BFG AT KO2 in the snow

In my experience with the KO2's they were great in Moab, they were great for snowy/icy 39 mile commutes in the CO front range, now I am back in Pittsburgh. It rains a lot here, and my KO2's break loose pulling out from stop signs, or when I am driving at slow speeds and hit the gas and the truck down shifts I ll break traction as well. They really don't seem to hook up on wet pavement. Even when they were new in CO I noticed in the rain that I would break traction starting out. Not quite sure how a snow rated all terrain that grips rocks and snow covered roads has trouble hooking up on wet asphalt?

I am considering Cooper's AT3 4S for my next tire.

 

Maybe we can't have everything.

 

I didn’t ask for mud performance lol

 

Not siped enough and compound is probably not optimal, not a great tire for snow

 

Probably because generally speaking it's true. All things being equal, a narrower tire will outperform a wider one in most winter conditions. The exception is on hard pack or solid ice, where (again, all things being equal) a wider tire will do better because of the wider contact patch.

 

Ok, I give you in certain situations, that is true. However, in 99% of the time, it simply doesn't matter. ESPECIALLY if we're talking about such insignificant difference in width. 255 vs 265? That's 10mm! My (anecdotal) experience. 265 tires performed better than 235's. Didn't track/wander on slushy roads and stopped and handled better as well. Wider tires had better lateral grip.

 

Yeah, 10mm won't make much of a difference. However, going from a 265 to a 235 would, if you used identical tires of the same condition, inflation, etc.

I'd be willing to bet that you opted for a more aggressive tire when you upsized as well, though, right? Because a more aggressive tread will make a bigger difference than a narrower or wider tire.

 

Depending on conditions of the snow and tire pressure our K02’s have rocked in the snow. No complaints whatsoever.

 

KO2 - E rated, have nothing in my bed. No issues in the rain at all, I switched from tires that did. In the snow today, even in 2WD did ok, in 4HI I had no slippage unless I tried to have it slip. Then again, mine are brand new.

 

Actually, no, they were the same tires, same brand/model (BFG KO). Driving my usual commute route and going up to my favorite ski resort. Really didn't make any difference, and again, an advantage to the wider tire. Diameter was the same (265/75/16 and 235/85/16). Caveat, this was back to back winter SEASONS, not tested within the same season. Only had the 235's for a few months the first season before getting rid of them for 265's. So tire wear wasn't a factor.

 

Both LT, obviously. Did you keep them at the same PSI, or go by the chalk test?

 

No, didn't get that specific/anal. I ran them both around 32 or so. This was a few years ago. That's the best I remember. Both KO's were Severe Weather rated as well. Some of those E-load range weren't "snowflake" rated. I was expecting a compromise in performance when I went to 265's, but never happened.

 

Do the chalk test it's accurate! You need to set the proper pressure and you'll be good. I promise slap some chalk on those bad boys.

 

Doesn't sound like he's having any traction problems as it is, but may run into some irregular wear in the future.

 

I will answer tomorrow. YAHOOOO our first snow of the season

 

Again, the switch happened several years ago. No irregular wear noticed.

 

Got to test my ko2s with 5k miles on them yesterday around NYC, honestly thought they were great. I'm used to Blizzaks on my AWD hatchbacks so I know what good snow traction feels like. I had no issues starting from a stop on a steep incline, other cars around me were spinning their tires and couldn't get out of their own way.

I have broken traction a few times in the wet in a turn, but that was my fault. Having a manual transmission might make a difference in how I experience the tires too.

 

I ran KO2's for about 40k Miles. I beat them up and they never failed. However, I have now done quite a few miles on General AT/X's and can say without a doubt they are better tires, especially in wet traction conditions.

 

Honestly my general grabber AT2 tires have been the absolute best tire I’ve ever owned I’m on my 3rd set now and get excellent all around performance on them up to 50k miles. Hence the reason I keep buying them.

 

Blown away by the KO2s in snow and ice. I had some Nitto A/T tires last winter and what I am able to do in 2WD is pretty unreal