If you’re looking into doing something more adventurous with your 4×4, you need not look into tires as your first major upgrade. Not all tires, especially the stock ones, are built to take the abuse of different terrains. Some tires are more suitable compared with others for off-roading.
Quality all-terrain tires make driving through tough terrain easier without losing traction. Tires for off-roading on rock and mud also come with reinforced sidewalls. The reinforced sidewalls help your rig withstand the pressure of other debris and large rocks on the trail.
In a previous shootout, we’ve already compared the BFGoodrich KO2 with the Goodyear Duratrac to see which one fares better as an all-terrain tire. The KO2 came up on top in that one. So this time we’ve decided to pit it against the Falken Wildpeak AT3W to see how it holds up. Here’s our head-to-head.
Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs. BFG KO2: An Overview
Falken Wildpeak and BFGoodrich KO2 are the two topmost brands that are popular with off-roading enthusiasts. These two tire models offer some compelling benefits. Both tires are suited for pickup trucks and SUVs so they won’t work with regular vehicles.
What is the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W?
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is an excellent tire that performs exceedingly well on every terrain and in any weather conditions. The AT3W tires are appropriate for getting drivers to their preferred off-road destinations with as little hassle as possible.
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W has:
- Spaced tread blocks
- Silica tread compound
- Staggered offset shoulder blocks
- Aggressive upper-side wall
- 155,000 miles limited tread life warranty
- 10″/16″ tread depth
- Block steps for added strength and ejecting materials
What is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2?
The BFGoodrich KO2 is well suited for all-terrain and can be used in all weather conditions. The KO2 is ideal for on-road and off-road driving as it can handle most driving conditions. It is carefully designed to provide superior off-road performance while delivering an excellent on-road driving grip.
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 has:
- Tread siping
- Widely spaced tread
- Severe snow-rated tire
- 20% stronger sidewall
- Serrated shoulder edge design
Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs. BFG KO2: Comparison
So how do you choose a set of tires which will work well for most severe off-road conditions? Various features help tires improve their performance for truck use and off-roading. When shopping for tires, you can generally look at features like tire size, depth, and tread patterns (including shoulder ridges and tread spacing). But there are other factors to consider.
Understanding the differences between BFGoodrich KO2 vs. Falken Wildpeak AT3W will make selecting the best tire for your SUV or pickup much easier. These two tires come in different size ranges, sidewalls, tread depth, load ranges, warranty, prices, and performance on different terrains.
Tire Size
The BFG KO2 has 87 tire sizes, with a wheel size range of 15 to 22 inches. The tire height can be as high as 39 inches, and the tire width can be as wide as 13.5 inches. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W comes in 66 sizes ranging from 15 to 22 inches. Its tire height can reach 37 inches, and its width can reach 12.5 inches.
Winner: BFGoodrich KO2
Sidewall
Sidewall splitting is a major problem that destroys most tires but it’s not for the BFG KO2. The KO2 tire has an extended sidewall and uses thicker rubber to prevent splitting. The thickened rubber does this by making the sidewall more robust and reducing the possibility of sidewall splitting. The tire has side-bulging rubber blocks and biter lugs on the sidewall. The blocks and biter lugs provide more traction when driving through mud and snow. Airing down the tires significantly improves their performance when driving on rocky terrain.
Winner: BFGoodrich KO2
Tread Depth and Design
Its wide treads make the Falken AT3W an excellent tire for rugged conditions like snow and mud, but it can raise an issue when driving in rainy seasons. The Falken tires have sipes to help them reliably perform on wet roads and ensure that there are no slippages. There is adequate rubber in contact with the road to guarantee adequate traction.
While not as suitable for rainy driving conditions as traditional all-season tires, the BFGoodrich KO2 tires are heavily siped throughout the tread to provide additional traction when driving in wet conditions. The deep tread removes damp performance but helps maintain traction in deep water.
However, the KO2 tire wears out quicker and has more shallow tread blocks making it less dependable over time. The Falken tires provide more reliable traction when driving in rainy conditions without slipping, thanks to the siping.
Due to the wide tread gaps, you might feel less grip with the BFG KO2. However, there is still enough rubber touching the road surface to provide reliable traction.
Winner: Falken Wildpeak AT3W
Load Range
Load ranges are essential indicators of a tire’s strength and how it behaves under load. You can inflate tires with high load ranges to higher pressures. They remain stable even under heavy loads as they undergo less flexing or deformity. This is important if you are going to haul or tow heavy loads such as when moving things, making deliveries, or traveling off-road.
The BFGoodrich KO2 comes in a wide range of sizes and load ratings of E, D, and C. The C load range has a load pressure of 2.775 pounds for each type. The AT3W can accommodate an E load range of up to 3.095 pounds if it’s 10-ply.
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W has E, D, C, SL and F rating. The SL and F rating means you can effectively use your Falken AT3W tires for dual-rear-wheel applications.
Winner: Falken AT3W
Performance on Off-Road Terrains
These nifty features don’t mean much if they don’t translate into an impressive off-road experience for drivers. So, how do the Wildpeak AT3W and the BFGoodrich KO2 perform under different conditions, both off-road and on-road?
Both the BFGoodrich and Falken tires have widely spaced treads for good traction in snowy, rocky, and muddy conditions. But here’s how they fare in different road conditions:
Mud
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W has a deeper tread for better traction in mud and snow. The tires are designed with a stepped block and a wide space. This helps the tire eject rocks, mud, and anything else caught in it. The Falken tires also have siping to make sure that they perform reliably on rainy roads and that there are no slippage issues. These features contribute to the tire’s top performance in muddy or rainy driving conditions.
The full tread pattern of BFGoodrich KO2 contributes to its excellent performance in wet conditions. The serrated edges of the tires bite into the mud and provide excellent grip and traction. The KO2 tires have mud buster bars that help guarantee they perform well when driving on a muddy road. However, it is not very good at shedding trapped mud, making Falken the better choice for driving in muddy conditions.
Mud tends to accumulate during use, making KO2 tires less suitable for muddy conditions as compared to Falken tires. In addition, the AT3W tires feature active 3D siping technology, which improves traction in slippery conditions.
Winner: Falken Wildpeak AT3W
Snow
Falken’s Wildpeak AT3W all-terrain tires work extremely well in nearly all snowy conditions. They keep decent traction in wet snow, and the snow clears from the tread blocks easily. That allows the tires to maintain traction in snow.
The KO2 is excellent for driving in winter conditions. The tires have serrated edges which provide the tires with an extra grip. The tires can maintain traction even if there are several inches of snow, they are also designed with a different rubber compound to retain pliability in low temperatures.
Winner: BFGoodrich KO2
Rocks
Both tires have widely spread-out tread blocks that enhance performance in rocky terrain. The Falken, however, performs better due to a deeper tread. This deeper tread can provide a better grip on loose gravel and most rocks.
Winner: Falken Wildpeak AT3W
Other Factors
Pricing
The prices of Falken Wildpeak AT3W tires range from 150 to 250 USD per tire, depending on location and size. It’s reasonably priced for a tire that performs admirably both off-road and on-road. The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W off-road tires are cheaper, thus more cost-effective for buyers. Also, many buyers say the Falken tires outlast the BFGoodrich tires, making them a better overall value than the Goodrich tires.
The BFGoodrich KO2 tires are slightly more expensive in comparison. Their price hovers between 190 and 380 USD per tire. This will, of course, be determined by the size required. Like the Falken Wildpeak AT3W, the BFG KO2 is also classified as a mid-range tire. Although they may cost relatively more, they perform outstandingly and are highly durable.
Winner: Falken Wildpeak AT3W
Warranty
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W has a slightly more extended tread life warranty of 55,000 miles. The BFG KO2 has a warranty of only six years (about 50,000 miles) from the date of purchase.
Winner: Falken Wildpeak AT3W
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are the BFGoodrich KO2 tires noisy?
Despite its formidable performance, the BFG KO2 tire provides a quiet ride. This is impressive given that offroad tires are notorious for being noisy. The low noise levels are most likely due to the computer-optimized tread pattern on this tire.
Are Falken Wildpeak tires loud?
These tires make quite a bit of noise, especially on wet pavement. The noise, on the other hand, is tolerable. If you’re considering installing these tires, you should be prepared to put up with some noise in exchange for the traction they provide.
Is the Falken Wildpeak AT3W any good?
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is an excellent all-purpose tire. It’s an excellent multi-purpose tire for truck and SUV owners who spend a lot of time on the road. It also has excellent traction in all weather conditions, both on and off the road.
How long do Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws last?
The AT3W is suitable for on-road and light off-road use that wears well. It has a projected tread life of 70,000 miles.
How long should KO2 tires be expected to last?
Each 1/32″ should typically yield between 3,500 and 4,000 miles or a lifespan of nearly 50,000 miles. When changed out, its actual world mileage is closer to 40,000 miles.
The Winner: Falken Wildpeak AT3W
Knowing how well the BFGoodrich tires fared against its competing Goodyear model, deciding between the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and BFG KO2 can be quite a challenge. Both tires can withstand most off-road conditions. Still, they have unique characteristics that make them better suited to one type of terrain.
However, those looking for the most out of their off-road experience should go with the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. In winter driving conditions, the BFGoodrich has better snow traction. On muddy or rocky terrain, however, it falls short compared to the AT3W.
While the BFGoodrich is superior on-road and winter performance, the Falken Wildpeak wins since the AT3W dominated in most categories. Still, the BFG tire is a very good choice, especially if it’s the one available in your area. It is readily available in a wide range of sizes.
All things considered. The AT3W comes out on top in terms of value. It is significantly less expensive as compared with BFGoodrich and performs better on different terrains.
