BFGoodrich KM3 thread with pics

Talked to the BFG reps this past weekend at the 4WP Jeep and Truck Fest here in Honolulu (2/10/18). They said June will be the official US release (Global launch in April) with limited sizes in the beginning with all sizes only to be offered as "E" load. I asked why, they said it was debated but they won't be offering C or D anytime soon. Only reason was to simplify/streamline production costs. Bummer for all of us light truck owners because E is certainly heavier/stiffer and not needed for most trucks/SUVs nowadays. Even the current Ford Raptor comes with C load KO2s.

 

That’s a nice looking tire. Mahalo

 

Anyone wanting non e-rated tires on a big off-road tire makes no sense. You probably start gas milage threads.

How does making a truck or car modern remove the need for e-rated tires. Does new tech in the cabin make the rock less sharp on the trail? Does your aluminum body make that nail on the construction site dull?

If you ever needed an e-rated tire, you still want an e-rated tire.

 

If you dont tow and/or have a payload of 8k you dont need an E rated tire.

If you dont understand that, you probably make ignorant posts about how you think an "E rated" 3 ply tire is stronger than a 3 ply "C rated" tire.

Not a single manufacturer touts their higher load rated tire as a tougher tire. If that were the case dont you think they would advertise and capitalize on a huge 4wd market that wants the best available?

Notice that the largest and most offroad oriented tires from the big three (BFG, Goodyear, Toyo/Nitto) in the 39" and 40" are C rated tires. The Krawler KX, the Goodyear MTR "Rock Spider", and the Nitto K-Spec Trail Grappler are all only offered in a " C ply"...

 

If looks count, they seem like a great tire.

 

Thanks Nate. Well said.

 

I agree. Looks like they mated the KO2 sidewall tread with a slightly modified version of the KM2. I was hoping the 285/70R17 would still be atleast D rated but it's evidently not going to be anymore.

 

So E-rated tires don't have a thicker sidewall helping with rocks? They aren't equivalent to a historical 10 ply, while a c-rated is not? I am confused as to where I am being ignorant thinking that an e-rated tire is tougher. If you could please explain that in some more detail to me I would appreciate you correcting my ignorance.

@NateMob just because those companies are selling c-rated to people as tough off road tires, doesn't mean they are the same as e-rated. A spacer lift gets you the same two inches as coils,and rough country will tell you its pretty much the same as some bilstein or fox, but that doesn't mean they really are.

 

Thanks for deleting your original post, it was in pretty bad taste.

I touched on this above but will reiterate, if an E-rated (10 ply rating) tire was 40% stronger/tougher than a C-rated(6 ply rating) tire dont you think EVERY single tire manufacturer would brag and market them as such to the offroad crowd? Based on what is available and developed like i mentioned above in the largest and most aggressive tires available, I dont think BFG,Nitto/Toyo, and Goodyear wouldn't produced a C-rated tire that is appx. half as tough as an E-rated version.

I think the E-rating has more to do with tire construction around the bead to maintain and allow for the much higher pressures that the tire can withstand when carrying X amount of weight.


What do I know though?

 

So I will agree with you that maybe they aren't 40% stronger, but I do think they are stronger. I do think it is mostly in the sidewall, like you are saying, to help with higher pressures and loads. BUT that, at least in my mind, and in all reading I can find online (I don't know if you checked the original link) directly results in a tougher sidewall. A tougher sidewall means its less likely to be popped by a rock, or random scrap on a curb etc... I have done damage to a lot of tires, and I find this to be true in my real life experiences too.

Isn't that a logical thought process? I don't think it is ignorant at all, which is why I reacted how I did orig

inally (not excusing tho). So maybe they don't make you superman, but there is a benefit beyond towing. This is from my research, I'd be happy to read something contradicting that, I am a debater by nature but willing to accept defeat if shown proof of things.

P.S. I am a rank amatuer at all things off-road so I am guessing you might know more than me.

 

Both you guys have valid points. Take a look at what the pros say from FOUR WHEELER Magazine about load, plies, etc:

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/w...ips-101-load-range-vs-weight-rating-and-more/

I think it was your wording @Bridge4 that came across as brash in your initial post. My "problem" with the majority of tire manufacturers are they are mostly producing only "E" rated off-road tires when 50% or more of the consumers are driving lighter duty trucks (Toyota, Jeep, etc) that aren't hauling and/or towing massive weight around. This is especially true within the Overlanding community. Guys aren't towing bulldozers around to Baja. Load rating is simply just that, which in the long run translates to a heavier and stiffer tire. You can't help but wonder why would Ford put a 35" C load tire on the Raptor and not an E if it's supposably "tougher"?

Most of my driving is on pavement with the occasional trail or beach excursion so I'd prefer a lighter, softer and somewhat more fuel efficient daily driven tire. Hell, most guys in general get a lift and bigger tires for the aggressive looks more than anything else. I work with the industry on media projects and that is the #1 reason why guys mod their truck with functionality being a close 2nd. Just my .02

 

I agree with the bolded part 100%,a lot of people are NOT using the things they put on their truck for what it was intended, but to look good. And C-rated tires are cheaper but look just as good! So, when you aren't really gonna push the limits, why buy a stiffer more pricey tire? There is no reason and C-rated is the right pick. That is why Ford puts it on the ranger, because it will be enough for 90% of the people riding in that truck and it saves ford $100 bucks a truck on tires.

My point, and yes, it wasn't a friendly response, is that if you actually are gonna push your equipment and do some rough off roading, I think the e-rated is better for that. But again there is a problem, because my east coast skinny trail off roading is waaay different than flying through the dunes, where an c-rated might work great and there aren't any point rocks gouging at you.

So, to rest my case, I will accept that I was rude, and apologize. But I will still argue that an e-rated tire will hold up to serious punishment better than a c-rated and don't think I made making things up in my original posts, they were just a little rude.

From the article:

"In the road racing world, a heavier tire is universally considered as a bad thing. More rotating mass means poorer acceleration and braking, and is harder on parts. These are true in the off-road world, but can you have such a thing as too light of a tire? A heavier tire means that there is more rubber, which translates into deeper lugs that provide better traction and thicker, stronger sidewalls. Keep weight in mind as a factor when you look for your next set of tires."

 

BFG site has an intro page for the KM3:
https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/km3

Their size chart lists C's and D's as well as E's:
https://md.proty.re/u/8725375/bfgoodrich/editor/file/cc2d26c0-c610-4bbb-bbcc-0f3cd5432250.pdf

Strangely, the LT265/75R16 C lists a 123/120Q load rating, so it may be heavy, since that is generally an E rating spec. Maybe it's a misprint?

 

I just saw that recently as well and a bit surprised with the sizes they'll be offering. I pre-ordered a set of 285/70r17 from my local 4wheelparts but just found out that tire is quite heavy at 67.14 lbs so I'm going to cancel it. The "C" load KO2 in the same size is right around 50lbs. Thats a huge difference in weight plus C vs E stiffness.

 

When I talked to a BFG rep on the phone, he said there will be a C and E load range 265/75/16 and a D and E Load 285/75/16 but the load and weights were the same in the info he had. He said they must’ve not put the individual weights and load ratings for each tire, he said most likely just an error on his paperwork .

 

Anyone with info on how they are in highway?

 

305/70/16
Only a couple hundred miles so far, but surprised overall at how quiet they are considering how aggressive they look. Very smooth as well.

 

Noobie question : I acquired a 2014 QC Longbed 4x4 it has 265/65/17's I'm wanting to purchase the KM3's in 265/70/17's. Will they fit without rubbing ?

 

They might rub on the mudflaps a little but other than that you’ll be fine.

 

Thanks !! I've already removed all mudflaps !