HELP NEEDED! KO2 are they really worth it or all talk? Should I increase size of tire?

Finally deciding to get the trd pro rims for my 2017 Tacoma sport. The dealership has a good deal on tires with rims. They are offering trd rims with KO2 tires. I have been reading lots of posts regarding the KO2 tires. Mostly bad! The question I have is are they worth it in a rainy environment? In Victoria, canada we get mostly rain in the winter time but will get snow once in awhile and I would love to take this vehicle to the hills for some skiing. However I don't want to slide around all over the place.

2nd question: right now my tires are 265/65R17. A local shop suggested that I get 265/80R17. Mostly they said cause it looks nice. Will I have issues with increasing the size of the tire. If anything, I plan on raising the truck by 1 to 1.5 inches and increase the front end to match the back end. I don't plan on doing any 4x4.

 

KO2s are not supposed to do well in the wet. In Victoria, I'd look at either the Falken Wildpeak AT3W (cheap) or Duratracs (expensive). 265/80R17 may need some trimming to fit properly when flexed. You may wish to regear with the bigger tire as well, although it isn't super hilly around there if I remember. Haven't been to the island in years.

 

I have nothing other than positive to say about them, BUT I have heard they are horrible in the snow. So, it would be good to take that into consideration from what you are saying. I live in SoCal, so no issue for me

 

They do a lot of things well, and some things not so well.

Sounds like you have the info you need. Choose the tire for your application

 

Some on this forum would argue duratracs aren’t good for rainy weather but awesome, if not the best, in the snow for an AT tire. I personally have duratracs myself and I love them. I’ve had Zero issues with wet weather in general but people have expressed there displeasure for the duratrac in the rain

 

265/70R17 is the upgrade size.

BFG's aren't great in the wet. Look for tires like Toyo AT3, Falken Wildpeak AT3W or Cooper AT3 4S. All have four season ratings like the BFG but handle wet much better.

I have the cooper at3 and they are great in cold wet, 0-10C wet is much better than my Goodyear Duratracs. I really didn't like Duratracs on the wet.

 

No problem in the Montana snow

 

Perhaps its cold rain, in canada we rarely have hot rains, and its usually hailing where I am if its over 25c and raining lol.

 

In that case, for snow, hard to beat the duractacs for an AT Tire.

 

They sucked on the ice, I ran duratracs and winter studded tires haha. Snow is an odd thing, its not as common to see unless you're first on a trail or a service road.

 

I run Wildpeaks as a 3 season and then studded hakkas in the winter, but I've been tempted to give studded duratracs a try.

 

In Victoria you will be fine with KO2s, I have never had an issue in the rain here in BC.
You want a good looking tire that is tough and light, the KO2 in 265 70 17 C load is only 45 lbs.
If you like them I'd go for it. Like any AT tire they aren't the best on wet icy packed snow, take it easy for the few kms going up to Mt Washington.

 

not far from you in seattle....the ko2s are absolute shite on wet pavement...been waiting for them to wear out so I can get something more appropriate for rain but they just won't die. Have 60k on them and I'm afraid they're gonna last all winter

 

I've been running BFG's for damn near 30 years, never had any problem in snow or rain. I almost went with Falkens this time around but my K02 bias kicked in and I went with the tires I know.

I also put 275/70/17's on, despite being E rated I really like these tires. We have a lot of bedrock in TN and I sometimes have to get into some nasty shit at work so I'm pretty happy with the extra sidewall strength.

 

Got Falkens in Oregon and they do great in slippery times. Had Duratracs in Hawai’i and they slipped a little more then my falkens did. @Modern Hippy KO2s are a very overrated tire

 

That's what I thought... people either absolutely love them or hate them... at least people all agree that 265/70/17 are the way to go. Unfortunately the dealership promotion is only with KO2 tires. However I may opt out and get a tire to my liking.

 

I live up Island and want the TRD Pro rims as well. 265/70/17 fit for sure with no rub as my friend has them on his 2017. What width are those rims? 7 or 7.5? SEMAs right?

 

I just put the pro wheels and 265/70/17 KO2s on my 2019 Sport 4WD DCSB. Same tire (but smaller) I had on my Wrangler. Plenty capable off road, and great highway/street tire as well. I don’t recall having an issue in the rain, but can’t speak for snow performance.
265/70/17 is the biggest you can go without modification, with no rubbing at full lock or off roading. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a 265/80/17 tire.

 

they are solid tires, have run them on all my trucks for years. My current set has 88,000miles on them, i think i rotated them twice while working on the truck. I run 285/75/16 Load range E. Great traction in all of my wheeling adventures, never has a sidewall puncture, no abrasion or cuts to the tread surface. my next set will be in 305/70/16 same tire.

 

Great tires. Get some KO2s! I run these all year they do great in the snow and ice I’ve had no trouble on rainy roads. Maybe I don’t know the difference because I’ve never driven any other tires on this truck but they work great for me here in South Dakota.