Packed with Technology | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W

It seems like Blizzaks were my go-to forever in winter until I finally picked up the Toyo. They were pretty new at the time but I liked the tread pattern and save some bucks. Can’t say they are any better or worse than Blizzak to be honest. Sometimes I get the feeling Blizzak are like Kleenex, people use the term to refer to winter tires...lol

 

I just bought a Tacoma with an OME 3” lift and 285/65r18 E Load KO2 @ 58lbs. I’ve done a lot of research and I’ve narrowed in on the Wildpeaks to replace my ko2’s as E Load tires are overkill for these trucks, and the off-road/snow capabilities combined with on-road manners seem like a good fit. I don’t really want to trim or regear so I’m torn between the 275/70r17 C Load @57 lbs and the larger but lighter p285/70r17 @50.5 lbs. Thoughts?

 

Falken has some nice lightweight sizes in an 18 if you already have that size wheel. What wheels are you running and what are you planning to switch to?

 

Yeah I thought about that too. I have KMC XD 795 18x9” -12 offset wheels. I’m not a huge fan of the “deep lip” look and I feel a bit nervous about putting a 10.5” wide tire on a 9” rim.

 

The LT275/70/17 will be more durable and have deeper tread. However, you lose the silica compound the P-metric version has which is better for on road traction, especially in wet conditions and packed snow. So the real question is, where do you plan on driving the truck? If you answer a lot of off-roading then go with the 275. If mainly street in areas with snow and or rain then 285.

 

I did not realize the tread compound in the LT was different than the SL. Thanks for bringing that. Do all of the LT sizes still have a winter rating?

 

I believe all of the LT sizes are still 3 peak severe snow rated. I have not run the LTs in real snow yet but on wet pavement they seem to have a little less grip than the P-metric I had in the same size. They P-metrics did great in snow last winter. Tread depth is shallower than the LTs and both versions have about 1/32 less depth than advertised.

 

I have been running the the P285 70r17 for a few years. I have been really happy with them. Been considering the LT255 80r17. I hesitate mainly because they are a load E tire

 

They will likely ride even better! less squishy on corners, i found my falkens soft feeling. this whole E rating hesitation that this forum has is silly. get the ones you want and love them for what they are. i much prefer the ride with my e rated toyo's. of course ride is an individual thing.

 

I can see how the stiffer sidewall would improve cornering. I imagine the narrower tire would improve handling in the rain and snow conditions as well. The roads up here are worst, they are seriously broken from the freeze-thaw effect of our seasons. This is where the stiff sidewalks become an issue, if I lived in a warmer climate or in the US where the roads are built properly I wouldn’t hesitate. But, yeah I hear ya. I a couple likely gonna go the 255 route on my next set

 

I run my Toyo MT 255’s in northern and Eastern Ontario winter with our shit roads. My opinion is they ride firmer than my SL rated wild peaks did, but not rough at all. The tire pressue will end up a bit lower for good wear almost negating any negative impact!

 

I think the e rating rough ride is somewhat overplayed as a sidewall stiffness. Proper air pressure can help with that to an extent. One thing that isn’t usually discussed in reference to ride is the extra weight of an E. That extra weight takes more effort and time for our suspension to “soften” so more of it translated into the spring portion of the truck. Some e rated tires are 10-15+ lbs heavier than a similar size SL. That’s a lot for a suspension to counteract when you hit abrupt terrain changes.

People talk about weight a lot but it’s usually in reference to performance or mpg.

 

interesting point. The E rated 255 are only listed as 2lbs heavier than the SL 285 if I remember correctly.

 

That is correct although the E load 285 weighs 9lbs more than the P-metric 285.

Ride-wise there isn't a huge difference between them. Impacts with potholes and such are a bit sharper and I can definitely feel the weight when suspension drops. That's probably my only real concern is the need for more rebound damping in the shocks.

 

Agreed. I noticed these changes when I stepped up into a 50lb 33" tire from the lighter 31-32" tire.

 

That's why I wish I could try a 255/80/17. Less weight and I keep my ground clearance. But then I might miss how the truck floats on snow and the off camber stability when aired down that I get with 285s. *sigh* always tradeoffs. lol

 

you prefer staying on top of the snow as opposed to cutting through it?

 

Offroad yes, onroad no. Deep snow is different than shallow snow. When I'm in deep snow I want to float on top otherwise I'll catch my suspension and or chassis on snow and get stuck. We see this a lot when snow wheeling with heavy rigs that cut through too far and need to be winched free.



I snow wheel, a lot. Get stuck a lot too. lol
https://youtu.be/aFRf9QjBcdg

 

I did some snow wheeling last year. It’s amazing how fast you can lose a traction board in the deep.

 

We lost 2 in that recovery! It was around midnight before got out and it had been storming for hours and we feared we might not make it back to pavement 7 miles away. So we said screw looking for the boards. Nothing quite like having your GMC rescued by Toyotas. Thankfully they all got stuck too. LOL