What tires this time around? My KO2’s are all done

Hello all. At the recommendation of all of the great folks on this fine forum I purchased BFG KO2s and they were a great tire. I drive a lot of miles and unfortunately they need to be replaced already. I don’t follow what changes with tire technology much so I’m not sure what else is out there.

What I dont like about the KO2s they have terrible performance in the rain. I know they are snow rated but that doesn’t benefit me living in Florida so if I can change that ability for slightly better wet road driving that would be great.

What I do like they are very durable. I’ve run over some evil hazards but they keep going. Tread life was not terrible as I got about 50k out of them maybe a hair less.

My truck is an access cab 2011 trd off road and I went with a 265/75R16. I liked that size and would like to do the same again. On road performance is the vast majority of my driving with only minor off road needed so an all terrain like the KO2 is the type of tire I would like to get. What all would you recommend? What other options are there? Tread life is definitely important as I drive a lot. I would love to save some money whenever possible however I do not want to compromise on the durability that I could count on with the KO2. I’m no opposed to buy the KO2 again but would love to know what you all recommend. Thanks!

 

how many miles with the KO2's ?

I like KO2's........not necessarily the E rated 16"

I'd look at Falkin WP3's....new Goodyear Wrangler Ultraterrain

Many others.....oh.......you're in FL

I'm sorry........

 

I've got a touch over 50k on my ko2s, they are about smoked however

 

Good to hear you like the 265/75R16 Chris. I was also thinking the same, or slightly bigger (pizza cutter 255/85R16)

I'll be watching this thread for tire recommendations...

 

imo if you drive that much you should definitely do a lighter tire
k02s you ran were 53lbs each, robbed your mgp
think about it, during a 50,000 mile span, if you do the math just 2mpg better you'd save about $1,000 in gas
so running a tire that's 40lbs would have paid for itself and $ leftover

 

Michelin

 

This is good input and I agree. What would you recommend? I still would like an all terrain tire that can handle the mild off road stuff I do weekly and be as durable and puncture resistant as the KO2. Thanks

Which Michelin tire?

 

I’ve got my eye on the nitto ridge grapplers... mmmm

 

interesting math......2 mpg does add up over time !

you would think.......with all the Tacoma trucks on the road......

BFG would build a C rated KO2 LT265-75-16

 

Michelin defender=all season or Michelin AT2=all terrain

 

I highly recommend the Michelin defender ltx. They are not ATs but will be the best tires you'll ever own, especially for rain and mileage. Even in snow and offroad they are really solid

 

I’ve had very good performance from my Nokian Rotiiva’s on both my previous Gen 2, and my current...cough, cough...Ram. Been a great all around AT tire for me in the various conditions I see, which includes snow, rain, sand, mud, wet clay, and lots of highway miles. Very quiet tire on pavement, and 3 to 4 pounds lighter than comparables from Goodyear, Cooper, Toyo, Nitto, etc.

 

ive had the AT2 and the older version M&S all season both were tremendous performers in all catagories,

 

i would go with the Bridgestone Revo3 (wait a little for a sale though, last month it was $70ish off 4 at dtd no hassle with rebates, think it's all full price atm)
i have the 2s and don't think they'd make your mileage, but they are best hands down AT in the wet as well as handling
with the Revo 3s they improved durability and improved offroad also better looking sidewall
design looks like it'll keep the wet traction and handling same or close to previous gen

 

The revo2 seem to be hit or miss. I had a set on my Tacoma that lasted about 30k, they got very slick as they wore and were not good in snow at all. Buddy had a set on his 4runner and got 50k out of them and like them quite a bit

 

I know a guy that got over 90k on a set of Michelin AT2 on his Duramax but don't know about what the lighter version for the Tacoma would last.

 

The KO2's didn't cost him 2 mpg. MAYBE a tiny fraction of 1 mpg. I've been buying tires since the 1970's and have never seen any difference in a trucks fuel mileage due to a heavier tire. None, not even 1 mpg. My Tacoma has 191,000 miles on it and it still gets exactly the same fuel mileage with a 55 lb E rated LT265/75/16 tire that it did when new with P245/75/16's on it.

What hurts fuel mileage is a very aggressive mud tread. Those tires have much greater rolling resistance and I have seen trucks lose 2 mpg when they changed from an AT tire to an aggressive mud tire. But as long as you keep the tires properly inflated a 55 lb E rated tire with a similar tread will get the same fuel mileage as a 40 lb P rated tire.

If I were you I'd buy a set of Michelin tires in 265/75/16. I'm not sure I'd pay the difference for an E rated tire on a Tacoma. The P series tires are significantly less expensive and will be fine on a Tacoma. But if you want the extra toughness of an E rated tire and don't mind the extra cost then there are no downsides.

 

Nitto ridge grapplers

 

seems like all Bridgestone tires are a soft rubber that's wears quickly and will barely if at all make it to their wearout mileage, I had a set of Bridgestone Turanza tires on my wifes Honda accord and they didn't make it to their estimated manufactorers wearout they wore extremely quickly, Michelins on the other hand have a harder rubber compound which always exceeds what the mileage wearout is, so u get more for the money.

 

ya and a 40lb tire would be great on a honda civic or maybe even a ridgeline but not an actual truck