MAST4R
New member
Didn't they just up the price of P285 70 17 by a lot? It was mentioned earlier in this tread.
I wonder if it is related to their adoption on the Gladiator.
New Falken AT tire (A/T3W)
- Thread starter weeeee
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Didn't they just up the price of P285 70 17 by a lot? It was mentioned earlier in this tread.
I wonder if it is related to their adoption on the Gladiator.
Decipher
New member
Yes they did. I was the one to report it. I think Falken finally realized they could net greater profit since they have such a good product. The reason they were selling like crazy was because of the pricing and the quality.
As I said before, with them swinging in a higher price bracket, they start to really compete with other compelling tires. It may hurt them. Time will tell.
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As I said before, with them swinging in a higher price bracket, they start to really compete with other compelling tires. It may hurt them. Time will tell.
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MAST4R
New member
That's true for 285 70 but the price in 265 70 remains just 142 and it had been 140sh before (going back and forth 130sh-140sh).
So I am not sure if this is not specific to the 285 70 and thus the Gladiator? No idea, really. Just a guess.
I agree with you that once the price gets close to 200, it would no longer be an automatic choice. For me, at that point I would probably go Destination MT2 in 255 75 17 for 220. LTC and 3-ply sidewall.
SpeedyKevin
New member
Just got a set of AT3W 265 in load range E installed! I tried running them at 40psi then down to 38 and find that I like the ride better in 38. Anyone else running 38? If so, any issues?
Thanks!
Kevin
Thanks!
Kevin
Decipher
New member
I’m not running that size but in my hours of reading, it seems the consensus is the 36-38 range is a good balance for comfort, performance and contact. If you’re pulling a trailer or loading down, you’ll want to air up but for daily use this seems to be on par.
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Thai
Elite Member
That’s unacceptable for a tire that is weaker constructed than BFG KO2 yet weighs more. This is just poor design/material choices by Faulkens...and may explain why it is cheap.
I am pretty sure that BFG KO2 sidewall is stronger than Falken.
That’s my biggest problem with Falken...they are heavy tire. Great looking tire but heavy as hell without the advantage of being a HD-constructed tire.
Thai
Elite Member
Tougher sidewall (strongest of any AT). Less weight. More proven off-road.
But expensive.
Falken is cheaper for sure, but weighs more and less durable off-road.
Decipher
New member
I’m not fully doubting you, but I’m wondering what the objective differences are. Stronger sidewall? How? More proven? How?
I’m going to be posting my experience with these and I haven’t seen facts stating one is better than the other. Just subjective info. I’m aiming to dispel the stigma of brands and value.
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I’m going to be posting my experience with these and I haven’t seen facts stating one is better than the other. Just subjective info. I’m aiming to dispel the stigma of brands and value.
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sn_85
Senior Member
Do you have any objective data that the Falken’s are less durable off-road? What testing has been done to prove that the KO2’s are stronger and the AT3/W’s have a weaker sidewall? Or is this anecdotal and and subjective?
You could be right, you could be wrong but a lot of what I’ve seen in the tire world is broad and general sweeping statements that aren’t backed up by any type of testing or data. Everything is based off of one personal experience or reading that someone had XYZ experience with a tire. Hardly facts in my opinion.
MAST4R
New member
You guys have not enjoyed conversing about tires with [MENTION=2]Thai[/MENTION] previously? Welcome to the party! It is fascinating to talk about the fine points of offroad tires with someone who intends to keep their OEM tires until they are worn.
[MENTION=2]Thai[/MENTION] ,
Arguably the strongest AT tire is the Cooper ST MAxx which is a commercial grade tire that has denser/thicker plies than the Ko2 and which comes with a 3-ply sidewall in LTC as well whereas KO2 has a 3-ply sidewall in D and E but not C. Baja ATZ p3 also has a 3-ply sidewall.
The Wrangler comes from Toledo with KO2s, the Gladiators with Wildpeaks. Both LT-C, neither with a 3-ply sidewall. I will call it 1:1.
You are unquestionably right about tire weight and unsprung weight in general being commonly overlooked on this forum though weight differences are not as pronounced in all sizes. And you need to compare apples to apples:
265 70 17 LTE KO2 = 53lb 285 70: 58lb
265 70 17 LTE AT2W= 53lb. 285 70: 59lb
And even with respect to weight, it is easy to over-stress the point. I have tens of thousands of miles with 10-15% weight over stock of the tire/wheel assembly with absolutely negligible impact on anything. Once you move to 25% and up, then, yes, the negatives become obvious.
Decipher
New member
The master has indefinitely spoken. He is the authority on all things tires. Thanks for this.
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Thai
Elite Member
Just ask MAST4R...he popped a Falken sidewall.
Just a moment...
Although the link does not show Falken being tested...but you can see that BFG KO2 sidewall strength is head and shoulder above your "regular" ATs.
Now you could make argument that Falken has somehow found the magic formula to make its sidewall magically strong(er) with 2-plies.............all the while being soooo much cheaper.
Goodyear Adventure AT has Goodyear famed "DuraWall" technology and it comes within shouting distance to BFG KO2 sidewall strength (but still significantly behind).......and look at how much that tire cost!
Like i told MAST4R in past, Falken is a 2nd tier tire (as per Discount Tire classification). It is cheap for a reason.
But hey, if you believe that Falken has a secret sauce that makes it tires strong(er) yet cheap, then i got land to sell you on Pluto.....
Thai
Elite Member
So, just because i have 3000 miles on my new Lexus on stock tires and i want to keep them for a little while, you somehow think that i do not have experience with tires???? You don't know me too well, do you? You think that i do not have off-road experience with tires??
It's OK, you're a relative newbie here...i forgive you. (Hint: look at my join date...and ask around who created this forum....)
Commercial vs. consumer. Geez, thanks for correcting me in that. But, like the previous poster....show me proof that Cooper ST MAxx sidewall is stronger than BFG KO2 (3-ply version).
As for weight, i am basing it on previous poster who posted weight of 4runner sizes b/w the two tires. Now, you're talking about Wranglers. Ok, sure...yeah.
mteolus
New member
If you want some testimony on how the 285 C load KO2s do (good or bad) off-road, talk to these guys. Ouray Mountain Adventures (Twin Peaks Lodge). They rent Jeep Rubicon's with these tires.
Looks like they will be renting Gladiators this season so they should be able to compare the two later on in the year.
Looks like they will be renting Gladiators this season so they should be able to compare the two later on in the year.
Decipher
New member
Just ask MAST4R...he popped a Falken sidewall.
Just a moment...
Although the link does not show Falken being tested...but you can see that BFG KO2 sidewall strength is head and shoulder above your "regular" ATs.
Now you could make argument that Falken has somehow found the magic formula to make its sidewall magically strong(er) with 2-plies.............all the while being soooo much cheaper.
Goodyear Adventure AT has Goodyear famed "DuraWall" technology and it comes within shouting distance to BFG KO2 sidewall strength (but still significantly behind).......and look at how much that tire cost!
Like i told MAST4R in past, Falken is a 2nd tier tire (as per Discount Tire classification). It is cheap for a reason.
But hey, if you believe that Falken has a secret sauce that makes it tires strong(er) yet cheap, then i got land to sell you on Pluto.....
Thanks for chiming back in, constructively. I appreciate the insight.
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ProfessorP
New member
Sitting at the installer’s shop right now having my “2nd tier” Falken A/T3W tires installed on my “2nd tier” TR4 Off Road. I’m pretty sure they’ll serve my “2nd tier” off road driving needs just fine.
MAST4R
New member
So, just because i have 3000 miles on my new Lexus on stock tires and i want to keep them for a little while, you somehow think that i do not have experience with tires???? You don't know me too well, do you? You think that i do not have off-road experience with tires??
.
What I know is that constructive discussions with you are impossible.
Your obsession with brand names and with Discount TIre best/better/good ratings coupled with your refusal to accept their more sophisticate data that debunks your claims is amusing. I cited you Discount Tire's email response about that data but you only cherry pick bits of information that suit you.
You have your beliefs and they are what they are. Keep citing an obscure outlet that looked into half a dozen tires.
And yes, I popped a sidewall on a P-metric tire.
Carry on
