BFGoodrich KO2 vs Falken Wildpeak A/T3W

Well you and I seem to agree on its behavior. You don't have to tell her that I don't like her bro-runner. Funny thing is my wife dumped her 4runner built similarly to your wife's for her 1st Gen sequoia. She couldn't handle the lack of power from the v6 once she started driving my first Gen tundra. So now we've got it all bro-landered out too. 2" lift on 33's.

 

4runner is making way for a new car, but yes, the lack of power is brutal, last tank of gas it average 14mpg, which was same to the Tundra and mine is supercharged.

 

Kinda like the power of a fat kid running uphill

 

That's perhaps the easiest snow to navigate through. Air down, move slowly to give it time to compact. Don't spin wheels.

 

nobody has mentioned weight diffs and mpg...for the 35" I'm looking at, the AT3 is 76lbs and the KO2 is 68lbs. I assume the KO2 gets better fuel economy? Anyone with experience here?

 

It's not as simple as just the weight because of stuff like the compound and rolling resistances. If everything else is equal, the lighter tire will get better MPG, BUT that is a massive assumption on all other factors being the same.

Also, with 35s the difference of 8 lbs per tire isn't likely to be super noticeable. Would it make you go one way or the other if one got 0.2 MPG more than the other? Even if it's a bit more than that, is 15.5 MPG that much better than 15.0 MPG?

 

Second set of KO2's on the 4R and no complaints. It tows a small trailer, does get used off-road and is a regular commuter:

 

On my second set of KO2 on 20's and the first set lasted me almost 70K miles. Never had balancing issue but I have something going on with the KO2's on my Honda Pilot which is weird. O well.

 

Thanks - so do you know where I can find out about the resistance or the compounds of each? I can't find any comparison online...I was going to go with the KO2 since I assumed it is one that's more fuel efficient. But maybe it has high resistance or worse rubber for mpg?

Yeah... 0.2 MPG wouldn't be a big deal...mostly just trying to be as economical as I can with uneconomical AT tires!

 

The compounds are usually proprietary information. Best you'll get is generic descriptions. Nothing finite. Rolling resistance would have to be tested, but IDK if anyone actually delves that deep into tires, because they aren't min maxing to that degree. I was more just trying to say that there's more to a tire than weight. I think you are probably correct if you figure weight will be the biggest factor for fuel economy in relatively similar tires.

You will probably see better MPG out of the lighter tires, but it's not likely to be a huge difference. If fuel economy matters, get 33s instead.

The only thing I would caution on the KO2s is that they suck on wet roads.

 

My ego won't allow 33s. And I'm in San Diego...like 2 rainy commutes per year ...but I also have KO2s now (33s...lol) and was curious about AT3Ws. Got my new 17" methods so need new tires now. Going 35" baby, MPG be damned!

 

This.

the difference between AT tires is going to be negligible in the MPG department. If you’re looking for gas mileage you’re going to want to sell your truck. The best you’re going to get tire wise is going to be a harder compound street tire.

I personally don’t mind the tradeoff of the slightly worse MPG for the durability of the AT tire.

 

How's that working out for you this year...

 

If you already have KO2s and know how they perform, then the only improvements I saw going to the AT3W were better balancing, slower wear, and better wet road performance. That last one was a night and day difference for me. If the wet driving doesn't sway you, go for the lighter tire.

If you don't go off road, you could also look at some of the lower ply versions (if they are offered) to have better economy from much lighter tires.

 

the wet weather performance is night and day between these two tires.

 

Yup. That's what made me move away from the KO2. Almost got me into an accident. Spooked me, and it's not like Wyoming gets a lot of rain.

 

I bought a new set of ko2’s and sold them with under 2,000 miles. Horrible in rain and snow and tried multiple different pressures, worst tires I’ve ever owned. Have Baja boss at’s now that I haven’t touched since installed and they are excellent.

I’ve had ko’s, another set of ko2’s, duratracs, wildpeaks and rugged treks before but that last set of ko2’s was awful.

 

never had any issues with KO2s..but I'm ready for the KO3s..

and good timing