Falken Wildpeak R/T01 vs Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT tires

The Sumitomo-owned Falken Tires has earned a reputation as a go-to brand for folks looking for a credible off-road tire. The Japanese tire maker has a range of tire lines that offer exceptional on and off-road performance with strong durability and longer service life – all at aggressive prices. Among its other tire families, the Wildpeak is quite famed for its incredible performance on different surfaces. On the other hand, we’ve one of the oldest tire manufacturers in the world, Goodyear Tire with its formidable range of all-season, highway terrain, ultra-high-performance, all-terrain, winter, mud-terrain, and rugged-terrain tires. The Wrangler is Goodyear’s highly successful tire line.

Designed for SUVs, light trucks, 4x4s, and jeeps, the Falken Wildpeak R/T01 and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT offer excellent grip and traction with adequate durability while maintaining enhanced tread life for a longer service life. Whether off-road or smooth road, the rugged-terrain tires are engineered to reduce road noise and vibration for a comfortable and quiet ride on paved roads. With strong carcass and rugged construction, the Falken and Goodyear tires are backed by solid 50,000 limited manufacturer tread life warranties for complete peace of mind. So, which is the one to go for? Let’s compare Falken Wildpeak R/T01 vs. Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT based on our SimpleScore scoring mechanism to know the best option.

Falken Wildpeak R/T01 tires

Introduced in October 2023, the Falken Wildpeak R/T01 is a rugged-terrain tire developed for high-powered diesel pickup trucks, lifted trucks, and SUVs. Fusing the traits of mud-terrain and all-terrain tires, the Falken tire returns great off-road performance like an MT with a longer tread life and stability than that of an AT. The optimized tread pattern with large center blocks and sturdy shoulders ensures consistent and civilized performance on smooth roads. With special tectonic tread blocks with a step-down design, the Wildpeak R/T01 features improved towing and hauling capacity with minimal tread squirm.

With a 30-day ride guarantee, the Wildpeak R/T01 is covered by a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. For rugged off-road performance, its shoulder blocks lend extra biting edges for increased grip and traction in low-pressure situations while the aggressive upper sidewall design protects the tire from sharp objects.

With an 8.7 out of 10 average SimpleScore, the Falken Wildpeak R/T01 assures great traction, grip, and handling plus an exceptional tread life.

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT tires

Launched in the same year as the Falken, the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT is the latest addition to the Wrangler family that offers great durability and performance off the road while returning enhanced handling and stability on paved roads. Designed for pickup trucks and SUVs, the Wrangler DuraTrac RT features DuPont Kevlar for exceptional protection against damage and a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certificate that assures great performance in moderate to severe snow.

While the extended over-the-shoulder tread pattern provides extra grip on challenging terrains, the sturdy Durawall sidewall compound linked with three-ply construction delivers solid durability throughout its lifecycle. The Goodyear rugged-terrain tire is covered by a 60-day satisfaction guarantee scheme and a solid 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.

The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT scores 8.9 promising great control, traction, grip, durability, and longevity both on and off the beaten path.

Falken Wildpeak R/T01 vs Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT tires on traction

Rugged-terrain tires are preferred for their superb grip and traction not only on tough terrains but also on smooth roads. The Falken and Goodyear ensure adequate grip on different surfaces.

With an 8.5 traction score, the Wildpeak R/T01 assures improved grip and traction on rough surfaces thanks to the sturdy shoulder blocks and extended sidewall elements. The broad lateral and circumferential grooves ensure water and mud are quickly removed for consistent traction on challenging surfaces.

Scoring an exceptional 9 out of 10, the Wrangler DuraTrac RT features a deep, aggressive tread pattern with large shoulder elements for superior grip and traction in snow, mud, pavement, and gravel. The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake-certified tire comes with multiple sipes on the center and outer tread for increased traction in snow and ice.

With a much better score, the Goodyear tire beats the Falken comprehensively.

ADVANTAGE: Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT

Falken Wildpeak R/T01 vs Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT tires on handling

Whether driving on asphalt or uneven terrains, the control is what defines how safe you are on the move. The Wildpeak R/T01 and the Wrangler DuraTrac RT deliver confident handling and accurate steering response on and off the road.

Boasting an 8.5 handling score, the Falken tire features tectonic tread blocks with a step-down pattern that aids in minimizing block squirm and improving rigidity for enhanced stability and handling on paved and unpaved roads.

Fetching an 8.9, the Goodyear tire continues to impress and provides great control and stability on rough and smooth surfaces. The rugged center tread and large shoulder blocks with dense sipes improve control, handling, and stability.

Yet again, the Goodyear takes the handling trophy while the Falken struggles to hold on.

ADVANTAGE: Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT

Falken Wildpeak R/T01 vs Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT tires on longevity

Unlike mud-terrain tires, rugged-terrain tires offer a longer service life thanks to their balanced tread patterns and special rubber compounds. Let’s check the longevity scores of the Falken and Goodyear tires.

With an incredible 9.2 longevity score, the Wildpeak R/T01 features a wide open shoulder with rock and mud defenders that shed med while safeguarding casing against rock punctures. It is backed by a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.

On the other hand, the Wrangler DuraTrac RT scores a fantastic 8.8 thanks to DuPont Kevlar and Durawall sidewall design that protects tread from damage while resisting cuts, chips, snags, and punctures during off-road adventures. It is, too, backed by the same 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty of that of the Falken’s.

The Falken finally flies high, over the Goodyear and scores a superb 9.2 to win the durability race.

ADVANTAGE: Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT

When to use each

Rugged-terrain tires (RT) are designed for drivers who frequently go down the road less traveled. A hybrid of mud-terrain and all-terrain tires, RTs offer civilized performance with reduced noise and vibration levels on smooth roads while returning exceptional grip, traction, and performance off the road. If you do not go off-road, you should go with highway-terrain tires as they feature reinforced sidewalls for consistent performance during hauling or transporting heavy loads between locations.

However, if you have to frequently cross mud, dirt, rocks, and gravel, you should pick the mud-terrain tires as they have large block elements with wide void ratios for effective traction and grip on slick surfaces.

Which one should you choose?

To sum up, the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT is an excellent option for someone preferring better traction and handling on and off the road while the Falken Wildpeak R/T01 is a great choice if you prefer long-lasting tread over anything. Let’s check their prices to know which one is a real deal.

For the LT285/55R20 122/119R E size, the Falken costs $448 per tire, while four tires cost $1792. Similarly, Goodyear costs $485 per tire, while four tires come for $1940 (a difference of $148 on four tires).

Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Falken Wildpeak R/T01 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, and Jeep Wrangler
• Prefer a premium all-terrain tire at a more affordable price (costs $148 less on four tires)
• Want a long-lasting RT tire (9.2 vs 8.8)

You should go for the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Ram 1500
• Want exceptional traction (9 vs 8.5)
• Prefer excellent handling (8.9 vs 8.5)
• Want a longer trial period (60-day vs 30-day)

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.