Falken Wildpeak vs BFGoodrich KO2/KO3 on a Tacoma
Short answer
All three are 3PMSF-rated all-terrains. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is the value pick - deepest tread (about 18/32 in), strong wet and snow grip, and usually the lowest price. BFGoodrich's KO2 wins on sidewall toughness but runs loud as it wears; the newer KO3 is quieter, longer-wearing, and pricier.
Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs BFG KO2 vs KO3: what is the real difference?
These are the three all-terrains a Tacoma owner cross-shops most often, and they are closer than the brand loyalty online suggests. All three carry the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) severe-snow rating, all three come in the core Tacoma sizes (265/70R17, 265/65R18, 285/70R17), and all three are heavy LT-style tires. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is the long-running value champion with the deepest tread. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is the proven, tough-sidewall veteran that BFGoodrich is now phasing out in favor of the KO3, its quieter, longer-wearing successor.
| Attribute | Falken Wildpeak AT3W | BFGoodrich KO2 | BFGoodrich KO3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3PMSF (severe snow) rated | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tread depth, new | ~18/32 in | ~15/32 in | ~16/32 in |
| Weight, LT265/70R17 | ~53 lb | ~53 lb | ~55 lb |
| Treadwear warranty | 55,000 mi | 50,000 mi | 50,000 mi (some listings claim more) |
| On-road noise | Quiet for the tread depth | Louder, grows as it wears | Quieter and smoother than KO2 |
| Off-road strength | Strong all-around; great wet, snow, mud | Class-leading sidewall and chip resistance | KO2-style toughness, better gravel wear |
| Price / value | Lowest - the value pick | Premium | Premium (priced like or above KO2) |
Numbers move with the size
Tread depth, weight, and load range differ between an LT265/70R17, a 265/65R18, and a 285/70R17. Look up the exact size before you commit - a find-my-tire-size tool confirms what your Tacoma wears, and a tire calculator shows how each size measures out.
Which is better on the road for a daily-driven Tacoma?
Most Tacomas spend far more time on pavement than on trails, so on-road manners matter. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is well liked here: it is quiet and composed for how aggressive it looks, and its wet-road and snow grip are genuinely strong - a big reason it is a perennial value recommendation. Its deep tread also means it takes a while to get noisy.
The KO2 is the noisiest of the three, and owners consistently report it gets louder as it wears into the second half of its life. It is still stable and predictable, but it trades some road comfort for its off-road toughness. BFGoodrich targeted exactly this with the KO3: a refreshed tread pattern and compound that the company says ride quieter and smoother than the KO2. If pavement quiet is a priority, the Falken or the KO3 edge out the KO2.
Snow performance is close
All three hold the 3PMSF rating, so all three are legal where severe-snow tires are required and all three handle winter far better than a standard highway tire. The Falken's deep, siped tread gives it a slight real-world edge in fresh snow and slush, but none of the three is a weak winter performer.
Which is tougher off-road?
This is where the KO2 built its reputation. Its CoreGard sidewall is thicker and more cut, chip, and puncture resistant than most all-terrains, which is why it became the default for rock crawling, overlanding, and sharp desert terrain. If you routinely air down and drag sidewalls over rock, the KO2 is the benchmark the others are measured against, and the KO3 keeps that same sidewall-protection philosophy while improving tread longevity on gravel - BFGoodrich claims meaningfully longer gravel life, though that is a manufacturer figure worth treating as a claim rather than a guarantee.
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is no slouch off-road. Its rugged lower-sidewall design and deep, open tread bite well in mud, dirt, and snow, and its extra tread depth means more usable rubber before it wears down. Note that the AT3W uses a two-ply sidewall (the three-ply DuraSpec construction is on Falken's newer AT4W), so in the roughest, sharpest rock the KO2 and KO3 sidewalls still hold the reputation edge - but for mixed trail, forest road, mud, and snow duty the Falken keeps up with any of them.
What about weight, tread life, and value?
None of these is a light tire. In LT265/70R17 they land in the low-to-mid 50-pound range - the Falken and KO2 around 53 pounds, the KO3 closer to 55 in its heavier load-range-E construction. That added unsprung and rotational mass is part of why a set of aggressive all-terrains softens acceleration, lengthens braking, and trims a bit of fuel economy versus the stock highway tire. A tire-weight calculator lets you compare the exact size and construction before you buy.
- Falken Wildpeak AT3W: deepest tread at about 18/32 in and the longest warranty at 55,000 miles - combined with the lowest typical price, it usually wins on cost per mile.
- BFGoodrich KO2: about 15/32 in of tread and a 50,000-mile warranty; it earns its premium on durability rather than sticker value.
- BFGoodrich KO3: about 16/32 in and a 50,000-mile warranty on most listings, priced like or above the KO2, with a compound aimed at longer real-world wear.
- Whatever you pick, match or exceed the factory load index (Tacoma OE tires are load index 109 or higher) so you keep the truck's rated capacity.
LT tires need the right pressure, not the placard
The door-jamb placard (about 30-35 PSI) is set for the lighter P-metric factory tire. A heavier LT all-terrain carries the same load at a different pressure - use a load-inflation table rather than copying the placard or running max sidewall (50 PSI for load range C, 65 for D, 80 for E). The wrong pressure is the most common cause of a harsh ride and uneven wear on these tires.
KO2 or KO3 - is the successor worth it?
BFGoodrich has begun replacing the KO2 with the KO3, so this choice is partly about timing. The KO3 keeps the KO2's tough sidewall character but adds a new tread pattern, an updated compound, and full-depth 3D sipes for more even wear. BFGoodrich positions it as quieter, smoother, and longer-wearing, especially on gravel roads. Tread depth ticks up slightly (about 16/32 in versus 15/32 in), and some sizes move to a higher load range.
The treadwear warranty on the KO3 is generally listed at the same 50,000 miles as the KO2, though a few sellers advertise a longer figure - confirm the warranty on the specific size and retailer before you count on it. If you liked the KO2, the KO3 is the natural next buy and addresses its two biggest complaints (noise and highway wear). The upside for the KO2 is closeout pricing: as it is phased out, discounted KO2 sets can undercut both the KO3 and, occasionally, the Falken.
Which should you buy for your Tacoma?
- Best value and most tread for the money, plus strong wet and snow grip: Falken Wildpeak AT3W. It is the easy default for a daily-driven Tacoma that sees mixed trail duty.
- Maximum sidewall toughness for rock crawling and overlanding, and you do not mind extra road noise (or you find a closeout deal): BFGoodrich KO2.
- You want KO2-grade toughness but quieter, smoother, and with longer highway and gravel wear - the newest tech: BFGoodrich KO3.
- Mostly pavement with occasional trails and you value quiet and efficiency: the Falken or the KO3 over the KO2.
Confirm the fit before you order
All three come in sizes that push past stock. Before buying, confirm your current size, match or exceed the factory load index, verify the size clears your generation and wheel offset against real owner photos, and set pressure from a load-inflation table rather than the door placard.
Frequently asked questions
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Sources
Compare your exact sizes
Run any size in this guide through the Tacoma tire calculator to see diameter, width, speedometer error, effective gearing, and highway RPM before you buy.