D- or E- load rated Duratracs?
#1
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
D- or E- load rated Duratracs?
I think the ply rating is the difference between 6-ply and 10-ply, or maybe it's 12-ply, but I'm looking at getting 33x12.5 Duratracs and I'm second guessing going with the more road-worthy D-rating versus a heavier duty E-rated tire.
I understand that the ride quality diminishes as the tire sidewalls get more robust. I didn't buy my Jeep to ride like a Cadillac to begin with, so I'm not sure if I could care about the difference in ride quality. Does it really suck with heavier tires? I don't have anything to compare it to.
My biggest fear is getting out on a trail and goofing up a sidewall and trashing a $270 tire when I've got the option now to spend $6 more per tire or whatever it is to get a tire with a beefed up sidewall that would hopefully not suffer light damage in offroad conditions.
Thoughts?
I understand that the ride quality diminishes as the tire sidewalls get more robust. I didn't buy my Jeep to ride like a Cadillac to begin with, so I'm not sure if I could care about the difference in ride quality. Does it really suck with heavier tires? I don't have anything to compare it to.
My biggest fear is getting out on a trail and goofing up a sidewall and trashing a $270 tire when I've got the option now to spend $6 more per tire or whatever it is to get a tire with a beefed up sidewall that would hopefully not suffer light damage in offroad conditions.
Thoughts?
#3
JK Junkie
How much trail use do you expect to see? Is your Jeep a daily driver? I've had "E's" on mine since the day it was delivered. So I purchased E-Rated Duras when I replaced my tires too. Since my Jeep see's mostly highway miles, I wish I would have purchased D's. Or maybe even C's.
PS: The ride is rough. But not to rough. But those tires are heavy when compared to the C's.
PS: The ride is rough. But not to rough. But those tires are heavy when compared to the C's.
#5
JK Forum Regional Rep
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I run D rated 315/70R17 duratrac's. I've had them on rocks, mud, snow, ice, hard pack, etc. doing what I would consider moderate wheeling and have not had any issues with strength. I would only go with an E rated tire if I needed it for weight capacity like a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I can air down these tires to 12-15lbs. and still get a decent foot print. I think you'd have to air down an E rated tire much more and risk popping beads. That's my two cents.
#6
JK Freak
I run D rated 315/70R17 duratrac's. I've had them on rocks, mud, snow, ice, hard pack, etc. doing what I would consider moderate wheeling and have not had any issues with strength. I would only go with an E rated tire if I needed it for weight capacity like a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I can air down these tires to 12-15lbs. and still get a decent foot print. I think you'd have to air down an E rated tire much more and risk popping beads. That's my two cents.
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#8
JK Enthusiast
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Because of the rocks that we typically see on the trails here in Utah my personal opinion is that running an E tire is good insurance. I have Duratracs that are E and they are much softer than the Nitto's that I had that were E rated so the type/brand of tire does make a difference.
#9
JK Jedi
E rated! Ive seen some posts that show sticks and stuff goin thri the mtrs with kevlar and rather be safe.. But no personal experience ive had no issues with mt e rated tires but the stock muds took a severe beating...
#10
JK Enthusiast
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Have E rate on my rig wish i would have got D much better for weight of jeep side note had to replace tire w torn side wall E did not make any differance in my case good luck