TIRE Help - What's The Best Aggressive AT C Load Range 265/75/16?

Are the Falken Wildpeak AT3w's still in the running?

 

Doesn't make sense to me how they can weigh that much if they're a C rated tire

 

Yes they are for me!

 

I went through the same decision last August and went with Duratracs. The only other tire that is close in the aggressive AT load range C category would be Kelly Safari TSR (basically the same tire). I had also considered Toyo Open Country AT2 but like has been mentioned the extreme option is not C rated. The new Falken tires were just coming out or I would have considered those more, but I had already made up my mind when I saw them (however they aren't as aggressive as the Duratracs) and look a lot like the KO2 (just marginally less aggressive imo). I'm 10K in and so far so good. I have Discount tire rebalance all 4 when I get them rotated.
Good luck.

 

Very helpful. I've been leaning Duratrac from day one.

 

Not that Goodyear is complete crap, but their quality seems to be very inconsistent. There's probably more mixed reviews out there on Goodyear than there is any other brand of tire. I had a pair of Duratracs on an F150 one time. I loved them while I had the truck. But the tires were nearly brand new and I only had the truck for 6 months or so. I have Goodyear Authority's now that came on my truck. We haven't had hard rain in a good while, but we did when I first got the truck and they were a little scary on wet roads. And that seems to be a common complaint with the Duratrac. They're great on wet pavement early in their lives, but they go through 5,000-10,000 mile periods where all the sudden their wet traction just turns to shit. Then as quickly as it went, it gets better again. It also seems there are lots of cases where goodyears go out of round and become very difficult to balance. Even with regular rotations. Hence the nickname "Good-for-a-year"

 

And this is why I keep going back and forth. There is no doubt there are mixed reviews out there and this would be an expensive mistake. I have always had great luck with Goodyear tires but it would be my luck if there are bad ones out there they would land on my Taco. Regarding the rain, I had similar issues with my Cooper AT3s. I replaced them with Michelins that were perfect at the time but for this truck I want a more aggressive tire.

 

I think the main thing for me is it's the largest tire you can get without lifting your truck. You get increased ground clearance, more aggressive stance, and it fills out the fender well better (in my opinion).

 

Check out my build thread, the link is in my signature and you can see most of the pictures I have to date.

 

I went with 265 75 16 falken at3w, got em for a great price. They have been good for me this long snowy winter in NH. Id recommend them

 

sub'd - I am looking at the Grabber X3 as well.

 

Picking tires is no fun. Takes me about 2 months of solid research running weights, sizes, tread patterns.

I see you're from AL. You might not like the KO2 much in that clay if you play in the mud much. They're decent in a lot of mud types but you'll hate them in clay. Or wet clay backroads.

I wouldn't worry too much about getting an E rated tire. I had 285/70R17 KO2 on my 2 door JK. I could feel a little more of the road transmitting at times but it wasn't bad and changed often as you kept moving. I lost less than 1 mpg going to them.

 

Hey, thanks! This is very helpful. Same here on the research - tire buying is fun yet it sucks at the same time. I have to deal with a lot of sticky clay here and I have heard that maybe the KO2 doesn't clean out as well as others. I had the Cooper AT3 on my second gen and it did well enough (cleaned out surprisingly well) but I want just a little more of an aggressive tire. Now it looks like I am back to the Duratrac and wild cards are the Falken AT3W, Grabber X3, and maybe even Grabber AT2. If I wasn't so leery of an E rated tire I would have a lot more options but I just don't want the added weight and like the ride I have now. I would like to stay as close to possible to the ride feel I have now, if possible. I have also learned a ton from other posts on here. Just reading the opinions and experiences of others has been very helpful.

 

If you liked the Coopers than you would probably be OK with the KO2. Owned both. Seem to clean about the same. Not what I'd call good, hence my comment, but OK.

 

I thought the Coopers cleaned out well for what they were and they were OK for me a couple of years back but now I want and need more. I would not go back to that tire because I had so many balance issues with it. I know they make great tires and maybe my experience was just a fluke but I want to nail down the right decision as much as possible. I prefer the hybrid type AT tires now but they are few and far between in a c rated tire.

 

I don't think it has been noted here but don't rule out Hercules tires. Used to sell them. Great tire. I was just looking and they still offer the free road hazard program. 2 years/50% or better you get a new tire if needed no questions asked. That's straight from Hercules, too. They have quite a few offerings in C and D for the size you're looking for.

http://www.herculestire.com/#loaded
I always liked the Terra Trac M/T.

http://www.wdtires.com/shop-for-tir...custrating=0|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10&view=single

 

If you want something for mud but want to stick with an AT then Duratrac or Goodyear Authority ( Wal Mart version) are the way to go. I had them on my 2009 for 30k before selling and liked them. I was planning to put them on my 2013 until I saw the ST MAXX. Rough rocky ranch roads are my main concern so I went with the Coopers. The nice thing about the Goodyears is they come in a 6 ply in 265/75/16. Cooper has a commercial type AT that I have seen in this size in a 6 ply but not on their website.

 

Another tire to consider! I will add this to the research! At first glance these tires look pretty good, BTW.

 

And, honestly, the Duratrac started out being my number one tire and it may end up being the one. I have had good luck with GY tires over the years but if needed, I would step out of the box if another manufacturer offered what I wanted. I like that ST Maxx but am trying to stay away from the E. The 265/75/16 is what I want and need and a nice hybrid in a C load range but be great.

 

You'll have to find a tire shop by you that carries them unless there is an eBay seller. But most decent shops will order them in and let you puts hands on them before buying.

That road hazard is hard to beat.