New Falken AT tire (A/T3W)

[MAST4R]

I've got about 2 months of life left in my stock Nittos and I can't decide between 265/70r17 SL ($802) or 275/70r17 C ($1,163) Falkens. $360 difference in the set of 4 w/ tire certs tells me to go with the SL, but I like the idea of the C load range. Not to mention the spare will still be the stock size.

802 should be for five tires, right?

The LT-C in 275 70 17 is what I wanted but they were not yet available and I did not imagine a year ago that they would weigh TEN more pounds per tire!

I like the SL so that I don't have to air down and up.

All 6 new P-metric 265 70 17 I have had wore super fast at first while performing amazingly well (makes sense). Then the original four saw wear suddenly slow down a great deal. The rear two are still quite new, one being the former spare and one being a replacement of a tire destroyed while aired down.

We re-drove Broken Arrow today, which is AZ's premier slickrock trail (lots of bits polished by trucks with open differentials) and the front with the older tires and MTS set on mogul, not even rock, still had no slip at all. There was a tiny bit if sideways slip in a couple spots where there was none last year with 4 new tires but it was minimal and inconsequential.

If you expect to have a tire that will stay above 10/32nds for a long time with frequent trail use and lots of unpaved mileage, the SL version is not it. I will keep doing it until it costs 140 per tire because everything else I would like to try is 220-265 per tire. And there is no guarantee that any of those would last much longer in my use.

 

[Furagwa]

You're re-running P-metric SL on Broken Arrow. Last time you blew such a tire because you aired down. Do I understand that correctly? If so, did you air down at all this time? If so then how much? Thanks...

 

[MAST4R]

You're re-running P-metric SL on Broken Arrow. Last time you blew such a tire because you aired down. Do I understand that correctly? If so, did you air down at all this time? If so then how much? Thanks...

I don't normally air down P-metric tires at all except for deep sand.

I aired down for a rocky trail once and I blew a tire 6 miles into it before it even got really rocky. Two weeks later I drove it at 33 psi to the top, no issues.

On Broken Arrow I was at 33 psi last year as well as today. There is plenty enough flex at street pressure so all that airing down accomplishes is exposing the sidewalls.

So why did I air down on that one occasion? Because the downside of 33 psi is that it is possible to get a puncture through the tread if you meet a particularly sharp rock at the wrong angle, which had happened to me, too. But we now have several hundred miles in that kind of terrain in Western Arizona with that one puncture. As for Broken Arrow, it is like Moab, so the rocks are smooth and "friendly."

That's the predicament of running P metric. There is higher (but not crazy) risk to lose a tire. But I have been running P metric for the last ten years (except for 16,000 miles on LT-D KO2s) and I still like the P Wildpeaks as the best compromise for me. Should I go LT again, I will go all the way to a 3-ply sidewall.

 

[Furagwa]

Thanks for the clarification. One more question though. How much did you air down your P-metric SLs for running in deep sand - what tire pressure did you use? Thanks...

 

[MAST4R]

Thanks for the clarification. One more question though. How much did you air down your P-metric SLs for running in deep sand - what tire pressure did you use? Thanks...

It was actually deep volcanic ash, but same effect. We don't have much deep sand in AZ. I think I did 18? Either 18 or 21, I think 18. That's Double Crater Volcano in Cinder Hills. You climb an actual volcano and drive on the rim. It is the most amazing drive I have done in Arizona. That segment is short and there were no rocks to worry about.

I actually first failed the last segment of the climb at street pressures and without the locker. Backed off straight down to the middle section, there is a big plateau between the two segments of the climb. Had no issues with the locker and aired down tires on my second try. That ash is deep...like a sand dune..

 

[Furagwa]

Thanks for the info. So I infer that you saw no danger of airing down that low in the sand(ish) terrain using the P-metric SLs with regards to possible sidewall failure due to less/weaker plies. Reason I've been asking is that I'll do a little off roading in Utah next month on P-metric SL tires. I wasn't planning to air down.

 

[MAST4R]

Thanks for the info. So I infer that you saw no danger of airing down that low in the sand(ish) terrain using the P-metric SLs with regards to possible sidewall failure due to less/weaker plies. Reason I've been asking is that I'll do a little off roading in Utah next month on P-metric SL tires. I wasn't planning to air down.

I have almost 3,000 off-pavement miles in Southern Utah mostly on various SL tires. I have not yet had any tire issues in Utah.

I kept the Wildpeaks at 33 psi for the Maze district of Canyonlands, Fins and Things, Tower Arch, Rainbow Rocks, Chicken Corners, Deadman Point, and a couple other trails.

The terrain in Southern Utah is a lot friendlier to tires than that in desert Arizona where I got both my puncture and the sidewall burst. On yard-per-yard basis--so to speak!--we get a lot more sharp rocks, not big, small but sharp and endless.

YOu will want a proper spare and a tire repair kit. The latter also means taking the chance of a puncture over that of a sidewall burst.

 

[Decipher]

^You have added so much value in this and other threads with your off road experience. I know I appreciate all the info and I’m sure others do too.

I off road every week but it’s Illinois and Midwest garbage where the challenges are different. Very cool learning all the intricacies of the different terrains.

I digress...


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[TexasTJ]

802 should be for five tires, right?

The LT-C in 275 70 17 is what I wanted but they were not yet available and I did not imagine a year ago that they would weigh TEN more pounds per tire!

The 265s are $142ea, plus tax/DT certificates/mount&balance =$802 for four
The 275s are $213ea, plus tax/DT certificates/mount&balance =$1163 for four.

After purchasing the new tires, I will immediately be taking a 5000 mile road trip to Canada, with some light off-roading in between, and then stopping in Moab on the way home.

 

[Mudballz]

Tires

Well I ordered a set from eBay they offered a $80 Visa card the deal means stock size for about $530 shipped would have been better but tax kills it a bit love them on my Jeep great looking

 

[Jaykulast4r]

Just got mine today, I was so excited cant wait to get it installed. Took a comparison shot and got more excited! 275 in load C

Will update when installed.


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[aye_dre]

Just got the AT3W two weeks ago. Not the best shot. This was at Big Sur last weekend at our campsite

 

[MAST4R]

Just got mine today, I was so excited cant wait to get it installed. Took a comparison shot and got more excited! 275 in load C

Will update when installed.


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Would you mind measuring their exact tread depth while brand new?

The P-metric are said to be 14/32 but in reality they are 13/32 with occasional 12 and 14/32 readings. I am curious about the LT.

 

[AGS92]

Just got the AT3W two weeks ago. Not the best shot. This was at Big Sur last weekend at our campsite

What size are your AT3Ws?

 

[aye_dre]

What size are your AT3Ws?

These are the stock size 265/70/17. No lift as well.

 

[Jaykulast4r]

Would you mind measuring their exact tread depth while brand new?



The P-metric are said to be 14/32 but in reality they are 13/32 with occasional 12 and 14/32 readings. I am curious about the LT.

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[mteolus]

I could have sworn the WildPeak LT's were 18 but I can't remember exactly. Edit, just saw the pic, looks like 16.

My BGF K02's load C were 14, manufacturer said they were 15. I guess close enough, maybe my guage was a little off.

 

[Hans Moleman]

So which tire is worse for acceleration?

Heavier but smaller diameter LT275/70 load range C or the lighter but bigger diameter 285/70 p-metric?

 

[MAST4R]

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Thanks!

I could have sworn the WildPeak LT's were 18 but I can't remember exactly. Edit, just saw the pic, looks like 16.

My BGF K02's load C were 14, manufacturer said they were 15. I guess close enough, maybe my guage was a little off.

It looks like 17 vs 18 advertised, same as all others I have seen.

They all seem to be 1/32 less at the start, not sure why. Not sure what and how is measured but for personal use it seems useful to just subtract 1/32 from whatever is advertised.

Next time I go to Discount Tire, I should use my gauge to see if this is indeed true across the board for AT tires

 

[Jaykulast4r]

Just installed, no rubbing whatsoever rides like stock, cant tell about the noise but will update. Just drove it 4 miles shop to home in Nj pothole cursed roads. 275 no lift.

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