I have a 2012 JKU with an Auto, 3.73 gears and a 2.5" lift

I am hung up on wether I should get the Trail Grappler 35x12.50x18's or if I should go with Duratrac 315/70r17's

I believe the Trail Grappler weighs a bunch more. 20lbs more? Does this matter for MPG? Are there other concerns I should have on weight?

Which one will wear better? I have heard that the MT's have to be rotated a bunch - at least the BFG MTs I had needed to be.

 

I am on my fourth set of trail grapplers on three different vehicles. I have had two sets of 35x12.50-18 on my truck, and I went with 295/70-18 on my jeep. Side by side, the 35 didn't look any taller and was wider to the point that they would have stuck too far out from the fender. They stuck out a couple inches as it is with the 295.

I really like these tires. I have had lots of others, but never the goodyear, so I can't compare the two. As I recall, when I looked into the weight difference it was very small between the 35" GY and the 295 TG. And the TG price was quite a bit lower - making a big difference when buying 5!

 

I just got off the line with Pat at Discount Tire Direct and they gave me a SMOKING deal on 5 TG 35x12.5x17 . I know your going 1" larger in wheel size but I dont see it being that much more of a cost. Plus you get the JK forum discount

 

The Duratrac's in 35's are very hard to find right now. They are hard to find because they have been rated the best tire in its class. Mudd and Snow rated.

I have no experience with the TG's however I have owned Terra Grapplers. They were phenomenal in the snow but lacked a real agressive look. The TG's have the right look but I dont think they will perform well in the snow, ice.

 

The duratracs do not compare to a M/T off road. They wear a ton better and arent quite as loud. Dont let the sidewalls fool you on the duratracs, they are not a mud tire. They are fantastic tires for an all around driver but they are many that are better off the pavement.

 

I have a 2012 JKU Rubicon with auto and 4:10 gears running the 35x17 Trail Grapplers on AEV rims. I have about 4000 mi on them and they are good tires, but a bit noisy above 65 mph. The one thing they are is heavy. My mileage went from 17 to 14.5 running those tires, and let me tell you it's not fun picking one of those bad boys up when rotating them and putting them on the tire carrier.

I regret somewhat the 35x17 size. If I was doing it again, I'd buy a 295 or 305 x17 to decrease the weight and rotational mass. I think 295s or 305s would still look good.

 

So I guess the question is, how the jeep will be used. If its a daily driver or if your creating a 100% Rock Crawler. If Rock Crawling is the main objective you can see as plain as day the tread pattern on the Duratracs will not perform as well as the TG's. I answered this question from a daily driver perspective. For me, the Duratracs would be better if not the best all around tire out there because it ranks very well for all the conditions I could face. It would be different if you were planning to do muddy trails of differing difficulties. Would you agree with that statement?

 

What's this discount?

 

Yes the trail grapplers are heavier, but they are also much tougher. Also the duratracs wont give near the off-road performance, but will give better fuel economy. As for rotating, the trail grapplers balance very easily

 

I went with the 315/70/17 duratracs and love them! They drive great on and off road. One of my reasons for getting them was the siping they have over other brands and the amount of snow I drive in (not this year).

I get about 13 mpg around town and have gotten as high as 18 with highway driving. 2012 JKUR with 4:10s.

They are pretty heavy, but manageable for changing and putting on carrier.

All that said, I am already looking to go with 37" tires in the near future and will likely go with nitto.