Falken Wilkpeak AT3W

Thanks for the insight .

 

Depends on the size. Some LT are C rated, most LT are E rated (they even have a few D rated).

4, 6, 8, 10 ply (in this case) = SL, LT(C), LT(D), LT(E). You can see XL is their way of denoting 6 ply like a C rated tire, but in the SL tread compound rather than the LT tire version.

 

Just FWIW for posterity searches:

 

I ran the SL standard tire in 265/75r16 for commuting. They were quiet and smooth. After 45K miles they started to get loud when the siping was worn-out.

 

I still get advertised fuel economy with 255/80/17 E load wildpeaks, RTT and bed rack.

 

I loved my Wildpeaks on my 2nd gen. No need for E load, although it does help if you want to air down or haul heavy loads.

 

Thanks everyone for the input on my question. However I'm still confused because there was conflicting information. Some said E rated tires were heavy, hurt gas mileage, while others said the opposite. To make it more of a quandary, my shop this afternoon when I dropped my truck off for the suspension lift said go with the E rated tires. I'll sleep on it for a few nights I suppose.

Thanks again all!

 

It’s all relative, man. Just like Alabama.

E Rated (10 ply) tires will weigh more and ride stiffer than 4 ply SL tires. 100% true.

The problem with asking anything on a forum is everyone is comparing (relative) to different things.

Your 3rd Gen Taco is loud and rides stiff compared to some luxury whatever and is nice and quiet and rides smooth compared to a 3500 dually.

Okay, extreme example, but you get the point.


If you narrow down the variables your truck on SL (4 ply) vs LT (E rated 10 ply for that size) will absolutely ride softer or stiffer, respectively.

That’s the only variable for you in this thread.

SL will wear faster (softer compound and less tread depth) than the LT.

If you’re going in snow and just daily commuting (and are worried about which will ride smoother between the two) stick with the SL.






When someone say it rode rough, it wore fast, it was loud, it was quiet, none of that is relevant to you at all if they’re not narrowing down to one variable (SL vs LT(E) rated) in the same size on the same truck with the same suspension, etc.

 

265/70-17

SL weighs 46.5 lbs each.
LT weighs 52.9 lbs each.


6.4 lbs per tire x4 = 25.6 more lbs of stiffer sidewall tire spinning. Will affect MPG.


SL max pressure is 51 psi.
LT max pressure is 80 psi.

100% will affect stiffness of ride as well^.

 

I appreciate the feedback, this is good stuff to ponder.

 

And in case you don't know, 10 ply rated tires don't actually contain 10 plies. Although, once upon a time, long, long ago, they did.
A 10 ply tire might contain only one or two more plies than a 4 ply tire.

The "ply rating" is just that. A rating system denoting the load range, inflation pressure and tire capability compared to other tires of differing load ranges.

 

I didn't know that, I'm getting an education on this thread for sure. Thank you.

 

Unless you're off roading a lot in an area with sharp, jagged rocks or hauling more than you should in the bed of the truck, you'll be fine with SL.

 

New Icon Stage 1 lift installed. After talking to the guy at America's Tire, I have decided to go with the SL rating Wildpeakes. 265-70-17 . I am sooooo tempted to go even bigger but I need this truck to drive on the highway 15,000 miles a year for my job duties. Thanks everyone for the great advice and learning opportunity. I'll post a picture of the tires on after they are installed on Thursday. Can't wait!

 

UPDATE: Finished with the 275/70/17 Wilkpeakes and the Icon Stage 1 Lift. (Coil overs and add a leaf). It rides great also.

Thanks everyone!

 

Looks great, too! Nice to have a true 32 Congrats!!

 

Hey OP, send an update here after you do some off-roading and how they performed. I am in a similar boat as you. Live in SoCal, go up to Big Bear/Mammoth 5-6 times a year snowboarding, go out to the desert and mountains for what I would call light off-roading on easy to mildy moderate trails 3-4 times a year. 95% of my miles are road miles but I do have some added weight with a shell and rock sliders (I actually got use of them my last time off-roading so the added weight and investment already paid off on the sliders. I cut a corner too sharp and hugged a rock and they kicked me right out!). I was questioning if the weight was worth it.

I have the TRD Offroad and the rims are 16" so I am looking at 265/75/16s and the Wildpeaks are on my short list with the other main contender being Goodyear Wrangler Dura-Tracs as they also have the 4-peak rating for snow. Both are only offered in that size as an E or an SL.

I am leaning towards the SL so curious what your results are. I do air down but only to about 20 PSI so in theory I should have less side wall flex/heat build up in the side walls vs. airing down to say 15 psi.

It is hard to get good feedback on the Wildpeaks or really any tire that comes in SL and E rated. People rarely state which one they are running. I do worry about some of the trails in SoCal though cause of the sharp rocks even on easy trails.

 

I’ve driven both on Cali sticky rocks.

It’s about what you’d expect. SL is softer rubber and stickier but wears fast on that sandpaper rock. LT deeper tread is better I’m deeper stuff and thicker sidewall handles getting torn up better. Pretty much what you’d expect in my experience.

 

IMHO, unless you are aired down and driving on sharp rocks, SL will do just fine.

C load is a great compromise, but not sure if they have C in size and brand you want. I had C load 265/70/17 KO2s and they were great. Now I’m running 255/80/17 E load wildpeaks and love them! My only regret is not getting them sooner.

Another thing to note, SL/P rated almost always have less tread depth and less aggressive sidewalls.