Noob tire question.

Hmm. Maybe I should just scrap all of this and run a 6 inch lift with 35s. DCLB FTMFW.

I'll be happy with the 265s. Id be happier with 275s if they fit perfect. If they don't fit perfect, I'll be wishing I got the 265s.

 

Heck, my truck came with 265s on the stock wheels and suspension height without any rubbing. Don't even be afraid of 275s.

Ive got a 2.5" lift on my truck and I'm going to be stepping up to 285s.

 

Nope, not confused. New sidewall construction with basically the same old tread design.

 

Differences in improvements to the KO2 vs the KO:
-Reinforced side walls, split and bruise resistant compound, thicker rubber lugs extend down the shoulder
-New tread compound that provides longer life, 15% longer asphalt life
-New compound is chip resistant designed for superior gravel endurance
-Side tread deflection design to resist snags and splitting
-Greater tread voids
-Advanced 3D siping for more biting edges and significantly increased snow traction
-Exceeds RMA severe snow requirements required of a dedicated snow tire
-Stone ejectors to prevent stone retention and drilling
-Staggered side biter lugs for better traction in mud, snow and rocks
-Tire is specifically designed for air down driving
-Mud-phobic bars to reduce mud packing

But yes other than that about the same.

I've had both the KOs and KO2. The KOs were garbage, I couldn't believe they were so popular, I would never run them again. I was actually nervous to try the KO2 after my KO experience. The KO2s are a completely different tire. The interlocking tread design is reused because it provides excellent tire stability, but while the tread pattern may appear similar, you can see when looking side by side they are actually different.

KO2 vs KO

 

Drops mic, walks offstage........

 

Even though what you've listed illustrates why the KO2's are better, did you have any issues out of your KO's? I'm currently running the KO's and haven't had any problems really. I don't off-road that often, so I can't speak on that behalf. What exactly makes the KO's garbage besides the KO2's having better specifications?

 

Nothing in short. Some people had problems with uneven Treadwear and early retirement when offroading because they wore out bad when on gravel and had chunks come off when on rocks. I had 3 sets of the KO'S and loved them. I now have the ko2's which are better in every way eccept the tread looks similar to the old ones. On top of that there is a lot of butt hurt from some people if you aren't running st max or duratracs. The only reason OP that I wouldn't get the 275 Is because of wieght. They only come in load E. Otherwise have at it. Every truck is different. The only thing I would worry about rubbing is plastics or something a little due to extra scrub radius due to the offset of the wheels. And UCA's shouldn't be of concern except for alignment. But to each his own. Good luck with your decision

 

So BFG has done more to catch up with contemporary AT tires than at first glance. We'll see how well the tire holds up over the long term.

For interlocking tread to provide stability, the tread blocks need to be much closer together and need to be located on the shoulders instead of in the middle. This is more important for highway tires than for an off-road tire. BFG probably kept close to the KO tread design to appease the die-hard KO crowd.

 

Off road use. I'm in the PNW, lots of the trails can get tight in the trees and there is lots of sharp volcanic rock. I purchased a truck that had a brand new set of KOs.

On my first multi-day off road trip with the tires we encountered some mud in the tight area of the trail in the trees. The KOs plugged up and couldn't self clean. They literally turned to slicks. They were so clogged the truck would plow when trying to turn. It was infuriating. Granted mud isn't great for AT tire, but their performance is beyond terrible. The KO2s do a much better job of self cleaning and finding traction with staggered sidewall lugs.

Also after 2 days the KOs had minor but noticeable chucking from the volcanic rock, not terrible. The KO2s on the other hand still appeared like new after running the same trail.

I was concerned about weak KO sidewalls on the sharp rocks though never had a failure. I have greater confidence with the KO2s.

 

Oh okay, I was curious as to why so many people bash them. I can see how they clog up because when I do go off-road I experience that "slip" on a mild grade hill.