I have the 15x10.50 in 31" and they just track all over the highway and feel unstable at highspeeds, getting past 65mph the truck struggles. Even the auto guys I go to said they were pretty loud and were surprised. I did have bad shocks and those messed with my tire wear so they are louder than normal, still, it's the the nimbleness and planted feel on the road I miss.

Not a chance i'm going through the trouble of lowering my jeep, plus i like the higher ride height. I'd rather it just drive better, keep the bad mpg and keep it at 3" lift. So that's why I am in the "what tire to get debate". So I can enjoy the height, and have a more planted road feel. I don't do any offroading and just have lots of fun in the snow in winter. I recall the AT3s just doing fine in the snow, so maybe i'll go that route. hmm....

 

I have 31 duratracs and my biggest complaint is that they don't come in 35s.... they look brand new still after a year and a half and do great on my 650 mile round trips from college and home.

 

What I ment to get across is maybe you have something else wrong? the Durratracs are a great tire. for example, mine was getting pretty bad... bouncingall over the road etc. I ccould still keep on the road at 70 but it was not a fun time. I replaced all of my bushings/flex joints in my long arms and now I can cruise at 80 or so without any problem.

Before giving up on the Durratracs completely, try borrowing a set of something else from another local jeeper and seeing how they feel.

Unfortunately though, The few extra lbs wont save you that much gas... You are driving a lifted brick haha. It may seem like it as you get your speedometer gear closer in ratio to where it is supposed to be (if you've never changed it) but the Durratracs are also one of the lightest tires out their for their size.

The BFG ATKOs are a heavy favorite for a solid AT in the Jeep world. They are not as good in the snow as what you have but still work great. Long tread life and durables enough if you do take it off the pavement someday.

 

Thanks that was helpful. I thought the duratracs were pretty damn heavy though. I thought I had the bushings fixed about 20k ago, but i'll have to check. If i can get the dura's running smooth i'd be fine. Just can't stand the highway instability and excessive play in steering from the wide tires. The new Shocks and steering bushings helped, but not enough. Figured more flat (less knobby) tire would help even more.

 

Yeah it shouldn't cause steering issues like that. I'd take a look at your tie rod ends, and track bar. The MPG hit is real, but it shouldn't be very sloppy.

Did you do the ZJ tie rod upgrade? I did that and it seemed to crisp up the steering a bit, especially at speed.

 

my shop told me the front end is tight and all good, just the nobby wheels are causing the issue. I didn't do a ZJ tie rod upgrade. Not familiar with that fix.

I'll have to ask. thx

 

The wandering/tracking is not caused by the tires unless they are in very bad shape. Caster is a more likely culprit, also worn steering components.
After you turn a corner, does jeep straighten itself out? If not, not enough caster.

My rig tracks well and will run past 80 mph on flat pavement.
Had an XJ with 33" Swampers and it tracked surprisingly well. My point is, it's not just the tires.

 

i'll have to check later when I drive it. I spoke to 4wd.com and they really recommended the BFG AT 30x9.5x15. They are about $150 a tire. Looking at the tread pattern it still looks aggressive. They have a great deal on pro-comp wheels buy 3 get 1 free so I'm trying to figure out what tire from them I can get to fit the bill.

Now that spring-fall seasons are here I have to deal with rain and the Duratracs were pretty bad in the rain, so proper tread is a high priority.

 

Seriously? Now we know there is something else wrong. I can (and have) hit a hidden puddle going 70mph down the highway in a downpour with no sway bars and the combination of my shocks and duratracs keeps my jeep tracking straight with no worries. I don't notice a much of a difference between rain, snow, or dry pavement handling with the duratracs. I'm running them at 33psi and love them.

 

The 30 x 9.5 is a flotation tire and will be a few pounds heavier than an equivalent P tire. Also will ride less smooth due to added plys and be more expensive.
I believe the BFG AT comes in Passenger type.

 

I'm running 35s on a 3 lift and mine rides great, I love my dura tracks one of the smoothest quiet tires I've ever had. As long As they are rotated regularly I don't see why they wouldn't stay that way, and I get 12-16 mpg on 4.10s.

 

I couldn't agree with this more. I ran my jeep for about a year at 3 inches of lift and 31x10.5x15 duratracs. Handled great on and off road and were amazing in rain and snow. I also got 20.5 mpg consistently (ax-15 and mostly highway). I also run them in load range E on my diesel and they work great there too. I'm with most everyone else here, you have other problems. As mentioned, if they came in 35s for a 15 inch rim I'd still be running them.

 

The Durratracs might be heavier than strictly street tires but compared to most MTs/ATs, they are pretty light.

I would still hit up some guys in your local area and still try swapping the tires. If that fixes it for ya, then the tires could have been worn terribly and are your problem. If it doesn't, then you k is you have to look else where

And come on you other guys... get some 16" rims and you can get the Durratrac/tons of other tires in a 35... 15s are dying off.

 

It's not such a big deal, just go back to stock wheels, 15x7 or 15x8 and stay with 31's and AT or less aggressive tread design. There are five or six good, reasonable AT tires that will ride pretty quiet. Three in lift and 31's on stock rims is a great look and it will get you almost under the fenders with stock back spacing.

 

Thanks - not going to stock size but 29 would be fine with me. Probably will sell the duratracs locally and pick up something else. Just having a hard time deciding.

What do you think I could get for my wheels and tires. Duratracs have about 15k on them IIRC and wheels were $100/ea, but are starting to rust. They are 31x10.50x15

4wd.com keeps pushing the BFG AT, but they just look aggressive to me.

Appreciate all the input guys.