BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2

Welp, that was embarrassing. Thank you

 

I was running the 4Runner TRD Pro SEMA 17" wheels on my Sport with stock tires, but then traded in and got an Off-Road. I think I still want to run those wheels though on my new OR, so trying to decide which tires to get for them.

I think I'd like to go to the 265/70R17 and debating between the T/A KO2 of course and Falken Wildpeak A/T3Ws. Putting that tire size in at discounttire.com for the KO2 gives me the choice of C1, D1, or E1 load range and for the Wildpeaks either SL or E1. If I'm mostly on-road with occasional light off-roading and also pull a decently sized camper/travel trailer, what do you think would be best for load range? Also live in MN, so winter performance is also a consideration.

Are C1 vs SL close to the same, or would C1 be a bit stiffer? Worth upgrading to E1 load range? Or maybe split the middle and get the D1 (which I don't see anywhere else, even BFG's site, so not sure if they are DT exclusive or what)?

The Wildpeak SL range tires are $151 per tire which would be nice and save a couple hundred off the top, but if it is worth it I don't mind spending a bit extra for higher load range or BFGs.

 

I went back and forth between the BFG and Goodyear...both got great reviews, but IMO the BFG looked better on my Tacoma. (I drove Fords for over 2 decades and had both on my trucks.) Both are good quality, it just comes down to personal preference.

 

2016 tacoma trd off road. Have had the truck 3 years, bought used..

Put Bilstein 5100s on front and back one year ago. Front at the 1.1 inch lift, but only gained 3/4 inch lift. Front coils must have some sag.

I put KO2s on soon after purchase. Stock size 265 70 16, E load so 10 ply. I blew 2 of the stock Wrangler Kevlar tires on the same day, really bad off road so on went the KO2s. The KO2s on those same stock wheels.

So 40,000 miles on the KO2s now. Close to 10,000 off road miles, really bad roads in BC interior where I fish. Retired, so in the woods as much as possible, 6 trips in just the last 3 weeks. About 100 off road trips in the 3 years with the taco. Have to air out each trip, bad washboard. So from 31-32 psi down to 25 psi offroad. Otherwise the ride is ball busting.

Recently replaced front left needle bearing, CV axle, and hub assembly. Really bad roads, over 1,000 of the foot deep potholes in a day trip is normal. Did front brakes, full rotors, pads, calipers. Seized up from lots of mud trips. Back linings done at same time.

So... the KO2s have been VERY good for 100 hardcore off road trips, not a single complaint.... until now.

Now, on highway driving, they are roaring. Driving me just nuts. They still have 9/32 tread on them and even wear right across. No outer or inner wear, no cupping. 9/32 right across.

Yesterday I put my snow tires (on steel rims) and today recreated my last drive with the KO2s. A 4,500 foot elevation gain in 30 miles of highway driving. About 500 pounds of gear in the pickup bed.

So just roaring and vibration with the KO2s on. With the snow tires doing the same drive today very little to no vibration. The snow tires have only 4,000 miles on them and always ride smooth.

Sounds like an obvious that it is the tires, but maybe more at play due to the roads I drive. Might be more suspension damage that the KO2s with their stiffness and tread pattern are highlighting now. Tuesday I am in a shop to just do some diagnosis on the driveline and check the other wheel bearings. I have been under the truck myself maybe 10 times in the last few weeks checking everything visually.

If I cannot find a contributing issue, I am going to stick a go-pro under the truck and see if that highlights any problems. Might just be the tires have reached their limit of quiet driving due to so many rough trips.

if it is the tires, I would still say pretty darn good if I got 40,000 miles out of them with the amount of hard offroad they have been subjected to.

BTW, my 4th 4x4 in the last 35 years, all used heavily off road, but first time for this type of problem.

Pic of todays location. Since I was up at the higher elevation doing this test, figured I might as well get in some offroad nature time.

 

I currently have Michelin a/t 2's on three vehicles, and my 2003 Tacoma has 70K on them so I think that they're a great tire.
Since the tires on my 2015 are pretty low miles I was thinking about putting them on my 2003 and maybe putting BFG's KO2's on my 2015.

My question is, since my 2015 has mostly been a city driver since I've owned it would the BFG's be overkill for 99% city driving, or would there be any down sides to having them on a predominately city truck ?

 

They are great on the road if you want the aggressive look. I could be wrong but the 16” tires 265/75/16 are load e and they make the 17s in load c. The load e ride rough and you’ll take a hit in mpg but they are bomb proof off-road. I would suggest looking into a load c or less.

 

I have had them on my 2015 for 55,000 mostly street, 20% sandy beaches. They are great. Look like they will easily get another 30 or 40 k on them. Little slippery in the rain if you don’t have any weight in the back though.

 

Theyre a MPG killer, but they look great!

 

I your case I might not put them on. I am on my 4th 4x4 in the last 35 years. All with 10 ply E rated tires. My trucks are used 50% city 50% offroad.

Are your Michelins 10 ply or 4? E rated, or C.

For a city driver, and if your tires are currently 4 ply C rated, then yes mileage will be worse and they are a hard ride compared to a load C tire.

I am old school though. I buy or add nothing for looks, only for practical reasons. If I don’t need it for my type of truck usage (offroad) then I don’t put it on.

If I were not a full time outdoorsman (all I do, I am retired) I would own an economical car, and no truck at all.

That said, if you like their appearance and are ok with any trade offs, do what makes you happy. We each have our own interests.

 

nope - I'm 99% highway/city and I love my ko2's and no worries about running over stuff, snow & heavy rain.. I have ran over more crap on the intersate than off-roading and the ko2 and have came in handy - never had to plug a ko2 for nails, etc..

 

But the Raven sitting lonely on that empty highway spoke only those two words, as if his soul in those two words he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered, not a feather then he fluttered, till I scarcely more than muttered "Other friends have flown before,
on the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before. Then the bird said "BFG's forevermore."