We all know Denver proper doesn't get much more snow than NYC 😉😉 #the lies need to end

And your state spends half its budget to keep the Front Range and I70 cooridor plowed and treated to the point you could eat a meal off the roadway with a compromised immune system 🙃🙃
Englewood, Cherry Creek plus its sister neighborhoods, Boulder etc etc need to get up there in their sports cars with no hassle after all

Sincerely yours,
Montana (a state who's only access to its one exorbitantly wealthy ski development is the Gallatin Canyon with more twists, turns, steeply banked curves than a Formula500 track...and that semi trailers use to cut down to Idaho Falls or up to the I90 cooridor bound for the PNW despite the state virtually begging them not to (and with predictable results - let's say the famous fly fishing scenes from "A River Runs Through It" would no longer be filmed on the Gallatin River unless you find oil spots aesthetic - ) /endrant I still love Montana but mind if we shove off a few thousand newbies in Bozeman to Boulder?

 

In regards to the actual topic though haha I'm about to get the Falken Wildpeak AT3W everyone I know raves about them for the exact conditions you seem to be expecting (maybe even a little overkill if you aren't really hitting the abandoned for thirty years logging roads type of off- roading, but they're not extremely expensive so why not get them?)

Only mild criticism seems to be their mudding ability but I've only heard that from people truly going MUDDING..seem fine hitting a few inches of slush and mud and Forest Service/BLM roads during May's mud season

 

I’m interested in this Hurrah Pass story. We drove back from Chicken Corner in the dark and didn’t have any issues.

For a easy going AT, look at the Toyo AT3. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a favorite of most, but it is also a little heavier and a hair louder. Stock Kevlars are 38# each, so be sure to look at specs so you know if the weight is changing. Shouldn’t be too much of an issue unless you go LT or to a larger size.

The Yokohama Geolandar GO15, Continental TerrainContact, and General Grabber APT are more street friendly and quieter, but still have aggressive looking sidewalls.

 

Thank you both for answers... and to follow up a bit:

@Pavlov'sDog Denver indeed doesn't get too much snow so I would be probably ok with very average A/T tires but I try to hang out in the mountains a lot during the winter. While still not absolutely necessary I prefer to have this extra grip if possible. I am not planning any snow adventures but if I am buying something for the next 3-4y it would be nice if it was decent in the (potentially not super regular...) white conditions

Falken Wildpeak is definitely something I am considering but before going for it I wanted to ask the experts. I don't care that much about mudding. As I've said I am a total beginner and just expect the car to go slightly further than your casual subaru forester ;-).

@gspfunk mentioned the weight. There is 38pounds each on stock and 43 pounds falken or 37 pounds on toyo. I am also looking on BFG KO2 which are 50 pounds? I assume that swiching from 38 to 37 doesn't matter. What about the 43 on Falken? or 50 on KO2? What kind of difference/problems should I expect?
Is it just that the car will weight this 20(or 50) pounds more as a whole which impacts performance and fuel efficiency? or there is more to it?

Is the KO2 a good option for me? Seems like it's a good tire but might be too hardcore for my needs and compromise what I will be doing the most (so not off roading)?

And few words about hurrah pass. I've checked your insta @gspfunk and... well... you seem to be a pro. Remember that you are speaking to beginner now

So the story is that my wife found a wonderful place to stay for a few days, next to a river, far away from the civilization (for my standards) and with a fun road leading there. The place is called Base Camp Adventure Lodge. You can easily find it on google maps, close to hurrah pass. She saw that there is a "rough road" leading there and she even spoken with (a little bit eccentric as we've found out later) owner of that lodge about the road conditions. He literally said that school bus can get there and it's basically a road just in rather bad state. He also said that Chevrolet spark got there and that any 4x4 can get there. I don't think he was lying. I am actually pretty sure all he said was true but it does give you impression that the road must be just... well... a road.

I haven't even checked where it was and just started driving. At that time the Jeep was almost new and to make it worse I was (and still am) new to proper off-roading. Before going there I've done maybe 2 or 3 super beginner trails which you would probably consider your Sunday School ride. If you add my lack of experience, skills, evening (it started to get dark a bit) and general lack of preparation you can imagine that I was scared shitless going through those narrow places first to the top of the pass (and later, as I thought it cannot get worse, it did) to the bottom on the other side.

So long story short I have never been so scared in my life, with my hands numb and couple of panic attacks. I know that for people like most of you it's probably a piece of cake but I was scared shitless. The owner of the lodge haven't seen any problem with the fact that he convinced us that the road is piece of cake and suitable for a schoolbus (literally he said that). I cannot say he was rude but after living there for few years he probably knows every rock on that pass and could drive it with closed eyes. To be fair - the lodge is indeed super cool and (with exception for those road description) so was the owner so if you are ever looking for a place to stay (and are ok with the road) I can recommend that place.

So here I am with mild PTSD and off roading scare. For the first weeks I felt discomfort when I had to enter unpaved parking lot. Now it's much better but it will take a while for me to get back on the actual learning trial adjusted to my skills

Sorry for my English!

 

Thank you both for answers... and to follow up a bit:

@Pavlov'sDog Denver indeed doesn't get too much snow so I would be probably ok with very average A/T tires but I try to hang out in the mountains a lot during the winter. While still not absolutely necessary I prefer to have this extra grip if possible. I am not planning any snow adventures but if I am buying something for the next 3-4y it would be nice if it was decent in the (potentially not super regular...) white conditions

Falken Wildpeak is definitely something I am considering but before going for it I wanted to ask the experts. I don't care that much about mudding. As I've said I am a total beginner and just expect the car to go slightly further than your casual subaru forester ;-).

@gspfunk mentioned the weight. There is 38pounds each on stock and 43 pounds falken or 37 pounds on toyo. I am also looking on BFG KO2 which are 50 pounds? I assume that swiching from 38 to 37 doesn't matter. What about the 43 on Falken? or 50 on KO2? What kind of difference/problems should I expect?
Is it just that the car will weight this 20(or 50) pounds more as a whole which impacts performance and fuel efficiency? or there is more to it?

Is the KO2 a good option for me? Seems like it's a good tire but might be too hardcore for my needs and compromise what I will be doing the most (so not off roading)?

And few words about hurrah pass. I've checked your insta @gspfunk and... well... you seem to be a pro. Remember that you are speaking to beginner now

So the story is that my wife found a wonderful place to stay for a few days, next to a river, far away from the civilization (for my standards) and with a fun road leading there. The place is called Base Camp Adventure Lodge. You can easily find it on google maps, close to hurrah pass. She saw that there is a "rough road" leading there and she even spoken with (a little bit eccentric as we've found out later) owner of that lodge about the road conditions. He literally said that school bus can get there and it's basically a road just in rather bad state. He also said that Chevrolet spark got there and that any 4x4 can get there. I don't think he was lying. I am actually pretty sure all he said was true but it does give you impression that the road must be just... well... a road.

I haven't even checked where it was and just started driving. At that time the Jeep was almost new and to make it worse I was (and still am) new to proper off-roading. Before going there I've done maybe 2 or 3 super beginner trails which you would probably consider your Sunday School ride. If you add my lack of experience, skills, evening (it started to get dark a bit) and general lack of preparation you can imagine that I was scared shitless going through those narrow places first to the top of the pass (and later, as I thought it cannot get worse, it did) to the bottom on the other side.

So long story short I have never been so scared in my life, with my hands numb and couple of panic attacks. I know that for people like most of you it's probably a piece of cake but I was scared shitless. The owner of the lodge haven't seen any problem with the fact that he convinced us that the road is piece of cake and suitable for a schoolbus (literally he said that). I cannot say he was rude but after living there for few years he probably knows every rock on that pass and could drive it with closed eyes. To be fair - the lodge is indeed super cool and (with exception for those road description) so was the owner so if you are ever looking for a place to stay (and are ok with the road) I can recommend that place.

So here I am with mild PTSD and off roading scare. For the first weeks I felt discomfort when I had to enter unpaved parking lot. Now it's much better but it will take a while for me to get back on the actual learning trial adjusted to my skills

Sorry for my English!

Haha just busting your chops man; I'm glad most people nationwide still associate Colorado as the "ski state / 2nd home / luxury condo "...but your road crews really do keep your primary roads immaculate even in the dicier sections of I70 past R.M.N.P.

I90 - the primary interstate in the state and pretty vital to the national economy ( the primary route to transporting goods to and from both Seattle and Vancouver) - is truly impassable without 4wd , snow tires / chains, and npt being bothered by relying more on feel than sight over a 280 mile stretch between Billings and Missoula with any decent storm

There's alot more open valleys interspersed with "island" style mountain ranges so you get blasted by uninterrupted wind that somehow turns the roads to raw ice in spots then it's up a steep pass with some car spinning its wheels halfway up (if you're unlucky they're often moving backwards....) then back into a whiteout in a valley

I think it's been somewhat of a natural check on the mass development Colorado has seen so I'm fine with it

P.S. If you're looking for moderate off roading for just the recreational enjoyment SW MT is absolutely stacked with old logging and mining roads that fit the bill

 

The KO2 is way too much. It is heavier, louder, and will have slightly worse traction on the road. It will also ride rougher. Going from 38 pounds to 50 adds 12 pounds of rotating mass and unsprung weight to each corner and will affect MPG.

You’ll want to stick with a P rated tire, not LT. LT tires are technically for heavier loads, but have stronger sidewalls which is why they’re preferred for off-roading. I’d normally suggest going to a 265/65r18, but I don’t think it would make a difference for your needs.

Sorry to hear about your experience! Hopefully you keep getting out there. No better remedy than to just do it (safely).

 

The KO2 is way too much. It is heavier, louder, and will have slightly worse traction on the road. It will also ride rougher. Going from 38 pounds to 50 adds 12 pounds of rotating mass and unsprung weight to each corner and will affect MPG.

You’ll want to stick with a P rated tire, not LT. LT tires are technically for heavier loads, but have stronger sidewalls which is why they’re preferred for off-roading. I’d normally suggest going to a 265/65r18, but I don’t think it would make a difference for your needs.

Sorry to hear about your experience! Hopefully you keep getting out there. No better remedy than to just do it (safely).

so the choice seems to be:
- Falken which is cheaper $100 on a set but heavier 43lbs and apparently more road oriented (even that it’s heavier)
Or
- Toyo which is more expensive (whatever) but lighter 38lbs (per spec on Toyo website) and more off-road oriented

would appreciate help deciding which one is better for road conditions as I’m sure they will both be ok for my mild off-roading. Falken is supposed to be more road oriented but it’s much heavier? Not sure what is more important…. :/

 

There are a lot of other options that will work perfectly for you, those are just the most popular.

If you have a Discount Tire/Americas Tire near you, they match online prices when shipping is included in the total.

Look at these: Cooper AT3 4S, Sumitomo Encounter AT (Falken’s parent company), Yokohama Geolandar, etc.

 

I'm also starting to look at replacement tires for my Trailhawk. We have 38K miles, plus about 10K miles as a flat tow behind our motorhome that don't show on the odometer. One brand I haven't seen mentioned is the Michelin LTX. I had them on my Armada and really liked them.

Thoughts?

Keith

 

Michelin makes a good, quiet tire. If you offroad, they do not have sidewall lugs or protection. If you don’t need that, then go for it. Those that run Michelin’s seem to love them. The LTX Trail looks new, but other swear by the LTX AT2, also.

 

Thanks.....we are finding that we take the GC off road more than we did the Armada, so maybe I should look elsewhere. I will say that the OEM tires have gotten rather loud in the last 5000 miles or so, even though the tread is wearing very evenly, with no cupping or other adverse wear patterns. Maybe I should just stay with those.....

keith

 

You can't go wrong with Toyo/Nitto tires!

 

Sumitomo makes an awesome replacement tire in that size. Competitive pricing too.

Cappy

 

Sumitomo makes an awesome replacement tire in that size. Competitive pricing too.

Cappy

Encounter AT

 

I love my Falken Wildpeak tires. The only thing to note is that the spare doesn't really fit in the trunk as this tire is a tad wider. The floorboard flap covering the spare tire does not sit flush and there is a 1-2" gap when trying to close it. I have a trailer hitch to mount mine. Just wanted to point that out to you in case you weren't aware (this could also be an issue with some of the other alternative tires people mentioned).

I bought them from amazon two and a half years ago for $169/tire. I see they now cost $265!

 

Do I really need the same brand/model spare? I thought it's ok if it's the same size but different brand? Obviously not for 2k miles trip in the spare but to get you to "safety"? I was planning to just keep the stock spare. I don't even know what it is to be honest.

 

Echoing the comments on Michelin I bought a set of Defender LTX M/S and absolutely love them. Really quiet on the highway, great in the rain and pretty good in the snow. I take them up some snow covered mining roads and a nasty logging road to get up to our hunting property and they are a very good all around tire which it sounds like what you need. I don't do any rock crawling but for the mix of 95% mall crawling in torrential rain in South Florida and the occasional winter trip to the endless mountains it's been a great choice.

Good luck whatever you choose.

 

These are the same size. I love these

 

I replaced the stock Goodyear wranglers at 32k on my 2018 GC Trailhawk with Faulken Wild peak AT 3W. Much better traction than stock tires wet or dry and for now are very quiet. No change in gas milage.

 

I have a 2019 Trailhawk. Came stock with the Goodyear Wrangler Kevlar tires, and I switched them out at 45k even though there was pretty of tread left. I never had issues off road, but on road during the rain was scary, especially those last 5-10k miles. My last straw was having to drive 45mph in the rain while everyone else was passing me. Any faster and I would hydroplane.
Due to the glowing reviews I bought the Falken Wildpeak AT3W in 265/65. I immediately lost ~1 mpg (I use an app that’s tracked every fuel up since 2009!). These tires have been great off road, great in wet weather, and great on road. However I now have 27k miles on them and they are roaring on the road! Traction is still good but man they are loud. Also they are wearing much quicker than stock tires.
Since I don’t do a ton of off roading, I will most likely go with the TerrainContact tires from Continental.

 

+1 on the Bridgestone Revo 3's. I'm surprised more people haven't recommended them. They're good off-road, in the snow, in the wet, on the beach, on the highway, and they're quiet, too. Last time I bought them (2 years ago), they were reasonably priced at Costco. I've owned two sets now. I feel very confident with them. I think they're great. Definitely one to check out.

 

On my second set on Michelin Defenders LTX /MF 265/ R50 20 Jeep GC Overland
Got 70,000 on my first set. 30,000 on present and wear looks the same with rotation every 7500 miles.
Very satisfied with these tires. I had the same experience with my original set. They lasted 40,000 miles, 3 flats, Terrible.

 

I bought the Falken Wildpeak AT3W for my Trailhawk about 3 years ago and love them! I drive 15K miles per year, even during lockdowns, and they’ve held up great.

They do add a pinch of road noise compared to stock. The first week I had the Falkens, they didn’t feel quite right and squeaked a lot in my parking garage. After that they felt broke in and performance on and off road was fantastic. Great in rain too. I never felt confident with the stock Goodyear Kevlar tires, especially in the rain when I hydroplaned. Falkens have been perfect in the rain. I don’t live near snow so can’t comment on that, but they do have 3 peak rating.

They also look really sharp. I had KO2s on my last WK2 and they never quite felt right. Falkens are perfect for me!

 

I’ve got 50K on a set of Toyo AT3’s (265/60/18) and they’re still going strong. Probably good for 60-65K. Great all around tire. They have gotten just a tad noisier as they wear, but certainly not an issue for me. Will most likely replace with the same tire when these are done.

 

KO2 is a terrible tire in the rain, hydro planes like crazy. I am loving the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac. They have been great in the snow, rain and off road on mild trails (have not done any serious off-roading). They make a bit more noise than the stock Ecopia, but still hardly noticeable. They are very affordable too. 275/55/r20, largest tire I could fit on my stock WK2 with out rubbing. I love the way my Jeep looks with these tires too. I lost about 3-4 mpg with these tire though and my Speedo is off by about 2-3mph with the larger size. Got 75,000 miles out of the Ecopia tires, and have about 25,000 on the Duratracs and don’t notice any wear yet.

 

I opted for the Cooper AT3 4S on the wife's JGC. Jumped up to a 265/65/R18 and got a little more sidewall. Stayed with P-Metric over an LT. Been really happy with them so far.