Off-Road tires on Defender 2022
#21
I’m planning on adding Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws in 265/60/20 when my defender arrives later this summer. Interestingly enough, they aren’t as wide as other tires of the same size, which is appealing as that might negate the occasional rubbing I’ve heard occurs in that tire size. I’ve been running them on my current rig for a while, no issues in the snow and quiet on the highway. A mechanic told me that the designer of the ko2 went to Falken and designed the wildpeak.https://tiresize.com/tires/Falken/Wi...-265-60R20.htm
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Ahparke (06-15-2021)
#23
I'm in Seattle. I'd be interested to hear what all-round tires others in PNW end up with. I have a 2020 110 with the Good Year AT Adventure and 5,000 mi on the clock. So far the tires have been great on dry and wet hwy but pretty poor in snow. Looking to get rid of them before next winter. I'm looking for the best year-round tire for this area specifically. I don't do a ton of off-road driving, except dirt forest service roads summer and winter. Don't want to sacrifice too much fuel economy or hwy comfort and definitely want the 3peak rating. Had Toyo Open Country AT2s on previous rig and didn't ever need dedicated snows. They were pretty quiet on the hwy, decent for light off-road and good in snow. Discovery owner friend has BFG KO2s, and loves them, but they don't have a great rating for wet hwy, which is 80-90% of my driving in PNW.
I am not adding Johnson Rods, mainly because vehicle is already too tall for some parking garages even without a rack on top, and it definitely handles better on the hwy at Comfort Mode height. In 275/55/20 I'm looking at General Grabber A/TX, Cooper Discoverer A/T3, BFG A/T KO2, Toyo Open Country A/T3, Pirelli Scorpion A/T Plus.
I am not adding Johnson Rods, mainly because vehicle is already too tall for some parking garages even without a rack on top, and it definitely handles better on the hwy at Comfort Mode height. In 275/55/20 I'm looking at General Grabber A/TX, Cooper Discoverer A/T3, BFG A/T KO2, Toyo Open Country A/T3, Pirelli Scorpion A/T Plus.
I'll get some snow boots for sure. I'm up at Snoqualmie or Baker pretty much every weekend Dec through March and even into some of April this year with all the snow we had.
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#24
Just picked up a second set of 20" Defender wheels for winter tires. I've use Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV winter tires on our LR4's and just ordered a set for the new wheels. Need to go with 275-55-20 size. (Despite Nokian claiming they will make them in 255-60-20 which would be slightly better in deep snow)
The Wranglers aren't very good in the rain as someone noted above. Thankfully they are wearing fast and will be replaced by a set of Falken Wildpeak AT tires.
The Wranglers aren't very good in the rain as someone noted above. Thankfully they are wearing fast and will be replaced by a set of Falken Wildpeak AT tires.
#25
I’m planning on adding Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws in 265/60/20 when my defender arrives later this summer. Interestingly enough, they aren’t as wide as other tires of the same size, which is appealing as that might negate the occasional rubbing I’ve heard occurs in that tire size. I’ve been running them on my current rig for a while, no issues in the snow and quiet on the highway. A mechanic told me that the designer of the ko2 went to Falken and designed the wildpeak.https://tiresize.com/tires/Falken/Wi...-265-60R20.htm
https://tiresize.com/tires/Falken/Wi...-275-55R20.htm
Last edited by PaulLR; 08-05-2021 at 07:52 AM.
#26
Yeah. That's pretty much what I figured. I'll make do with the factory off road. Should be a good enough tire. Even with the Wrangler Adventure, it should be a reasonable improvement in snow-traction with all the electronic AWD doodads in the Defender over my current 2wd Acura MDX on Blizzaks.
I guess there is no substitute for trying them out on the snowy passes myself before making any judgement. I do view snow tires as win win though, as I'll have the car for 10years at least. Getting a set of winter tires will mean more years out of the Wrangler Adventures to muck about with in addition to the added fun, comfort and safety that a good winter tire offers Dec-Apr.
I guess there is no substitute for trying them out on the snowy passes myself before making any judgement. I do view snow tires as win win though, as I'll have the car for 10years at least. Getting a set of winter tires will mean more years out of the Wrangler Adventures to muck about with in addition to the added fun, comfort and safety that a good winter tire offers Dec-Apr.
#27
What did you go with? I live in the Northeast and travel to VT and QC frequently in the winter. I'd rather start out with a set of winter tires to add to the rotation when the Defender arrives late this year. Ordered the off-road package so it will arrive with the Goodyear Wrangler and then I had planned on switching to the KO2s, wildpeaks, grapplers or something similar when they wore out. Having lived in CO, VT, MN, AK, and NU I know the importance of dedicated snow tires
#28
#29
I am down to KO2s or Niitro Ridge Grapplers. Will switch out my Goodyear A/Ts to whichever is more quiet.