BFG KO2 vs. Terra Grappler G2 vs. Falken Wildpeak vs. Other P-Rated AT Tires

[Gecko]

totally agree about the 7" wide wheels...makes no sense to me, which is the main reason Im going to get new wheels. besides differentiating me from the rest of the world.

funny how we have such a different response to the ride.

I know a lot of people say it's harsh, and occasionally I notice it but for the most part I dont. So I'm either used to it, or maybe our roads arent that horrible? I'm in northern VA. DC road suck but out in the burbs it's generally pretty decent except for tail end and right after winter.

With the exception of my previous car (chevy equinox) to the 4runner, my cars over the last 15-20 years as an adult have all been german sports sedans. So their ride is a little tighter than most anyway.

Coming down from Keystone to Denver in that SR5 on a big sweeper on I-70 at 75mph had me on edge. I was praying i wouldnt need to make an emergency maneuver. At any moment I might shoot across the lanes or was on the verge of tipping. The LE might seems a bit harsh but to me feels planted and not going anywhere I dont point it (except emergency braking nosedive is a little hairy) and I typically drive around 75-85 on the highways. If you're not first, you're last.

A few of the wheels I'm looking at are 20x9. Would definitely be going P rated. Even though the ratio is still a 60, given that Im going up to a 275 I'd get the higher sidewall anyway over the stocks. But I'll take a look at the 18's, specially if Im about to drop 2-4 g's.

Yeah I went back and looked at the weight for the Grabbers. They were 13lbs per tire more than the G015. So I whacked them from the list.

Toyo's havent been updated in 10 years...so old tech and I need to use some kind of criteria to eliminate choices and not be stuck in analysis paralysis. I mean if they were spectacular tires still, I pick up, but reviews didnt indicate that.

Revo 3's are the most expensive, $50 per tire more than the G015 for seemingly not much of a significantly better tire. Previous gen had bad wear/longevity issues. Havent seen a whole lot of people mention this gen either.

SO..... I'm down to the G015 and the TerrainContact's. TC's are $20 more on tirerack so thats somewhat negligible. I do have an affinity for german engineering. TireRack says the G015 are only fair in wet braking but Consumer Reports gives them a slightly better mark for hydroplaning, snow, and ice. Oddly the TC's score 4 points higher on CR.

Not that the TC's look bad but initial reaction is the G015's look better.

aaaarrrrggggggg! lol

I think the TerrainContact is a great tire. You can't go wrong. Report back and let us know what you choose!

 

[Gecko]

Also, I picked up 1 MPG so far just from the tire change. Not too shabby.

 

[Bdnewyork]

Thanks to OP [MENTION=114416]Gecko[/MENTION] for his detailed analysis and to all respondents. I found this to be quite a valuable thread during my new tire deliberations. I'd had a long term plan to move to 33's (255/80/17). By long term, I mean years - to the point where I have had a Zuk-built 4.88 rear elocker and matching front diff sitting here awaiting installation for months now. The SPC 25460 UCAs are here too, as yet unopened... That will soon change.

Initially I was set on Nitto Ridge Grapplers. I then switched the plan to Falken Wildpeak A/T3Ws. What caused purchase pause was the E load rating for all 255/80s and the minimum weight of 51+ lbs per tire.

This thread, along with sage advice from vocal forum contributors such as [MENTION=79826]absalom[/MENTION], caused me to reevaluate 33s and consider moving from the existing 265/70/17 to just 255/75/17. I came really close to joining [MENTION=114416]Gecko[/MENTION] by buying Yokohama Geolandar G015s; but today, I had Firestone Destination X/Ts in LT255/75/17 load C installed on my SCS Stealth 6 17x8.5 wheels. I was an early adopter when the previous Cooper A/TWs were released in 2015 (meh - bad oxidation cracking @just 3years) and it seems I'm again diving into uncharted waters.

At just 40lbs, with 3-peak severe snow rating and C rated sidewalls, I figured it's worth the gamble. Plus, Firestone offers their 90-day satisfaction / replacement guarantee for these tires.

I weighed a wheel with the 35k mile Cooper vs the new Destination X/T today and it was just a 3lb increase. Now I just hope I'll still be happy with 4.88s on 32s... Don't fear the gear, right?

I'm pleased with my final choice so far and though I went a different direction, I remain very appreciative of the excellent discussion above.

Here's what they look like in comparison:

 

[MAST4R]

Thanks to OP [MENTION=114416]Gecko[/MENTION] for his detailed analysis and to all respondents. I found this to be quite a valuable thread during my new tire deliberations. I'd had a long term plan to move to 33's (255/80/17). By long term, I mean years - to the point where I have had a Zuk-built 4.88 rear elocker and matching front diff sitting here awaiting installation for months now. The SPC 25460 UCAs are here too, as yet unopened... That will soon change.

Initially I was set on Nitto Ridge Grapplers. I then switched the plan to Falken Wildpeak A/T3Ws. What caused purchase pause was the E load rating for all 255/80s and the minimum weight of 51+ lbs per tire.

This thread, along with sage advice from vocal forum contributors such as [MENTION=79826]absalom[/MENTION], caused me to reevaluate 33s and consider moving from the existing 265/70/17 to just 255/75/17. I came really close to joining [MENTION=114416]Gecko[/MENTION] by buying Yokohama Geolandar G015s; but today, I had Firestone Destination X/Ts in LT255/75/17 load C installed on my SCS Stealth 6 17x8.5 wheels. I was an early adopter when the previous Cooper A/TWs were released in 2015 (meh - bad oxidation cracking @just 3years) and it seems I'm again diving into uncharted waters.

At just 40lbs, with 3-peak severe snow rating and C rated sidewalls, I figured it's worth the gamble. Plus, Firestone offers their 90-day satisfaction / replacement guarantee for these tires.

I weighed a wheel with the 35k mile Cooper vs the new Destination X/T today and it was just a 3lb increase. Now I just hope I'll still be happy with 4.88s on 32s... Don't fear the gear, right?

I'm pleased with my final choice so far and though I went a different direction, I remain very appreciative of the excellent discussion above.

Many thanks for this post.

Please do provide updates. Considering your location, I am especially interested in how the Destination XT does on pavement and particularly in rain.

I would love to have someone compare it to LTC KO2 in the desert but that's quite a bit far away from you....

I love the weight of the 255 75 17 and with my current suspension I am no longer concerned with going from 9.0 tread width to 8.1 Besides, the stock tire was only 8.3" wide anyway. Maybe the narrow tread will help a bit with mpg.

I am now more concerned with being able to air down to smooth out the ride over small stuff and that's not something I am comfortable doing on P metric tires. The Icon 2.0 rear shocks perform very well but the ride on the back seat can be a little rough on trails on which embedded rock is common.

I firmly believe that suspension and tires need to work in unison and whereas the P Wildpeaks were a great fit for me until I got the 6112/Icon combo, allowing me to drive all sorts of trails without airing down, I am now considering getting back into LT.

 

[Gecko]

If anyone was curious or still following this thread, my average mpg is now 16.9 with the Yokos up from 14.5 with the KO2s. The mileage difference has been noticeable.