yet another yet another which tire is best thread Grabber AT2 or KO2

[bamma]

KO2s are horrible on ice. AT2 is cheaper and better. The Cooper Discoverer AT3 is supposed to be amazing.

Check out tirebuyer.com too.

 

[Dpassmore]

I'm at 50k on the at2 and have at least 10-20k life left.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bamma]

To expand on my prior post, the KO2 is a decent tire in everything but ice. All AT tires are not going to be good on ice, but the KO2 is abysmal on ice.

There was a tire shootout (posted here somewhere) where the Cooper AT3 won in almost every (or maybe every) category. When I bought my AT2s, I lived in an area where a snowflake symbol was required on a tire to drive without chains in many snow storms, so I went with the AT2s (the Cooper, while supposedly good in snow, did not get severe snow tested, so no snowflake symbol).

I have some KO2s I put on my wife's 5th gen, and won't use them in the winter (after she got stuck on a low grade hill during an ice storm where I had to go rescue her, I decided I couldn't trust the KO2s to keep my family safe in winter driving). I have AT2s on my 4th gen and use them all year long.

If you live in an area without winter ice, the KO2 would be great, otherwise avoid unless you plan to use separate winter tires (which isn't a bad idea when you are running any AT tire).

 

[hawk-i]

To expand on my prior post, the KO2 is a decent tire in everything but ice. All AT tires are not going to be good on ice, but the KO2 is abysmal on ice.

There was a tire shootout (posted here somewhere) where the Cooper AT3 won in almost every (or maybe every) category. When I bought my AT2s, I lived in an area where a snowflake symbol was required on a tire to drive without chains in many snow storms, so I went with the AT2s (the Cooper, while supposedly good in snow, did not get severe snow tested, so no snowflake symbol).

I have some KO2s I put on my wife's 5th gen, and won't use them in the winter (after she got stuck on a low grade hill during an ice storm where I had to go rescue her, I decided I couldn't trust the KO2s to keep my family safe in winter driving). I have AT2s on my 4th gen and use them all year long.

If you live in an area without winter ice, the KO2 would be great, otherwise avoid unless you plan to use separate winter tires (which isn't a bad idea when you are running any AT tire).

Just to add a bit to the winter tire debate, here is an interesting article I found with some direct testing of the KO2 in snow/ice (http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/03/winter-tire-test-some-treads-are-better-than-others.html). It did alright but really cannot compete with dedicated winter tires. Seem at best an a/t will only ever be best of the rest in packed snow / ice.

 

[bamma]

Just to add a bit to the winter tire debate, here is an interesting article I found with some direct testing of the KO2 in snow/ice (Winter Tire Test: Some Treads Are Better Than Others - PickupTrucks.com News). It did alright but really cannot compete with dedicated winter tires. Seem at best an a/t will only ever be best of the rest in packed snow / ice.

Looks like a snow comparision to me. I don't see anything on ice. I agree ATs aren't good in snow generally, but after my wife's 4runner with KO2s got stuck on an icy hill (where subarus were making it up with regular street tires) I had to go pull her out with my AT2s. I didn't have great traction, but I was able to get her car to safety and get up the hill myself. I have driven the KO2s in packed snow and they do fine, I just don't trust them for winter driving overall due to poor ice performance.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Bfgoodrich over Grabber. Grabber a good copy of old TA that lasts 20 to 25k ish. Bf double that. Bf quieter.
They are not the same. Grabber dealer and guys will say they are though.

Had 40k on my AT2's still had about 30% left. I had BFG AT's on my Scout, split one side wall and got a flat from a pine cone.. I'll stay with the Generals.

M2C

 

[snowboardwcu]

Bfgoodrich over Grabber. Grabber a good copy of old TA that lasts 20 to 25k ish. Bf double that. Bf quieter.
They are not the same. Grabber dealer and guys will say they are though.

for twice the price of course the BFs are better in most categories. its that snow/ice traction category that makes me second guess the price. lots of guys getting 40k,50k+ out of grabs.

KO2s are horrible on ice. AT2 is cheaper and better. The Cooper Discoverer AT3 is supposed to be amazing.

so many horror stories about coopers and balancing, i crossed them off early. i also remember reading your posts during researching, having to save the wife is no joke. this is the situation i DO NOT want to get into.

 

[snowboardwcu]

Just to add a bit to the winter tire debate, here is an interesting article I found with some direct testing of the KO2 in snow/ice (Winter Tire Test: Some Treads Are Better Than Others - PickupTrucks.com News). It did alright but really cannot compete with dedicated winter tires. Seem at best an a/t will only ever be best of the rest in packed snow / ice.

great article. for an all terrain tire to hold up against dedicated winter tires, thats impressive. nothing beats a tire created to hold up in the winter, but this kinda makes me lean back to KO2. damn you! :decision:

 

[BRUIN8124]

I figured I would chime in about the Grabber AT2's

I have had these for about a year and a half and I love them. I find it to be the perfect combination of on road/off road/aggressiveness/quiet/smooth/long lasting/cost etc...

I have had great luck with them and I plan to buy them again when I need them. The treads have worn nice and evenly and they do great in the Maine snow.

Granted I do not do any heavy wheeling in my rig... I am off road quite a bit and have been in a few sketchy places. The grabbers always have had the bite to get me out.

The choice is yours my friend...

 

[hawk-i]

I figured I would chime in about the Grabber AT2's

I have had these for about a year and a half and I love them. I find it to be the perfect combination of on road/off road/aggressiveness/quiet/smooth/long lasting/cost etc...

I have had great luck with them and I plan to buy them again when I need them. The treads have worn nice and evenly and they do great in the Maine snow.

Granted I do not do any heavy wheeling in my rig... I am off road quite a bit and have been in a few sketchy places. The grabbers always have had the bite to get me out.

The choice is yours my friend...

Any experience on packed snow specifically or ice?


I was all set on KO2's because of the snowflake, but these comments are making me second guess myself. My primary concern is Ice and packed snow where I live..

 

[hawk-i]

Last external link I'll throw in here..

Consumer Survey Results By Category

Overall comparison for all AT's, from various conditions.

 

[Utopia]

Grabbers on mine. They are quiet and I would buy them again. Plus I saved $200 over the KO2

 

[BRUIN8124]

Any experience on packed snow specifically or ice?


I was all set on KO2's because of the snowflake, but these comments are making me second guess myself. My primary concern is Ice and packed snow where I live..

I have been in every kind of snow there is on these tires (AT2's) and personally I feel they are great in all conditions. Keep in mind I have never owned a set of snow or winter tires in my life so I do not have them to compare with.

I truly believe it is more the driver than the tires. I drive cautiously and only as fast as conditions allow. As You know if you drive like an idiot on snow and ice you're going to lose control and wipe out. On ice these tires will slide just like any other. Packed snow I think they do pretty well!

That being said... I do feel they perform great in all snowy conditions compared to other tires I've run in the past. I would recommend them to any family or friends in a heartbeat.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Had the Grabbers on a 2000 Disco, it was excellent in all kinds of snow.

 

[snowboardwcu]

Last external link I'll throw in here..

Consumer Survey Results By Category

Overall comparison for all AT's, from various conditions.

Thanks, I've looked at a lot of these. Honestly, they rely on regular people rating a product based on limited knowledge and experience. I didn't trust these ratings fully. Obv the BF is gonna be rated tops, it's better be at 240/tire.

Wish I didn't have to get five of these guys ha.

With where you are located I'm surprised you don't go for a dedicated winter tire.

 

[hawk-i]

Thanks, I've looked at a lot of these. Honestly, they rely on regular people rating a product based on limited knowledge and experience. I didn't trust these ratings fully. Obv the BF is gonna be rated tops, it's better be at 240/tire.

Wish I didn't have to get five of these guys ha.

With where you are located I'm surprised you don't go for a dedicated winter tire.

I used to drive a corolla on cheap all season touring tires for years and never once got stuck. Really as long as you drive properly and carefully you can get from A to B here most of the time. But I like to be prepared..

 

[snowboardwcu]

I used to drive a corolla on cheap all season touring tires for years and never once got stuck. Really as long as you drive properly and carefully you can get from A to B here most of the time. But I like to be prepared..

Totally agree on needing to actually know how to drive. I handle myself well in shit conditions, it's other people I don't trust. Everyone loses their minds in Philly when it snows. They speed, whip through lanes, brake hard, brake often, don't signal. That actually describes normal days...

Funny, a couple years back the lady friend came to a stop on a slight hill during a snowstorm. Was waiting for the guy in front of her to go. About a car length and half behind him. Then the tires just gave out and she coasted into him. I choose to believe this story. Either way, it's nuts out there

 

[Ratubbs]

Got the Grabbers on Friday so I also took some time to install the new smoked lens headlights, gave him a wash and wax too

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Arthur4R]

great article. for an all terrain tire to hold up against dedicated winter tires, thats impressive. nothing beats a tire created to hold up in the winter, but this kinda makes me lean back to KO2. damn you! :decision:

So what's your final decision?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BS Goodwrench]

Looks great bud.