So I've got new wheels, and I'm looking to get tires for them. Naturally I'm interested in the BFG T/A KO2's, the reigning champs of AT. I've had them on my last build and loved them.

Every place I call or email tells me "we can't get that manufacturer, is there another brand you're interested in?" -I'm sorry, tire store, did you just tell me you can't get BF Goodrich tires??- or they quote me ridiculous prices (one told me they go for $430 per tire for 275/70/17; WTF???).

Am I missing something? Is this all because of the supply chain or something? I've got a set of Method 305's waiting on new shoes and nothing to dress them in. Getting frustrated.

All the popular tires are like that , I had to wait 5 months for Ko3 and yoko g003. It’s unfortunate

Inflation has been on the rise for over a year. Devaluing the dollar has that effect...

My guess is that since you are looking at an in between size like the 275/70 is there is much less supply vs. a 265/70 or 285/70 which you won't have issues finding at all. They are way more popular sizes.

Try Discount Tire for Goodyear UltraTerrain AT. They are like a mix of KO2s and Duratracs. Get the E rated they ride much nicer than KO2 Es. They are exclusive to DT and they seem to have a good supply of them.

But yes the problem is from money printing = more demand. My KO2s were made in USA and my UltraTerrains made in Brazil so doesn't seem to be the supply chain, unless it's the import supply of rubber I suppose.

Discount Tire / America’s Tire, too? My Discount Tire app has 275/55R20 (which should be a MORE expensive size) at $279.

Your tire size, 275/70R17, is $286.

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Since tires are made from petroleum, high oil means high tire prices. "Regular" inflation is probably at work too, since everyone expects prices to be going up for just about everything these days.

285s lead to adding spacers and/or modding the wheel well (unless I'm mistaken) which I'm trying to avoid. I want to keep it simple, like my brain.

I checked that, but when I try to order them they say they don't have any

EDIT: Okay you, I don't know what kind of voodoo you're working over there, nightshade, but I rechecked discount tire and they're in, for $286 per! Now if I could just find that big duffle bag full of $100 bills... No? Nothing? Well it was worth a shot.

Order placed, got my wheels ready to go, and should have these mounted up and ready for photos next week.

Thanks T4R!

Yep, and oil prices have been on the rise for over a year. For the same reason that inflation in general has been on the rise...

For sure. I don't disagree with your size choice and I may do the same size one day. Just pointing out a potential reason.

FWIW, Falken shows the AT3W available in that size on Amazon. But, I'm like you and love my KO2s.

It is not “acceptable” for tire prices to double on this fact alone. They are not as price elastic as gasoline. Consumers can step down in tire to meet a price point and that’s just not possible with fuels.


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Finally ordered tires so I can take my snow tires off, and immediately after ordering I get a call saying that they are not actually available... 2nd choice... also not available... Discounttire website is not accurate at all..

balls

Call it Mature Corporate Capitalism, Power of Monopolies, Greed, whatever you want. But it's the way of the world we live in. Robert Reich is definitely on the Liberal side of things, but you can't say he isn't right...
Robert Reich (The Hidden Link Between Corporate Greed and...)

FWIW - about 5 gallons of oil are needed for the feed stock to make 1 tire according to the interwebs. So $100/bbl oil = roughly $11.90 worth of oil per tire. It's basically meaningless in terms of production cost.

My guess is the problem is transportation. Global shipping is still a colossal cluster right now. I'm trying to get a container from northern Utah to Anchorage and what used to cost $5-8k or so was quoted to me recently for $30k. FML. So there's probably some additional shipping costs and also shortage due to shipping not being available. I'd guess Goodyear and Cooper would be more likely to be available in the USA. But who knows. Costco might be a good place to check to see if they've got any.