KO2's in the snow

I'm the guy passing on the way to the ski trails - full control and no problems with Blizzaks..

 

Preach haha

 

It really depends on what you expect to be doing? Are you snow wheeling or coming across new snow that may be 1”-10” deep?
I’ve driven plenty in the snow with KO2s. They work. Like any tire, ice is still ice. The biggest hang up is in wet slushy and deep snow. Otherwise I’ve taken my truck down roads with snow to the skid and at times the frame.

 

Disagree.

I'm on my second set of KO2s. The first were LT265/75R16 Load Range E. They did just fine, but on year 5, the rubber was starting to be a little hard and I noticed some minimal sliding around curves.

My new set is ~1.5 years old with 17k miles. LT255/75R17 Load Range C. These have been just fine as well in winter in Colorado.

I tried a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta in the LT265/75R16 and I was not impressed.

This is of course, all conditional. Studded tires work best on ICE. Non-snowy covered ice.
Non-studded snow tires, when newer and the rubber isn't dried up, measurably perform better for traction and stopping than all-terrains even if they are M+S 3 peak/snowflake rated.

Keep in mind, the KO2 comes in a DT variant which is a harder rubber and has the mileage guarantee. You probably don't want this if you want snow performance.
"DT version does NOT carry the 3PMSF designation" - Discount Tire

 

What didn’t impress you about them? Compared to the KO2s or compared to another winter tire?

 

I put them on after I had driven with the 5 year old KO2s in a snowstorm and just didn't notice much difference since I'm not driving it like a race car. So after one winter, I bought the new set of KO2s and sold the old KO2s and Nokians.

My conditions here in Colorado are dry snow though and not as much ice as other places. Your experience will likely be different being in Minnesota.

 

Yeah definitely icier up here. Good data point though. I’ve got Blizzaks now and will likely get the Hakkas next.

 

I drive Snoqualimie pass in Washington all winter on my KO2's.
I'm on my second set. First set were E Load 265/75/16, second set are C Load 265/70/17s.
In my experience the C Load tires ride nicer and handle wet/snowy conditions way better.

 

Haha found your problem..
OP lives in BC and if I remember correctly goes back and forth between Van and Kamloops on the Coq;



There's a whole tv show about how lousy that road gets.. not the place to be worried about your tires.

 

Yep. That's my regular route. I know exactly where that wreck is. I drove it yesterday.

 

I've done both. The Coopers I had were great in the snow. They were no winter tire, but I could trust them quite a bit more than my previous vehicle which had all seasons.

 

There's definitely a range....the stock Goodyears on this truck were terrible but the stock Yokohamas on my old Subaru were ok. Back in PA I could get away with all seasons, but here in MN a winter tire is the way to go if you want max control for all 12mo of the year

 

I ran my old winter tires in the summer here in Michigan and that was a bad idea. They wore through in a year because the softness was not good in the heat.

 

Last year in the mountains with snow and mud they did ok , would spin but not horrible.

 

Yeah you basically melted them haha.

There are a few guys on here from northern Canada that run winters full time because the weather permits it. Crazy. But kinda jealous

 

Lol, yeah there's nothing like going from a Mustang with all seasons to a 4x4 pickup with winter tires. My all terrains were good, but definitely not the same.

 

I have had my fair share of WTF moments in wet/snow conditions on K02s. I am afraid to see what my KM3s do.

 

I've been running KOs / KO2s for decades and would agree 100%. Great in 'deep' snow/sand/mud, etc. but not so hot on 'slick' surfaces