Thoughts, experience with ST maxxx, ko2s, nitto grappler g2s

[quicksandTRDPRO]

Those who have experience with these three tires (Cooper ST maxxx, BFG ko2s, Nitto Terra grappler g2), what order would you put these three in for what they are designed for, All terrain?How have they handled off road, on road, snow and slick roads, tread wear? Thanks

 

[4RunnerAU]

I have never driven any of them but I personally want the ST Maxxx's in 255/80/17 for my next set, if that tells you anything

 

[jmf_tracy]

I have the Nitto Terra Grappler G2s on my TRD PRO and i like them just fine and could recommend them. ON road the are fine, i have very limited experience with these off-road. It all depends on your usage and expectations.
That being said, i will be replacing them with Nitto Trail Grapplers in LT285/75R17 E 121/118Q after i install my ICON suspension.

Those who have experience with these three tires (Cooper ST maxxx, BFG ko2s, Nitto Terra grappler g2), what order would you put these three in for what they are designed for, All terrain?How have they handled off road, on road, snow and slick roads, tread wear? Thanks

 

[Muddy Duck]

I have 275/70r17 KO2's on my SR5 with a 3" OME lift. They are heavy tires but I've been very happy with them. They are quiet for AT tires and handle the highway nicely. They handle a 4500# trailer as well as any other E rated tire. On dirt roads they'll pick up rocks and throw them, but grip predictably. Aired down they're very good in more technical environs. I would buy them again.

 

[carolinapanic]

thanks for the thoughts, I'm gonna pick up K02s next week on my new stock '16 SR5

 

[RIZZOSHARP]

I put KO2s on my 4runner and have very mixed feelings about them. They have been great in dry and highway usage as well as gravel road situations, but in the wet, they honestly sketch me out. They are very slick and I am second guessing my purchase. I have Dura-Tracs on my FJ and they have been amazing in all situations, including semi-deep snow. I honestly would not purchase the KO2s again.

 

[Cheers!]

No experience on any... But if I had 17 wheels, I would pick ST MAXXX in 255/75/17 C load range.

 

[mybabydaddy]

Running the G2s on a 2014 TEP... Decent to above decent on-road manners (mine tend to make a weird little "whine" above 55-60.... But hey, it's supposed to be an AT tire so I wasn't expecting Michelin style cruising). Much better wet performance than the stock Dunflops. I chose the G2s because I do a ton of on road, and very little off road, so needed to buy accordingly.

One thing to remember, we all have different driving habits... So what I may think handles great in wet weather, others may think sucks. But I drive like a grandma most of the time these days in the Runner. I'm old and spent 20 years going fast... I like taking my time now. [emoji16]

PS - I would say after reading hours and hours of threads, most would tell you the ST Maxxx and KO2s are better suited off-roaders, over the G2s... But again, depends on what you plan to do off road. There are def guys who are running the Nittos off-road and say they do good in most situations.

 

[quicksandTRDPRO]

Thanks for the input so far.

 

[esa31.8t]

I've got the KO2 in 275/70/17 on TRD Pro wheels.

So far I like them. I (twice) recently towed a 12 foot uhaul trailer from Roseville to Reno (over the sierra's during the night and back) during some freezing/snow conditions and got home safely both times. I've got a limited (AWD) and also used the locking center diff. but either way got home ok.

I too was going between the ST Maax and KO2's but ultimately went with the KO2's because they have the mountain snowflake symbol.

I just purchased a 2016 4Runner Limited and will probably try the ST Maax with a set of TRD Pro wheels on that one.

Honestly though, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3 tire choices you posted.

 

[BobsTrail]

Honestly though, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3 tire choices you posted.

:iagree:

Add Toyo Open Country AT II to the list. Installed a set last week and went on a mild snow trip with very good results.

 

[Davemon]

I've been running the KO2s (285's, load rating E) since Thanksgiving, had some long highway trips, and some recent experience in ice/snow. I think they do fine in the wet, predictable grip but you can break them free if you really try. Good road manners, very little hum. Feel solid, but then again, I moved up from a C load rating on my old Coopers, to an E on this set. I like how they feel, but man, they are heavy. Took a full 2mpg hit with the change. I'll probably move back down to a 275 next time around. But all in all, they were exactly what I expected (ran BFG KOs for years on my Toyota p/u). I hope I can get 60k out of them like I have with my other KOs.

 

[jstim]

Hey, have you looked at the General Grabber AT2's? I've had great experience with them on my 3rd gen, and that's what I'm putting on the 2015 as soon as I order the lift. They have been great overall, and they are cheap.

 

[st8rocks]

255/80 Cooper ST Maxx. Great tire on and offroad. 10,000 miles on them now and no regrets. Hoping to try them in the snow but [MENTION=93894]J-BlickPhoto[/MENTION] says they do great. You won't be disappointed especially with the price.

 

[Dark Lord]

I have never driven any of them but I personally want the ST Maxxx's in 255/80/17 for my next set, if that tells you anything

This.

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

I had stock size Cooper ST Maxx in Load E. I loved them, they looked awesome and let me wheel through some crazy stuff in Hollister Hills, CA I never knew I'd be willing to do in a $35k vehicle. I got rid of them after 1000 miles and went with a milder Cooper AT3. It was a fun tire, but the AT3 was better suited for my 95% highway driving, the slight drone of the ST Maxx and the 14mpg hwy (mainly the mpg loss) is what drove me to return them. Great tire but for driving as much as I was at the time it just didn't fit. Now if I get another vehicle and keep the 4Runner so it's no longer the primary road trip vehicle I would slap them back on in a heartbeat.

With that said, the AT3 has been a great much less aggressive tire similar to the G2 and after almost 15k miles on them, they're quiet, get me 20mph highway even with a 2.5" lift, and are fantastic in wet, ice, snow traction as well as forest service roads. So if you are leaning to the G2, give them a look, if you want more aggressive go ST Maxx.

 

[Magnetic4R]

My take on what I've read,

(Off-road)--- ST Maxx > KO2 > G2 ---(On-road)

All are capable but Depending on your needs and driving, KO2 should good overall.
For me, I'm planning on 285s ST Maxx. Want to try out their deeper aggressive thread for those sticky situations. The looks is a plus too =)

 

[EL CID]

I've got 275/70r17 KO2s on stock wheels. With <500 miles on them I drove from Vegas to Moab and they were quiet on the highway, then awesome on the Gemini Bridges trail, and held up great in the snowstorm from Moab back to Vegas. The E rating makes them a little heavier than the stock Duelers, and it's knocked my mileage down but it's so negligible that it's worth it (~1 mpg difference depending on driving conditions). My 2 cents...

 

[2014 Warthog]

Been running 275 KO2s for about 20 k now. They are still quiet on the road, awesome for desert offroad and though I haven't been in a TON of rain yet, they seem perfectly planted in everything I've driven so far. I've even tried a few times (mildly) to get them to skid around corners and they seem to grip pretty well.

I run them at 44 PSI on road though and most people seem to under inflate them for comfort, that may be a problem in the rain causing some people to not have good rain performance. Under inflating will make them hydroplane more than they should (like any tire). Underinflating also causes them to run louder as one might expect. Should run at least 40-42.

 

[BigredTEX]

Both my son and I have the ST/Maxx in 285/70-17. He has close to 40K miles on his and I have about 10K. It is the best compromise tire I've found. Aggressive enough for very good off road performance and smooth and quiet enough on road to be tolerable. E rated so they are heavy, but they are very tough. I replaced a set of KM2's and have never looked back.