New tires...move on from BFG TA/KOs?

[Cricoid]

I have about 60k miles on my BFGs, and they are starting to feel a little slippery. I had sidewall damage in one about 8 months ago, and I replaced the one tire.

So I was considering moving to Nitto Terra Grapplers, but had questions. My BFGs are 265/65s, rims are stock Limited 18s. I have a Daystar 1.5/2.5 setup and have trimmed the fender liners up front.

The Nittos only come in 275/65r18. Would the extra 0.3 inches cause me rubbing problems? I would imagine not but I'm not sure. I know width and shape of the tire comes into play.

If I go with the Nittos, I'll have to buy 4 tires vs 3 (since that one BFG I have is barely broken in) BUT the price of 4 Nittos and 3 BFGs is about the same.

Opinions? I've been pleased with the BFGs, but also like to try new things. Truck has 102k miles, and I imagine this will be the last tire set I purchase for it.

Thanks!

 

[foxtrot]

They also have a new bfg at/ko 2

 

[t-man]

BFG AT's, worst tire I have ever owned..Ever! It's great the changed the design they've had forever, not sold on them though. The local tire dealers here, over 9 of them in my town, all refuse to sell them anymore. They last a good while, but that's about it in my opinion. You can get a much better tire for much less too. I've had the Hankook Dynapro ATM's and now the MT's on my truck, both have been excellent in every condition. snow, mud, sand, road, logs, not so many rocks here. I know this doesn't answer your question directly, but in my opinion anything is better over BFG.

 

[DCGweez]

If you feel like driving to Northern VA. i just pulled some 285/65r18s off my 4runner after 470 miles (They were on the truck 28 days). I bought Trail Grapplers instead (It's just my snow/off roading vehicle.)

 

[NCrunner0]

Really like my Cooper ST Maxx, haven't had them long but so far so good. Good on and off road!!

 

[awdjunkies]

I'm still enjoying my General Grabber AT2s :banana: even after a year they still look as good as new..

 

[Cricoid]

Thanks for the replies. Been reading up on the Hankooks.
They seem really well-received..and cheap!

 

[swapmeet]

Terra Grapplers seem to really last. I almost want them to wear out so I can go more aggressive. And the G2 has a 60k warranty which is unheard of.

 

[t-man]

Thanks for the replies. Been reading up on the Hankooks.
They seem really well-received..and cheap!

I bought 4 315/70/17 Hankook Dynapro MT from Discount Tire for $1054 out the door. I then went to my regular tire place and had them mounted (discount tire won't put them on without the TPMS) and I had them use tire beads for balancing. (sounds kinky :yuck: ) Can't beat the price, and the smaller ones are much cheaper compared to mine. Metric seem to be significantly cheaper than the standard 35x12.5x17 too, or other sizes for that matter, for some reason. I would run the Hankook ATM's, but I wanted MT's for the cool factor.

 

[Pathfinder5243]

I tried to mount 275/65-18 KO2's and with my lift and spacers and it didn't work. I'm not cutting my fender or removing my mud flaps either. I went with 265/65-18 KO's because they aren't making the 265/65 KO2 until after March.

I hear good things about the General tire but it's just that, a general tire. My boss rode Nitto Terra Grapplers religiously but put two sets per year on his F150.

I can't stand the Bridgestone Duler A/T or REVO's and I've had Hankook tires as well and they're the worst tire made in my opinion. I won't ride in any vehicle with Hankooks on them. I've seen them explode for no reason and they're just a shit tire.

TOYO open country is a good looking tire but I have no experience with them.

I've always been a BFG fan even when I ran the g-Force T/A KDW and KDW2's and they've never let me down. I tend to stick with what works for me.

But of course this is all just my opinion.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Yeah, Hankooks are cheap all right. I ran the Dyna Pros on my 3rd gen 4runner and liked them.

Then a year later, when I was in a different vehicle (and I was running BFG MTs) in the Deserts of Nevada, one of the guys I was with was running Hankooks and had not one but TWO catastrophic sidewall failures on his Hankooks. These tires just absolutely came apart, by the time he got stopped they were shredded. This was during moderate-speed running on rocky desert roads.

Now I'm not sure if he was running the LT's or the P-metric version, I also don't know how old his tires were (I know he had been running Hankooks for a couple of years, at least) but that was enough to put me off of Hankooks.

Where I live in CO and where I go off-road, which is in the deserts and mountains, sidewall strength is paramount and that's why I stick with BFGs, despite the cost. I also pay extra for LT-rated tires versus SL (standard load) which is the "car" tire version.

To the OP, have you looked at Goodyear Duratracs? I sure see a lot of people running them. They're around the same price as the BFGs but you might find a good deal somewhere if you shop around.

It's too bad there's not some kind of standard for sidewall rating. I think those of us who go off road would really like a nice, objective rating in order to be able to compare relative sidewall strengths of various tires.

IMO manufacturers who know that a lot of folks buy "off road" tires primarily because of their looks figure that since most of the people who buy their tires relatively go off road, they'll save some $$ by making them with thinner, weaker sidewalls. That's great until you get an unrepairable flat and you're 100 miles from the nearest town.

I'm not necessarily a BFG fanboy, but I do think they've gotten where they are in the market for a good reason, and tires are one of the few areas where I'm simply too risk-averse to take the cheap option.

 

[xpeppyx]

So now that I've got some miles on my KO's I think I can comment on them better. It took me a while to find the right pressure, but running them at 40-42psi gives me the best ride and mpgs. They were nice and sticky when I lived in GA and had much better grip than the Terra Grapplers I had on before.

Now that I've driven on them here in Colorado with snow and ice I'm still not dissappointed. They have grip and when they do slip it's controlled and I can easily correct. I think a lot of people feel that tires should give you super powers to defy the laws of physics. As long as you drive appropriately for the conditions the KO's won't let you down.

That being said, once March rolls around I will most likely be switching to the 34x10.5 KO2's. Mainly because I like tall skinnies and the sidewall improvements on the KO2.

 

[RyanCocolin]

If you feel like driving to Northern VA. i just pulled some 285/65r18s off my 4runner after 470 miles (They were on the truck 28 days). I bought Trail Grapplers instead (It's just my snow/off roading vehicle.)

What kind of tires And do you have pics? I'm in Maryland and looking for new tires.

 

[Champ306]

I have always had great luck with KO's. will be switching up to KO2's in spring. I feel they are always mimic'd by other companies. Cooper/General etc...

Its hard to really say what is best when there is so many out there. I tried Revo's once, and that was enough to send me back to BFG's. I guess whatever you feel you can afford, and where you may buy them. Lord knows you will get tons of opinions and feedback no matter what you choose.

 

[chompster4runner]

First time with KO's and I like em'.My brother always had the Toyo OpenC but they wear out in less than a year.

 

[DCGweez]

What kind of tires And do you have pics? I'm in Maryland and looking for new tires.

They are Terra Grapplers. I can take pics but give me a day or so. I have all the info showing when they were put on and when my Terra were put on.

 

[Burnzy]

I have Terra Grappler. I've had the for a year / 6,000miles. They still look brand new. I've been off road 4-5 times and they have been terrific. Mud, clay, river crossings, snow and some damn big rocks have been zero problems. They are nice on the road, in fact I never think about them. Don't get me wrong, there are better tires out there but you will not find a better one for the price.

 

[Sporin]

BFG AT's, worst tire I have ever owned..Ever! It's great the changed the design they've had forever, not sold on them though. The local tire dealers here, over 9 of them in my town, all refuse to sell them anymore.

Hyperbole much?

No offense, I find it hard to believe that the 9 tire dealers in Traverse City, Michigan refuse to sell one of the most popular AT tires on the market.

 

[t-man]

Hyperbole much?

No offense, I find it hard to believe that the 9 tire dealers in Traverse City, Michigan refuse to sell one of the most popular AT tires on the market.

Call them. They said they have terrible reviews, rubber is to hard and they just don't have any demand for them.
They were fine for me on the road, no issues other than they were really stiff, but when I took them offroad, sand and mud mainly, they were worthless. Then the snow came....I can honestly say I was scared for my life! I had to go so slow it was ridiculous. I switched back to my stock sized Hankook ATM's and they were great. I used those until my new Hankook MT's were delivered and installed. Went for a ride today in over a foot of snow through the backwoods, didn't spin unless I floored it on purpose. Drove all around town, was flawless even on slippery roads.
Some said that they have heard of the sidewalls blowing out, they are softer rubber than a BFG so maybe they don't do as well on rocky desert runs. I have the D range and they are 10ply if I remember right. No issue's for me, but again I don't do any desert runs here. When I can afford a LT kit I'll report back how they hold up.
Now, I LOVED the G-Force tires!! They are badass!! But again, softer rubber. I have read from the reviews that BFG drastically softened the rubber on the KO2's, and of course tweaked the tread pattern and sidewall pattern. Seems they had to up their game a little to me...

 

[Pathfinder5243]

Now I'm not sure if he was running the LT's or the P-metric version, I also don't know how old his tires were (I know he had been running Hankooks for a couple of years, at least) but that was enough to put me off of Hankooks.

Where I live in CO and where I go off-road, which is in the deserts and mountains, sidewall strength is paramount and that's why I stick with BFGs, despite the cost. I also pay extra for LT-rated tires versus SL (standard load) which is the "car" tire version.

It's too bad there's not some kind of standard for sidewall rating. I think those of us who go off road would really like a nice, objective rating in order to be able to compare relative sidewall strengths of various tires.

So now that I've got some miles on my KO's I think I can comment on them better. It took me a while to find the right pressure, but running them at 40-42psi gives me the best ride and mpgs. They were nice and sticky when I lived in GA and had much better grip than the Terra Grapplers I had on before.

I have always had great luck with KO's. will be switching up to KO2's in spring.

All good comments.

But from the ones that have either had or currently have the BFG's I have a question. Not to jack the thread but one of you spoke about tire pressure and MPG's. I run the 265/65-18's E load. The tire shop told me to run them at 40psi and I did for a week and noticed no wear on the outside tread. I'm currently running 34psi and getting an average 14MPG's which BLOWS! My alignment is good because I get it done every three months.

Any suggestions?