Looking for feedback on BFG K02 tires....or others..

[dta1984]

I am in the early stages of looking for my next tire. On my list of criteria; excellent snow traction and low noise are on top.

So far I am between going back to the Firestone AT that I have (have been happy with these for the most part), or getting the BFG K02's.

Issue with the K02s is the rim width they spec. My rims are 9" wide. The K02's spec a 7-8.5" wheel. My current firestones go up to 9". Does anyone have experience running a 9" wide wheel with the K02s?

Any other tire recommendations?

Also note the size I am looking at is 265/70/17.

 

[wadle5]

Originally k02's used to be the cream of the crop, but since then several other manufacturers have come out with not just comprable, but even better tires. The complaints you will hear the most on the k0's is that they can be a bear to balance, they wear quickly(due to softer rubber(similar to Nitto's), they can be too loud(this doesn't bother me as it is an A/T tire so not quite sure what other people were expecting?), etc.

The reality is look at any nice rig on these forums and see what they run, because all you are going to get here is preference for what people personally run.

The main thing is what do you plan on doing, are you going to be doing rocks, sand, snow, or mud? You could spend months on comparisons of tires brands and types, but the reality is you need to find out what you will be using it for most, and just how big your wallet is.

 

[Gavino18]

^^exactly what waddle said. It really comes down to what you are going to use it for and what you can afford.

Personally, I do a good amount of service road driving, off roading, etc and I went with the ko2 because a lot of trails here can have sharp rocks, down logs, etc. The tires have been fantastic and are beefy and tough as nails.

Downside is they are a bit heavier and mpg took a hit. Not too big of deal. I find them to be quite on the freeway and haven't yet had too much hassle with balancing. Oh, and they are spendy. But worth it for me.

Look around and try to narrow it down to a couple tires and ask people who have those tires what they think. Then hopefully come to a tire selection(a lot easier said then done!)

OH. I have 265/70R17 tires and they fit my rims just fine.

 

[bombventure]

I just got some Toyo Open Country ATII xtremes and I love them. Super quiet ride, rides smooth, looks great, but they are kinda spendy. I've heard good things about the Cooper Discoverer STT's but can't personally give a recommendation for them as I've never had them. My sister has them on her f150 and she seems to like them, and they still look good for being a little over a year old now. BFG's are really popular especially where I'm located. Now I've never disliked them, but seeing so many people running the same tires it kinda gets to be an eye sore, there's no variation for about 70% of people's rigs, but that's probably just my area honestly. Falken Wildpeaks are pretty good from what I've heard as well. Nitto grapplers are nice but wear too quick, from what I was told by a millwright I work with (has them on his wrangler). As said before it really comes down to what you like, how much you're wanting to spend, and what you're using them for. There's really no wrong choice here, granted you're not buying tires that are straight up cheap and crap. Good luck man hope you find what suits you!

 

[CA-RJ]

Michelin Defender LTX.

Snow performance? Check this out.

 

[m85476585]

Michelin Defender LTX.

Those are a new version of the LTX M/S 2, I think. I've used them on plenty of forest service roads and mild and moderate off road trails with no problems except that one tire has some damage to some of the tread (like chunking, but all the chunks are still attached).

 

[dta1984]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Looks like i will do some more digging around on other tires to compare with. Snow performance will be my number 1 since I live in a lake belt and we get alot of snow.

 

[wadle5]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Looks like i will do some more digging around on other tires to compare with. Snow performance will be my number 1 since I live in a lake belt and we get alot of snow.

option2: if you like your current tires keep them, and then get a cheap set of wheels and designated snow tires. I know in the classified section there was a guy with the ultimate snow set up...new trd pro wheels on blizzaks...I mean talk about style and function.

 

[camp332]

I went with the KO2's 265/70/17 C-Rated tires back in January, after having Cooper AT3's. The ride, and the noise have both greatly improved. Highly recommend them.

 

[nevada]

get the KO's. you will not be disappointed. excellent snow traction, especially aired down.

you should also have no issues mounting them on your wheels. another 1/2" wont make enough difference to matter.

 

[markymark191]

My ko2s have been really quiet. I don't know why some say they are noisy. On another not though, my acceleration decreased much more than i thought since they are a heavier tire and mpg went down quite a bit, but thats to be expected and I'm sure you are aware.

 

[grave]

i'll just leave this here

https://expeditionportal.com/where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/

 

[S p a r k y]

i'll just leave this here

https://expeditionportal.com/where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/

Thats almost 3 year old. Two of the tires on it have changed. KO2 is a decent change from KO1. Falken is a SIGNIFICANT change.

 

[MRpink]

I have KO2's in 265/70/17 C-rated and I'm really happy with their on-road performance, very quiet. Still waiting for winter to try them in the snow.

I had no issues with balancing and recommend finding a shop that has the Road Force Elite balancer. My local discount tires has them but you can find other shops here: GSP9700 Locator

 

[wadle5]

Just some more reading for the OP if he gets bored
https://expeditionportal.com/field-tested-yokohama-geolander-mt-g003/


https://expeditionportal.com/head-to-head-mud-or-all-terrain-tires/

 

[clg4th]

I ditched the ko2's for duratracs for snow and ice performance. For me basing my tire choice was honestly looking at my usage, and deciding what the no fail category was for me. That means having the confidence that I can stop or maneuver around an obstacle on the road when it's -10 and there's a few inches of snow on the ground.

CA-RJ's post does an excellent job showing that a tire doesn't need to be super aggressive to do some serious wheeling.

 

[Folsom4Rnr]

FWIW, I've had my KO2's for about 2 yrs now and they've been good for me.

 

[Gen4SR5]

Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws!

 

[NinjaOne]

I'll second the vote for the Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws. One of the cheapest A/T tires and rock solid performance

I don't have personal experience with the KO2s, but I don't see a lot of the long time builds running them (anymore)

 

[dta1984]

option2: if you like your current tires keep them, and then get a cheap set of wheels and designated snow tires. I know in the classified section there was a guy with the ultimate snow set up...new trd pro wheels on blizzaks...I mean talk about style and function.

Not a bad option, i will keep it in mind!