New type of BFG KO2 rubber

S

sactown

Member
I'm shopping for some new KO2s for my truck and discovered they now have "DT" type KO2s. I tried to look up DT on the BFG website and it means "Aide Marking DT", very helpful and informative description don't you think? The only difference I could find on the BFG website was the DT has a 50k mile tread warranty.

Went to tirerack site and compared the two in 265/75/16 and learned a bit more, there DT means "Different Tread, No 3PMSF", weighs 1lb more, is 0.2" wider and OD is 0.1" taller.

I had never heard of 3PMSF before (been a while since I shopped for truck tires) and a quick search learned it is the Three Peaks snow rating, more info here https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=125

After chatting with both BFG and tirerack, it seems the DT tires have a new harder longer wearing compound, and as such no longer achieves the snow rating. But what makes it more confusing is the BFG site as of my writing this still has the snow rating logo on the DT tires so their site is screwed up.

So the point of all this is not all KO2 tires are created equal. Not only are there load ratings of C, D and E depending on size, but in some sizes there is a DT harder compound version and a regular version which impacts the snow rating and tread life. But the user reviews of all of these flavors are all mixed together as if they are all the same when they are not. About the only thing in common is the tread design.

My choice for my truck will be the KO2 DT E rated since I rarely take it up in the snow and want the most load and tread life I can get for that vehicle, and the T4R will be getting either regular KO2 or the new KM3, haven't decided yet. It's good to have options, but understanding the differences helps too.
 
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It looks like we may need to start comparing serial numbers instead of just load ratings..
This could explain so many of the different driving experiences.
 
sactown said:
I'm shopping for some new KO2s for my truck and discovered they now have "DT" type KO2s. I tried to look up DT on the BFG website and it means "Aide Marking DT", very helpful and informative description don't you think? The only difference I could find on the BFG website was the DT has a 50k mile tread warranty.

Went to tirerack site and compared the two in 265/75/16 and learned a bit more, there DT means "Different Tread, No 3PMSF", weighs 1lb more, is 0.2" wider and OD is 0.1" taller.

I had never heard of 3PMSF before (been a while since I shopped for truck tires) and a quick search learned it is the Three Peaks snow rating, more info here https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=125

After chatting with both BFG and tirerack, it seems the DT tires have a new harder longer wearing compound, and as such no longer achieves the snow rating. But what makes it more confusing is the BFG site as of my writing this still has the snow rating logo on the DT tires so their site is screwed up.

So the point of all this is not all KO2 tires are created equal. Not only are there load ratings of C, D and E depending on size, but in some sizes there is a DT harder compound version and a regular version which impacts the snow rating and tread life. But the user reviews of all of these flavors are all mixed together as if they are all the same when they are not. About the only thing in common is the tread design.

My choice for my truck will be the KO2 DT E rated since I rarely take it up in the snow and want the most load and tread life I can get for that vehicle, and the T4R will be getting either regular KO2 or the new KM3, haven't decided yet. It's good to have options, but understanding the differences helps too.
Click to expand...

This was also the case with the original KO in select sizes. I had the 275/70R18, and that particular model did not carry the 3PMS logo because of the compound and slightly different siping. For what its worth they sucked in winter and I switched them while they still had quite a bit of tread left as a result.
 
jdurunner said:
This was also the case with the original KO in select sizes. I had the 275/70R18, and that particular model did not carry the 3PMS logo because of the compound and slightly different siping. For what its worth they sucked in winter and I switched them while they still had quite a bit of tread left as a result.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. Thankfully snow driving is not important for my truck, but will matter more for the T4R taking some winter trips up to Tahoe and surrounding areas in the Sierra. I've read good reviews of regular KO2 and KM3 in the snow but don't know what peoples driving habits, expectations and comparisons are, also those conditions can vary so much it is hard to judge without just trying. I've had very good experience in general with BFG. I currently have E rated KO on my truck over 10 yr old and they have done extremely well for me, but is mainly just pavement and some gravel and dirt roads and the occasional mud. Also many sets of BFGs on my cars, but obviously a different use.

It sure would be helpful if the reviews were more specific as to what actual tire people are reviewing.
 
Thanks for the info / heads up.

FWIW...no way I'd trade the 3 peak rating for just a 50k mi warranty ... I had the 3 peak KO2's (load E) for 60k+ miles and still had 5+ mm's on them when I finally cut a sidewall on a rock while aired down out wheeling. Those tires would've lasted to 70k mi before needing replacement. With how good they were on road / in snow / out wheeling... I wouldnt want to change to the harder compound version.



sactown said:
I'm shopping for some new KO2s for my truck and discovered they now have "DT" type KO2s. I tried to look up DT on the BFG website and it means "Aide Marking DT", very helpful and informative description don't you think? The only difference I could find on the BFG website was the DT has a 50k mile tread warranty.

Went to tirerack site and compared the two in 265/75/16 and learned a bit more, there DT means "Different Tread, No 3PMSF", weighs 1lb more, is 0.2" wider and OD is 0.1" taller.

I had never heard of 3PMSF before (been a while since I shopped for truck tires) and a quick search learned it is the Three Peaks snow rating, more info here https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=125

After chatting with both BFG and tirerack, it seems the DT tires have a new harder longer wearing compound, and as such no longer achieves the snow rating. But what makes it more confusing is the BFG site as of my writing this still has the snow rating logo on the DT tires so their site is screwed up.

So the point of all this is not all KO2 tires are created equal. Not only are there load ratings of C, D and E depending on size, but in some sizes there is a DT harder compound version and a regular version which impacts the snow rating and tread life. But the user reviews of all of these flavors are all mixed together as if they are all the same when they are not. About the only thing in common is the tread design.

My choice for my truck will be the KO2 DT E rated since I rarely take it up in the snow and want the most load and tread life I can get for that vehicle, and the T4R will be getting either regular KO2 or the new KM3, haven't decided yet. It's good to have options, but understanding the differences helps too.
Click to expand...

sactown said:
Thanks for the input. Thankfully snow driving is not important for my truck, but will matter more for the T4R taking some winter trips up to Tahoe and surrounding areas in the Sierra. I've read good reviews of regular KO2 and KM3 in the snow but don't know what peoples driving habits, expectations and comparisons are, also those conditions can vary so much it is hard to judge without just trying. I've had very good experience in general with BFG. I currently have E rated KO on my truck over 10 yr old and they have done extremely well for me, but is mainly just pavement and some gravel and dirt roads and the occasional mud. Also many sets of BFGs on my cars, but obviously a different use.

It sure would be helpful if the reviews were more specific as to what actual tire people are reviewing.
Click to expand...
 
Folsom4Rnr said:
Thanks for the info / heads up.

FWIW...no way I'd trade the 3 peak rating for just a 50k mi warranty ... I had the 3 peak KO2's (load E) for 60k+ miles and still had 5+ mm's on them when I finally cut a sidewall on a rock while aired down out wheeling. Those tires would've lasted to 70k mi before needing replacement. With how good they were on road / in snow / out wheeling... I wouldnt want to change to the harder compound version.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. I agree I don't want DTs on my T4R.
 
Just looked at mine, and sure enough..They are the shitty ones. This could explain easily why I have such poor wet traction as well, and have voiced it so heatedly on this site in some of the K02 discussions.
 
Dang, I just purchased the C load K02 (haven't installed yet). Not sure if they are DT or not. I really don't care too much as Texas doesn't have much snow. But would have been nice to know. Had to special order the raised white lettering in the C load as Discount Tired didn't have that version.

Talked to a guy yesterday that had the E load and switched to C load. He said C was much better. Turning was easier and gas mileage went up 1.5 mpg. Not sure if I believe that or not as the E load is only about 7 lbs heavier but that is what he said.
 
mteolus said:
Dang, I just purchased the C load K02 (haven't installed yet). Not sure if they are DT or not. I really don't care too much as Texas doesn't have much snow. But would have been nice to know. Had to special order the raised white lettering in the C load as Discount Tired didn't have that version.

Talked to a guy yesterday that had the E load and switched to C load. He said C was much better. Turning was easier and gas mileage went up 1.5 mpg. Not sure if I believe that or not as the E load is only about 7 lbs heavier but that is what he said.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong but I think the DT versions are only available as an E rated, but check with your dealer to be sure
 
sactown said:
Yes that might explain things
Click to expand...

A buddy of mine has the old Mud Terrains on his Jeep Rubicon in C load and I swear the tread at 40k is still thicker than most new Mud Terrains. No doubt 80k would be minimum. They would probably crack before they wore out. But the rubber is hard and loud, so assume that must mean the DT. It doesn't rain too much here (all at once usually then clears up for a while, not most days like Seattle) so I don't think he cares too much about wet traction though.

I guess you can't have both, either DT or snow rated tires. Each has its pros and cons. Perhaps snow country non-DT and desert DT.
 
mteolus said:
A buddy of mine has the old Mud Terrains on his Jeep Rubicon in C load and I swear the tread at 40k is still thicker than most new Mud Terrains. No doubt 80k would be minimum. They would probably crack before they wore out. But the rubber is hard and loud, so assume that must mean the DT. It doesn't rain too much here (all at once usually then clears up for a while, not most days like Seattle) so I don't think he cares too much about wet traction though.

I guess you can't have both, either DT or snow rated tires. Each has its pros and cons. Perhaps snow country non-DT and desert DT.
Click to expand...

It’s unusual but around here we can deal with such weather extremes through the year and very different terrain. 110° in the summer in the valley to ski resorts in the winter a short drive away. Makes selecting an all around tire pretty difficult if trying for a do all. Keeps it interesting.
 
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