Duratrac RT vs KO3

[Friskery]

Hello, I’m going to go upgrading to a 295/70/18 tire and have narrowed my search down to the Duratrac RT and the KO3. I’m leaning towards the Duratrac but I heard the previous generation were noisy. I’m looking for some good thoughts and opinions on these two.

 

[Eff One Fiddy]

Very interested…when I replace mine it will be with one of those two.

 

[88Junior]

I had the previous generation Duratrac on another truck I owned. Great tire but they were very noisy after about 30,000. I have heard the new generation are much quieter so I may give them a try at some point. No experience with the K03

 

[DirtyBoots]

Thinking about the upgraded KO3's myself. The Grabbers that came on it (2024 less than 10k) seem to hold mud rather than shedding it causing more slippage than I care for.

 

[McCarthy]

Speaking for the KO3 they are a massive improvement over the KO2 in ice and snow (Northern canada checking in...) and are a significant improvement in mud as well. Slightly more road noise, and I would suspect fast wear- will report back.

 

[Eff One Fiddy]

Speaking for the KO3 they are a massive improvement over the KO2 in ice and snow (Northern canada checking in...) and are a significant improvement in mud as well. Slightly more road noise, and I would suspect fast wear- will report back.

I had the outgoing Duratracs on my 2017 that I traded in and have heard that they, along with the RT’s, outperform the KO2 and KO3, but have heard the KO3 are much better than the KO2.

 

[Calbot]

Baja boss

 

[Eff One Fiddy]

My other requirements are load E and the mountain snowflake living in Montana. That narrows the list.

 

[PNWTremor]

Hello, I’m going to go upgrading to a 295/70/18 tire and have narrowed my search down to the Duratrac RT and the KO3. I’m leaning towards the Duratrac but I heard the previous generation were noisy. I’m looking for some good thoughts and opinions on these two.

Goodyear DuraTracs are a very basic tire and hardly an upgrade over the general grabber AT/X on our tremors.

Also the silverados trail bosses come standard with them, you don’t want to be like a Chevy do you? I didn’t think so.

The KO tires have been in development since the early 90s. BFG is the biggest name in the game for offroad tires. The warranty, quality and performance of the KO3 represents everything their company has to throw at a tire, being that the KO series is also their most popular offroad tire.

I would say: If you’re going to get new tires, do it right the first time and get something you know you’ll like. The KO3 is a no-brainer.

Only issue I see is the sizing, they only just finished rolling out OEM tires, the imperial tire sizes are still being released. So it’s up to you.

 

[PNWTremor]

Baja boss

I’m in love with the Baja Boss. Best tire I’ve ever owned on a truck. I think it rivals even the KO3, even if by a tiny margin.

 

[Unique Corn Snowflake]

My other requirements are load E and the mountain snowflake living in Montana. That narrows the list.

You may wish to give some consideration to Nokian's Outpost nAT tire. I have had enough good luck with their Hakkapeliitta snow tires I'm going to "audition" a set of their all-terrains as 3-season tires on my old Power Wagon after researching them. Reports after searching are that they are excellent in winter weather and are surprisingly quiet for a fairly aggressive all terrain. This first set will be the test mules for eventual replacement on other vehicles I drive more often.

Landing page and spec sheet posted below. LT tires are on the third page of the sheet. They appear to be available in both the stock size and the 295 size mentioned above.

https://na.nokiantyres.com/all-terrain-tires/nokian-tyres-outpost-nat/

https://nokiantyres.studio.crasman....n_Tyres_Outpost_nAT_Info_Sheet_April_2024.pdf

 

[Friskery]

Goodyear DuraTracs are a very basic tire and hardly an upgrade over the general grabber AT/X on our tremors.

Also the silverados trail bosses come standard with them, you don’t want to be like a Chevy do you? I didn’t think so.

The KO tires have been in development since the early 90s. BFG is the biggest name in the game for offroad tires. The warranty, quality and performance of the KO3 represents everything their company has to throw at a tire, being that the KO series is also their most popular offroad tire.

I would say: If you’re going to get new tires, do it right the first time and get something you know you’ll like. The KO3 is a no-brainer.

Only issue I see is the sizing, they only just finished rolling out OEM tires, the imperial tire sizes are still being released. So it’s up to you.

Thanks for the opinion. Did you see the new Duratrac RT though? It’s said to be an upgrade but I’d like opinion on the noise.

 

[PNWTremor]

Thanks for the opinion. Did you see the new Duratrac RT though? It’s said to be an upgrade but I’d like opinion on the noise.

Yes, I was reffering to the Duratrac lineup as a whole. The RT is really no different than the version before it. I’m sure it will be a good fleet option for police agencies and commercial trucks, but there are so many better options.

 

[Unique Corn Snowflake]

I would expect the KO3 to be the quieter, more all-purpose of the two tires mentioned in the OP. I don't have personal experience with either tire but did not like the OEM "classic" Duratracs that came on my Super Duty and replaced them in less that the first 500 miles. Supposedly the RT fixes some of the issues people has with the original. The sister forum for SD Tremors has a thread about the RT that I haven't fully reread yet. I'll link that below along with a YT review from a content creator that seems reasonably trustworthy.

https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/has-anyone-tried-the-new-duratrac-r-ts.17196/

 

[TexasTea]

Speaking for the KO3 they are a massive improvement over the KO2 in ice and snow (Northern canada checking in...) and are a significant improvement in mud as well. Slightly more road noise, and I would suspect fast wear- will report back.

How much stiffer than the grabbers, going from a SL to an E worries me... Also they're 20lbs heavier per tire...

 

[TexasTea]

I’m in love with the Baja Boss. Best tire I’ve ever owned on a truck. I think it rivals even the KO3, even if by a tiny margin.

Got my eye on those as well. What's the mileage and speed hit like? Also how's the ride compared to the nice soft SL grabbers?

 

[Machine]

Got my eye on those as well. What's the mileage and speed hit like? Also how's the ride compared to the nice soft SL grabbers?

The Baja Boss are good tires. I've only noticed 1 mpg difference, but that may improve again when it warms up. My mileage has been below stated since the beginning, so not sure if I trust it, but the Baja Bosses are good tires, I believe with load range E and 3-peak rated.

 

[McCarthy]

How much stiffer than the grabbers, going from a SL to an E worries me... Also they're 20lbs heavier per tire...

I have no idea. Every truck i've bought has 10 ply's on before it leaves the dealer.

 

[PNWTremor]

Got my eye on those as well. What's the mileage and speed hit like? Also how's the ride compared to the nice soft SL grabbers?

Lost 1mpg city, 2mpg hwy. Not a big deal if you drive the speed limit (which I always speed).

I have E loads. They are stiff, but I also wheel my truck a lot so I need them.

 

[TexasTea]

Lost 1mpg city, 2mpg hwy. Not a big deal if you drive the speed limit (which I always speed).

I have E loads. They are stiff, but I also wheel my truck a lot so I need them.

Trust me I know the sharp volcanic rocks on the PNW trails. Lived in the Cascades many years. Now that I'm in NV... Still got sharp rocks. Living dangerously on SL tires.... But I like my cushy ride.