Goodyear UltraTerrain vs. DuraTrac | Detail Comparison!

Love to go on off-road adventures? Then you surely need proper car tires that effectively withstand the abuses of rough terrains. Plus, the tires should be equally well-performing on regular roads, dry and wet weather conditions, and highway pavers.

In general, Goodyear ultraterrain is a little more cost-effective than duratrac but Duratracs offer more aggressive treads with great off road traction.

Thanks to the all-terrain tires, you can enjoy all these benefits without having to buy a bunch of tires for different seasons and road types. And when it comes to all-terrain car tires, Goodyear is one brand that has been leading the market for a long time.

However, while purchasing, it’s easy to get confused by the Goodyear UltraTerrain vs. DuraTrac debate. Despite being all-terrain tires from the same manufacturer, both of these tires are different in many aspects.

To help you decide which one to pick, here we will compare the features, design, and performance of the Goodyear UltraTerrain and DuraTrac tires. Let’s dive right in.

Contents show

Goodyear UltraTerrain vs. DuraTrac Comparison

People have varied choices when it comes to buying car tires. Some look for durable on-road performance, while many prefer aggressive off-road tires. So, we compared the tires based on many factors like tread design, performance, quietness, price, etc. Let’s go through the details and find out which one is better.

Design and Features

Since both the tires are designed for all types of terrains, the design and features are pretty similar. The notable features of the DuraTrac tires include-

Improved Traction: All credit goes to the TractiveGroove Technology used to manufacture the DuraTrac tires; they offer better traction on mud, snow, and other difficult conditions. In fact, the tire has a 3PMSF rating which implies it would be excellent on snowy tracks
Symmetric Tread Design: This unique design combines style with performance for the best results, especially in winter. The deep voids help the tire to dig in and have a stronger grip.
Rim Protection: Goodyear DuraTrac tires feature rim locks to prevent the wheels from slipping. They make sure your car tire remains protected in cases of accidental curb damage.
Center Tread Blocks: These blocks are highly angled to enhance lateral stability and traction on rough terrains. Also, they make the tires relatively quieter.

Now, let’s check out the new and improved features of Goodyear UltraTerrain tires.

Unique Tire Material: Goodyear uses a unique rubber compound to manufacture these tires. The compound is longer-lasting and performs well in all types of weather conditions. It’s uniquely designed to withstand extreme temperatures. Keep in mind that the DuraTrac tires are made from a similar compound.
Computer Optimized Contact Patches: What makes the UltraTerrain tires truly different is the computer-optimized contact patch which makes them more stable on non-paved roads. It also offers enhanced handling characteristics.
Higher Comfort: Thanks to the computer-generated model, the tires offer higher comfort than regular all-terrain ones. The wide voids on the tires help minimize the shock on harsh terrains.
Gripping Tread Pattern: The tire treads are large with plenty of space between them. This allows the tire to dig on loose surfaces like mud and maintain stability. The shoulder tread blocks were also improved using the TractiveGroove Technology to offer a better grip.

Dry Performance

Tire performance on dry roads depends on three aspects: steering response, cornering stability, and dry traction.

Dry Traction: Since both the tires are designed mainly for off-roading, the dry performance isn’t the best as regular on-road tires. However, both UltraTerrain and DuraTrac offer decent dry performance, particularly at regular speeds. Due to the unique tread design, both tires offer solid dry traction.
Cornering Stability: As for cornering stability, the heavier weight of the UltraTerrain tires offers better cornering stability than the DuraTrac tires. However, the difference isn’t very noticeable since both tires feature flexible 2-ply sidewalls.
Steering Response: The steering response of the DuraTrac tires is somewhat better than the UltraTerrain ones due to their more aggressive tread design. It makes sure the wheel doesn’t slip while steering and accelerating. Again, the UltraTerrain tires also do a decent job, but the heavier weights of these tires make it slightly slower.

Wet Performance

This is where the differences between the two tires become obvious. Here’s how they perform on different conditions-

Damp

On damp roads, both tires deliver a decent performance thanks to the wide tire designs. However, when pushed hard, DuraTrac tires can hold a bit longer due to the angled tread blocks.

Snow

The aggressive tread design also helps the DuraTrac tires to deliver more stable performance on snow than the UltraTerrain tires. You’ll notice this difference better in harsher weather conditions.

Hydroplaning Resistance

On the other hand, UltraTerrain tires offer better aquaplaning or hydroplaning resistance, providing more safety in the pouring rain. That’s because the straighter channels, circumferential grooves, and open shoulders of the UltraTerrain tires evacuate the water more easily.

Ice

If you want the best performance on the ice, you should choose the DuraTrac LT size tires. These tires are pinned for fitting #16 metal studs, increasing the traction on icy roads. Overall, when it comes to wet conditions, DuraTrac tires are a clear winner.

Off-Road Performance

Due to the unique material, tread design, and traction, both models deliver excellent off-road performance. The wide tires and gripping tread pattern with large voids help you maintain balance on rocky, uneven terrains.

There’s no noticeable difference in the performance when it comes to tough, dry grounds. However, it’s on the sand and mud that the tires deliver differently.

The DuraTrac tires feature self-cleaning, aggressive treads that offer greater gravel, dirt, sand, and mud traction than the UltraTerrain tires. Remember, both the models have a 3MSF rating. So, they are perfectly suitable for wet and snowy roads in winter.

On-Road Performance

When it comes to on-road conditions, the UltraTerrain tire definitely takes the cake. With its optimized contact patch and the 2-ply sidewalls, the tire is highly comfortable. The UltraTerrain tires are also more responsive with sharper initial turn-in.

Although the DuraTrac tire isn’t as comfortable, both models are outstanding for everyday driving. Here’s a reminder, these tires are manufactured as workhorses and not to provide comfortable rides every day.

So, the performance and comfortable won’t be the same as regular highway tires.

Noise Level

You cannot expect all-terrain tires to be completely quiet. The same goes for UltraTerrain and DuraTrac tires. No matter how slow you drive, the tires will make faint noises which can be undesirable for some people.

The non-interlocked center section, along with the narrow grooves of the tires, compress air and create those unwanted sounds. However, Goodyear tried to keep the noise level minimum. There will be some noise while driving, but they aren’t very intrusive.

As the UltraTerrain tire is slightly better at reducing vibrations, you can expect it to be quieter than the DuraTrac tire.

Warranty and Replacement

UltraTerrain

Although both the models are manufactured for long-lasting uses, it’s always better to have a warranty. In this case, UltraTerrain is a letdown. It doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty for some reason.

However, all new UltraTerrain tires come with Goodyear’s exclusive certificate for up to 3/32-inch wear. If the damage is unrepairable, the certificate allows you to demand a brand-new tire.

DuraTrac

A 50,000-mile treadwear warranty is provided with a DuraTrac traction motor. Goodyear also covers the material and workmanship. You can get a replacement within 12 months of purchase if any problem arises with the tire.

Plus, Goodyear offers free mounting and balancing for your replacement tire.

Price Difference

Despite having a very similar design and performance, DuraTrac tires are slightly pricier than UltraTerrain tires.

However, one downside of the UltraTerrain tires is that you can only buy them at Discount Tire. They aren’t available in your local tire shops.

For a DuraTrac tire of the same size, you need to pay around $50 extra compared to the UltraTerrain tire.

Goodyear UltraTerrain vs. DuraTrac – Final Verdict

Now that we have mentioned all the details about the two tire models, it’s time to give our final verdict. While the DuraTrac tires deliver better wet and off-road performance, they cost more and don’t offer much comfort. These tires are studdable and more reliable on snow.

On the other hand, UltraTerrain tires are more affordable and deliver excellent on-road performance. Although the treads aren’t as gripping and aggressive, they show greater hydroplaning resistance than DuraTrac.

So, choose DuraTrac tires for-

Excellent off-roading
Warranty
Better performance on snow, damp, and mud. This model is great for icy roads and rocky terrains

Otherwise, go for UltraTerrain for-

It’s affordability
Great comfort both on and off the road
Quiet performance for everyday uses

Wrapping Up!

So, there you have it all. In our Goodyear UltraTerrain vs. DuraTrac comparison article, we tried to cover all the necessary aspects you need to consider while buying them.

As we have discussed, the models have many similarities except for the tread design, warranty, and price range. It isn’t easy to choose the better one, but you should always go for the tire that meets all your needs.

Rate this post