Another tire discussion - snow/wet road performance

[kevin588127]

You think one of the absolute worst tires on the market, out performs one of the highest ranked tires on the market??

Interesting findings.

You think one of the absolute worst tires on the market, out performs one of the highest ranked tires on the market??

Interesting findings.

I feel much of the hate from the transforce comes frome the AT which comes on the trucks with the off-road package. I can confirm that the AT are garbage, my work runs them on our fleet vehicles. My current 2500 has the HT. All I can tell you is my 2014 ram 1500 with anti spin axle and those Wildpeaks wouldn't make my driveway with any amount of snow on it. My 2500 with anti spin rear end and HT tires did it all winter and there was only one time I needed 4x4. I was shocked and impressed. Could be a difference in trucks but my dad had a 2016 ram 1500 that came with Bridgestone and he could make it without 4x4 as well. Don't get me wrong, I loved those Wildpeaks for everything else, my experience was that they aren't awesome in the snow.

I will also say that I have no delusions that the HT will perform well in any type of off-road capacity and probably not even in the deep snow but in a few inches of snow or hard pack snow, the HT does what I need it to do. When they wear out I will get something more aggressive.

 

[firemansdiesel]

I had Wildpeaks on my 1500. They replaced the stock Goodyear's that were the worst tire I've ever run on anything. The Wildpeaks were awesome. They wore well, were quiet and never gave me any issues. At 55k they were slightly under half tread. My gripe was their snow performance. Maybe my expectations were too high but that truck was worthless in 2wd. They were better than the factory Goodyear's but that isn't saying much at all. Now my 2500 with transforce HTs climbed the same snow covered driveway with ease in 2wd. This has me thinking that Wildpeaks will not be my next tire.

That's a first I heard of that Wildpeaks suck in the snow. I've had a few sets over past couple trucks and no issues in all conditions.

 

[kevin588127]

That's a first I heard of that Wildpeaks suck in the snow. I've had a few sets over past couple trucks and no issues in all conditions.

I won't say they suck but I don't think they live up to the hype, especially since they have doubled in price since they were first introduced. They wear amazingly well but I wonder if that is actually detrimental to their snow performance. There are cheaper options such as GY duratracs and I'm thinking I may try them next go round. I'm still a ways off from needing to replace so I'll reassess then.

Maybe I'm just weird. I'm the guy that also hated nitto terra grapplers when they were all the rage. I loved dynapro ATs bit they too increased their price significantly once they got popular. Seems falken has done the same.

 

[tchur1]

I had Wildpeaks on my 1500. They replaced the stock Goodyear's that were the worst tire I've ever run on anything. The Wildpeaks were awesome. They wore well, were quiet and never gave me any issues. At 55k they were slightly under half tread. My gripe was their snow performance. Maybe my expectations were too high but that truck was worthless in 2wd. They were better than the factory Goodyear's but that isn't saying much at all. Now my 2500 with transforce HTs climbed the same snow covered driveway with ease in 2wd. This has me thinking that Wildpeaks will not be my next tire.

Have to admit, this is the first poor review ive seen for the Falkens, were you running the AT3w? Or a different version that wasnt 3 peak rated?

 

[kevin588127]

Have to admit, this is the first poor review ive seen for the Falkens, were you running the AT3w? Or a different version that wasnt 3 peak rated?

At3w. Got them the first summer they were available and yes they were 3 peak rated. Ran them at 40 psi. They were new to market at the time and we're substantially cheaper than any of the other well known ATs. Now they cost as much as KOs. To be completely fair, they were an oversized tire, 285 75-17, but basically a similar size to the stock tires on my 2500. Not to completely trash them but for premium money, if snow traction was what I was looking for, there has to be a better option.

 

[IndyRamMega]

Have to admit, this is the first poor review ive seen for the Falkens, were you running the AT3w? Or a different version that wasnt 3 peak rated?

I didn't care for them either...I had them on my dually and I did tow over 20k and felt the sidewalls just flexed way too much...the truck didn't feel stable at all with them.....swapped to ridge graps and it was an entirely different experience....I won't use the falkens again..IF I were to try another at3 tire it'd be the toyo...gonna be hard to get me away from the nittos tho....love these things ...

 

[phatboy64]

I didn't care for them either...I had them on my dually and I did tow over 20k and felt the sidewalls just flexed way too much...the truck didn't feel stable at all with them.....swapped to ridge graps and it was an entirely different experience....I won't use the falkens again..IF I were to try another at3 tire it'd be the toyo...gonna be hard to get me away from the nittos tho....love these things ...

I was originally going with the Nitto ridge graps but everything I read said they were not good on snow covered roads. I believe from what I have read on Carl’s web site is the first versions of the Falken’s were D rated, the new AT3 is E rated. Not sure which ones you had or if it would have made a difference .

 

[phatboy64]

For anyone interested this is a good read .

Tires and Wheels: How Do They Affect My Ride?

If you're looking for the cliff notes: 17"/18" wheels, 35"-37" tires and inflate them in accordance to THEIR load curve (40-45PSI Front, 35-40PSI Rear), not the factory tire's load curve to which most factory TPMS Systems are set. If you're going to run 20" wheels, stick to 37" MT tires as...

carlisuspension.com

 

[IndyRamMega]

I was originally going with the Nitto ridge graps but everything I read said they were not good on snow covered roads. I believe from what I have read on Carl’s web site is the first versions of the Falken’s were D rated, the new AT3 is E rated. Not sure which ones you had or if it would have made a difference .

My only issue was the sidewall flex...that's why I mentioned the weight that I tow....if you're not towing that heavy you'll probably like them....as for the ridge graps....honestly I think those reviews come from lighter trucks or SUV's....during the apocalypse snow storm in Texas a few years back I was driving thru Oklahoma Texas and Missouri with a jeep on a trailer towing with a 2015 ram 2500 on ridge graps and that thing never slid or had any issues....I was really expecting to after everything I'd heard about them but they did fine...I think the weight of these hd's has to do with it....jmo....

 

[jchangras]

Toyo Open Country AT3's. Perform in all conditions, quiet, and I get about 50k miles out of them. Just got a set of 35's for my '23.

 

[Jimmy Dean]

Another vote for me for the MT Baja Boss’s….although I have them in 13.50 width and thus no 3 peak rating.

 

[Cseybert]

JMO WIDER TIRES ARE GREAT FOR DRY CONDITIONS, SAND SNOW PROPERLY AIR DOWN. BUT THEY SUCK IN HEAVY RAINS HYDROPLANING.

 

[Cseybert]

Sorry about the all caps.

 

[Dave01]

Sorry about the all caps.

NO PROBLEM

 

[Dave01]

JMO WIDER TIRES ARE GREAT FOR DRY CONDITIONS, SAND SNOW PROPERLY AIR DOWN. BUT THEY SUCK IN HEAVY RAINS HYDROPLANING.

Being in the snow belt it's pretty widely understood that wide tires aren't the best way to go for snow, regardless of brand/type. A good tire will still perform fairly well, don't necessarily need to have skinny tires, but you are right it's something to consider.

 

[sn_85]

I'm going to throw a different name out there, the Nokian Outpost AT. It's not super aggressive looking, the compound I believe is a bit softer but if SNOW and wet performance in an AT is what you're looking for I doubt you'll find better. They are 3-peak rated. They are also a very lightweight tire probably due to lack of aggressive sidewall and extra rubber. Nokian is a Finnish company and I believe their tires are made in Finland. Anyways if there's going to be a brand/company that I trust or would expect to understand the dynamics of winter driving it's probably going to be a from Nordic country. Their dedicated winter tires have an outstanding reputation.

Nokian Tyres Outpost AT - Extend your adventures / Nokian Tyres

The Nokian Tyres Outpost AT offers supreme traction in all conditions, extreme durability and puncture resistance, and increased service life so drivers can extend their terrain, toughness and travel.

www.nokiantires.com

However of your list of 4 only the Falken AT3W is worthy of your consideration in snow/wet performance. The Nitto's and BFG I would absolutely cross off the list. I think your list should include the Falken AT3W, Toyo Open Country AT3, and the Nokian Outpost AT. That would probably be my top 3 with Nokian as the likely best performing one for your use.

 

[phatboy64]

I'm going to throw a different name out there, the Nokian Outpost AT. It's not super aggressive looking, the compound I believe is a bit softer but if SNOW and wet performance in an AT is what you're looking for I doubt you'll find better. They are 3-peak rated. They are also a very lightweight tire probably due to lack of aggressive sidewall and extra rubber. Nokian is a Finnish company and I believe their tires are made in Finland. Anyways if there's going to be a brand/company that I trust or would expect to understand the dynamics of winter driving it's probably going to be a from Nordic country. Their dedicated winter tires have an outstanding reputation.

Nokian Tyres Outpost AT - Extend your adventures / Nokian Tyres

The Nokian Tyres Outpost AT offers supreme traction in all conditions, extreme durability and puncture resistance, and increased service life so drivers can extend their terrain, toughness and travel.

www.nokiantires.com

However of your list of 4 only the Falken AT3W is worthy of your consideration in snow/wet performance. The Nitto's and BFG I would absolutely cross off the list. I think your list should include the Falken AT3W, Toyo Open Country AT3, and the Nokian Outpost AT. That would probably be my top 3 with Nokian as the likely best performing one for your use.

Thanks for the link. Those look like good tires and I bet you are right, folks in the Nordic region probably know a few things about making tires that perform well in snow.

 

[Dave01]

Nokians are highly rated and have a loyal following for snow tires, but this is the first time I've heard them mentioned for an HD truck.

 

[tchur1]

Nokians are highly rated and have a loyal following for snow tires, but this is the first time I've heard them mentioned for an HD truck.

I run then on my wifes SUV and both of our families run them during the winter on our smaller cars. They are by far the best snow tire ive put on anything, but I have not put them on my truck. I dont think they will hold up particularly well under the weight of these trucks but if you need all out snow performance and switch to a different tire for the summer then they might be a good option.

 

[sn_85]

Nokians are highly rated and have a loyal following for snow tires, but this is the first time I've heard them mentioned for an HD truck.

I run then on my wifes SUV and both of our families run them during the winter on our smaller cars. They are by far the best snow tire ive put on anything, but I have not put them on my truck. I dont think they will hold up particularly well under the weight of these trucks but if you need all out snow performance and switch to a different tire for the summer then they might be a good option.

The Nokian Outpost AT is their most aggressive off-road AT tire and they come in LT variants so the load ratings should be pretty comparable to other LT tires as well.