BF Goodrich KO2 and Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac are both all-terrain tires that cater to different needs. While the Goodyear Duratrac is primarily designed for rugged-terrain usage, the BF Goodrich KO2 has a broader application range and can be used in various scenarios. However, the Goodyear Duratrac is favored by many as a daily tire due to its satisfactory on-road performance. It’s worth noting that the BF Goodrich KO2 is mostly available in LT sizes, which are known for their ruggedness. As such, determining which tire is better for you depends on your specific expectations and requirements. Let’s evaluate both options and find the one that suits your usage needs best!
At a Glance
| Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac | BF Goodrich KO2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Better for | Heavy and medium duty operations, snowy regions, Muddy areas | Smooth & quiet highway driving, Rocky terrains |
| Pros | Insane off-road traction, tough sidewalls, studdable tread, trusthworthy winter performance | Insane wet and snow traction, Moderate off-road traction responsiveness |
| Cons | Noisy and stiff ride | A bit noisy, Not the best on mud |
As a former Bridgestone engineer, in my point of view, with the release of the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT and the discontinuation of most p-metric sizes in the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac, the choice has become clearer. The Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac now functions as a commercial all-terrain tire, offering reliable traction, longevity, and comfort at the expense of some noise and handling. Therefore, I recommend the BF Goodrich KO2 for those who primarily use their tires on-road and the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac for those who spend most of their time off-road or on severe working sites.
All-Terrain Tires Cheat Sheet
Finding the ideal all-terrain tire among the plethora of options available can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, my team and I have taken on this challenge head-on. Besides our hands-on experiences with these tires, we also analyze thousands of customer reviews and test reports.
We also analyzed ‘What customer complains more about all-terrain tires?’. Even though some of these complains are coming from the nature of all-terrain tires, there is still way to prevent yourself from these issues. Below, you can see articles about, hydroplaning, tire noise
- How to reduce tire noise?
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise - Tire Vibration
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-vibration - Tire Air Pressure – How to Decide?
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-air-pressure-info
Please note that: Light-Duty is 1500 series, Medium-Duty is 2500 series and Heavy-Duty is 3500 series. If you do towing or hauling, I recommend considering at least Medium-Duty tires.
Mobile users can scroll the table to the left to see the whole data.
For those who prefer a more textual representation and dislike sifting through tables of data:
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires-for-snow/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-1-2-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-3-4-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-rt-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-tires-for-snow-plowing/
A couple of popular size analyses:
- https://tireterrain.com/best-35×12-50r20-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-285-70r17-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-275-55r20-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-275-65r18-all-terrain-tires/
Want to learn more about all-terrain tires:
- https://tireterrain.com/highway-tires-vs-all-terrain-vs-mud-terrain/
- https://tireterrain.com/all-season-vs-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/tire-load-index-and-load-range/
- https://tireterrain.com/lt-tires-vs-passenger-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-for-daily-driving/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-in-snow/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-loud/
- https://tireterrain.com/how-long-do-all-terrain-tires-last/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-in-rain/
- https://tireterrain.com/off-road-tire-pressure-load-range-for-every-rig/
I highly recommend checking the below pages out before making any purchase:
- DiscountTire Deals:
https://www.discounttire.com/promotions - TireRack Deals:
https://www.tirerack.com/specialoffers - SimpleTire Deals:
https://simpletire.com/tire-deals
Table of Contents
Durability
In the past, the direction for this tire size was quite different. However, Goodyear has introduced the Wrangler Duratrac RT, which appears to be more on-road oriented compared to the previous Wrangler Duratrac tire.
This shift might explain why Goodyear has transitioned most on-road-oriented sizes to the Wrangler Duratrac RT. Currently, the Wrangler Duratrac is mostly available in the E load range, which naturally enhances its durability.
On the other hand, BF Goodrich KO2 is renowned for its durability. This tire features a 3-ply cord and upper shoulder armor, making it nearly indestructible against sharp rocks. Additionally, the BF Goodrich KO2 has superior cut and chipping resistance.
Overall, both tires are highly durable and reliable. However, the BF Goodrich KO2 tends to have a slightly better wear rate due to its exceptional cut and chipping resistance.
Tread Life
When it comes to tread life, both tires, BF Goodrich KO2 and Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac, may not match the longevity of tires like the Toyo Open Country AT3 or General Grabber ATX. However, there are some tips to help you maximize their tread life.
BF Goodrich KO2 as an off-road all-terrain tire follows a stable design philosophy with consistent sidewalls across all sizes. This approach makes it a reliable choice for decent tread life in various sizes, making it a safe bet in my opinion.
Now, let’s discuss the Duratrac. Tread life for this tire is a bit more complex. If you plan to use it on diesel or heavy trucks, it’s advisable to opt for LT sizes. The Duratrac features a softer compound, so it requires a robust internal structure to handle the weight of heavier vehicles. On the other hand, its flotation sizes offer impressive tread life, particularly for vehicles like Jeeps or Rubicons.
In summary, BF Goodrich KO2 tends to have better overall tread life, but Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac still offers highly acceptable longevity.
Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,
If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:
Steering Response
Depending on the size and your vehicle, this might change. However, Goodyear Wrangler with wider pattern and deeper tread has a disadvantage out here. However, the strong sidewalls are the game-changer out here.
Since both tires have a strong sidewall, I put BF Goodrich KO2 a bit ahead if this is your priority.
Cornering Stability
Cornering stability is where these two are separated. In this case, solid sidewalls play a crucial role and help the tire to keep its shape while cornering at high speeds. Hereby, you don’t feel like floating.
Even though I like Goodyear tires, 2-ply sidewalls don’t work very well for most vehicles. So, cornering stability isn’t an alpha plus for Duratrac. Particularly for heavy vehicles. On the other hand, BF Goodrich KO2 has one of the strongest sidewalls in the market. No matter how heavy your vehicle is, it provides huge cornering stability.
BF Goodrich KO2 is the winner of this section the whole day long.
Note: Since Goodyear mostly discontinued p-metric sizes, I expect a huge jump up on steering response and cornering stability rating of Wrangler Duratrac
Comfort
Ride quality of all-terrain tires mostly related to uniformity of the tire. So, when the tire is getting bigger and have more sectional pattern, it’s harder to achieve necessary uniformity.
So, if the tire isn’t uniform enough, it transmit the vibrations more acute.
On the other hand, the advantage of all-terrain tires is they’re high profile tires. Hence, they can hold too much air inside which naturally translate to smoother ride.
Overall, in my point of view, BF Goodrich KO2’s design is more compact, hence, it’s offers smoother ride. However, Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac also smooth tire. It’s just have an aggressive pattern that might cause vibration in some cases.
Road Noise
Road noise is mostly about void area distribution. Narrower gaps help to decrease road noise.
BF Goodrich KO2’s tread design promises more in that case. Well-placed small blocks increase acoustic performance significantly. On the other hand, Duratrac has an average noise reduction performance. Its narrowed center section blocks reduce the noise level, though, its tread is deep-seated. Therefore, airflow inside the tread tends to make more noise.
The difference isn’t huge, though, BF Goodrich KO2 has better noise reduction.
A side note here: Even though some tires tend to make noise because of their tread patterns, it’s still possible to keep your tire noise down.
I’m leaving a perfect explanation below from DiscountTire for those who need it;
How to Keep Tire Noise Down? –>
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise
Vibration
This part is mostly about how easily you can balance your tire. Well, a cheap tire doesn’t stay cheap as long as you spend a lot of money on balance.
In this case, Duratrac’s deep tread makes it hard to balance. Even though it’s balanced while mounting, it might need another balance in further time. Especially for heavy-duty usage. Therefore, you must pay attention to rotation timing. On the other hand, nothing much to say about BF Goodrich KO2. Legend stays legend for this section.
BF Goodrich KO2 is a better option in that case. That difference is minor.
Wet Performance
Wet is where most all-terrains fail. Well, it causes by deep treads and stiff compounds. Stiff compound decreases gripping ability and deep treads decrease evacuation ability.
In that case, hydroplaning resistance and wet traction are our evaluation points.
Regarding wet grip, the battle is close. However, Wrangler Duratrac steps ahead with better notched and softer rubber. These are the main characteristics of solid wet traction.
On the other hand, I can’t say the same things for hydroplaning resistance. Well, they’re close. However, BF Goodrich KO2 has a better shoulder design for water evacuation.
Both tires are trustworthy, you can go either way. However, I recommend BF Goodrich KO2 if you’re a fast driver.
Note: Hydroplaning is vital for a safe ride under the pouring rain. However, it might occur even with the best tire. Maybe you can’t prevent it but if you know what it is and how to deal with it, you can easily stay on the safe side.
Here is an extremely efficient guide about ‘How to Deal with Hydroplaning?‘ –> https://www.discounttire.com/learn/hydroplaning
Winter Performance
The good news, both tires are rated with 3-peak mountain snowflake marking. That means they are able to work in severe winter conditions. Yet, they perform differently due to their technical features.
A side note here: Understanding the snow performance of all-terrain tires can be quite challenging. For those who find it perplexing, I’d like to direct your attention to a helpful resource: “6 Best All-Terrain Tires for Snow by AT Tire Category“ This article is specifically designed to assist you in making informed decisions regarding all-terrain tires in snowy conditions.
Light Snow
Light snow capability shows similarity with wet performance. When heated tires touch the surface, light snow swiftly turns into water. So, gripping and evacuation ability on the wet ground become a priority.
Whether BFG KO2 or Wrangler Duratrac is a trustworthy option in that case. Yet, in my point of view, Wrangler Duratrac is a slightly better tire on light snow.
Deep Snow
Deep snow is where these two are shining. They have different strong points due to their specific designs.
Wrangler Duratrac has deeper tread grooves. That is crucial for deep snow traction. However, BF Goodrich KO2’s staggered shoulder design improves the traction on loose grounds significantly.
Both are reliable options. You can confidently go either way.
Ice Traction
All-terrain tire’s ice traction is always questionable. Most of them have a stiffer compound and insufficient contact patch for better grip.
Well, BF Goodrich KO2 definitely has a better ice performance due to its optimized contact patch(less void area works better in that case). However, Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac has a stud option which makes you kind of icy grounds.
The battle is close, I recommend BF Goodrich KO2 if you’re not going to use studded Wrangler Duratrac.
Off-Road Performance
Indeed, I’ve talked about the features that affect off-road performance in winter and durability sections. Yet, I will explain them shortly again in the below sections.
Gravel and Dirt
Gravel and dirt aren’t an issue for these beasts. Yet, due to the high void area ratio, Wrangler Duratrac has better traction on loose grounds.
Mud
When it comes to mud driving, two critical factors are the self-cleaning capability of the tires and their ability to provide traction on loose ground. In both of these aspects, the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac holds an advantage. Thanks to its wide grooves and deep tread, it excels in mud performance compared to the BF Goodrich KO2. However, it’s important to note that the BF Goodrich KO2 is still a solid choice for light mud conditions.
You can confidently use both of these tires for mud driving, as they are excellent options. However, if you anticipate facing severe mud conditions, the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac is the better choice.
If you’re specifically looking for a reliable mud-terrain tire, I recommend checking out this article for more information.
Sand
Let’s keep it short. BF Goodrich KO2 is your tire if you love to go to the beach. Duratrac’s deep treads dig to loose sand and get you stuck in a minute.
Rock
When it comes to off-road conditions that require airing down your tires, the strength of the sidewalls becomes a crucial factor. In this regard, both the BF Goodrich KO2 and the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac offer strong sidewalls. While the BF Goodrich KO2 holds a slight advantage, the difference between the two is not significant.
However, if your off-road adventures involve rocky terrains, the BF Goodrich KO2’s higher cut and chipping resistance make it the preferred choice.
Specs
| BF Goodrich KO2 | Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All-Terrain Tire | Commercial All-Terrain Tire |
| Vehicle | Light Truck, SUV | Light Truck, SUV |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’ | 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 19’’, 20” |
| Weight | 34 – 78 lbs | 35 – 68 lbs |
| Made In | Opelika, AL, USA | United States |
| Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF) | Yes (3PMSF) | Yes (3PMSF) |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 50,000 Miles | 50,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 50,000 Miles | 50,000 Miles |
| Prices | Check price section to see best possible prices | Check price section to see best possible prices |
🚨 Breaking News Alert! 🚨
Hold onto your seats because I’m thrilled to introduce the all-new BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 – the next evolution of the fan-favorite KO2! And the excitement doesn’t stop there – this beast is now available in two additional OEM sizes: LT285/70R17 and LT275/65R20. Get ready for the ultimate off-road experience with the KO3!
Specification Comparison for Popular Sizes
Analyzing popular sizes is a great way to understand the performance characteristics of all-terrain tires like the BF Goodrich KO2 and Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac. Let’s delve into the details of these tire sizes to see how they stack up against each other.
285/70R17
| BF Goodrich KO2 | BF Goodrich KO2 | Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac | Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off Road AT Tire | Off Road AT Tire | Commercial AT Tire | Commercial AT Tire |
| E | C | E | D |
| 58 lbs | 51 lbs | 60 lbs | 51 lbs |
| 15/32″ | 15/32″ | 18/32” | 18/32” |
| 9.2″ | 9.3″ | 9.5″ | 9.6″ |
| United States | United States | United States | United States |
For this specific tire size, the choice between BF Goodrich KO2 and Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac depends on your priorities and usage. If you primarily drive on-road and want less road noise with on-road stability, the C-rated BF Goodrich KO2 is the better option. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an aggressive appearance and prioritize mud traction, the D-rated Wrangler Duratrac is recommended for all sizes and usage scenarios.
When it comes to E-rated tires in this size, the considerations remain similar. If efficiency and on-road performance are crucial to you, then BF Goodrich KO2 is the tire of choice. However, if you prefer an aggressive appearance and don’t mind some noise, the Wrangler Duratrac in E-rated sizes is a suitable option.
275/60R20
| BF Goodrich KO2 | Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac |
|---|---|
| Off Road AT Tire | Commercial AT Tire |
| D | SL |
| 55 lbs | 46 lbs |
| 15/32″ | 16/32″ |
| 9″ | ‘- |
| United States | United States |
For this specific tire size, it’s worth noting that Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac is available in only the SL size. However, this size is not widely available due to Goodyear’s discontinuation, shifting it to the Goodyear Wrangler RT. This move seems sensible as the SL size is tailored for on-road usage, and the Wrangler Duratrac RT appears to be better optimized for on-road performance.
If you can find the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac in this size, it offers a great option to blend on-road manners with an aggressive appearance. However, for longevity and stability, I prefer the BF Goodrich KO2.
265/70R17
| BF Goodrich KO2 | BF Goodrich KO2 | Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac |
|---|---|---|
| Off Road AT Tire | Off Road AT Tire | Commercial AT Tire |
| C | E | E |
| 46 lbs | 53 lbs | 51 lbs |
| 15/32″ | 15/32″ | 18/32″ |
| 8.8″ | 8.7″ | 9″ |
| Canada | United States | United States |
It appears that Goodyear has discontinued this tire size as well, likely due to the introduction of the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT. As a result, my recommendation for this size would be the C-rated BF Goodrich KO2 for on-road performance and the E-rated BF Goodrich KO2 for durability and stability.
I haven’t conducted specific research on the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT yet, but you can find more information about it through this link: Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT.
Conclusion
Both the BF Goodrich KO2 and the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac offer commendable performance in their respective areas. The BF Goodrich KO2 excels in on-road usage, providing better comfort and reduced noise levels. It also performs well on rocky terrains.
On the other hand, the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac stands out in terms of appearance, off-road capabilities, winter performance, and muddy surfaces.
| Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac | BF Goodrich KO2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Better for | Heavy and medium duty operations, snowy regions, Muddy areas | Smooth & quiet highway driving, Rocky terrains |
| Pros | Insane off-road traction, tough sidewalls, studdable tread, trusthworthy winter performance | Insane wet and snow traction, Moderate off-road traction responsiveness |
| Cons | Noisy and stiff ride | A bit noisy, Not the best on mud |
Take-Home Points:
- LT sizes have stronger sidewalls. That feature makes them more durable. Yet, these tires offer a rougher ride. (LT vs P-Metric tires)
- XL sizes tend to carry more load and offer better handling. Hence, if you’ll go with p-metric sizes, they might be a better pick for hauling and towing( XL vs SL tires)
- Please pay attention to the load index & load range and speed index. These metrics are essential if you expect decent tread life
- There isn’t a bad tire in the market right now, you should just know what to expect from tires
I hope this article helps you to decide. If you have any further questions, please leave them below!
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