Which tire?

Byrds8 · May 31

Currently have KO3's on my 2500 and love them. Less than 7K miles on them but they are quiet.

GAMark · June 2

The main reason I did not run the KO3 is the siping is only halfway through the tread blocks. And drive in too much rain.

GAMark · June 2

On 5/2/2026 at 6:29 PM, Chuck FB said:

There must be something quite different about the rubber compound then if at slow speed you can notice quite a difference in wet traction from the Goodyear to the Bridgestone. I've read in the last few years about the comparison between the ATW3 ( I do own a set on another pickup but have not had enough varying conditions to make claims other than they seem fine driving down the highway so far ) and the BFG KO2 comparison, that the KO2 was not good in the wet for traction and has hydroplaning issues due to its tread block design that did not evacuate water well. That does surprise me that the ATW3 was not working out so well as for what its worth I certainly saw a lot of positive comments about that tire and my multi brand tire dealer highly suggested the Falken for my use due to some gravel use over the KO2 for sure but also the Toyo AT3.

What did you do with the factory Goodyear tires, hang onto them or let them go cheap at the tire dealer.

I agree, it must be a better compound. The difference is not subtle, either at low speeds on boat ramps or on my steep driveway. The Goodyear would spin and then gain some traction, and the Bridgestone do not. Before this truck, I had AT3W, and they would also spin. I am sure many are better in the dirt, but that is not my use case.

Edited June 2 by GAMark

Chuck FB · June 2

29 minutes ago, GAMark said:

I agree, it must be a better compound. The difference is not subtle, either at low speeds on boat ramps or on my steep driveway. The Goodyear would spin, and the Bridgestone would not. Before this truck, I had AT3W, and they would also spin. I am sure many are better in the dirt, but that is not my use case.

Back when I bought the AT3W for a different truck and got some input from more than one tire dealers on their tire thoughts, one of the dealers had a KO2, Toyo AT3 and Falken AT3W lined up side by side in the showroom as they do work mostly on pickups and those are three popular tires that an independent shop can get their hands on to sell. It was the difference and was at room temperature of the three tires compounds. The KO2 and Toyo felt very similar with the squeeze test of the tread blocks but the Falken felt quite a bit firmer, it was very noticeable. Tire reviews aside as per winter traction, I wasn't that concerned about that since I was not planning on running them much during the winter anyway although some claim the AT3W was not a bad all terrain choice for winter, none will ever be as good as a dedicated winter tire with studs.

As per use case, I imagine around you as well you might see guys running mud tires on rigs that are too fancy to be going off road but it looks cool in the mall parking lot !. Mud tires are not noted for their best on road traction ( never mind winter/ice conditions ) or handling or rolling resistance or being a quiet ride, or last near as long either.

asilverblazer · June 2

5 hours ago, Chuck FB said:

Back when I bought the AT3W for a different truck and got some input from more than one tire dealers on their tire thoughts, one of the dealers had a KO2, Toyo AT3 and Falken AT3W lined up side by side in the showroom as they do work mostly on pickups and those are three popular tires that an independent shop can get their hands on to sell. It was the difference and was at room temperature of the three tires compounds. The KO2 and Toyo felt very similar with the squeeze test of the tread blocks but the Falken felt quite a bit firmer, it was very noticeable...

As per use case, I imagine around you as well you might see guys running mud tires on rigs that are too fancy to be going off road but it looks cool in the mall parking lot !. Mud tires are not noted for their best on road traction ( never mind winter/ice conditions ) or handling or rolling resistance or being a quiet ride, or last near as long either.

The Falken AT3W has me intrigued, looks similar to the KO2 tread pattern.

PBNB · June 2

I went with the Falken AT4W when we got the truck, they were quiet and smooth for about a year then we got the howling from the front. I just rotated them so hopefully that will wear the them a bit more evenly.

For balancing, check out Centramatics balancers in addition to getting the wheels balanced.

I find the Falkens to be heavy even compared to the Toyo AT3's I had on the Tundra. For more road use, I would consider something with a bit less lug.

Chuck FB · June 2

36 minutes ago, PBNB said:

I went with the Falken AT4W when we got the truck, they were quiet and smooth for about a year then we got the howling from the front. I just rotated them so hopefully that will wear the them a bit more evenly.

For balancing, check out Centramatics balancers in addition to getting the wheels balanced.

I find the Falkens to be heavy even compared to the Toyo AT3's I had on the Tundra. For more road use, I would consider something with a bit less lug.

Depending on size it seems but comparing the ATW4 to the KO3, there isn't that much weight difference at least in the tire I was comparing but your right that the Toyo AT3 is somewhat lighter as are a few other all terrain tires as well. I haven't put enough miles on my Falken AT3W set to have much wear or a chance to have vibration etc so the jury is out yet on them from my limited experience, they seem fairly quiet although not silent.

Chuck FB · June 2

3 hours ago, asilverblazer said:

The Falken AT3W has me intrigued, looks similar to the KO2 tread pattern.

The AT3W is probably not made in any size now unless there is old stock around as not long after I bought mine they started the switch to the AT4W. The KO2 has that funky shoulder block with that wedge/slit shape groove and that area of the tread seems horrible for retaining rocks that won't come out at highway speed although it spots out a lot of rocks once off of the gravel and onto the pavement and throwing rocks when on the gravel. Mind you the AT3W certainly picks some rocks as well but didn't seem as bad at least on the gravel I drive on vs the KO2. KO3, good question as I haven't been around them to see what they seem like for rock retention or how they are carcass wise if one was doing a certain amount of gravel driving.