wildpeaks SL vs. E rating question.

Just got my off road and picked up my ray 10's. I am going with the wildpeak a/t's but had a question on the rating to get. This is my DD so I am leaning towards the SL rated for a softer ride. Was wondering about some real life feedback on if the SL's hold up well enough on the trails? I am more of a weekend warrior than a true wheeler. Most of my off roading is done on easy to intermediate trails in mammoth/sierras area or in socal at cleghorn or anza type areas.

 

you will probably be fine, given that statement I had sl rated toyo at/s at one point and they got mangled out on trails, never had sidewall cuts but probably had 3-5 patches per tire from sharp rocks ( and yes I air down) pushed me to get E rated wildpeaks, they have been solid and I give them a good beating.

 

I have the SL's and haven't had any problems in Mammoth/the desert, but then again I didn't do shit like Laurel Lakes where there's a shit ton of rocks.

 

SLs should work just fine for what you're doing, plus you'll appreciate the (slightly) lighter tire for your DD gas mileage. Like @mjs90 I don't run on any super rocky trails so I can't comment on how the Wildpeak SLs will hold up to that type of abuse.

 

For a 95% DD truck the SL is better and cheaper. Slight off-roading and trails, and E rated is not needed.

 

E rated tires are great for the peace of mind if you wheel a lot, especially on rocks. For trails that are mostly just dirt and/or 2wd friendly, E is probably overkill. Plus there are other sacrifices with E rated tires, mostly with MPG's...and they make for a stiffer ride on the street. On the trail, you can air them down more because they're less likely to pop a bead/come off the rim. There are pro/cons to both, but it really depends on the trails you do. Most importantly, make sure you have a spare no matter what because any tire can get damaged.

 

I have about 23k miles on my SL wildpeaks and no issues driving or wheeling it. I'd have to measure them, but they still look good.

 

I did Laurel Lakes back when I had stock wheels/tires. Snow by the lake made it a little slippery, but the rest of trail wasn't tough (just gotta air down a bit and take it slow).

 

The P's will give a better ride and better fuel economy, but the LT's will provide more off-road protection and an extra 4/32's of tread depth (18 vs 14 for the P's)

 

Gotcha. I've only ever done it in a decked out RAZR so it flew over that trail like it was pavement

 

When I got new tires, I split the difference and got K02s because they have a C-rated tire in the 265/70R17 (Wildpeaks were only available SL and E, if I recall correctly). It's my daily driver and lives about 90% on pavement, so it's a compromise I can live with.

The stock ones held up for about 25-30k miles, and would have stayed on longer, but I split a sidewall being stupid... testing out new suspension, driving way too fast on aired-down tires rough desert roads. But to tire's credit, it mostly held pressure (with the occasional top-off) for my 350 mile drive home from Death Valley.

 

Am I incorrect in thinking that the SL rating was equal to a C rating?

 

Yes.

SL or P is the equivalent of a 4 ply tire.
C is the equivalent of a 6 ply

 

You’ll be fine. Plus you will get better mpgs.

 

I think the Wildpeak SLs don't exactly fit in with a normal SL rating, because usually an SL tire shouldn't be inflated above 35 psi, but according to Falken's website a 265/70-17 SL is rated for 2679 lbs @51 psi, while the same size KO2 is rated for 2470 lbs @ 50 psi.
Of course the number of Ply aren't stated anywhere I can see on Falken's website, unless I'm missing it.

 

I've put about 25k mi on my AT3 SLs with about 800-1k mi off road on mostly Forest Service roads of varying condition and a smattering of "real 4x4" miles. The tires have been great.

 

And everybody likes getting more umpagahs.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU58wSNTMsY

50psi is a fairly common max inflation pressure on a standard load truck tire these days. The older, smaller stuff had max psi's of 35, but it's been years since I've seen anything for a truck rated that low.

 

I have the SL Wildpeak AT3ws 265/75/r/16s on my daily and I hit the trails pretty frequently. I got about 15K on them and they still look brand new. Amazing tires. Here are some other things to consider:

SL
1.Do you drive in the wet often?
SL tires are superior than the LT tires for the wet because they have a "SILICA TREAD COMPOUND which delivers superior wear life and wet performance (non‐LT sizes)." ---From their site.
2.Do you tow?
Max capacity: 2756lbs (265/75/r16)

LT
1. LT have a stiffer sidewall which allows you to air down more for rock crawling and provides more protection from punctures due to more plys (10 vs 4)
2. LT Weigh more around 11 pounds more per tire (265/75/r16 vs LT265/75/r16)
3. Do you tow?
Max capacity: 3415 lbs (LT265/75/r16)
4.The LTs have deeper tread than the SL
"DEEPEST TREAD IN THE CATEGORY provides long lasting wear as well as consistent snow and hydroplane resistance throughout the life of the tire (*LT Sizes, 20/32nds inches)." ----From their site.

I went with the SL because I don't tow, care more about MPGs, and want superior wet performance. SL has performed great on the trails as well. Hope this helps!

 

All great replies. I live in San Diego so not too much wet driving. I do hit mammoth a lot in both winter and summer so snow rating is important. I am one of your average 98% on the road and 2% off type guy. I drive a few times per month from San Diego LA for work. Sold my boat so at the moment and for the next few years or more do not plan on getting another.

 

They'll handle everything Anza Borrego has to offer. I did 3 days there and felt like I hit every single trail there and in Octillo.