BFG KO2 Sidewall Failure

Dad sent me these pictures yesterday. I've never seen a tire fail like this before. These gashes are at almost a perfect interval all the way around the tire. The tires came with the truck last year and were basically brand new when he got it. He noticed after a 300 mile roadtrip, and it didn't happen gradually. Other 3 tires are fine. Tire pressure was 35 all around.

Any ideas of how this might have happened? Is there any recourse with BFG since he didn't buy the tires himself?

 

35psi on a load range E tire, that could possibly be the problem. They look like they have air cracks in them as well.

 

If memory serves, the max pressure for those tires is 80 psi (obviously not optimal pressure). I have always run 35 on my truck, and I'm on my 3rd set of KO2s. Never had this issue.

 

Loads of people here run E and loads are in the mid 30s range of PSI so I don't think that had anything to do with it.

OP, looks like a defective tire but I imagine you'll have a hard time convincing BFG of that. As far as I see, your options are pretty much contact BFG and see if they'll warranty it or just buy a new one out of pocket.

 

That many cracks and no signs of being thrashed... Im going with manufacturing defect.

 

Those cracks are all almost exactly the same and equal distance from each other. It is obviously manufacturing defect. It’s possible they could cause catastrophic tire failure at high speed causing injury or death. I’d submit the pics to BFG. In this case they may likely do something about it. If they hesitate I’d tell them that you are going to various media outlets. There are likely other tires like those out there that once discovered could cause huge problems for BFG.

 

Yup, defect. Fairly rare. Without proof of purchase, I think you're SOL. You can ask a tire shop to make a claim, but any claim I've seen you have to be the purchasing owner.

 

Just because people do, doesn't mean they are correct Might not be an issue for 90% of the time/people... until something like this happens??

Click link to calculate proper tire pressure based on various sizes and P Metric vs LT: https://tirepressure.com/tire-pressure-calculator

How is the tire not flat with gashes like that?

 

I have no input on your 2 questions, but I'd go ahead and replace all 4 to be safe.

 

No idea how it's still holding air. Like I said this was right after driving 300 miles back from the Mississippi delta. If that thing decided to go on the interstate, it would've been catastrophic. He was towing a trailer with 2 four-wheelers too, which makes it even scarier.

Should also say that this was on a 2014 Tundra, and Toyota recommends a higher psi for the larger truck. 35 psi is still well below the max pressure (80psi).

 

I would think BFG would be very interested in knowing about this and the serial #/lot # of that tire and take care of you....

 

Michelin/BFG uses very soft rubber compounds. Dry rot or manufacture defect.

 

Oh hey, look at that, 35 is just fine for load range E.






Edit: Doh, I was wrong in this instance for this specific application. Though I still don't think a few psi is the reason for those gashes.

 

Good link.
I too ran my LT's at around 38PSI (calculator said 55psi). I have usually run my P's and LT's at the same pressure unless fully loaded or off road, and always have equal tire wear. I think another metric would be to monitor tire temps at the same psi between a P and LT rated tire. Temperature is the real culprit with tire failure.
In regards to why aren't they flat, I would guess that it is because of the ridiculously strong 3 plies in the KO sidewalls.
Looks very much like a manufacturers defect to me.

 

The rubber on my BFG's were like stone, hence why they last so long and are no good in the snow.

 

Id accept nothing less than all 4 replaced as all 4 are likely from the same lot.

 

I think the old man is going to use this as an excuse to go up a few sizes in tire. Some help from BFG would be nice, but with him not being the original purchaser it might be hard.

This is our first issue with KO2's. I've had multiple sets on my Taco, and my dad has run them since the original KO's

 

Please explain why you think that

 

First off I said it was a possibility, I didn't say it was the reason.

I run my tires at max psi, always have, especially on my load range E tires cause they are on my 3/4 ton I pull my tractor with. I don't do off roading other than where we hunt and don't have to air down for that.

My thought was if they were run at low psi then the tire has more roll on pavement when turning and can't be good for the edges/sides is all.

Carry on

 

Man, if I did 80psi on my ST Maxx on my 4.6K lb Tacoma it would ride like an Amish wagon. When in doubt, do the chalk test. Then fine tune to what feels right.

but there’s no way tire pressure caused that failure. It was a bad tire plain and simple