Goodyear Duratracs are among the most sought-after truck tires for off-roading. And that’s because it has a host of features that make it better than the competition. But is low-noise one of those features? Goodyear Duratracs are one of the most popular choices for off-road tires. They’re durable and provide excellent traction in all types of weather conditions, but they can be noisy on paved roads.
I’m not sure if you’ve been following the latest in tire technology, but Goodyear has recently released a new line of tires that are quieter than ever before.
In fact, they’re so quiet that I can barely hear them when I’m driving down the road! If this is your first time hearing about it, then read on to find out what makes these tires so special and what sets them apart from other models.
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What Does The Manufacturer Say?
To start off, let’s understand some basic features of the Duratrac tires that add or reduce the sounds it generates.
As far as Goodyear is concerned, they maintain that Duratrac’s tread blocks are highly angled, especially those at the center. The intention here is to ensure that the tires created lower noise levels without sacrificing lateral stability.
Also, the tires come with Goodyear’s trademark TractiveGroove technology. While this feature is mainly for better traction in grimy mud or deep snow, it should help in preventing the tires from creating excessive noise (theoretically). In addition to this, the rim protection and enhanced winter traction features are also meant to give the tires better performance in cold and constricted spaces. That implies that there should not be as much sound as if the tire were struggling to get by.
While these are all great features, tire noise does not depend only on the tire’s features. Even the quietest tires will generate some sound if driven recklessly, or the terrain is not tire-friendly.
So, let’s get a quick overview of other noise influences that act on your tires:
External Factors That Affect Tire Noise
- Several situational factors create or add to the Goodyear Duratrac tire sounds (or any other tire).
- The inevitable sound caused by friction between road surface and tire treads.
- The noise created when air gets compressed between the tire treads.
- Sounds that are caused by a recent rotation of tires.
- Accelerating rapidly or braking hard.
Indirect Factors Can Add To Tire Noise
- Driving at higher speeds.
- Heavier load or cargo than usual.
- Tires that are under-inflated or over-inflated.
- Malfunctioning bearings.
So, we’ve combined the manufacturer’s claims, Duratrac’s own features, and real-world situations to get a fair assessment of how noisy the Goodyear Duratracs can become. And the results are as expected.
Are Goodyear Duratracs Noisy? The Short Answer
The Goodyear Duratracs are relatively noisy for their category. And we say ‘relatively,’ because there are many other tires with similar features that create less noise. They’re not unbearably loud either. So, you shouldn’t take this short answer as a reason to skip over these great tires if they fit your requirements.
Read below for a more comprehensive take on the matter.
Goodyear Duratracs Tire Sound
We’ve established that, yes, the Goodyear Duratracs generate a considerable amount of sound. But that’s not to say they’re much louder than your average tire truck that’s seen some mileage.
We have to acknowledge that the noise is really not an issue when your Duratracs are fairly new. So, as you’re breaking in your new truck tires, you should barely hear any sound out of the ordinary.
Also, we’re considering the fact that these are primarily off-road tires. So, if you’re cruising down those smooth neighborhood roads, these tires are as quiet as a mouse. Ok, maybe that’s overstating it. But you get the point!
The noise does increase after your tires have worn out their treads a bit. The reason may be because the center treads and the outer treads are spaced far apart. So, there’s more air compression in the empty spaces as your use the tires more and more.
But there’s an upside to this feature too. The spaces between the main treads have tiny impressions in between that add to the tire’s traction when you’re on mud or snow. So, as far as off-roading goes, we think the extra tension is worth the marginally louder noise in the long run.
What Are Goodyear Duratracs Tires
Goodyear Duratracs tires are an all-terrain tire that Goodyear has used in different off road competitions all around the world.
The duratracs are available in both mud terrain and radial versions, with many sizes to choose from. Off road enthusiasts can purchase them for their trucks, jeeps or ATV’s.
The duratracs have aggressive tread, designed to improve traction on slippery surfaces, but are still quiet enough for highway use. This type of tire is perfect for hard core off roaders who want a tire that performs well in all conditions.
This particular type of tire is not intended for everyday use, it will wear out quickly if used mainly on paved roads. It does very well as a dedicated off road tire though.
Duratracs are made for use on and off the road, as such they can be used as an all-year tyre. However it’s more advisable to only use them during summer or winter months, depending on your local conditions.
If you live in a climate where snow is not a problem, you could opt to use them all year long.
Duratracs are built tough, but they are not designed for heavy loads or commercial applications.
Try to keep your load at less than the maximum capacity of the tire if possible. They are intended mainly for light duty trucks, Jeeps and ATV’s.
Lastly they are also known to be good for sand and loose soil. Duratracs are basically a mud terrain with large tread blocks that improve its performance in sand, gravel and on any other slippery surfaces.
Why Are Goodyear Duratracs Tires So Noisy
Why are Goodyear Duratracs tires so noisy is a question that most people ask.
Most of the noise produced by this type of tire comes from the tread design and the way it wears out.
For example: Duratracs have very aggressive tread, with large blocks and many metal threads underneath. This type of tread will wear down differently than conventional tires, this can cause the tire to make a lot of extra noise when it is in contact with the road surface.
The tread design also has a tendency to produce a lot of noise, especially at higher speeds.
You may have noticed this if you’ve been driving behind someone who was using these tires.
The tread blocks flex and pop against the asphalt which can cause a lot of noise.
The wear on this sort of tire is also different than regular tires, the large tread blocks and the way they flex will cause most of your Duratracs to wear down very quickly.
One thing you can do in order to reduce the noise produced by these type of tires is using smoother tread with smaller tread blocks. The tread will last longer but it may not provide the same aggressive traction that Duratracs are known for.
Are Goodyear Duratracs Tires Any Good?
Are Goodyear Duratracs tires any good is another of the most common questions asked about this particular type of tire.
Goodyear duratracs are actually one of the best off road tires that people can choose for their trucks, Jeeps or ATV’s.
The aggressive tread design provides good traction on slippery surfaces while being still quiet enough for highway use. The large blocks also improve its performance in sand and loose dirt.
They have a shorter lifespan than other all terrain tires, but they’re also cheaper. However the noise and poor performance on wet surfaces is a drawback for this type of tire.
Duratracs are perfect for hard core off road enthusiasts who want a tire with a high degree of traction, but they may not be as good suited for every day use.
They have a tendency to wear down quickly and they can be a little noisy, but they’re also more affordable which is a big plus if you use your vehicle mainly for off road purposes.
Main Takeaways – Are Goodyear Duratracs Noisy?
The bottom line is that the Goodyear Duratracs have no more noise than you’d expect from performance tires of this caliber. They’re efficient, and they’ll take you through some of the most unfriendly terrains.
Yes, they may remind you of their existence with that extra bit of noise occasionally. But it’s a fair tradeoff if you consider the traction and control you get in return. As long as you perform timely maintenance and give it the right pressure, it’s still among the best off-road truck tires today!
Other Tires That Are Relatively Noisy Are:
- BF Goodrich KO2 Tire: This tire is known for its aggressive and reliable off-road performance. The tradeoff with these tires is that they tend to be noisier than average.
- 65 dB to 78 dB
- Cooper AT3 4X4 Tire: These are great all-terrain tires that you can get for your truck. They’re popular among off-road enthusiasts, and they offer good traction in most terrains.
- 69 dB to 74 dB
- Dick Cepek FC II Tire – These are considered the king of off-road tires among enthusiasts. Take note that these tires are known to be relatively noisy when on pavement, but not when in an off-road environment.
- 67 dB to 72 dB on road
- 57 dB to 62 dB off road
- Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Tire: Off-roaders love these tires for their reliable traction in tough terrains. They’re known to be quiet when on the road, but they’re not that quiet even when on dirt roads.
- 70 dB to 75 dB
- BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 Tire – These are also very popular with off-road enthusiasts for their aggressive tread pattern and good traction capabilities.
- 67 dB
Main Takeaways – Are Goodyear Duratracs Noisy
While the noise level varies depending on what you drive, Goodyear Duratracs are not noisy. From our experience with these tires, they sound like any other tire when driving at speeds under 60 miles per hour.
If you’re looking for a tire that sounds quieter than your current one, keep in mind that this is largely dependent on how fast you’re going and will vary based on the vehicle driven. What speed do you typically travel at? We hope this post has helped answer your question about whether or not Goodyear Duratracs are noisier than most tires!
I can’t speak to the other features of these tires, but if you’re looking for a quiet tire with good traction and puncture resistance, this might be worth a look. I’m not sure how it compares to all-season or winter tires in that regard though.
It is noisier than my previous set of Michelins but quieter than my old BFGs. If your goal is pure silence when riding on pavement then probably don’t buy them because they are still louder than most car tires by far even after installation with an insert designed to reduce noise–which was free from Goodyear so kudos there!
