Falken Wildpeak AT3w Update: 25,000 Miles

From inner-city treks to 4,000-mile road trips. From 100-degree pavement pounding days to white out conditions at 13,000 feet. From Volkswagen-sized boulders to foot deep mud. We have put the Falken Wildpeak AT3w through every ounce of terrain imaginable in 25,000 short miles, and we are here to say that these — as we have said before — are the real deal.

All-Terrain Tires vs. Highway and Mud-Terrain Options

Let’s face it—choosing new tires can feel a bit like diving headfirst into a maze. If you’re debating between all-terrain, highway, and mud-terrain tires, here’s how the pros and cons stack up after surviving everything from baking-hot asphalt to frigid, rain-slicked mountain passes.

All-terrain tires split the difference:

• Pros:
  • They offer versatile grip—enough tread bite for dusty gravel roads and rocky switchbacks, yet smooth enough to keep your coffee in the cup on your weekday commute.
  • Road noise stays reasonably low, so you can still hear your playlists above the hum.
  • Better traction in changing weather (think sudden spring thaws turning firm dirt into a mud-wrestling pit).
• Cons:
  • They won’t match the road-hugging quiet of dedicated highway (H/T) tires. If buttery-smooth silence and maximum fuel efficiency are your top priorities, H/T tires take that crown.
  • Likewise, when things get seriously sloppy—like knee-deep mud or axle-twisting ruts—mud-terrain (M/T) tires pull ahead, thanks to their aggressive tread. All-terrains just can’t match that clawing, mud-flinging capability.

To sum it up, all-terrains land right in the sweet spot for anyone seeking daily civility and off-road grit—without sacrificing one for the other.

Normally as tires age and wear, we start finding cracks in the facade and shortcomings. Things like shallow siping, or cupping, or increase in road noise, appear. We are happy to report, however, that our experience with the Falken AT3w has only been linear since we first mounted them, and are as good as the first day. It is also worth noting that despite having a softer compound that is suitable for the Severe Snow winter rating that these tires carry, they wear extremely well. Mounted to the aggressively driven ‘17 RAM Power Wagon, with 25,000 miles onboard and only one tire rotation during that span, we are confident that we can safely pull another 20,000 miles out of the remaining tread life with ease.

Across a range of conditions—endless highway miles, punishing off-road trails, and everything in between—the Wildpeak AT3w stands out for its comfort and resilience. It’s not often a set of tires makes it through 40,000 miles of real-world use and still inspires this much confidence. The on-road performance remains stellar, with ride quality and handling that rival much more specialized highway tires. Off-road, they’ve shrugged off rocks, mud, and snow, never feeling out of their element.

Durability & Value

The tires’ durability deserves a second mention. With a unique belt reinforcement design that wraps the plys up and around the sidewall, the Wildpeak AT3w is impressively puncture-resistant. While this extra armor adds some weight—leading to a modest drop in fuel economy and a touch less zip off the line—the peace of mind and reliability easily outweigh the tradeoff.

When it comes to value, the Wildpeak AT3w has proven itself to be worth every penny. After running these tires for tens of thousands of miles, we can see why they’ve become a favorite among both weekend warriors and daily drivers alike. When the time comes for a new set, there’s no doubt we’ll be looking at these again.

Our only complaint, which is universal through the Falken tire line, is their weight. Falken’s entire product line features a unique belt reinforcement design that wraps the plys all the way around the sidewall and back up to the tire tread. While this extreme use of doubling of plys means an extremely durable and puncture resistant tire, it does come at a cost of weight. However, for a small loss in fuel economy and acceleration, we are happy with the reliability trade.

40,000 Miles Later: Long-Term Performance

So, how does the Wildpeak AT3w stack up after ticking past the 40,000-mile mark? In short: remarkably well. Tread depth remains impressive even after tens of thousands of miles, inspiring confidence both on and off the pavement. There has been no noticeable dip in off-road traction or wet weather grip. Mud, snow, rain—these tires seem to scoff at conditions that typically trip others up.

While the tires do begin to sing a bit more at highway speeds as they wear in, the added hum hasn’t crossed into the realm of “grab-the-earplugs” territory. A little extra road noise is forgivable, and is easily masked by your favorite playlist or some casual conversation.

Between relentless highway hauls and more than a few rocky detours, the Wildpeak AT3w hasn’t blinked. The comfort and reassurance these tires provide, no matter where you’re headed, is enough to explain their loyal following. After our extended run, it’s clear why so many drivers come back for another set. If all keeps going as it has, we’ll have no hesitation re-upping when the tread finally calls it quits.

Larger Tires: Effects on Performance and Efficiency

Opting for a larger tire size, in our experience, brings both visual appeal and some trade-offs you’ll want to keep in mind. Stepping up from the factory dimensions to something taller gave the truck a more aggressive stance and a bit of extra clearance—but that’s where the subtle changes to day-to-day driving began to show.

On the performance side, the bigger diameter meant the transmission worked a little harder, especially on long inclines or when hauling gear. We noticed a few more downshifts than usual, where previously the engine would have held its gear without issue. This is a natural result of the drivetrain adapting to turn the larger, heavier tires, especially during highway cruising and hill climbs.

Fuel economy also took a predictable dip, dropping an average of two miles per gallon compared to the smaller, stock-sized set. While this is hardly bank-breaking territory—especially for a truck—it’s worth noting for those who rack up highway miles. The added rolling resistance and weight just add up over time.

The weight factor played a key role not only in day-to-day acceleration, but also ride quality. Going with a lighter, standard load rating instead of a heavy-duty option kept things more comfortable and responsive, especially with a lighter rig like the Tacoma. Heavier, reinforced tires would have further increased the fuel consumption and noticeably stiffened up the ride. Unfortunately, a perfect mid-weight option wasn’t available in our size, but the compromise worked out well for our mix of commuting and off-road exploring.

In short, choosing a larger tire size improved looks and off-road capability but came with mild reductions in fuel economy and demanded a bit more from the drivetrain—nothing alarming, but worth considering before upsizing.

Choosing the Right Tire Size and Load Rating

When it comes to selecting the ideal tire size and load rating for your truck, there are a few critical factors worth weighing—just like you would before tackling a trail with questionable cell service.

First up: tire size. Upsizing tires may add some curb appeal and extra ground clearance, but larger sizes can bring their own set of challenges. A bigger tire typically adds weight—sometimes to the tune of 10 pounds or more per tire—which can noticeably affect fuel economy and acceleration, especially if your truck’s doing regular highway duty. Additionally, going too large can require modifications such as cutting or altering wheel wells, a step best left for those with a taste for the dramatic (or a very patient neighbor).

For many, the sweet spot lands somewhere like a 265/70R17—a size that gives you a beefier stance and a bit more clearance without forcing you to get out the angle grinder. While the temptation to size up even further (say, to a 275/70R17) is real for the looks alone, it’s worth remembering that every few pounds added per tire can ding your mpg, especially if you rack up highway miles. Sometimes, the best “upgrade” is the one that doesn’t leave your wallet crying at the pump.

Load rating is the next piece of the puzzle. Heavier-duty tires, such as those with an E-load (10-ply) rating, offer increased durability and may be necessary for hauling hefty loads or towing. However, these come at the expense of a stiffer ride—particularly noticeable if you’re driving a lighter truck with little cargo most days. On the flip side, standard load (SL) tires strike a balance for trucks not routinely maxing out their payload, providing a smoother on-road experience and lighter overall weight.

Choosing between these isn’t always straightforward. For instance, an E-load tire in the same size can easily weigh 6 or more pounds extra per corner compared to its SL counterpart—enough to make your truck feel more sluggish and your ride noticeably firmer. If your adventures are mostly off the beaten path with a full bed, the tradeoff might be worth it. But if most of your driving is on pavement, an SL tire keeps things comfortable and efficient.

In the best-case scenario, a C-load tire can serve as a happy medium between ride comfort and toughness, but not every tire in every size will come in this flavor, so choices may be limited by what’s on offer from brands like Falken or BFGoodrich.

Ultimately, the right combination comes down to:

• How much on- vs off-road time your truck sees
• The typical weight carried or towed
• Desired ride comfort versus durability
• Willingness to accept a drop in mpg or acceleration for a more aggressive look

Like most things in the truck and tire world, it’s about striking that perfect balance between capability and daily drivability—which, in itself, is harder than picking the right trail mix for a cross-country adventure.