Tire Advice: KO2 vs Ridge Grappers vs Wildpeaks

Looking for AT3Ws in 35, average price is around $300 a pop. Anybody know of any good deals? Thanks

 

OP- check the weights of each tire that you’re interested in vs what you’ve got on there now. I don’t know about the RGs, but I’m running KO2s on my tundra and the wife has wildpeaks on her 4R. Wildpeaks specwise are the heaviest tire in their size class. Definitely noticed a butt-dyno performance drop in the 4R with the wildpeaks (and we kept the size stock). I noticed a bit from the KO2s (going from stock to 275/70 and to an LT) but it was minimal and doesn’t dog up inclines like the 4R.

I’ve been happy with the wear and performance of both tires (we need the snow ratings) but just wanted to offer another data set to consider.

 

B.F.G KO2's are not the same tire it use to be! I was a big fan since I had them on my 1990 Toyota truck and had them on several other trucks and always got more then 60K miles on each truck.

Out of the 3 tires you are asking about, without a doubt go Falken Wild Peak AT3W. Also if you like DT, I would go on Walmart.com or to their store and price them there. The go back to DT and let them match that price!

Last Christmas I got a set of AT3W for my wifes GX470 for $114.00 each. (265.70.17) Smaller tire but the big tires stores wanted at least $190.00 for each.


O.S.T.

 

This is the main reason why I didn't get the KO2. Heard many frustrating stories about balancing issue. Nothing worst than going down the highway in a vibrator.......

 

Do one better, Cooper ST MAX will blow the rest away...absolutely amazing in wet, icey, and mud compared to BFG...plus, they're 10-ply and hold a 55k mile warranty and wear very well. They tend to be a shad louder then the others but what they bring is both function and fashion in-lieu of one or the other...Just my take on tires from the previous trials I've encountered...

 

Thank and yes the weight of thr Falkens was another reason I passed on them. Would you mind posting some pics of your Tundra with the 275 70 18 ko2s? Thats exactly what im going for.

 

I've got about 30k miles on my Ridge Grapplers and overall I have been pleased. In the looks department, it's hard to beat them for what they are. While they are a quieter tire for what they are, mine certainly have a decent amount of road noise. It doesn't bother me, but they are no longer quiet by any means. The only thing I've been a little more disappointed with is that all of mine have had surface cracks/dry rot in the treads for probably the last 10k miles or so. I got the tires in February 2018, and the dates on the tires were a new set. Maybe I got a "bad" set with mine doing that, I haven't seen any other reviews really of people having that issue. The tires all perform well and are in good shape, that's just the only downfall that I have experienced.

Overall, I would buy them again if I got a good price on them. I don't know if I will go back with what I have though, or go with a MT next time.

this picture is what I’m talking about, this was taken with about 20k miles on them, and have gotten worse.

 

i can probably find a few more if you’re looking for a specific angle. But this probably covers most views.

Ps 1st pic was an “overnight dusting” to illustrate why we need 3peak snowflake tires.

pps- All 3 pics have probably 40k miles on the tires. I rotated every 5k religiously. Never had a balance/vibe issue.

 

Thanks man. Feels like I made a great choice.

 

I can't speak towards the Nittos, but the BFGs are rock chuckin' sumbitches for sure. Beat the hell outta my ram when I had them. The Falkens are still throwing some, but nothing like the BFGs did.

 

I can attest to this. Thought for sure my paint would be destroyed especially up here in salt world but it’s fine*.

*never been a clay bar, ceramic coat, Kevlar infused paint protection guy. Iron X or equivalent the rail dust first, Wash (Foam cannon) with dawn, meguiars wash/wash with microfiber, meguiars quik wax (Microfiber on, microfiber off) and call it.

I don’t have A showroom finish but it looks pretty damn good when I’m done. Only to be destroyed a day later 6-7 months out of the year where I live. Appears to be “protected”

 

Falken A/T3W LT275/70/18 10ply showed up today. Snowflake rated, Made in Thailand (for anyone wondering, as I saw some discussion about this in another thread). They sure look a lot better than the stock BFG Dueler H/T's.

Waiting for Rims now.

 

I just put a set of these on my wife's 4Runner and I am impressed. Great traction in snow, ice, rain and mud so far. I originally was going to get Ko2s but couldn't pass up the price for these. I think this will be the route I go when I need new tires on my Tundra. I think they look really good too.

 

I ran thefalkens on my tacoma which i traded in for the tundra. Great tire. My tireshop couldnt get them for my tundra tho, so ended up with cooper stt pros. Love em! Loud, but still awesome.

Btw..saw few OR guys on this thread..relocated from Gresham to NC. East side! Btw..dont miss the east wind in the winter. Brr..

 

didn't know the Falken were made in Thailand...

 

That's weird, as I just got Falken Wild Peaks A/T3w for my wife's Lexus GX470 this time last year and they are made here in the USA.

Maybe because mine are not 10 ply or they made the move within the last year.

Either way if they were made in Thailand, it sure is better then being made in CHINA!!!


O.S.T.

 

Whew...These were my leading contender for tires, but not if they're made overseas.

 

CHY-NA !
I'm all for Thailand though, those guys know how to run their Hilux over there.

 

Made in USA (building)...using overseas parts, materials and likely factory workers.

If I had to guess, every USA based tire makers has ties to overseas supply chains or has them imported in. You can't avoid it or boycott them all. They way I see it is, they are going on Overseas made rims (unless you spent $$$ on them) and the tire maker is likely based in the USA and doing it's part to keep as much money and work in the USA as possible.

In my case, I'd like to support "Made in Canada", but that just isn't feasible in this day and age. I bought them from a Canadian owned and operated company, they'll be backed by a USA or CAD manufacturers warranty, so I'm good with that.