Need Advise on Toyo MT vs. KM2

[psraff]

Time for new tires. I've been researching tires that I can get local of good quality. Local so I can get free repairs \ replacements. I've narrowed the board to Toyo Open Country M/T and the KM2. (two different shops) They are close in price (less then $200 when it's all said and done, I think). I still have to talk to the manager of a new shop and see what their warrentee is as for free repairs. After that I'll see who will drop a few dollars to win my business. The Toyo tire comes from a company Alaska wide and has been here for a long time. The KM2 tire comes from a shop that just opened several months ago... New building and all so it looks like they plan to stay. And they seem to be doing business...

I'm leaning towards the 255-85x16 for either tire, but I haven't totally ruled out the 285-75x16 either. What scares me is the tire weight of the Toyos. I found this so far:

255 Toyo is 59.5 lbs
285 Toyo is 68.3 lbs
255 KM2 is 54 lbs
285 KM2 is 58.4 lbs

Same tread depth on all tires (within 1\32")
All look to be E rated (10 Ply)
Without breaking the tires down layer by layer, I don't know why the Toyos are so much heavier. Just to compare, the Nitto 265-75x16s are 48 lbs per their website.

I've talked with several people who have the Toyo tire personally and they all love them (one was on an old Scout, and another on a Jeep). On road and off. Not too loud even with the larger tread.

Pic of Toyo

Pic of KM2

What's your opinions?
If you need \ want more specs of the tires, I'll post them if I have them.
Thanks Everyone!!

 

[imboredeveryday]

km2s i had the same issue and pulled the trigger on the km2s there alot quiter and then the mts my buddy has them on his tacoma and there are supper loud comparred to the km2s. also in ride quality alot more comforatble and dig alot better

 

[FrankM23]

if you're going skinny i'd go with the toyo. tougher compound, it's a true 33 inch tire. and at about 60 pounds that's not bad at all for 33's. the 285 toyo's on the other hand I'd ditch since you're worried about weight. they weigh almost as much as 35's. keep in mind km2's are known to have some sidewall issues as well and they will chunk a lot more than the toyo's. check out expedition portal. a lot of those guys run toyo's in the 255 size and easily get 40000 to 50000 miles out of them. super quiet on the road too.

 

[rickashay]

KM2's are absolutely terrible in the hard packed snow/ice. The Toyo's have noticeably more siping. Not sure if your running these tires all year or not but I see your from Alaska so that may be a concern.

 

[psraff]

Thanks Guys! I've heard about the higher mileage of the Toyo and just looking at the pics, it does seem to have more meat around the sidewall (hope I'm not showing my ignorance right now...), so maybe that's where the extra weight is located.

Keep up the opinions and the info. I like \ need this!

 

[SCSPerformance]

KM2's are absolutely terrible in the hard packed snow/ice. The Toyo's have noticeably more siping. Not sure if your running these tires all year or not but I see your from Alaska so that may be a concern.

I agree. I have KM2s and I hate the way they feel and perform in rain as well. However, on trails(rock/mud/rough terrain), they perform very well and the treads have held up great.

Between the 2 choices and the climate that you're in, I would probably recommend Toyos. My dad has a set on his Tundra that he DD. He doesn't off-road the truck and have gotten about 45k miles on them so far. I think he can go another 10-15k miles with them. For a MT tire they are quiet, but they weigh a ton.

 

[psraff]

Sounds like I should be looking at the Toyo tires more I do have winter tires I run so this is mostly spring, summer, fall use. Highway, camping, mountain Roads. minor to medium offroad.

Thanks for the input!

 

[alanflies]

I'm super happy with my Toyos...very quiet, smooth, handle very well, look fantastic, etc.etc.etc. I had narrowed it down to the same choices you have, I always had good luck with BFG on my T/A and only decided on Toyos because the tire shop wanted 400.00 more for a set of KM2s...Honestly though, I'm glad I went with Toyo.

 

[duckrunner]

Km2's are nice and I've used them
In the mud but if you're hitting rocks the toyo's grab EVERYthing
Just my 2 cents

 

[djskorch]

I had a set of 265/70/17 toyo mts eload on the 4runner for a while.

What I liked about them.
They are great for anything you throw at them off road. Mud/Sand/Rocks etc.
They were tough as nails. I never once worried about rubbing the sidewall, running over sharp rocks, pot holes etc.
Very aggressive look
Decent in snow and Ice

What I didnt like about them.

They are HEAVY!!! There was a noticeable drop in power and mpgs (I think 1.5-2)
They were slightly loud and had a decent hum on the freeways.
Once they got to about 40% tread left, they seemed to wear VERY quickly.

I now have a set of the bfg KM (not the km2) 255/75/17 C Load (jeep rubicon take offs)

What I like about these

Improved mpg over the toyos (mostly due to weight im sure)
Great on most terrain.
Quieter than the toyos all around
I have also read that many people get around 40,000 miles if you dont tear them up. I was only about 28,000 on the toyos when I decided to replace them.

What I dont like about them

Not as good on rock/slick stuff as the toyos
No large sidewall lugs like the toyos (The lugs on the toyos came in handy MANY times and now I get nervous about ripping a sidewall)
Not as agressive looking as the Toyos
Not quite as good in snow or Ice as the toyos

Hope this helps even though my bfgs arent exactly the same as the ones your looking at.

 

[psraff]

Guys, this is just the type of responses I was looking for. Many Thanks! I think I'll go with the Toyos in the 255. They're 5.5 lbs heavier each. Eleven lbs heavier then what I have now. Forty four lbs total. Heavier yes, but I think it's worth it for the extra safety. As for the mileage.... it's something I'll have to deal with. I drive a company van all week so I only drive my Runner on the weekends.

I'll call them tomorrow and reserve a set of five to be installed next Saturday.

Thanks for all the info. I'll post pics as soon as I get them!

 

[mien4x4]

I had a set of 265/70/17 toyo mts eload on the 4runner for a while.

What I liked about them.
They are great for anything you throw at them off road. Mud/Sand/Rocks etc.
They were tough as nails. I never once worried about rubbing the sidewall, running over sharp rocks, pot holes etc.
Very aggressive look
Decent in snow and Ice

What I didnt like about them.

They are HEAVY!!! There was a noticeable drop in power and mpgs (I think 1.5-2)
They were slightly loud and had a decent hum on the freeways.
Once they got to about 40% tread left, they seemed to wear VERY quickly.

I now have a set of the bfg KM (not the km2) 255/75/17 C Load (jeep rubicon take offs)

What I like about these

Improved mpg over the toyos (mostly due to weight im sure)
Great on most terrain.
Quieter than the toyos all around
I have also read that many people get around 40,000 miles if you dont tear them up. I was only about 28,000 on the toyos when I decided to replace them.

What I dont like about them

Not as good on rock/slick stuff as the toyos
No large sidewall lugs like the toyos (The lugs on the toyos came in handy MANY times and now I get nervous about ripping a sidewall)
Not as agressive looking as the Toyos
Not quite as good in snow or Ice as the toyos

Hope this helps even though my bfgs arent exactly the same as the ones your looking at.

I had both these tires in the 33" size n agree with you on most part except that I think the km2s do better in the rocks n sand and to everyone that says they are horrible in the snow they are not that bad iv have done good with them this year I have 35s n kept up with my boys dual locked crawler on 37s toyo

just my experience

 

[blue dog]

Yoyo M/T = strongest production tire made. Anyone who wants a better ride, don't buy a M/T tire.