Tire suggestions

[mendozer]

This summer I'll be adding some ATs in 32 size for my rig. I'm debating between the BF Goodrich AT KO2, Mastercraft MXT, and General Grabber AT2.

I've used the grabbers before on my CRV and it did great with hunting and winter mountain driving. I've heard good things about Mastercraft as they're popular on wrangler forums. I can get the BF Goodrich at Costco for 188 a piece. I'm not paying more than that. I'd like a $500-600 ballpark for all four if I could.

 

[audiness]

I just got a set of ko2 s and so far they are awesome . I paid close to $1k for 5 of them in 265/70/17

 

[psraff]

I had a nice long reply wrote up, but I deleted it for several reasons.

I asked the same questions when I needed my new set 3 or 4 years ago. Between the KO2s and the Toyo MT (yes, I know you didn't have them listed). Due to my ice \ snow conditions, I was directed heavily to go Toyo over the KO2 tire.

The thing with Tires is, is it's like talking Politics, or Religion. People can get testy pretty quick! LOL

I was going to say, if you drive up over the pass in the winter I would choose something other then the KO2. But I know right when I said that, I would have 10 people flame me.

What I like to do is find a detailed spec sheet on each tire you're interested in. Besides the handling in different weather conditions; weight, road noise, and longevity are also important.

Reading reviews about someone running a tire in the wet Midwest clay doesn't help you if you run highway and dry dirt mountain roads.

Can you get each tire locally from a good dealer who has no issues in warranting their tire? (for me, this is a hard one. Another reason why I went with my Toyo Tires)

Good luck in your search!

 

[JayRolla]

I say get the round ones. The square ones ride a little rough.

 

[mendozer]

I looked at tire rack since they have the review and research chart. They don't have toyo however. So ko2s aren't good on ice huh

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[psraff]

I looked at tire rack since they have the review and research chart. They don't have toyo however. So ko2s aren't good on ice huh

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I personally don't know. I was just going off what others on here told me when I was looking. Between those two tires in those conditions, the KO2s weren't the top choice.

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[Tyler21]

I looked at tire rack since they have the review and research chart. They don't have toyo however. So ko2s aren't good on ice huh

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I have the k02s on mine. not a huge fane of the ice performance. I was just driving and had the back end kick out on me up a hill in 4wd but then again ice is ice and nothing does really good unless it is studded snow tires. I might end up having to go to a winter tire next year.

 

[blaze17]

My friends with KO2's blow my Duratracs away in icy snow. I have also been hearing rave reviews of the General Grabber AT2 in similar conditions.

 

[mendozer]

I just looked into Cooper as well. I really don't want to drive all over creation to hear opinions from different tire shops though.

I had the grabbers before and they were legit. Tread pattern looks almost identical to KO2. Maybe the rubber's different for the price, or maybe it's just marketing.

I can't find one site to compare all of them though. Heck, I've never heard of mastercraft before last week. Also alot of the tire reviews and ratings feature marketing "bleh" terminology.

 

[fblainen11]

The Falken Wildpeak AT3W was tested heavily in snow and icy conditions. It has the little winter seal on it for passing a certain standard in snow and ice.

That may be worth looking into.

 

[Scramble]

This summer I'll be adding some ATs in 32 size for my rig. I'm debating between the BF Goodrich AT KO2, Mastercraft MXT, and General Grabber AT2.

I've used the grabbers before on my CRV and it did great with hunting and winter mountain driving. I've heard good things about Mastercraft as they're popular on wrangler forums. I can get the BF Goodrich at Costco for 188 a piece. I'm not paying more than that. I'd like a $500-600 ballpark for all four if I could.

Discount Tire Direct should be having their big sale soon so I'd hold off until then. $100 off a $400 purchase. So you could get $800 worth of tires for $600.

 

[JayRolla]

Ive ran the older BFG A/T and they did awesome in snow and ice situations compared to other aggressive AT's and Muds I have tried. I dont see how the KO2's would not do good in snow and ice.

 

[psraff]

Yeah, tire selection is a B*tch.... By no means am I trying to hijack your thread, but I just got back from hitting up the two places here local (haven't hit the next town over yet)...

Toyo MT 315/75R16 set of 5 is $1978 LOL
BF Goodrich KM2 was only $1438.84
BF Goodrich KO2 was less at $1210.76

Even though they sell General, they never heard of or could get the Grabber (I had to show them the tire on their computer). Never heard of Falken either.

So I hope you have better luck then I. I may have to drive up to Anchorage (2 1/2 hours away) for more options. Another reason you guys are lucky down there. You have so many more options to pick from.

 

[jgue467]

If you're that much on the fence why not find a tire dealer that has all/most of what you're looking at that will allow you to 'try on' a set of tires? My Discount Tire allows that. It's just long enough to determine if ya' like the feel of them.

I don't know about KOs but my current tire is on so very different feeling than the previous Hankook Dynapro ATMs (which were a great tire for me on highway, sand, loose soil, rock, cactus, ect). Luck and enjoy. :cowboy:

 

[mendozer]

I have the k02s on mine. not a huge fane of the ice performance. I was just driving and had the back end kick out on me up a hill in 4wd but then again ice is ice and nothing does really good unless it is studded snow tires. I might end up having to go to a winter tire next year.

Absolutely, ice is ice. I do like how some are studdable for that reason. Is that a thing we can do ourselves?

 

[psraff]

Would you care to be the first person I've heard of to buy the Nitto Ridge Grappler? I would love to but they don't have them in a 16". Wasn't really wanting to buy new wheels as well, though whenever I look at them I am so very tempted.

Ridge Grappler Light Truck Tire

 

[psraff]

Discount Tire Direct should be having their big sale soon so I'd hold off until then. $100 off a $400 purchase. So you could get $800 worth of tires for $600.

How much is shipping for you if you got tires from their site? UPS Ground is $1,060 for me....





:toilet:

 

[Tyler21]

Absolutely, ice is ice. I do like how some are studdable for that reason. Is that a thing we can do ourselves?

once a tire is driven on you can not stud it. it opens the holes up and the studs would fall out. and no you couldn't really stud it your self. you need a special gun. and from everything I am hearing Washington is going to be pushing heavy taxes to keep studs off the road. but that is just here say on my side of the industry.

as far as mastercrafts go it is made by cooper. decent tires. I can say I had better luck in my 2015 Colorado on 35's in 2wd with the cooper st maxx then I did in my 4r in 4x4. but that is two different cars so that is not a fair compression

 

[psraff]

Ok, because I posted a bunch of crap that didn't really cover your original question, I did a bit of research.

Comparing the KO2 to the General Grabber, this is what I found.

For all the lower important items, (Road Noise, Tread Life, Comfort) the KO2 is a better tire, by a bit of a margin. For keeping your vehicle on the road and upright (Wet, Dry, Snow Traction) the Grabber is rated higher, by a slim margin.

Would buy again factor, the Grabber is at 100% while the KO2 is at 93%, But overall the KO2 tire is rated higher by .4 (that's POINT 4) out of 10.

That was just from one site. I don't have the price or the tire weight of each in front of me. For me, the weight of a tire is a big deal (or was, but I am pushing to get new gears this year). If there's a 5 or 6 lbs difference between two tires that are very similar, I would take the lighter tire (unless there's quality factor due to the difference in weight).

Going off of this site, if I had to pick and the weight and price was the same, I would take the General over the KO2, due to the traction factor. But myself, I don't really care about road noise, or ride comfort (within reason, of course).

 

[mendozer]

Yeah I'm sticking with 16" I think, so those are out for me too. But the Nitto grapplers looks like the mastercraft MXTs.

As for the grabbers, the ONLY negative was increased road noise b/w 30 and 45 mph. And it wasn't that bad. MY 4runner stock road noise when I take off the gas is about the same volume as that was on my CRV,