Alright, so I wll be installing a prg leveling kit soon (already bought) and I will be adding some nice aggressive tires to top it off. I have been doing a lot searching around on tires and have compiled a list based upon price and size and trying decide between them. I have narrowed it down to Firestone's Destination MT, Nitto's new Trail Grappler and Goodyear's Duratrac. I have been reading all of the reviews and every tire has its pros and cons, so what I really am looking for is to hear from YOUR experiences with these tires. I am also concerned about looks, who isn't?

I have a couple of options. I can sell the new factory tires to regain some of my cost, or I can keep my current tires to run in the winter and keep just keep the new nice tires for the summers in order to prolong the life. Seems dumb but buying tires for 18's isn't cheap especially when buying an MT. I guess the reason I am explaining this is that it leaves more wiggle room for getting a tire that isn't necessarily winter rated if I keep both sets.

I live in Wisconsin and have a CC SE 4x4 with factory SR-A's (32.6" x 10.43)these tires will be on factory wheels, 8" wide I believe. I initially wanted 33's and the width I was unsure of. I only wanted 33's because I thought it would look weird to go smaller with a leveling/mini lift kit. For the width, I know there are a lot tires offered in 325/60/18 which comes out to be 12.79 inches wide. I do not want a tire that will be sticking too far out past the fenders as I would like to keep some paint on the truck. So this is what I found and now need your suggestions. I would really appreciate it if you didn't give suggestions just based on brand. I would also like to know what kind of mileage I can expect to get from them.

Destination MT
- I have heard this is a great tire and has a decently strong sidewall. I realize it doesnt have any factory siping but could always be done later. The size I would get for what they offer is their 285/65/18 this measures out to be 32.58 x 11.22. The height is near 33's but not sure if being under the 33 mark will make it look funny as the stockers are 32.6" which would make these tires the same height as stock, width seems fine. This is a pic of the exact size on a CC and I do really like the look

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/attachments/titan-wheels-tires-brakes/94844d1263084442-finally-got-goods-tires-brakes-leveling-kit-nt.jpg
http://www.bfvz.com.ve/img/cauchos/destination%20mt.jpg

Goodyear Duratrac
- I dont know too much about this tire except for the fact that it is suppose to be great in all weather especially in rain and snow because of the factory siping, I was initially more interested in this tire based upon the all weather rating and size of 295/65/18 which measures out to be 33.09 x 11.61 which is a little taller and a little wider great looks and nice sidewall. Also a picture of the exact same size tire.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/kallen425/DSCN0503.jpg
http://image.sporttruck.com/f/18286333/0907st_04_z+new_products_july_2009+goodyear_duratr ac_tire.jpg


Nitto Trail Grappler
- I really dont know much about this tire at all, from what I know it is a pretty new tire for nitto. I would also be interested in this tire at the 285/65/18 however on Nitto's site they state this is 32.83 x 11.93. I originally was pulled to this because of the nice aggressive styling and because I had read they were suppose to be nice on the road and dirt. I know a lot of people run the Terra Grappler however for me, I just cant get used to the lightning bolts, sounds really stupid but really something I dont really care for. I couldn't find the exact size posted on a T which makes it harder to judge but I did find 35's installed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/mtxbluez28/IMG_1312.jpg
http://www.postrelease.com/asset/view/485.jpg


I realize this is pretty long, however I am looking for any suggestions. I am concerned about durability, mileage (not mpg), and cost, but obviously if a set will run me a hundred or two more for something that will give me more use its a no brainer.

Thanks for taking the time to look this over!

I'm getting the duratrac tires myself. Not only because I get them at half price, but because the factory siping. I have siping on my bridgestone duelers and my truck is a champ in all sorts of weather. Rarley get tire spin.

Unfortantly I don't have them yet, so my review on these is weak. I have heard good things about em tho. Walmart sells the same thing, just different name and slightly different center tred pattern (still says goodyear on the sidewalls) for $130 vs $165

well you should get them half off for me too ;) then I would def get them!

im very skeptical about goodyear tires. every jeep rubicon ive had come through my shop for steering wheel shaking and pulling etc is due to the goodyear mts wearing poorly and quickly. as for our stock sra ( which we all know suck @ss ) they are p metric tires whcih are hard to compare with LTs but are still provign a point that the goodyear rubber and design/craftsmanship kinda sucks. i havent experienced these duratracs, but i havent heard anything bad. id assume they are in the same ballpark as a silent armor though. personally id stay away from goodyear.

as far as the firestones go- my buddy has them on his xterra and loves them. they wear nicely: i put them on his suv in august of 09 and they are both highway driven and used on the beach. his only complaints are about the hum, they are noisy as hell, but thats a MT for ya! i also think they are fairly priced. if i were putting them on my truck id go with a 33 but a bit wider like 275/70/18 ( which is an 11"+/- section width )

lastly the newer nitto trail grapplers...

i just put these on one of my trucks. i think they are pretty good tires. i had 33x12.50x18 toyo mts on previously, used for highway driving, beach cruising, and offroad in dirt/mud/gravel. they lasted me a lil more than 40,000 miles. they had pros and cons though: pros being the inability to destroy the sidewalls of these things. they are thick as hell which was reassuring during offroading. they are not as noisy as nitto muds, they clean themselves out very well, have a great load capacity for hauling or towing and they look great imo. cons are first and most unmistakeably the price. they are expensive as hell. secondly they weight a ton ( +/-70lbs each i think) reason i bring up the toyo mts i had is bc these nitto trails are very similar. besides a great load rating ( 4000+ lbs i think ) they are about the same as far as noise on highway goes ( loud but not overwhelming... a radio or exhaust drown will def drown it out ) this tire is also fairly heavy where you will notice mpg change slightly like with the toyo mt. its not too killer on the beach/sand- even aired down low, i do not have any ease on the sand. i think the sidewalls are so thick and stiff they just have a very hard time flexing for conditions where that is a necessity. they look great, i put on 295/70/18s which are bigger than what your looking for but i cant see ride charactoristics changing much by that size difference. and the best part of the nitto trail grapplers is that they are reasonably priced for the type of tire they are. similar treads ( toyo mt, bfg mt, hankook dynapro mt, etc ) are much more $$$ i got my 295/70/18s for $240ish a pop. the toyos i had were $325 a pop... i went a bit taller and a bit narrower for $350 savings...

lastly, i have recently tried the general at2's and figured id throw it out here for you to try looking at. its a sick tire! i put a set on my wifes frontier and my fathers frontier. they handle great, arent too heavy, kick @ss on wet and dry pavement as well as offroad, they arent loud and are very similar styling to the bfg all terrain kos. they have a snowflake, the tread clears out well, and its very very reasonably priced. id recommend them over the goodyears your looking at any day. 275/70/18 (33/11/18) at $170-180 a piece depending on your location. just a thought!


out of the 3 you listed, go with the nittos. my .02 though, goodluck

what tires ya get?

I'm about to get my goodyears (and trust me, i hate goodyears..but I've done a ton of review on the duratacs..) so I'm excited for my new tred for this summers camp trips in the High Rockies!!

I have had my Duratracs for about 3 months now. I decided to go with the 275/70R/18s. I wasn't necessarily looking for a wider tire. I have to say that the tread had been great especially in the snow. I have not had any traction issues, but it is funny to see guys with 35s losing traction in the snow as mine bite right through it! I have a 3" Rough Country Lift and the tires do not look too small. I personally don't think that you need bigger that 33s unless you have a 6" or higher lift. Otherwise, the tire takes away from the look of your lift. The tires have a slight hum on the road but for the aggressiveness of the tread, they are quiet compared to others. I give them a thumbs up.