SL load Falken Wildpeak AT3W a bad idea?

[repo]

Been running 265/75/16 E load KO2s for the last 3 years which I've put through their paces and have been totally indestructible, but they are HORRIBLE in wet conditions other than fresh snow which they actually handle quite well. They also ride rough which I really dont mind. In the dry they have been great. There's still a good bit of tread on them but wet traction is getting exponentially worse.

I'm seeing good things about Falken Wildpeak AT3W and I'm thinking about SL load because:

• They are 10lbs lighter.
• Have silica compound (not available on the LT loads).
• Should be more flexible when aired down.
• Should ride nicer on a daily basis.

But I wonder how they would hold up on sharp rocks and carrying a bunch of weight and stuff like that?

 

[tgreenwood75]

I recently made the switch from the Cooper STT Pro in load range E to the Wildpeak AT3W in SL 116T. Mine are in 265/75r16 as well.

No regrets at all so far! I have bounced them around on some light trails without any issues with flatting or scoring up the sidewalls. In my opinion, for towing, these trucks will be riding on your bumpstops and struggling on hills before you push the limits of an SL tire. That is non-scientific but I have never felt like tires have been the limiting factor for towing.

I have loved the ride quality of the Wildpeaks so far. They are smooth and light for highway driving but they handle extremely well on dirt. I haven't driven in much snow yet because we have only gotten a few inches at a time so far but are forecasted for a foot or so the next two days so I will see how they do!

My 4runner is my daily and also used for typical 4runner stuff - light off roading, towing small trailers, camping, etc. So far, the Wildpeaks have been the perfect tire. No regrets at all stepping down to a SL rated AT from my E rated MTs!

 

[choff1212]

I'm on a set of SL Duratracs 255/75/17. Most of my wheeling is fire or forest service roads to access campsites and trail heads, leave the gnarly stuff for the mountain bike since I still have two good legs. I have never aired them down.

For everday duties the SLs have been great. Im not towing at all be do haul a decent amount of stuff on occasion. Bought my set used off a Tacoma guy that had records of every balance and rotation from 0 miles to 22k miles. Personally ive put about 25k on them with very poor rotation intervals. Probably have about 6k left before they are toast. Looking at wild peaks or another set of duratracs for replacements.

 

[LazeR]

I worked in the Tire industry for 7.5 years. I hate SL/4 Ply for anything offroad because of how many rocks and sticks and you know name it, I have seen go through them. On the otherhand, 10ply-Load Range E is way to much for our rigs. I really wish there was more 6 ply-Load Range C options.

 

[repo]

I worked in the Tire industry for 7.5 years. I hate SL/4 Ply for anything offroad because of how many rocks and sticks and you know name it, I have seen go through them. On the otherhand, 10ply-Load Range E is way to much for our rigs. I really wish there was more 6 ply-Load Range C options.

Well E load is the only option available for 16" 285s as far as I know. I seem to remember Duratracs coming in C at one time but cant find them anymore. I haven't noticed any power loss or anything from the 265 Es, they just ride incredible harsh over sharp bumps like pot holes. I wonder if Es are actually better for cornering on the road since the sidewall is stiffer?

 

[MStudt]

I have them in a load E on 2 vehicles, and love them. This is actually the second set of Wildpeaks that I've had on my 4runner, and the first set got 75,000 miles. They're a great tire for the money.

Mike

 

[Capnemo]

I have these and love them, however I have not had them off road yet or even in snow. I have heard that if you do not air down they do not get lots of flats, and of course without the stiff sidewalls one does not need to air down for traction in the same manner as an E tire. I purchased 5 and do a 5 tire rotation, in case I do get flatted off road, and if I get two flats I can break the bead with my Hi-lift jack and sew and repair the lesser injured sidewall. I purchased the reasonable tire insurance which does include off road use, and it is not pro-rated but full replacement until I think 30k miles. I will take my chances.

 

[eddielasvegas]

I just returned from an elk hunt (Elk:1; Eddie: 0) and I had plenty of off road travel with my just installed 265/70/R16 Wildpeak AT3W's and I think they are great.

12-16" of snow the first three days and plenty of mud the past two days (as temps warmed) the tires performed well. Never came close to getting stuck, feeling out of control or the tires could not handle more. Quiet on the street too.


Eddie

 

[LazeR]

Well E load is the only option available for 16" 285s as far as I know. I seem to remember Duratracs coming in C at one time but cant find them anymore. I haven't noticed any power loss or anything from the 265 Es, they just ride incredible harsh over sharp bumps like pot holes. I wonder if Es are actually better for cornering on the road since the sidewall is stiffer?

LT285/75R16 options should have more 8 ply or load range D options. At least they did 7 years ago when I worked in the industry. It's a compromise that we have to make. I would always choose Load Range E over 4 Ply rated tires, but wish for more Load Range C tires or even Load Range D.

 

[MAST4R]

Others and I have provided plenty of first-hand off-road experience info about SL Wildpeaks in the mega Wildpeak thread.

In short, I trust the SL Wildpeaks fully at street or near street pressures on any Utah or Montana trail. In Arizona, I trust them anywhere outside the Sonoran Desert.

Only the Sonoran Desert has proven too much on occasion (two occasions, both related to speed).

I might consider LTC KO2 but I have had KO2s before and I like the Wildpeaks better anywhere outside this specific AZ/CA/MX desert.

No UT rocks or MT sticks have been able to make any impression on the SL Wildpeaks, which I normally run between 28 and full street (32) pressures.

There is little in common between the better SL AT tires (Wildeapk, Toyo, General) and generic SL street tires.

 

[binqker]

I'm currently running LT275/70R17: Load C / 6 Ply. So far its been great! Performance on Wet/Dry/Mud are A+! Have not tested on Snow yet.

 

[CT135]

No regrets with my SL Wildpeaks in 265/75/16. I took them out in eastern oregon through some very rocky/sage brush terrain and I had zero issues. Had them aired down to about 20 PSI. At one point, it was only my sidewall on a rock and it slid down, tire is still perfect with no scuff marks or leaking. The SL have been a beast so far.

 

[bobt4r]

Just joined this forum after picking up a 2021 OR and have been reading lots of great things about the Wildpeaks when it comes to swapping out the grandtrek stock tires. It seems the SL versions are great and stand up to some moderate off road use which is great given they seem to perform better in the wet with the different silica compound. I wondered if someone could give an idea of what a reasonable air downed pressure would be for these SL's off road? Is there a higher "air downed pressure" limit in the SL vs other ratings due to a softer sidewall?

I see one [MENTION=143488]binqker[/MENTION] you have the 275/70r17 C load and I've been eyeing that as well as a middle ground between the SL and the E rating, but they seem exceptionally heavy compared to the stock size 265/70R17's in both the SL and E rated versions of the tire. I wondered if you felt that they were too heavy and have affected MPG drastically at all and did you have to trim anything if at stock height. I feel like the C load would be the sweet spot for extra protection off road, without making it as rough a ride as the E's possibly could.

 

[174bpm]

I have a set of these as well, have only driven them in a couple of San Diego "snow storms" and on the highway. Haven't taken them on any trails but I don't have any complaints.

 

[Ben84]

OP, any conclusions? I want to get the 265/70/R17 SL for my T4R and wondered how the offroad on them

 

[JRod0981]

I'm having this debate as well. I'm moving to 285/70/17's at the same time as when I lift my 4runner. Can't decide if E Rated AT3W's are worth it or to just say with the C rated 6 ply as they are very capable based on what I am reading. I would mainly be out 4 or 5 times and currently I mainly like to drive roads or moderate off road trails to get to more isolated camping spots. That being said, I initially thought E Rated as I didn't want to limit myself in potential future endeavors. I had not thought about the harsher ride for my daily driver or if E Rated would ever really be needed due to the capability of the 6 ply tire.

$30 difference per tire plus and I'm getting 5 tires.

 

[TW44LR]

I'm having this debate as well. I'm moving to 285/70/17's at the same time as when I lift my 4runner. Can't decide if E Rated AT3W's are worth it or to just say with the C rated 6 ply as they are very capable based on what I am reading. I would mainly be out 4 or 5 times and currently I mainly like to drive roads or moderate off road trails to get to more isolated camping spots. That being said, I initially thought E Rated as I didn't want to limit myself in potential future endeavors. I had not thought about the harsher ride for my daily driver or if E Rated would ever really be needed due to the capability of the 6 ply tire.

$30 difference per tire plus and I'm getting 5 tires.

I personally would stick with the “c” rated for your situation. I have the wildpeak in 285/75r16 in E rating as that’s the only option and I feel like it’s just too much overkill for what it is. They were hard to balance, ride kind of rough and are pretty heavy. So I would stick with the lighter weight better riding ones especially if you aren’t rock bouncin them then you should be fine and having a 5th spare if you ever need it then you have nothing to worry about.


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[wrpsuite]

Love my AT3W 265/70R17 and price can’t be beat. $190 at Walmart free shipping

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[JRod0981]

I personally would stick with the “c” rated for your situation. I have the wildpeak in 285/75r16 in E rating as that’s the only option and I feel like it’s just too much overkill for what it is. They were hard to balance, ride kind of rough and are pretty heavy. So I would stick with the lighter weight better riding ones especially if you aren’t rock bouncin them then you should be fine and having a 5th spare if you ever need it then you have nothing to worry about.


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I appreciate your feedback. I actually got the e-rated ones and so far they don't ride that bad at all. I'm stoked on my new suspension and tires.

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

I have the SL rated 265/75 wildpeaks and I have the perfect picture to show sidewall flex. I have never had an issue with mine. My wheeling I mostly mud and rocks. Granted its nothing as extreme as out west but I've never had an issue with them at all.

The photo above is at 15 psi