Hello, so I’m trying to upgrade my wheels and tires. I’m getting the trd pro 17 inch wheels and wildpeak at3w in a 265 70 17 but I’m not sure what load range or load index I should get. I won’t be towing things to often or ever and keeping the truck pretty stock for the time being. Any help would be great. Thank you
I bought Wildpeak AT3W in your exact size P265/70-17. It took a while, but I became disappointed with these tires, after directly comparing them to other tires. I originally bought them for my family rig, 2005 Sequoia. On that truck, I was able to directly compare 4 sets of tires, 3 sets of which were on the same set of factory wheels.
The AT3W in P265 70 17 were the worst riding of the 4 sets of tires, ALL tested at 35 psi, checked by me. They are very jarring at 35psi
While I was having AT3W mounted on the Sequoias stock alloys, I temporarily switched for 300 miles (including offroad) to LT255/80-17 E range Cooper ST Maxx on FJ steelies which I borrowed from my Tacoma, and the Coopers road better than the AT3W which went on. I was puzzled, didn't make sense but the load range E Coopers were significantly nicer to drive.
After about 4,000 miles on the AT3W, I found an online deal on BFG KO2 in LT265/70-17 D range, replaced the AT3W on the same stock wheels, and they were way better riding than the AT3W in the same size, on same wheels, at the same 35 psi. Plus the BFGs were and still are whisper quiet, not so with the buzzy AT3W, and this matters on the family rig. I love the BFGs which now have 17,000 miles on and have only worn about 4/32. I was up in air over swapping the BFGs on, they were sitting in the garage, but after I did I was ecstatic that I switched. The BFGs are a way better tire
I still run the AT3W, but now on my 2005 Tacoma, but I had to drop the pressure down 5psi to 30psi to get them to ride better.
Another negative to the AT3W is the turning snow traction, I noticed the front end tended to slide straight, not turn, on snow. Straightline snow acceleration and braking were acceptable, so the poor snow turning was puzzling and another disappointment.
I feel the AT3W is a popular fad tire, and if someone says they are awesome, well it probably means they haven't compared them back to back to really good tires.
