Falken AT4W vs KO3

[C1 Ret]

Looking for some input. My stock tires are getting a bit tired and it's time to change them. I live in snow country and have had the Falken AT4W's on two separate vehicles in prior years. The Falken's I had on prior vehicles did very well in the snow and off road. However, they are "heavy"...about 12 lbs heavier than the same size BFG KO3's. That seems like a lot of extra spin weight. So....I am still leaning toward the Falkens due to my prior experience driving in snow and off-roading on tame-ish forest service roads with some rocks. With the prior vehicles I was not as concerned about the extra weight because I already got pretty good mileage (an F150 with the 3.5 eco boost and a Toyo 4Runner). My Bronco mileage is a "bit" less, lol.

Anyone have direct experience, input or thoughts on the matter. I have a '22 Wildtrack, slight lift due to changing the Bilstein suspension over to a Fox Premium adjustable (about one extra inch over factory); 35's, etc. Stock wheels, 17 inch.

Thank you in advance.

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[5280Bronco]

I'm in the same spot, and I'm betting most people will point you to the ko3's due to the weight being a good amount less.

TFL also did a recent you tube video of both of them and a Firestone in the snow and the at4ws were horrible. I've heard the at4ws lost a bit of wet and snow performance from the at3ws you probably used before, but the TFL test came out even more extreme than people thought it would.

Still not sure which one I'm going with, but I'm hoping there is more info on snow performance after the winter.

 

[DriveAllNight]

I'm in the same spot, and I'm betting most people will point you to the ko3's due to the weight being a good amount less.

TFL also did a recent you tube video of both of them and a Firestone in the snow and the at4ws were horrible. I've heard the at4ws lost a bit of wet and snow performance from the at3ws you probably used before, but the TFL test came out even more extreme than people thought it would.

Still not sure which one I'm going with, but I'm hoping there is more info on snow performance after the winter.

I watched the TFL video, very limited in what they did. I was surprised at the WildPeaks performance, but it's not enough data to know anything.

One try per tire is hardly enough evidence to be able to determine anything.

 

[5280Bronco]

I watched the TFL video, very limited in what they did. I was surprised at the WildPeaks performance, but it's not enough data to know anything.

One try per tire is hardly enough evidence to be able to determine anything.

Oh I completely agree, but it did make me pause for a second.

AT4Ws are still the front runner in 285/75r17 for me, but i will be paying attention to people's impressions after this winter.

 

[DriveAllNight]

Oh I completely agree, but it did make me pause for a second.

AT4Ws are still the front runner in 285/75r17 for me, but i will be paying attention to people's impressions after this winter.

Also, I forgot to mention, they were testing on E rated tires, which at least in my opinion, are way to rigid for most people driving a Bronco (or a Wrangler). I know it's mostly about the sidewall, but I belive the difference between an E and a C ratings also correspond to different chemical blends that would change the stiffness which would effect abilities in cold and snow.

Bottom line, I really wanted TFL to test with C load ratings, doing multiple runs, and more scenarios. The video translated to just more worthless social media spam, in my opinion, and not valuable information. TFL's work is usually better than that, it felt lazy and rushed and left me very disappointed with them, more than informed about my possible next tire purchase. Especially, because like many, the AT4Ws and KO3s are strong possibilities, but neither a slam dunk due to newness and weight concerns.

 

[Alanp970]

TFL’s testing, while not scientific, was eye opening. They mentioned that the AT4W were sliding around more than the other tires while driving the Jeep around to set up for their tests. That being said, snow can very great if it’s heavy and wet or light and fluffy, fresh or old and crusty etc. I was impressed they went to the effort to be able to test them all the same day.

 

[Deleted member 64703]

I had K02's on my Wrangler and loved the ride but felt the braking sucked. I put the Destination X/Ts on my Bronco and found them to be a solid tire. Firestone also offered a 5th free so I could match the spare- all I did was ask.

 

[Snacktime]

I have Falken AT3 in the wife's truck and KO2 on my work truck. The wet weather traction is so bad on the KO2 I wouldn't even shop the KO3 due to the rubber compound. Wish I had the stock tires over the KO2.

 

[Bigmoose]

I have Falken AT3 in the wife's truck and KO2 on my work truck. The wet weather traction is so bad on the KO2 I wouldn't even shop the KO3 due to the rubber compound. Wish I had the stock tires over the KO2.

100% agree. The oem K02s on my raptor have horrendous wet traction

 

[C1 Ret]

I'm in the same spot, and I'm betting most people will point you to the ko3's due to the weight being a good amount less.

TFL also did a recent you tube video of both of them and a Firestone in the snow and the at4ws were horrible. I've heard the at4ws lost a bit of wet and snow performance from the at3ws you probably used before, but the TFL test came out even more extreme than people thought it would.

Still not sure which one I'm going with, but I'm hoping there is more info on snow performance after the winter.

Good info....thank you for sharing.

 

[C1 Ret]

TFL’s testing, while not scientific, was eye opening. They mentioned that the AT4W were sliding around more than the other tires while driving the Jeep around to set up for their tests. That being said, snow can very great if it’s heavy and wet or light and fluffy, fresh or old and crusty etc. I was impressed they went to the effort to be able to test them all the same day.

Good point. We often get what I call "Margarita" snow. It is wet, thick and slippery as hell. I'll take a "dry" snow over the wet sloppy stuff any day. That said, with Falken AT4W on my wife's 4Runner and and my F150....they did pretty well. The f150 had a tendency to slip on the back end, but that was due more to the weight difference between the front and back than anything else. The Bronc seems like the weight is better distributed.

 

[C1 Ret]

I'm in the same spot, and I'm betting most people will point you to the ko3's due to the weight being a good amount less.

TFL also did a recent you tube video of both of them and a Firestone in the snow and the at4ws were horrible. I've heard the at4ws lost a bit of wet and snow performance from the at3ws you probably used before, but the TFL test came out even more extreme than people thought it would.

Still not sure which one I'm going with, but I'm hoping there is more info on snow performance after the winter.

Dang...that is a huge difference in stopping distance. Orders of magnitude difference.

 

[Exec_B6spd]

I have AT4Ws on my 4Runner about a month old and they are performing well. 265/70/17 in SL load range. They are quieter than the AT3Ws I’ve had by a smidge.

I was going to go up on my badlands to the AT4Ws 285/75/17, but I think I’m going to just do the wheels for now and use the K02s in 285/70/17 that are on it from new, until they wear down a bit.

that said the TFL video had me curious as well, and I’m still a buyer for the falken, I’ve had them on many cars, C and E load range and they’ve been great.

the new K03s look good tho.

 

[5280Bronco]

Honestly, now my decision has probably been delayed till late summer next year.

From what I have been able to see, the 285/70r17 c-load KO3s that are available right now are the OE versions which were the first design and they have since made some changes to them. It looks like the 285/70 version with the changes won't be out till August next year.

 

[Gotchaa]

Well it looks like KO3’s in 37s are far out, official release date shared by BFGoodrich rep:

So maybe Falkens AT4Ws or KO2s

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