The Falken Rubitrek All-Terrain: Is This Tire A Great All-Around Option For The Average Overlander? Detailed On + Off-Road Review
We all know the feeling of taking that first mud puddle, snowdrift, or rock field in a Tacoma outfitted with stock tires. It leaves you wanting more out of your rubber.
My first trail in my rig was Last Dollar Road. It was a trail that you would see your occasional Mercedes Sprinter or a stock Jeep Renegade passing by. Needless to say, it wasn’t a technical trail whatsoever. Yet, I struggled. This was partially because I was new to my Tacoma and because the stock tires had 36k miles on them.
A little bit of mud and snow in the fall left me sliding around on a flat road like I was on marbles. So, the hunt began for a tire that would take me anywhere my heart desired.
After a lot of research and questions, I had my choice of tire. One that would surprise me on anything I could put it through. From the desert sand to spring snow and everything in between, here are my thoughts on the Falken Rubitrek A/T.
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Why Buy All-Terrain Tires?
The purpose of all-terrain tires is in the name. It provides a buttery, smooth highway ride, and lets you tackle the trails with far more ease than all-season tires. This is why they are the daily driving/weekend warrior go-to.
I’m from Colorado, so having a set of rubber that will take me from my commute to work to the most remote mountain roads for the best camping was a must. Being able to hop off and on the road without having to worry about traction or handling was my main concern. That’s why I knew an aggressive all-terrain tire like the Falken Rubitrek A/T was my choice.
Features & Specs
Falken Tires, launched in 1983, is known for its production of UHP (Ultra High Performance) radial tires. The Falken Rubitrek A/T was released in 2012 alongside the Falken Wildpeak A/T 02. Here are some key features and specs on the Rubitrek that just might make you lean towards it.
Tread
With a best-in-class tread depth (19/32nds), this tire will last you a long, long time. Falken also backs that up with a 55,000, that’s right, FIFTY-FIVE THOUSAND MILES, of limited tread life warranty! Along with the tread depth, there are the full-depth 3D canyon sipes that Falken tires are known for in their off-road tires such as the AT3/W. This helps for snow and hydroplane resistance for the life of the tire.
Sidewalls
The upper sidewalls on the tires are designed with aggressive offset shoulder blocks to help protect them from rugged trail conditions like sharp rocks and boulders. It also helps by adding traction when especially needed at low PSI, and those off-camber situations you find yourself in trying to power to the top of the mountain.
The lower sidewall has heat-diffusing technology built into it. It dissipates heat from the most vulnerable point of the sidewall while towing. It also aids the overall stability of the tire while loaded.
3PMSF Rating
Ah, the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. It’s been around for a while now and unsurprisingly, the Falken Rubitrek A/T comes with it as well. It has been put to the test and is rated for severe winter conditions. That’s a +1 for you guys in the colder parts of the world!
Overall Performance
Based on the Falken website, these are the ratings for the Rubitrek A/T.
- Dry Handling: 4 out of 5
- Wet Performance: 4 out of 5
- Tread life: 4.5 out of 5
- Noise: 3.5 out of 5
- Snow Performance: 4.5 out of 5
- Off-Road: 4 out of 5
You can find all the information listed above on their site.
On-Road Performance
Here in Colorful Colorado, the highways, rural county roads, and even the interstates are full of rolling hills, mountain passes, and my favorite, “twisties”. I drive the scenic route pretty much anywhere I travel in the Tacoma. Why not? Here is my experience on the blacktop ride on the Rubitrek A/T.
First off, I’d like to talk about ride quality. I run 285/70R17 Load Range E tires. The ride is firmer than the stock Wranglers, but it is a great ride. Feeling “planted” is how I would describe them.
Handling is great as well on dry pavement. Albeit, the braking distance is a bit further due to the weight of the rig vs. stock. Running empty in the winter (no rooftop tent or camping gear) eliminates this problem. I’ve taken sharp turns through canyons and through windy mountain roads with ease.
Noise levels are about what you would expect of an all-terrain tire. They aren’t the loudest like the lifted square-body Chevrolet on Mud Bloggers but aren’t as quiet as the wife’s sedan either. They’re an in-between. I’ve rotated the tires once at 7,000 miles and have no complaints about the wear or the noise coming from them.
Wet Roads
No problem at all here. You can speed through puddles in rain storms and take turns with moist asphalt from a fresh drizzle. The Falken Rubitrek A/Ts eat it all up just as advertised. The braking distance is further than on dry roads, but it’s to be expected for wet roads with almost any tire.
Snow & Ice
This is where things get interesting. In my experience, the tires handle extremely well on snow-packed, slushy, icy roads. Is it as good as a purpose-built winter tire? Absolutely not. But if you are cautious and know how to drive in the winter, the Rubitrek A/T will take you anywhere you want.
Off-Road Performance
My favorite place to be, off the beaten path and exploring the unknown. It’s one thing to wonder where a trail or little two-track will take you. It’s another knowing you have a tire that will undoubtedly get you there.
I’ll go into ride quality again, briefly. When I hit dirt for an extended period of time, I like to air my tires down to 15-20 PSI. It allows my tire to have a larger footprint, improves traction, and lets me glide through rock gardens with ease. Airing down off-road makes the ride nice and “cushy”. Anyway, let’s get to the good stuff!
Rock & Dirt
This is the category that I take the Tacoma through the most and the Rubitrek A/T tires are exceptional. They soak up the small boulders and rip through gravel like nobody’s business. Steep climbs in 4-LO are a breeze. Larger boulders are no problem for traction.
Mud & Sand
This is also a very simple feat for the Falken Rubitrek A/T. It is no mud tire, but I have been very impressed with the places I have gone or come out of because of the sheer amount of slop on the trail. We had a record year with snow in Colorado here this past winter, so it’s been a muddy spring and summer so far! Sand, however, I haven’t traveled as much as I’d like to.
Snow & Ice
These conditions are tougher for an all-terrain tire. I’ve probably been through about a foot or so of fresh snow and these tires performed well. Ice is a challenge for all tires that aren’t studded. It requires a lot of patience and throttle control. I wouldn’t knock it off the list of “can do’s”, though.
Final Thoughts
The Falken Rubitrek A/T tire is a force to be reckoned with. Between the on and off-road handling and capabilities, I believe it’s one of the best all-rounders out there. It’s not a highway tire, and it’s not a mud terrain. It’s a little bit of both worlds.
If you’re looking for a tire that’s fairly quiet and handles like a dream, I would recommend the Falken Rubitrek All-terrain to anyone.
