10 Ply Tires

FishTown

FishTown

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I found a great deal on a set of 265/70r17 E-load (10 ply) KO2's. I'm wanting to hear from folks who have experience running 10 ply tires on there 4Runners unloaded. These will be going on my wife's 4Runner that gets used mostly as a kid hauler. I love the KO2's on my '87 Land Cruiser, but it's a different animal.

Are we looking at just a slightly stiffer ride or will it be unbearable?
 
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Stiffer fide will be noticeable. Just lower air pressure if you do go with them.
I have full armor and run 28 in front, 25 rear.
 
I have E-Rated Ridge grapplers and they are fine just a little stiffer ride and trying to get them balanced, we went with beads instead of weights on the rim. I have 295/70/17 so definitely bigger tires But I love them, although they are heavy coming in at round 91.5 pounds with rim and balance beads so just something to think about.
 
After having both, I actually prefer a standard load range... the overall performance and comfort trade-offs didn't add up for me.

Considering its a kid hauler, I would probably consider something else.

Even on my 1/2 ton Chevy, I went away from light commercial e load because it just isn't needed. SL already takes care of its max payload by a 1000 lbs overhead, and I don't need the 10 ply for off-road durability.
 
If it's just a kid hauler that doesn't go off pavement, frankly E-rated KO2's are simply the wrong tire for the job. You'd be much better off with a p-rated tire with highway tread. Ride, gas mileage, handling, rain performance, wear life, and overall safety will all be better.

This sounds like a case of letting your hormones rule the decision instead of your head. Be kind to your wife and get her some tires that fit her use model.

I would only put E-rated KO2's on a vehicle who's primary purpose was serious off-road driving, and where highway performance was mostly just for getting to/from the trails.
 
E rated gas guzzlers. I’d go C or SL. Especially for what you’re using it for.


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having fun said:
Stiffer fide will be noticeable. Just lower air pressure if you do go with them.
I have full armor and run 28 in front, 25 rear.
Click to expand...

Your comments make me think of my buddy who has 10 Ply tires on a UTV / Side by Side.

Those tires with 0 PSI in them are still standing tall and stiff like they have 50 PSI of air in it.

Even airing down for off-road, you don't get as much compliance as you might want when even in a light SUV.

I know it's totally an apples to oranges comparison but after seeing him air down to 0-1 pounds on bead locked rims, its like no change.

That said, after tearing tires apart on rocks off-road, these things are tough as nails. Couldn't imagine using them for anyone other than LT applications or serious off-road only.

Mpk3Gi1.jpg
 
4Runner010 said:
I have E-Rated Ridge grapplers and they are fine just a little stiffer ride and trying to get them balanced, we went with beads instead of weights on the rim. I have 295/70/17 so definitely bigger tires But I love them, although they are heavy coming in at round 91.5 pounds with rim and balance beads so just something to think about.
Click to expand...

Due to the shortcomings of my local tire shop I'm interested in these tire beads to balance. How many oz did you use per tire and what brand? I'm looking to balance the same tire sizing on my 4runner.
 
RonJR said:
If it's just a kid hauler that doesn't go off pavement, frankly E-rated KO2's are simply the wrong tire for the job. You'd be much better off with a p-rated tire with highway tread. Ride, gas mileage, handling, rain performance, wear life, and overall safety will all be better.

This sounds like a case of letting your hormones rule the decision instead of your head. Be kind to your wife and get her some tires that fit her use model.

I would only put E-rated KO2's on a vehicle who's primary purpose was serious off-road driving, and where highway performance was mostly just for getting to/from the trails.
Click to expand...

Appreciate it. This vehicle does go off pavement. I would argue that anyone whose daily driver that doubles as a part time trail rig sees pavement far more often than dirt. But those few times when you really need the additional traction are absolutely worth it. Also, this is less a case of my hormones ruling a decision and more my wallet ruling the decision. Yes, I would prefer standard load tires. I have chosen to go with the KO2 because I have a set (standard load) on my ’87 land cruiser and love the performance. But if I can pay $500 less for a set of E loads and it not be that much worse, I’d be hard pressed to not pull the trigger.
 
I love the justification though process haha...

You can justify it how you like, but it's a pretty aggressive off-road focused tire when you compare to other AT offerings, especially for what its going to be doing 95% of the time.

You can get a set of Cooper AT3 SL road range for $135 brand new, so not sure how much ur really saving when you factor in the cons of an E Load when you can get an ideal tire for your application that is still off-road friendly for around the same.

My only gripe with the E Load KO2s is people generally give it pretty bad wet traction reviews, icy I hear is pretty bad as well... gas mileage suffers since its heavier, and the ride can a good bit harsher... feels like it's working the shock harder too with more un-sprung weight. With its biggest perk being a 10 ply for air down sidewall durability, which you most likely won't be doing.

Plus you have a 87 LC, what are you doing wheeling the wife's grocery-getter.

If most people are honest with themselves... even some Quality Michelins road tires will get you though the trails. Mine did, for hundreds of miles mixed with thousands of comfortable road. Most leisure family rated trails or camp sites are non issues on some road tires.
 
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As far as balancing beads, go with the bead style if your airing down a lot. I used the equal flex brand, they are more of shaved/flake type and they get lodged in the valve piece. I have 35 Cooper m/ts and run 8oz bags in mine. No balancing problem ever.

Also when I say they are stiffer and even run lower pressure to compensate, have to consider the spring rate I run also compared to stock to over come the full armor.

Mine feels straight up like a 3/4 ton with no load in it. Yes a DD, but can right turn to any off road I wish.
 
Coming back to make my comments after reading through this whole thread...

yes E load are far heavier and fuel economy will suffer

yes E load are far stiffer and ride quality will - wait for it - improve if you're of my opinion that after lift and weight and bigger tires it needed a little stiffening up (I run 40psi highway pressure for best fuel economy if there is such a thing, I could lower it slightly as I just noticed by measurement I'm ever so slightly wearing the centers more than the edges)

yes airing down I've noticed that 20psi in an E tire isn't always as pliable as desired so I've started inching lower but the confidence in my sidewall is a big plus given the scrapes on the wheel edge

I currently have Nitto Exo grappler 285/70-17 E and said that my next tire would be a P KO2 in the same sizing. Then I got more into offroading my still very much so DD and grocery getter and ended up with Cooper STT pro 295/70-17 E for my next set. So tires are really a big opinion and compromise somewhere. If I don't like these more aggressive ones or I get the offroad damage out of my system maybe for the next set I'll go with P KO2's.
 
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Thanks for both the subjective opinions and the objective responses about the tire itself. Will consider other options. I had my doubts on an E load tire and that's why I asked.
 
I just have slightly oversized E-rated Grabbers on my 4R. Gas mileage and braking are definitely not amazing anymore. But handling is firm and responsive. No more floaty feel that softer sidewalls give. I also have every confidence in the tires offroad.
 
C load ridge grapplers.. wheeled and road tripped with them loaded up. wouldnt change a thing.

Check weight rating, the weight rating changes with sizes and widths
 
1 question
How cool is the wife gonna be with a stiffer ride and a loss of fuel mileage? If she's cool with it, proceed...
 
Blah blah blah blah....

Get the tire you and your wife want! If you don't mind loosing mpg and a stiffer ride, pull the trigger. A piece of mind off pavement is well worth it for me. But then again, this whole tire subject is subjective and has beaten a dead horse to a pulp.

KO2 are nice tires and I don't think you will be disappointed.
 
gfluff said:
1 question
How cool is the wife gonna be with a stiffer ride and a loss of fuel mileage? If she's cool with it, proceed...
Click to expand...

Right... that's why I'm here asking if the stiffness is that noticeable. I don't have experience with e-load tires on a smaller SUV.
 
Gavino18 said:
Blah blah blah blah....

Get the tire you and your wife want! If you don't mind loosing mpg and a stiffer ride, pull the trigger. A piece of mind off pavement is well worth it for me. But then again, this whole tire subject is subjective and has beaten a dead horse to a pulp.

KO2 are nice tires and I don't think you will be disappointed.
Click to expand...

Yep. I like the KO2 shoulder design. 10 ply would be even better for the rocks. Just trying to weigh every day road performance to peace of mind the 2-3 times I might need it every year. In reality a standard load KO2 (and hell, maybe even some other run of the mill all terrain) would be fine, but the fact that I have a lead on a set of E loads for cheap is enticing.

Here's an objective question: how much will mpg actually suffer? I can't imagine it would be more than 1-2 mpg less.
 
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