BFG KO2 load range, worth the fight?

What's up, boys. First time Tacoma owner as of about 3 weeks ago and new to the forum. I've done a good bit of searching on this topic, but I'm only seeing 6-year-old, abandoned threads in previous gen forums that are somewhat relevant so I wanted to bring it up here. /disclaimer

I had a set of TRD Pro wheels and 265/70/17 BFG KO2s installed yesterday. I very clearly ordered the KO2s in Load Range C (have it in writing), but I noticed this morning when I went to chalk test them that they're load range E. I called the shop that did the work and got some pushback from them, saying they upgraded them to E because they believe them to be better tires and that they can't send them back to BFG since I drove them home.

I know I'm in the right if I want to force the issue and have them replace the tires, but I've gone to this shop for years and they're great guys who I trust and they gave me a solid price on the new tires and work, so I really don't want to burn the bridge unnecessarily.

So my question, for those who are more knowledgable than I am: Is it worth it to demand they replace the tires? Will the ride, gas mileage, etc. make that much of a difference?

FWIW, I don't rack up a ton of mileage on average, most of my driving is on road, and when it's off, it's nothing extreme, and I occasionally tow light-moderate loads.

Thanks for the input.

Quick iPhone pic for clicks.

 

If you ordered LR C and got E, primarily because most of your driving is on road, I'd take it back to the shop. There's a pretty noticeable difference in ride quality and unsprung mass with most tire brands. However if you feel that your relationship with the shop is worth more than the error or if you are happy with it at the end of the day then your answer would be pretty clear.

 

Would they charge you for the 4 tire removal, remount, balancing, etc.?
Also, how did they feel while you were driving them home from the shop?

 

If you order C load you should've received C tires.
BFG actually list part numbers for them
Model 66255 LT265/70/17C
Model 76397 LT265/70/17E

The weight difference is minimal with E running 7.7lbs heavy per tire than C.

 

Thanks for the insight!

Hard to say if I'm happy with the tires. They didn't scream rough ride on the way home last night, but having never driven C and E before, let alone in a back to back test or something, I don't know what my baseline aught to be. That's why I was hoping I might get some feedback from folks who've run both.

It was $25/tire install originally. Owner said it would "probably be about $500 to get them switched out," but no mention of who would eat that cost. They felt fine, marginally louder than stock, not noticeably different really, but ti was a 10 minute cruise on flat ground at about 45mph.

Yeah, I was reviewing the specs this morning. I don't know how an extra 15% weight translates to rolling mass, nor any clue on how to reckon it. Would that not make much of a difference in pedal response / gas mileage?

 

I ran those same wheels for 10k miles with last model KO 265/70/17C(which is for sale, shameless plug)
Now running 265/75/16E KO2 that are 8.6lbs heavier per tire. I haven't noticed any difference.

 

My gut feeling is that it's not worth the hassle, but that's just me...

 

Agreed with Skrain

 

Where did you get yours?

 

American Tire Depot

 

Thanks. Strange thing is the BFG website says "these tires are NOT recommended for your vehicle!" Odd, huh? I've got 275/70R16 KOs on there now, and eventually want to replace them with 265/70R16 KO2 tires eventually.

 

The E rated will hold up better in the long run. If you got them for the price of C rated you got the better end already.

 

Yep, same price.

Thanks for the feedback, you guys, I feel a whole lot better about the situation than I did reading all the old threads about how KO2Es will kill mileage and performance and should be avoided at all cost. Cheers.

 

If you tow light to moderate loads, then your good.
If you go off road with the E's you'll have better sidewall protection, so your good there too.
If you bought them at the price of C's, you did really good!

It's all good.

 

Perhaps the figures to consider are the changes in both weight and diameter from your stock tires. Assuming that you started with Toyo A30 in 265/65/17 weighing 36 lbs. each, the C load KO2 would be a 27% increase (45.7 lbs) while the E is 48% (53.4 lbs.). And your tires are 3.4% larger than stock.
None of this is helpful to your mileage. But it isn't worth $500 to do the incremental change back to C.

 

Yeah, as mentioned, I don't put a ton of mileage on my vehicles (working from home), so maximum fuel efficiency isn't my top priority, as evidenced by opting for KO2s in the first place. Ride quality is probably top of the list, followed by performance, but being realistic, I didn't buy this thing to go full Vin Diesel on people at stoplights, so "performance" is relative.

 

By the way...nice looking truck! love the MGM with the TRD wheels!

 

Thanks, man! I'm pretty psyched on the aesthetics, for sure. Gonna try to get some proper images this weekend.

 

Excellent choice. Got me some 53 lb. tires, too.

 

I just got 5 ko2 bfg A/T yesterday in E weight also. I was concerned with the weight issue as well, but am truly happy with the tires. Don't really notice the weight, but then again this is my first tank on the new tires. Ride and sound is amazing. Def rides a lot better then the stock dun lopes that came with truck! Also went up a size. 245/75/r16 to 265/70/r 16. Was unsure at first, but no regrets now.