KM2 vs Duratrac vs MTR vs ? Road Noise?

[Cody]

I need new tires in the 285/70/17 flavor. I have the KM2's and I really like them. I got what I consider great mileage out of them (40k+ with probably 6-8k on dirt), they perform well, and stuff. My only complaint is the road noise, which now that they are worn down is as annoying as a surprise visit from Stephen.

I don't really want to drop down to an AT and have been thinking about the Duratrac's hoping they would perform just as well and be a little bit quieter....but from reading on the i'netz it sounds like they might be louder than the KM2's or at least just as loud. If that's the case, then I'd just go with the KM2's.

I know some people around here have gone from one to the other....any feedback on road noise vs performance? If road noise is essentially equal, then I'll just go to the KM2's again.

For the record, my preferred tire is the General Grabber MT, but they don't make it in my size

 

[TRD270]

I've had a few sets of Duratracs on my work trucks, new they are pretty quiet pretty worn they are still fairly quiet. I had one set on a loaner truck that were loud as shit, but they were cupped to all hell at about 60% tread. As long as you can keep them wearing right they seem to stay pretty quiet. I was running KM2's on my rig I like those, slightly louder than the duratracs. Duratracs are also pretty grippy in the white stuff.

 

[Jesser04]

I have a set of duratracs on my wife's 4runner. They are so loud I've thought about taking them off no cupping at all and rotated regularly. It's a great tire but I can't get past the noise next tire will be the new ko2.

 

[skeptic]

Can't speak to the others but Duratracs are my current favorite tire. I'm not running them now only because my vehicle came with BFG AT KOs and I want to step up a size for new tires (duratracs are not available in the larger size). I have not found the Duratracs to be loud at all, are more aggressive than your typical AT, and do a pretty good job all around.

Another option is the new BFG AT KO2s which by all accounts are better than the old AT KOs in every way. A number of sizes are already out, and more will be coming by spring/summer. These look to be a great option for someone wanting an aggressive AT style tire.

 

[DAA]

I've run all three.

My Duratracs only have 9K on them and are still nice and quiet. I've had tires that went from quiet to really loud as they wear before though, so, too early to tell, for me. But so far, just nothing to complain about, don't notice them at all on my Ram 1500.

I'm on my second set of KM2's and both sets were louder than the D-tracs are so far. And of course they get louder as they wear. But, still, for a mud tire, the KM2's really aren't bad in my experience.

The MT/R's were one of the most annoying, droning, screaming, howling, obnoxiously loud tires I've ever ran, not counting Swampers and such. Loved the way the MT/R's performed, but absolutely HATED them on road trips. After four hours of them screaming at me I'd just want to slit my wrists to make it end. Hated-hated-hated long trips on them. I mean, HATED them. Two hours into a four hour drive I'd just be sitting there fantasizing about stopping in the next town and buying new tires, any new tire. Just my take!

- DAA

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm in the same boat as a few others who are planning to run the KO2 as their next set of new tires, the reviews of them are too good to not try.

 

[Kevin B.]

You saw my comments over on the other board, but I think the newish Duratracs on the wife's 4Runner are as loud as the very worn very cupped KM2s that we on it when we bought it.

 

[Stephen]

I've enjoyed my Duratracs. Maybe I'll pop in later and we can chat about them...

 

[sLcREX]

My Duratracs don't bother me but I am deaf. I think they do have a good bit of road noise but they stick out about an inch past the fenders on my 4Runner. Next time I swing by for some goodies you're welcome to take it for a spin and hear for yourself.

 

[RockChucker]

I have duratracs on my duramax and love them. They are quiet to me, but pretty much anything compared to my TJ with a 5.3, loud exhaust and a soft top is quiet. In other news, I have MT/Rs (3rd set) on my TJ and haven't found them to be too loud. New MT/Rs are definitely quieter than older MT/Rs (worn Kevlars still), but I think that is basically true for most tires. I can't comment on KM2s though.

 

[I Lean]

Does Maxxis make a Bighorn in your desired size?

 

[BCGPER]

I've got 15K on my MTRk's, and they suck for noise. I won't be running them again.