BFG KO3 review

That’s not necessarily a good thing…..suspect a C load range?

 

Nope, load E. C range tire in this size would be perfect for the taco. Don't even get me started on that

 

BFG just released a few more sizes in the KO3. Of the three new sizes in the 17" size they were all Load Range E... WtF.... actually it looks like they only released LRE and one LRD

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BtKIFXlyIA

Love this guy, seriously top tier quality videos.

 

Just watched that last night. Awesome review.

 

@abou824 thank you so much for posting. This video is very informative and should help many forum members when deciding what tire brand they want to purchase.

 

Took the KO3s out yesterday. I can’t speak how they compare to the KO2s but they were sure better than the Goodyear Wranglers that were on there.

 

patiently waiting on some 35x12.5 in 17"s....

 

They said they will be doing a 35x11.5x17 in a "C" load.

 

I wish they came in 37x12.50r18 for the Tundra.

 

C is really all you need unless you go from forest service road to trail or trail pass. California like Colorado can be extremely rocky. To put it into perspective. My wife has KO2 C on her 4runner I have KO2 load E on my taco. She burns through tires on the rocky mountain trails. Sometimes 2 or 3 a year. My E I never ever worry about. Changing a tire on a rocky mountain pass sucks balls. Riding your rims down 2 miles of pass because it's too fucking steap to change a flat will make you really really really love tge rough loud ride of the E rated tire. Just saying.

Who ever said an E rated and C rated KO2 weigh the same thing is absolutely crazy. The E rated tire is 2mm thicker....

But....


It does get better gas mileage. Because the tire is inflated to a higher psi. I run mine at 50psi standard. A normal c load runs at 35.

 

I've had the KO2s in 265/75/R16 in E load for a few years, my only complaints would be that they absolutely suck balls on a wet road and also the road noise and poor mileage. If the KO3 is improved on the wet, which it sounds like it is, and they have a C load version in this size I'll be all over it. I drive on dirt roads and around farms all the time, but no real wheeling or towing, so I don't need the E rated tires.

 

C and E should be aired up to the same pressure if they are the same size. The difference in sidewall thickness means the E can support more load at higher PSI, but for the same load and tire size, they need the same PSI, assuming of course you aren’t beyond the capacity of the C. Essentially, from their starting point of 35 PSI, they follow the same load index until the C maxes out at 50 while the E continues to climb in load capacity to 80. And D to 65.

 

The KO3 in your size will be a load E according to the early release info I can see from Discount Tire. The E part I don’t care about too much, I just hope the wet traction is good and stays good for the life of the tire. I’d like to try them but I’d be real pissed if I ended up regretting my choice because of continued poor wet traction. Or people seeing good wet traction initially that falls off not long into ownership.

Apparently 265/75 will be out in August. I won’t need tires by then but maybe when I do need them there will be adequate reviews for me to either go for it or stay away.

 

I caved and bought the 265/70R17. I was initially really excited that the size I was looking for was going to be available at launch but that excitement wore off once I found out it was E rated. They're a heavy tire and I can definitely feel the weight compared to KO2s. They are quieter and a bit smoother though. And given all the rain that we have had in TX, I have never felt them loose traction at all. Thats been my experience with them so far. It does seem like most AT tires are getting heavier and they are focusing on E rated more because of full size trucks

 

Good to hear on the traction. From the searching I did, a C rated option for 265/70R17 will be available in the future. I don’t recall when but I think it was August. Guessing the KO2 you are comparing to was a C? Because otherwise I think E to E and C to C are close to the same weight.

 

Yeah... unfortunately August of 2025. I had the stock E rated TRD OR wheels so 265/70R16. So I went up in size and obviously in weight. According to DT, the stock size KO2 weigh 50.29lbs and the KO3 are 56lbs. The KO2 in 265/70R17 weigh 53lbs.

 

Gotcha. Was thinking August this year but I’m probably mixed up, because I know for sure 265/75R16 load E is at that time. I’m potentially interested in either that one or 265/70R16 load D which will be February next year. But for now I’m happy with the SL Toyos and if the KO3 takes a negative turn in reviews I probably will do LT Toyos next time. We’ll see, but I’m in no hurry for anything.

 

You're right, I checked with BFG and they will only be releasing that size in E load, so looks like I'll be going with Toyo or something else. Cheers

 

So... those KO3s here yet @Discount Tire ? My 7 Year old KO2s are on life support.

Sounds like I need them to survive until August for 315/75R16 going of the website