Fitting tires that are both grippy in the dirt and quiet on the road

Chris
Update by Chris Tropea to the Nissan Frontier Desert Runner project car
Oct 26, 2023 | Nissan, tires, Falken, Frontier, Rubitrek A/T

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Photography by Chris Tropea

With our Nissan Frontier becoming our go-to camera car these days, we decided that we needed to upgrade to a better set of tires.

While we don’t plan on taking our two-wheel drive truck on any off-road trails, we wanted a set of tires that can get us out of a sticky situation–whether that’s in the FIRM’s infield or on the shoulder of a mountain road during one of our Classic Motorsports Road Tours.

We wanted a more aggressive tread pattern yet something good on the road–grippy and quiet.

The tire that fits all those check marks is the Falken Rubitrek A/T:

The Falken RUBITREK A/T provides aggressive off-road ability and rugged terrain driving while maintaining an exceptional ride on the pavement. The optimized tread pattern combined with a silica tread compound provides long lasting wear along with confident performance in rain and snow. This severe snow rated tire is packed with technology, from Falken’s 3D Canyon Sipes to a proprietary lower sidewall for increased durability. Full-depth sipes and grooves deliver consistent traction throughout the life of the tire, and class-leading tread depth ensures enduring all-weather performance.

So we ordered a set.

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Comments
John_Galt828
John_Galt828 GRM+ Memberand New Reader
10/26/23 3:19 p.m.

I will take your word for it and get these tires to replace the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S that I have now. 

ChrisTropea
ChrisTropea Associate Editor
10/26/23 3:27 p.m.

In reply to John_Galt828 :

After driving on the Falkens for a while I have to say they are everything I was expecting. They have great road manners and the few times I have taken the truck off the pavement they performed great.

BoulderG
BoulderG Reader
10/26/23 4:59 p.m.

I would expect there is massive market demand for a tire that can do a great job on the highway - quiet, smooth ride, and good mileage - and then be competent on dirt roads, mud, snow, etc. You know, the full range of conditions you hope you'll encounter on a really good road trip.

Not sure what the competition is for these Falkens, and curious to see how this tire market segment develops.

te72
te72 HalfDork
10/26/23 8:16 p.m.

My ramp truck could use some new tires next season, the ones on there are getting a bit old for my comfort, and the whole purpose of that truck is to haul the Exocet to tracks out of town, so... I want reliable tires on it. No sense in chancing it.

 

Glad to hear these are versatile. Never know what kind of weather you will run into around here...

No Time
No Time UltraDork
10/26/23 9:05 p.m.

I'm not surprised to hear the Rubitrek performed well in that application. 

I have the Falken Wildpeak A/T on my grand Cherokee and they have been great. They're quiet on the highway and are well behaved and confidence inspiring in the wet and snow. 

I wouldn't hesitate to go with them again or a one of the other Falken offerings when it's time to replace them. 

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