Falken Wildpeak AT4W Review - LT275/70/18

[tacorancher]

Hey Guys - I have been waiting to issue this review to give the new tires a fair chance. I’ve put about 500 miles or so on them. At first I was not happy with the ride (a bit stiff) but once I got the PSI dialed in just right (34 front, 33 rear), the ride is still firm but nice and smooth. Also bear in mind this is an E load range tire.

PROS:
- Look awesome
- Insanely tough and overbuilt (you can just tell)
- Deepest tread in the segment (18/32)
- Very smooth with zero balancing challenges
- Steering responsiveness shockingly good
- Great highway driving
- MPG hit for a 60.3 pound tire is not bad (about 2 MPG)
- Very quiet except for a pleasant (honestly it sounds kinda cool) off-road tire hum between 20 and 40 mph

CONS:
- Heavy ass tire
- A little bit firm

I will do a full blown YouTube video on it later with a lot more detail but here’s a short showing no rub (someone on here asked for it - forgive me for the cheesy music). Also check out the pictures.

Comment on size: these seem to run true to size. The tires are 0.75” taller than the stock 265/70/18s. My ground clearance seems to be up 0.3” or so. Noticeable but nothing crazy.

Last note: I came close to getting the KO3s because of FOMO - but I think I’m keeping these bad boys.

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[Delta1Seven]

Thanks for the review. Is there a reason why you didn't go with the KO3's?

I'm only asking as the K03's seem like the most popular tire for these trucks. I'm about to order tires but can't decide between the KO3 or AT4W.

My wife is very noise sensitive so my main concern is the hum/road noise haha.

 

[tacorancher]

Thanks for the review. Is there a reason why you didn't go with the KO3's?

I'm only asking as the K03's seem like the most popular tire for these trucks. I'm about to order tires but can't decide between the KO3 or AT4W.

My wife is very noise sensitive so my main concern is the hum/road noise haha.

Almost did. Couple reasons. First, I had the AT3Ws on my 22 Pro and liked them. Second, the guys at Discount Tire said they had a hard time balancing KO3s and people were returning them. So I just went with their recommendation. I like the AT4Ws except they ride a little hard. On the fence about whether I like them / will keep them. They look awesome. Are tough as balls. Are super quiet. But they ride a bit bumpy. If I knew for sure the KO3s would balance properly and would ride softer, I would swap. Ideally there would be a C load tire out there in a premium brand, but there isn’t.

Back to the Falkens. They are a hair bigger than the KO3 in this size, which I really like as it takes me to the absolute limit on size without removing the crash pads. I wanted 34s or 35s but every time I look at my truck (33.43” tires) I think .. those are some big ass tires and they look juicy.

If you get the KO3s tell me how they ride. I’ve got until Dec 12 to swap them.

 

[tacorancher]

Short update.

These tires run very big for a 275/70/18. Very. They are 33.43” tall and most 275/70/18s are 33.2” tall. They also run wide. The tread is 9.3” wide. For perspective, that’s the same exact tread width of the 285/75/18 KO3s — a 285 tire. The 275/70/18 KO3 tread is 8.9” wide.

For me, that’s AWESOME because it makes this particular tire the largest you can go on an 18” wheel without any modifications and without taking off the crash plate. They leave about 0.3 to 0.5 inches of free space at the crash plate.

Again, my only gripe is they run rougher than I was hoping.

For gas mileage, they really tank it on short trips (down to about 18). For longer trips on the highway there is not much difference. I get 20-24.

 

[timetoeatpotatoes]

what made you pick E over SL?

I'm looking at these but I was thinking about getting SL rating so it would be more comfortable. will i regret that when summer comes around and im wheeling more?

 

[Miqie]

How are they in the rain? I've heard that some 'off-road' type tires are bad in rain. Maybe they don't channel water very well or something.

 

[tacorancher]

what made you pick E over SL?

I'm looking at these but I was thinking about getting SL rating so it would be more comfortable. will i regret that when summer comes around and im wheeling more?

To get an SL, I’d need to drop down to a 32.6” tire. Doesn’t sound like much but that was the size of my stock tires and with an 18” rim that left me so little sidewall for off-road applications. The 33.43” is really nice and just right visually and practically. I also wanted something tougher than an SL. If they had an SL in my size I would have grabbed it. I think a C load would be optimal but very little exists in that load. So I was kind of shoved into an E. There are benefits but I don’t love the ride quality. The truck seems to really like 34 PSI the most for comfort and for stability. So that’s my answer I guess. I really wanted bigger diameter. Thought about the General Grabbers in SL for the same size. But for some reason they didn’t speak to me. Mickey Thompson is the same story. Need to drop down an inch in size to get the SL.

If anyone else has a brilliant recommendation for something better I can swap by Dec 12. Otherwise I’ll just get used to the ride. Thought about the KO3, but they are a tiny bit smaller and the same weight and I like the look of my tires.

Other tires considered that are lighter - Nokian Outpost and Geolander AT4. Anyone run those?

 

[tacorancher]

How are they in the rain? I've heard that some 'off-road' type tires are bad in rain. Maybe they don't channel water very well or something.

Just as good as my prior AT3Ws. I’d say 7-8 out of 10.

 

[tacorancher]

How are they in the rain? I've heard that some 'off-road' type tires are bad in rain. Maybe they don't channel water very well or something.

Watch some videos by outdoor auto on you tube. Read up on all terrains, mud terrains, and rugged terrains. It goes deep. Check this out in particular.

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