Time for new tires, again, help me decide

[RBLACAUSA]

Do I go for my 4th set of KO/KO2s?
Or do I go for KO3s?

I've had zero complaints on my C-rated KO/KO2s.
Zero holes or slices the few handfuls of times I've been out in the desert and mountains. Zero slippage the time I drove to Oregon in a winter storm and was snaking thru Siskiyou Pass in rain and sleet/snow going faster than I probably should've, and in the Sierra. Full-time 4WD was probably a factor there.

Been eyeing 275/70/17s but only see those in E-range and really don't want to go up in load range, especially since I've never had a problem with the C-range tires. And to be honest, the 265/70/17s have gotten me everywhere I want to go in Death/Panamint Valleys and the Sierra. While a slightly bigger tire sorta seems appealing, I'm not 100% sire it would even fit underneath and I have zero plans to carry my spare anywhere else, so 285/70/17s are out of the question even though they're available in C-range.

So, seems like I've already talked myself into sticking w/265/70/17 KO2s in C-range, unless I'm missing any new sizes or brands. Please enlighten me if I'm missing anything. BTW they'll go on my new Offroad Trail take-offs that I got for next to nothing.

TIA and recent photo from Great Basin area, NV, for attention.

 

[Berty_K]

I run 255/80r17s (33's) and carry a full size with the stock tire carrier.

Personally love the pizza cutter look and rocked them all over the west coast too.

 

[RBLACAUSA]

I run 255/80r17s (33's) and carry a full size with the stock tire carrier.

Personally love the pizza cutter look and rocked them all over the west coast too.

I have the V8 and it has the larger tow bar, which prevents a 33" tire from being crammed in there. That said, there is a 255/75/17 option, which is 0.5" larger diameter than the 265/70 17, and only a small bit narrower, so I'll check that out.

 

[Lyle6666]

My buddy's 3.6L Wrangler swapped to KO3s – says highway whining is way louder than KO2s, but the sidewalls hold up way better against cuts when he's off-roading.

 

[Boort]

RBLACAUSA

I'm currently running the BFG KO2 275/70/17 on my 2006 v8. and have no complaints on them. Massive upgrade over the stock tires I was running before the lift and they have taken me out to the west coast and back multiple times including towing the popup.

I Picked up a nail which caused me to look into this a couple of months ago and talking to the team over at Slee in Golden Colorado, they gave me 2 recommendations:
1) Toyo Open Country AT3 Tires LT275/70R17
2) BFG KO3 tires LT275/70R17

When I asked why the switch to Toyo over BFG KO's the answer was that Toyo has become their #1 recommended tire because they are the most “true to size” and the tires balance extremely well. BFG KO's have a reputation for requiring a lot of weight to balance out which adds to unsprung weight.

When I crawled under my rig I noticed there was a lot of weights on the KO2's from when they installed the tires for me a few years back. Luckily I was able to get the tire which picked up the nail patched and did not need to pay for a new set of tires this time around. So I can't speak to how the Toyo's ride.

Boort

 

[RBLACAUSA]

RBLACAUSA

I'm currently running the BFG KO2 275/70/17 on my 2006 v8. and have no complaints on them. Massive upgrade over the stock tires I was running before the lift and they have taken me out to the west coast and back multiple times including towing the popup.

I Picked up a nail which caused me to look into this a couple of months ago and talking to the team over at Slee in Golden Colorado, they gave me 2 recommendations:
1) Toyo Open Country AT3 Tires LT275/70R17
2) BFG KO3 tires LT275/70R17

When I asked why the switch to Toyo over BFG KO's the answer was that Toyo has become their #1 recommended tire because they are the most “true to size” and the tires balance extremely well. BFG KO's have a reputation for requiring a lot of weight to balance out which adds to unsprung weight.

When I crawled under my rig I noticed there was a lot of weights on the KO2's from when they installed the tires for me a few years back. Luckily I was able to get the tire which picked up the nail patched and did not need to pay for a new set of tires this time around. So I can't speak to how the Toyo's ride.

Boort

This is good info, thank you. Any info from Slee is golden. I'll look in to the Toyos. I see a lot of recs for Wildpeak AT4, too. I think the 275/70/17 *might* fit under the truck if not fully inflated. The only thing that's been keeping be from looking at the 275/70/17s is that I have an aversion to E-load rated tires and want to stick with C-load ratings for a better ride and lighter tire. I've wheeled all over Death Valley, Panamint Valley and the Sierra Mtns with the C-load 265/70/17s for maybe a dozen times and never had any issues with them, even when carrying a lot of gear/weight.

 

[88Center]

3peak rated Toyo Open Country AT3 for me. They are slightly louder than previous version AT2, but fantastic grip on all surfaces, including snow.

 

[RobStoration]

Pizza cutter AT3Ws!!! Only 52lb for E rated.
KO3 LT265/70R17 Load Range C are 46lb.

I say go for 33s!

 

[cullowheebandit]

KO2s are solid, and if they’ve never let you down, I’d stick with ‘em in 265/70/17 C-range. KO3s might be grippier in wet/snow and quieter, but you sound set. Skip the E-range 275s, too heavy, might not fit. Falken Wildpeak A/T4W could be worth a peek, but KO2s are hard to beat.

 

[5thToy]

KO3 in 265/70/17 load C will not be available until August. That size is currently only E load.

 

[dfontes]

Definitely stick with KO2/KO3 in C load.

I love my 285/70-17 KO2s in C load, and will most likely get the KO3s when the time comes. The only thing I don't like about the KO3s is that they are a little bit heavier than the KO2s.

 

[RBLACAUSA]

Update: I realized that I likely still have a couple good years left on my current tires, at 6 yrs old but only ~30k miles on them. The spare was fried at 13 yrs old and has cracks, so I'm simply replacing that with a 3 yr old used KO2 identical to the four I'm rolling on, found on eBay. That'll buy me a couple years and currently leaning towards KO3 at 265/70/17 or 255/75/17, both should be available in Load Range C by then.

 

[Ripper238]

Well if you are happy with the K02's you are happy with the K02's, K03 would be a fine choice too i would think.

Only new tires i would strongly suggest looking at is my favorite right now the RT Duratracs, or Baja Boss.

I have been impressed with my new RT's.