the terrain and get an idea of what kind of tires will work best.
● Treads
Off-road vehicle tires stand out because they have deeper treads that give them a lot of grip for off road adventures. Most car experts will tell you to get deeper treads, especially if you are going to use the vehicle for rock crawling or on muddy roads.
● Sidewall
Thin tire sidewalls look sporty, so it’s easy to see why you might like them. But always go for a thicker sidewall. It will give a smooth ride and protect you from bumps. You can be sure that the sidewalls of the ruggedly built tire won’t get damaged.
Final Notes
When it comes to Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac vs. BF Goodrich KO2 it seems very close. We have to try to cover all points. So, which is the better tire? Each option is suitable for different situations & purposes.
People like how well Duratrac grips the snowy roads in the winter. Don’t take its good tread life for granted either. Still, it may seem noisy for daily driving. We can say that Goodyear Duratrac works best off-road in snow conditions.
Also, a good grip on very harsh terrains or wet surfaces is a big plus. Thanks to new technology, its sidewall is 20 percent stronger, more stable, and more durable. The Treadlife design also promises better grip when it’s wet or when you’re driving off-road.
So in the battle of Duratrac vs KO2, which one wins? The best choice depends on your needs and hobbies as a whole.
FAQs:
Is Goodyear Duratracs noisy?
On asphalt, Duratrac tires are noisy.
How much can DuraTrac Tires last for?
DuraTrac tires are stable all-terrain tires that can go about 40,000 miles. It is the same as 64000 kilometers, which is an excellent value for driving off-road.
