Installed 4 new ko2 oem size from discount tire last December, $160 each. After 1500 miles driving, my several feelings:
Still waiting for the 1st real trip to justify BFG's real capability..
- Noise- slightly higher low pitch noise both low and high speeds. But totally acceptable. This is my biggest concern before buying my first AT tires..
- MPG- 80% city, 20% highway. Combine MPG from 19.1 dropped to 18.0
- Acceleration- I didn't feel any difference compared to oem dunlop
- Looks- No need to say anything...
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Does anyone else feel the same way?
I have the KO2s in 275/55/20 (albeit on a RRS not a 4R) w/ ~8k miles and they've been amazing in the rain, snow, and ok on ice (just this past weekend in the mountains). I'm a little surprised that yours are having issues--wonder if it might be an inflation/suspension thing.
Many tires out there better in the wet and slush. Not for hydroplaning, I'm sure the BFG does fine at that. The wet and slush road traction. Look for a tire that has some siping. That is the key.
I read through your thread on the AT3's and I'm very torn between the two of them. I live in an area where it rains about 1/4 of the year (not too heavy) and I go off-roading 4-8x a year, but aside from that I do a lot of city/highway driving. I think I'll be more than happy with either, but damn my need to have the absolute best option![]()
Also consider the type of pavement in your area. There's lots of sealed asphalt up here in Ohio, and the KO2's slipped too much for my liking any time they were damp. They were fine dry, wet, or snowy, but when they were just damp I always felt that they lacked traction they should have and TC or ABS would kick in much sooner than it should have been. It was more than when it first started raining and the oil would float to the surface problem, because it would also happen at the end of 4 days of rain when things were starting to dry out finally. I swapped from the KO2's to the DiscoAT3's and have been very satisfied so far (almost 6kmi), well except the aesthetic department, they just aren't as rugged looking as the KO2's.
Of course it was worst on asphalt that had been sealed within the past 8 months. Most of those places are low speed areas, driveways & parking lots. The occasional road resurface (fresh oil) would be cause for concern. I also tend to drive with a heavy foot, so some well traveled and worn intersections, and old rutted asphalt were concerning. Mostly it was a mental block that I had to slow down in certainly nearly normal conditions instead of being able to drive normally. Honestly the weather traction was a concern, but it was the ride that had me switch to the Coopers. I wanted to keep the larger 275 size but go to a C rating, KO2 only available in E in that size. They looked great, would describe traction as fair on damp sealed/worn asphalt, though overall good in other conditions including ice, but the E load is too stiff for a daily driver on a pothole riddled commute. IMHO, if the tire were better siped it would be great, but that would surely cost durability off road. The idea of 3d siping is commendable, but for on road all weather conditions it's not quite enough. Since it's an off road tire I guess that's ok. If you need an off road tire the KO2 is probably still top of the list, but if you want something for an all season daily driver that can handle the occasional off road trip, I'd look heavily at the Coopers or new Wild Peak AT3 (which look like a cross between the ST Maxx and OC AT2). So ask yourself if you really need an off road tire, or just want it?I am looking at replacing the stock tires on my Limited with KO2s. Your post gave me some pause. I live in a very hilly area - even my own driveway is pretty steep and long (800ft) but have not sealed in years. When you say you felt the KO2 slipped too much on a sealed surface, are you referring to mostly sealed driveways? I don't think I have ever seen any roads other than driveways get sealed after they have been paved.
Of course it was worst on asphalt that had been sealed within the past 8 months. Most of those places are low speed areas, driveways & parking lots. The occasional road resurface (fresh oil) would be cause for concern. I also tend to drive with a heavy foot, so some well traveled and worn intersections, and old rutted asphalt were concerning. Mostly it was a mental block that I had to slow down in certainly nearly normal conditions instead of being able to drive normally. Honestly the weather traction was a concern, but it was the ride that had me switch to the Coopers. I wanted to keep the larger 275 size but go to a C rating, KO2 only available in E in that size. They looked great, would describe traction as fair on damp sealed/worn asphalt, though overall good in other conditions including ice, but the E load is too stiff for a daily driver on a pothole riddled commute. IMHO, if the tire were better siped it would be great, but that would surely cost durability off road. The idea of 3d siping is commendable, but for on road all weather conditions it's not quite enough. Since it's an off road tire I guess that's ok. If you need an off road tire the KO2 is probably still top of the list, but if you want something for an all season daily driver that can handle the occasional off road trip, I'd look heavily at the Coopers or new Wild Peak AT3 (which look like a cross between the ST Maxx and OC AT2). So ask yourself if you really need an off road tire, or just want it?
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I am debating on the 265 E or C rated. I have run E rated for last 4 vehicles but wonder what I am missing utilizing a C rated tire. Just how much "better" a ride do they give? Just how much difference in fuel mileage are C and E tires due to the weight differential?
I had decided on KO2's but remember just how well the Duratracs I have had did in all conditions. I seldom actually off-road anymore but have always been pissed if I pull off the road or drive out in the pasture and get stuck.
You're right! Not really need it. The shop I called suggested Nitto Grappler as an alternative as it's C rated. Any chance you considered that?
I read through your thread on the AT3's and I'm very torn between the two of them. I live in an area where it rains about 1/4 of the year (not too heavy) and I go off-roading 4-8x a year, but aside from that I do a lot of city/highway driving. I think I'll be more than happy with either, but damn my need to have the absolute best option![]()