Duratracs mountain snowflake rated?

[DIG]

If this is a new change from Goodyear, I wonder if any of the 3PMS rated tires are still available on the market.

 

[ccw]

Heard back from TireRack already (impressive response time!):

Hi Colin , believe it or not , Goodyear makes two Duratrac's in that size Part number (312084142) That does have the 3PMS rating and part number (312085142) That does not . Both E load tires though . We have the three peak tires on order with Goodyear but just show a status of backorder.

That's mind boggling. I've replied back asking if they (TireRack) know if there's any difference between the two variants, other than one being studdable (compound, tread, siping). Will update when I hear back.

Most charitable guess I have for why Ford may have moved to the non-rated one is supply chain. Maybe they could get the non-rated ones, but couldn't get the rated ones.

 

[Flintlock]

It’s most likely cost…..look at comparable sizes….they make 3 peak and non in a bunch of sizes. The non severe weather variants are considerably cheaper. I posted an example from tire rack earlier in the thread

 

[ccw]

It’s most likely cost…..look at comparable sizes….they make 3 peak and non in a bunch of sizes. The non severe weather variants are considerably cheaper. I posted an example from tire rack earlier in the thread

Yep, agreed that's most likely. That price difference was significant.

 

[Flintlock]

I will say I have had several sets of both variants on multiple heavy duty trucks. The non severe rated tires are wonderful in the snow as well. I know this doesn’t help the folks who need the rating to be winter compliant but I thought I’d throw it out there

 

[ccw]

I will say I have had several sets of both variants on multiple heavy duty trucks. The non severe rated tires are wonderful in the snow as well. I know this doesn’t help the folks who need the rating to be winter compliant but I thought I’d throw it out there

That's great to hear. Helps placate me. I don't need the rating for compliance, but do need good winter performance.

 

[ccw]

Ok, heard back from TireRack about what might be different:

Externally they look identical . Typically (this just happened with BFG and their KO2 all terrain tires) they just make the compound harder to get added tread life and sacrificing some snow traction in the process . BF Goodrich makes their tire in the snowflake/non snowflake in several sizes as well . Specifically on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks the softer compound wears REALLY fast . Most guys in 1/2 ton or Jeeps for that matter will opt for the snow traction

So most likely it's a harder compound. Tread life is a big factor in customer satisfaction for a lot of people, so I bet Ford saw it as a win/win in their minds: they save cost and customers get longer lasting tires.

Just sucks for those of us who like the Duratracs for winter.

I'm calling this mystery solved. And they would have gotten away with it if it weren't for us pesky kids!

 

[stickshifter]

According to the Tire Rack, some models of Duratrac are 3PMSF and some are not:

"Most Wrangler DuraTrac light truck tires are branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol to identify they meet the industry's severe snow service standards and if so, will be noted in the tire's Details & Pricing section. The absence of the "Severe Snow Service Rated" text indicates that size is not 3PMSF-branded." (Source: Tire Rack)

 

[ccw]

According to the Tire Rack, some models of Duratrac are 3PMSF and some are not:

"Most Wrangler DuraTrac light truck tires are branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol to identify they meet the industry's severe snow service standards and if so, will be noted in the tire's Details & Pricing section. The absence of the "Severe Snow Service Rated" text indicates that size is not 3PMSF-branded." (Source: Tire Rack)

The part that was confusing was that one tire size, load, and speed rating - 285/75R18 129/126Q - has both severe snow rate and not severe snow rated variants. On top of that, Tire Rack doesn't appear to sell the one without the severe snow rating, so based solely on TireRack's website, there's no indication the other one exists.

Compound that with GoodYear's website making no mention of there being multiple variants of the 285/75R18 129/126Q, plus previous years of Tremors coming with the rating, everything pointed to a one-off OEM tire.

Now that we have clarification from TireRack in particular, though GoodYear's response also helped, we know there are two variants of that size.

 

[stickshifter]

The part that was confusing was that one tire size, load, and speed rating - 285/75R18 129/126Q - has both severe snow rate and not severe snow rated variants. On top of that, Tire Rack doesn't appear to sell the one without the severe snow rating, so based solely on TireRack's website, there's no indication the other one exists.

Compound that with GoodYear's website making no mention of there being multiple variants of the 285/75R18 129/126Q, plus previous years of Tremors coming with the rating, everything pointed to a one-off OEM tire.

Now that we have clarification from TireRack in particular, though GoodYear's response also helped, we know there are two variants of that size.

Damn... that's really confusing. I was assuming that the snowflake-rating varied within a model (i.e. the Duratrac), by size of tire, or by load-rating of tire. If the exact same tire (i.e. same size, same load rating, same speed rating) can come with either the snowflake or without, that's a mess. That's what I get for replying to a post earlier in the thread without reading the thread through to the end. Thanks for letting me know!

 

[ccw]

Damn... that's really confusing. I was assuming that the snowflake-rating varied within a model (i.e. the Duratrac), by size of tire, or by load-rating of tire. If the exact same tire (i.e. same size, same load rating, same speed rating) can come with either the snowflake or without, that's a mess. That's what I get for replying to a post earlier in the thread without reading the thread through to the end. Thanks for letting me know!

Yep, exactly why this thread is so long! It was just baffling!

 

[TJ Carr]

Ok, heard back from TireRack about what might be different:



So most likely it's a harder compound. Tread life is a big factor in customer satisfaction for a lot of people, so I bet Ford saw it as a win/win in their minds: they save cost and customers get longer lasting tires.

Just sucks for those of us who like the Duratracs for winter.

I'm calling this mystery solved. And they would have gotten away with it if it weren't for us pesky kids!

Now the question is, what’s the difference in tread life?

Do they have different warranties & tread life?

 

[EverythingZen]

Thanks for all the helpful information. I'm selling my factory tires and ordered a set of Falken wildpeak at3w tires at the end will only cost me a few hundred to have the winter rating.

 

[ccw]

Now the question is, what’s the difference in tread life?

Do they have different warranties & tread life?

Good questions. I’ll encourage you or someone else to pursue those answers.

 

[Highcountry]

Duratrac’s come in 2 type - stud able and non. Also FYI from a guy who lives at 10k‘ in the Rockies there are much better snow tires. Duratrac = Durajunk’s when 30% wear down for clearing snow out of the tread. State contract winter trucks went away from them.

 

[Spooky91]

I have a 21 with 3PMSF tires. Out of curiosity, I just looked at a coworker’s brand new Ram Rebel with Duratracs and they are not 3PMSF.

If it’s a cost cutting measure by the automakers, it must be wider spread. On the other hand, maybe it is a supply chain problem.

 

[ccw]

Duratrac’s come in 2 type - stud able and non. Also FYI from a guy who lives at 10k‘ in the Rockies there are much better snow tires. Duratrac = Durajunk’s when 30% wear down for clearing snow out of the tread. State contract winter trucks went away from them.

Have suggestions on what’s better as a multi-use, multi-season tire?

Obviously dedicated winter tires are better, but my impression is that the DuraTracs are quite good in winter for an all terrain.

 

[Forever & Ever Woods]

Heard back from TireRack already (impressive response time!):



That's mind boggling. I've replied back asking if they (TireRack) know if there's any difference between the two variants, other than one being studdable (compound, tread, siping). Will update when I hear back.

Most charitable guess I have for why Ford may have moved to the non-rated one is supply chain. Maybe they could get the non-rated ones, but couldn't get the rated ones.

That's interesting! That may explain why so many on this forum are having initial issues with "FLOATING" OR "SKATING" at highway speeds.

I've owned Duratracs since 2011 and have LOVED them on my two trucks! Who Knew...

 

[Lordwind]

I received my 21 Tremor in July. I have the snowflake on my tires. And just talked to the dealer they have snowflake stamped tires in stock. And my tires were manufactured week 18 of 2021 as stamped on the tire.

 

[Rich]

I've read multiple times that the factory duratracs are snowflake rated but I can't find the symbol on the tire sidewall. Am I missing something? 285/75/18 126Q

2022 tremor fyi

Maybe the snowflake offended some delicate libtard, so Goodyear and Ford agreed to take it off.