I researched and tested dozens of tires to find the top 265 inch all terrain tires available today.
The 265/65R18 is a very common tire size used as a stock tire on many SUVs and truck models.
Its good performance on both on-road and off-road surfaces is the reason why so many manufacturers choose this size for stock height.
As an all terrain tire, this size is not only excellent for paved roads but also remarkably efficient in terms of saving MPG (miles per gallon). Since we spend 90% of our time driving on asphalt, This tire size provides a significant advantage for us.
Many people upgrade from 265/60R17 to 265/65R18 for better performance and a slight lift. Although the 265/65 size is only 1 inch larger, this small difference significantly impacts real-world performance.
This 1-inch difference gives the diff and chassis of the SUVs and trucks a real lift, providing more ground clearance and ride comfort without shabby the speed accuracy either.
However, for upgrading purposes I prefer the 265/70R17 all terrain tires because they offer more sidewall height. Longer sidewalls result in increased off-road capability and comparatively higher ride comfort.
But remember: A common issue with the 265/70R17 size is poor steering response and handling, On the other hand, the 265/65R18 remains better, offering greater on-road comfort and MPG savings.
As mentioned earlier we mostly ride on tarmac, so the 265/65R18 series is the best option for us. The 265/65R18 is a better choice for on-road and highway comfort, higher fuel mileage, and mild off-roading.
While it may have some steering and handling issues, these are rare in my experience. The tires I listed here are all effective in providing good steering and handling.
Additionally, the 265 size tire performs better in snow than the 285 size, as narrow tires provide more traction by cutting through the snow.
Wider tires tend to float in snow and any soft terrain that’s why skinny tires do well in any soft terrain where digging gives more traction. Thus, the 265/65 size shows good performance in mud, snow, and sand.
What are the best 265 65r18 all terrain tires?
For those looking for 265/65R18 all-terrain tires, this article is for you, whether you want OEM replacement tires or an upgrade.
Since this isn’t about a specific car or truck tire, it’s not possible for me to discuss potential rubbing and other issues in detail.
Second thing is that you should Prioritize your needs first.
Since you are looking for the best 265 65r18 all terrain tires I am assuming you are looking for tires that offer 50% on-road and 50% off-road performance.
Different people have different priorities, but the key here is to consider how dedicated you are to off-roading. Some may go lightly off-road, some may not at all, and others might frequently drive on dirt roads and freeways.
It is important to understand, because many popular tires like the BFGoodrich KO2 only have LT tires in the 265/656R18 size.
Now the question is E-load or SL tires: Which is right for you?.
For frequent off-roaders, rock crawlers, and those who tow heavy loads, E-load tires are best.
Standard Load (SL) tires are ideal for those who drive mostly on-road, with occasional light off-roading, as they improve fuel economy and productivity. With softer side walls and treads make the tires easier to flex and offer more grip and traction in light off-road conditions.
If you have a heavy truck like a 3/4 ton or more (e.g., F-350 or Ram 3500), LT tires are essential. Yes, you may be able to drive on-road, but Passenger load tires might wear out quickly and won’t last long.
1 – Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
Some of the most common 265/65R18 all-terrain tires are the BFGoodrich T/A KO2, Nitto Ridge Grappler, Toyo Open Country A/T III, and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac.
Among them, my favorite is the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W standard load tire.
Here’s why:
The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W is a commonly recommended 265/65R18 all-terrain tire. Most light trucks and cars that comes with 265/65R18 all-terrain tires as OEM weigh less than half a ton. So I’ll describe my experience with the Silverado 1500 using Wildpeak A/T3W’s 265/65R18 all-terrain tires under standard loads.
The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W is the queen of performance in snow, wet, and mud. And I’ve found it to be the quietest and smoothest of any all-terrain tire I’ve used. For a closer comparison, I would consider the BFGoodrich T/A KO2. However, that’s an LT-metric tire, so it’s a different story.
I love the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W mainly For highway ride comfort and longevity, it’s outstanding, with real-world mileage of up to 70,000 miles.
But one thing initially hesitated me when I was thinking about the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. It weighs about 46.1 pounds in a standard load, slightly more ( average of 3 lbs ) than others like the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar, Toyo Open Country A/T III, or Nitto Ridge Grappler. But weight isn’t my primary concern; I always look for the best performance, not the lightest tire.
So how do you understand which one is the best?
Many of us don’t know about UTQG ratings. Understanding the UTQG rating helps gauge SL and p load tire longevity. It tries to measure the tread wear life of all other SL tires by taking the Uniroyal tire as the standard. The standard tires rating is 100, which lasted 7200 miles in test before completely wearing out and becoming illegally slick.
The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W’s treadwear rating is 660, indicating it provides 6.6 times more mileage than the standard tire. This high rating gives a good idea of its durability.
On the other hand, the UTQG rating for all other tires ranges from 500 to 600. So this may not always be accurate but it gives an idea of how long a tire can last. So I wasn’t surprised to see the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W weighing slightly more. Some are only serious about the lightweightness of tires and forgetting that there is a relationship between tire material quality and tire weight.
On 18-inch rims, I’m willing to use the Wildpeak A/T3W as a second set. However, for durability and off-road confidence, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 LT tires are superior. LT tires outperform any standard load tire in off-road durability. So this time I am preferring the LT Load of BFGoodrich T/A KO2 since offroading is in my blood, and durability is more important to me than comfort.
The most notable features of the Wildpeak A/T3W are its wet, snow, and wear performance. Falken focused on these three aspects, reflected in the 3 W’s in its name.
It excels in wet performance, with superior stopping distances compared to competitors like the Toyo Open Country A/T III. Check out popular tire selling and review site TireRack’s test.
The Wildpeak A/T3W seriously beats the Open Country A/T III and the Baja Boss AT with short stopping distances on wet roads. Look at the difference, it takes 127 feet to stop from 50 MPH to 0 MPH on wet roads and the Open Country A/T III takes 137 feet.
In snowy conditions, its grip is exceptional, even better than the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. Once I could not walk properly in the parking lot in the cold, and my shoes kept slipping. I quickly parked the car in such a place without realizing, the car did not slip once and after getting off, I guessed how slippery the ice was. So I got to experience a bit of its reputation for snow performance that day.
The Wildpeak A/T3W is also the quietest and smoothest tire in the all-terrain category, maintaining comfort and low noise at high speeds. On the highway, many tires get noisy and annoying after 70 MPH. So the good thing is that this tire does not become noisy and uncomfortable over time. So even at 80 MPH on the highway, it gave an almost silent and smooth ride.
The Wildpeak A/T3W’s performance is due to its sipes, tread depth, and silica compound, which enhance grip and reduce noise and vibration. This amount of silica compound is used in it to soften the treadblock and remove its rigidity. So no cabin disturbance. Also, this compound protects the tar rubber from excessive wear and chunking by preventing heat generated in the tire.
Many people unknowingly compare the LT Load of the BFG KO2 with the SL load of the Wildpeak A/T3W. Note that the Wildpeak A/T3W does better than the BFGoodrich T/A KO2 But in Standard Load. No silica compound is used in Wildpeak A/T3W LT tires. So in LT Load, I prefer BFG because of its strong side wall.
However One fact is always true: Its water dispersion capabilities prevent hydroplaning, outperforming competitors like the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 and Nitto Ridge Grappler. Its lateral and circumferential grooves provide excellent water dispersion. Hence the vehicle does not suffer from hydroplaning while driving over standing water.
On dry roads, the Wildpeak A/T3W provides excellent traction and grip. Its steering response is impressive, making it a pleasure to drive. It shows good performance on straight and carby laps, you know how necessary it is for a tire doing well on dry roads .
I said in the intro of this post that the size 265/65R18 may have problems with steering response, so I have included steering-happy tires in this list. So basically the steering of Wildpeak A/T3W and BFGoodrich T/A KO2 tires seems so responsive to me. A light touch makes the wheel move fully. However, In the standard load its grip is high, resulting in increased rolling resistance. Since BFGoodrich LT tires and LT tires have less on-road grip, the rolling resistance is low.
For the Silverado 1500, which doesn’t do heavy pulling or towing, standard load tires are best for comfort and fuel efficiency. The Wildpeak A/T3W standard load offers good off-road grip but may wear quickly on rough terrain. Therefore, I recommend the LT version for serious off-roaders, though the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 remains my top choice for durability and off-road performance.
2 – BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in the 265/65R18 size is exclusively available as an LT (Light Truck) tire, which means it doesn’t come in passenger or standard load variants in this stock height.
Some people avoid LT tires because they don’t want to sacrifice some comfort. But I personally prefer LT tires, and my top choice is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.
Although the 265/65R18 size tires come in stock height, most trucks or SUVs using this size weigh a half-ton or less. LT tires are primarily recommended for vehicles weighing three-quarters of a ton or more. Therefore, if your vehicle weighs 1,500 pounds or more, you better install LT tires.
Don’t be misled into using a 4-ply passenger tire just because someone praises it. While you can install them without immediate issues, be prepared to replace them frequently, as SL or P-rated tires are not designed for super heavy-duty trucks and heavy towing.
So, why am I going for the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 over the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W as a second set? I enjoy off-roading, often going on trips alone, and sometimes I need to tow heavy loads. This makes the BFGoodrich T/A KO2 my preferred choice.
One good thing about this tire is its consistent tread depth of 15/32 inches across all sizes, including the 265/65R18. Weighing in at about 51.7 pounds, it’s 5.5 pounds heavier than the passenger version of the Wildpeak A/T3W. For me, the small weight difference is worth it for the benefits of a 10-ply tire in terms of durability and performance over the 4-ply SL tire.
Every tire has its strengths and weaknesses. So for those who just want a highway-oriented tire with better wet road performance, the Wildpeak A/T3W is the best. Likewise, for those who want a good tire primarily for off-road use and towing, the BFGoodrich AT T/A KO2 is the best. Its strong points are Its 3-ply sidewalls and robust casing make it reliable on various terrains, including gravel, dirt, and rocky trails, without compromising on highway comfort.
For overlanding, I rely on the BFG T/A KO2 due to its durability and resilience. I’ve had experiences where other tires failed on the Kyoto flats, but this tire remained reliable on such tough terrain throughout the trip without punctures or chipping. The tread on the Wildpeak A/T3W, in contrast, is less resilient on such terrains.
I know from experience how much better it is than the Wildpeak A/T3W. Went on an off road trip with two cars, one with Wildpeak A/T3W and the other with BFG T/A KO2, both tires went flat twice. I hadn’t noticed at the time but thought about it later, the BFGoodrich T/A KO2 was punctured twice by nails and the Wildpeak A/T3W was punctured by sharp rocks and some other unknown object. So if a nail goes in, no matter how strong the tire is, it will puncture, so it was not the BFG KO2’s fault. That’s why I don’t consider the Wildpeak A/T3W to be equal to the BFG KO2 in offroad use.
However, the BFG KO2 does have a downside: its performance against aquaplaning is poor.
The tire’s stiffer sidewalls, designed for durability, compromise its wet road traction, making it more slippery on wet surfaces. General rule of thumb is the stiffer the sidewall, the more slippery the tire will be on wet roads.
But I haven’t seen much of a slippage problem with it on normal wet roads except in standing water.
Despite this, the BFG KO2 performs well in snow and other conditions. It features numerous sipes and the sipes help the tire to provide 3 functions:
- First is to quiet the tire by preventing vibration,
- Second is to provide grip on snow,
- And third is to provide traction on wet roads.
However, its lack of lateral grooves really limits its ability to expel water, reducing its hydroplaning resistance. That’s why this tire loses traction when running on still water.
Again for this reason it provides superior performance on dry roads as well as mud. Because we know that the more rubber in the contact patch, the better the tire will perform on dry roads. It also feels very responsive when cornering due to its large and wide solder blocks. Honestly, I have never experienced such responsive steering on any other All-terrain tire.
For this same reason, On dry roads, the BFG KO2 performs superior due to its extensive rubber contact patch, offering excellent grip and responsive steering. Because we know that the more rubber in the contact patch, the better the tire will perform on dry roads. It feels so responsive when cornering due to its large and wide solder blocks. Honestly, I have never experienced such responsive steering on any other All-terrain tire.
Another problem with BFG KO2 is As the tread wears become harder, and the complaint of slipping on wet roads mainly comes at this time.
BFG KO2’s strengths lie in its durability, longevity, and aggressive appearance, making it a favorite for off-road enthusiasts like myself. I love its looks. It looks aggressive and gives a monster-like feel. Thanks to its unique aggressive tread pattern design my truck looks like an aggressive monster with it.
Its 3-ply sidewalls are particularly beneficial for safe towing and off-road driving with lowered tire pressure. Though this makes it a bit stiff tire, the sacrifices are nothing compared to the durability and longevity that gives me confidence While off-roading.
As well as When deflated, this tire’s super-aggressive sidewall increases the traction on a variety of terrains. Have driven up to 5 psi in the sand with no problems, this is one of the advantages of E-load tires as there is no restriction on lowering the pressure. No fear of sidewall punctures or cuts. If necessary, 60 psi pressure pulls the cargo without any discomfort. No worries about tires bursting at highway speed. They are always ready in all cases.
While the Wildpeak A/T3W features advanced stone ejector technology, honestly saying I have never seen a tire with such a good stone ejector, the BFG KO2’s robust casing compensates for this with superior puncture resistance.
Additionally, the BFG T/A KO2 is both 3PMSF and M+S-rated tire. 3PMSF rating refers to the braking distance and acceleration capability of the tire in snow. It ensures excellent performance in both packed and unpacked snow compared to M+S-rated tires, which are better for mud and fuel economy.
The rolling resistance of the BFG is much lower than the Wildpeak A/T3W so it is also more fuel-efficient.
In summary, for 18-inch rims, I prefer the BFG T/A KO2 for trucking, towing, and off-roading, especially for overlanding and rock crawling, without sacrificing road comfort.
3 – Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
The Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar tire is available in the 265/65R18 size only in the SL (Standard Load) range, not in LT (Light Truck) range. This size is typical for half-ton vehicles, so LT tires are not commonly found in this size.
Although I considered including this tire, the longevity and road comfort of this tire are so impressive that I gave it a place here. Its UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) tread wear rating is 640, close to the highest rating of 660 for the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W. In contrast, the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac and Nitto Ridge Grappler have ratings of 500.
To understand the difference between the Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure and the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W, both standard load tires, You need to keep two things in mind. One is that most all-terrain tires are a mix of highway terrain and mud-terrain characteristics and Another segment of All Terrain Tire (AT) is ATR or All Terrain Road Tire.
These ATR tires are all-terrain tires designed for highway terrain. That’s why The Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure is essentially a less aggressive, road-oriented all-terrain tire. This tire is not for those who want a sexy-looking tire. It’s designed for those who drive mainly on highways or in the city and want a quiet, smooth, and comfortable ride with some all-terrain capabilities. This tire is ideal for light gravel, dirt roads, muddy roads, or beach sand.
It features four circumferential grooves for effective water dispersion and a good amount of siping for excellent wet traction. However, its 12/32-inch tread depth may lead to hydroplaning as it wears, but this depth is optimal for reducing noise and ensuring a smooth ride on highways and city roads. This is why the tread depth of ATR segment tires is kept a little less.
Another important point is that its SL load range tires do not have 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) certification, which is present in its LT load range. The 265/65R18 size has an M+S (Mud and Snow) rating, which is better for mud and fuel economy but less effective than 3PMSF for snow performance.
While its well-bitten edge at the end of each tread block provides a good grip on the road, the tire’s performance on ice is poor, making it unsuitable for harsh winter conditions. It slips a lot more on normal ice. For better snow performance, consider the Wildpeak A/T3W or BFGoodrich T/A KO2.
In shallow mud, the Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure performs well, though not as impressively as the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. Its block-shaped tread patterns provide good grip on normal clay and mud.
It did well while driving on normal gravel roads at 30 psi and in beach sand at 20 psi. So it works well in these general terrains, although it is not a full off road tire.
The Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure is the best choice for those seeking more road comfort and a quieter daily driving experience with some all-terrain capabilities. It also comes with an impressive 60k mileage warranty.
4 – Nitto Ridge Grappler
We have talked about the ATR segment tires earlier. Cooper is the first to bring tires to the ATR segment. And now we will talk about a new segment of tires.
Hybrid, The Nitto Ridge Grappler is a hybrid tire, combining features of all-terrain and mud-terrain tires. Nitto was the first to introduce this segment, revolutionizing the market for truck owners and serious off-road enthusiasts who seek the aggressive look and performance of mud tires without the excessive noise.
I never want to go back to mud terrain tires, but I do want to get the aggressive look and performance that mud tires provide off-road. So for those like me who want the performance of a mud tire but with limited road noise to the level of an all-terrain tire, the Nitto Ridge Grappler is an ideal choice.
It comes in two versions: E load and XL load. For users of the 265/65R18 size, the XL load tire is suitable, featuring a 2-ply sidewalls that maintains road comfort. The E load range is slightly stronger with 4 ply sidewalls than standard SL/XL tires and can handle higher air pressure. For heavier trucks like the F-350 or RAM-3500, the E load range is required.
So let’s come to its various performances.
The Nitto Ridge Grappler’s performance is balanced, offering 40% on-road and 60% off-road capability. It aims to provide off-road enthusiasts with an alternative to mud tires that are more comfortable for everyday use.
You hear less road tread noise when you drive on the highway, and get a comfortable ride. Off-road, you will get a full grip on various hilly, hard-packed roads, it exhibits deadly performance on sand, gravel, dirt, and rocky terrain.
Its best performance is in mud, where it outshines typical all-terrain tires with its self-cleaning treads and strong grip.
Mud is the number one enemy of all-terrain tires. That’s why this tire is made of mud terrain compound. I don’t have much confidence in the Wildpeak A/T3W or BFGoodrich KO2 in deep mud, as their treads get caked in mud and can’t clean themselves properly.
The Nitto Ridge Grappler is unmatched in deep clay for self-cleaning treads and strong grip. Basically, with this tire, you will feel the same confidence as mud tires.
Also like mud tires, its heavy-load pulling capacity is very high. Despite weighing about the same as other 265/65R18 size tires, the Ridge Grappler stands out for its heavy-weight pulling capacity, easily cruising at 70-75 MPH on highways with heavy trailers without any balancing issues.
Some people claim that this tire is heavy, which may be true in other sizes but not in this specific size. Compared to the Wildpeak A/T3W’s SL, it weighs about 3 pounds less in its XL load. And, XL loads are generally stronger than SL tires.
I found it quieter and more durable than the Nitto Trail Grappler, making it a preferred choice for this list.
However, the Nitto Ridge Grappler’s LT tires are a bit stiff, leading to some slippage on wet roads. In snowy conditions and mud, its performance is exceptional. Its UTQG treadwear rating is 500, indicating a moderate tread life. This rating applies only to passenger tires, as there’s no equivalent system for light truck tires.
5 – Toyo Open Country A/T III
The Toyo Open Country A/T III competes directly with the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W, performing exceptionally well in snowy conditions. So Most become a bit confused about this and Wildpeak A/T3W.
It’s known for its ride comfort and low noise levels, making it a great option for those seeking a quieter and smoother ride.
This tire is available in both LT and SL load ranges, but the 265/65R18 size is only available in the SL load range.
So our entire discussion will be limited to its standard load.
The Toyo Open Country A/T III’s marketing highlighted its sidewalls. While the LT load variant has aggressive sidewalls, the SL passenger tire has a flatter and simple sidewall. So I don’t count one of their main points about sidewall in SL load.
This tire offers a quiet and smooth ride, similar to the Wildpeak A/T3W. The tread blocks of the Toyo Open Country A/T III are somewhat similar to the Wildpeak A/T3W, with a slight difference in the shape of the middle blocks. The Wildpeak A/T3W has slightly Z-shaped blocks, whereas the Toyo Open Country A/T III has S-shaped blocks.
But if you ask me to say Between the two which one seems more superior to me? I would say without a doubt the Wildpeak A/T3W is my preferred choice. I’m not being biased, as I’ve said before I’m slightly leaning towards the BFGoodrich AT T/A KO2.
However, for those who don’t favor the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W, the Toyo Open Country A/T III is an excellent alternative. It provides powerful braking and excellent acceleration on wet roads, snow, and dry roads. Its off-road capability in the passenger load range is lower, but this is not a concern for most users who primarily drive on highways.
It is the lightest of the 265/65R18 tires, weighing just 39 pounds. In comparison, the Wildpeak A/T3W weighs 7 pounds more in the SL load. But The Wildpeak A/T3W has a higher treadwear rating of 660, while this tire has a UTQG rating of 600.
For daily driving, the Toyo Open Country A/T III is an excellent choice. It produces minimal road noise and offers a comfortable ride with little cabin disturbance. As a general daily driver tire, it is the best alternative to the Wildpeak A/T3W in my opinion.