These KO2's Suck in the rain. New AT Recommendations?

this, I went from k02 to Toyo Open Country AT3 to the RG. So far I prefer these overall, k02 was trash

 

Wildpeaks are fantastic in the rain.

 

+1 for ST Maxx, they are siped like crazy and amazing for wheeling.

Born and raised in the wet willamette valley in Oregon - before the taco I came from driving german cars like they were stolen and sometimes drive my truck the same on pavement. Went from stock hwy Sport tires to my second set of ST Maxx now. Zero complaints on or off-road in the rain and I drive on both quite a bit.

 

If you want a AT tire that outperforms the KO2 in basically every field, check out the Geolander GO15. A great tire especially for where you live.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

The KO2 has to be the most overrated tire on the market. And don’t listen to the fan boys on here who most have no experience comparing them to a lot of other tires. When it comes to tires, I would only believe what the professionals say with data to prove it as tires are the most important item on how your truck performs. Never skimp out on your tires!

 

These are on my short list. Just noting the the P and LT version of the GO15 look like totally different tires to me. The P looks like a road tire and the LT is a beefy AT.

I almost jumped on them because I want a road centric light AT tire with a softer ride compared to the KO2, but backed off once I realized most pics and reviews were for the LT version.

 

I'm running 265 75 16 C load. I like them. Good hybrid tire. Onky have 8k on them but so far so good. Ive heard they tend to chunk, ive had them offroad 6 times and have minor chunks from not airing down just hitting dirt roads

 

What load rating are your ST Maxx.

 

Drive same vehicle with Michelins. You will then understand.

 

Love my TOYO AT3’s. Great in rain and snow! Never had any issues so far in Colorado. Went through 2’ of snow like butter. Granted said snow was fresh and fluffy but still felt planted.

 

Lol I've probably ran 80 sets of tires in my driving for 40+ years. I've tried pretty much every AT tire. Top 3 for all conditions:
Michelin LTX AT
Cooper Discoverer AT3
General AT

K0's don't even make top 10 lol. But... they look cool so I guess for those who buy tires for looks? Even though that is the definition of stupidity? They would be #1.
Also, if I lived in a desert and it never rained or snowed and I drove over sharp rocks and cactus, THEN I would run another set of K0's.

 

I run Toyo ATIIs. I’m in NorCal, so we get those wet winters where the roads get to hydroplane conditions quite often. Being on the west coast, we probably have similar conditions albeit you get much more rain.

They perform well in all conditions and have good grip in the rain. They have that “aggressive” look most people look for, but admittedly aren’t as aggressive looking as your K02s.

I’m very confident in the rain and love them for my daily driving.

I will say next time around might go with the new ATIII.

 

Falken Wildpeak's are way better than BF Goodrich.

 

Overrated ? Huh?? It is vilely hated here, actually way over the top hatred here on TW. Seems almost like it's better than what people's subjective views are on TW. It is actually kind of weird the K02 hate on this site. I'm neutral on the issue, frankly.

Even your link doesn't show them overrated, not the best but not the worst.

Yes I own K02's just over a year old - they have been just fine. Friday we went dirt/off roading - the western wet cascade roads were slimey wet hard, semi paved in spots and DEEP potholes, gravel, mud, even sticky mud then super hard pack with a wet top. Raining off and on. My tires did fine. Again I don't see the point of carrying on with the claims about K02's it does not match reality.

 

Not over rated? How many people own the tire and how many threads are just on this site talking up how good they are? And how many threads are on this site talking about how good the GO15 tires are? No comparison but yet the GO15 tire is a far superior tire. That is a fact. But because the KO2 tire looks more aggressive they get all the hype. That is the reason most people on this site purchase the KO2. Simply because of the way the look. Not because the way they handle, brake, corner, get traction, etc. Not for the reasons they should be buying a tire for. Most people simple purchase them based on their looks which is pretty laughable.

The KO2 isn’t a bad tire. There are just better performing tires out there like the GO15 which beats it in just about every category but yet you don’t hear much of anything about them on this site but see a ton of stuff about that KO2. I’ll say it again. They are overrated and if you don’t agree you simply aren’t looking at the facts.

 

Wildpeaks FTMFW

 

This is pretty much a road tire though. Just because it has AT in the name doesn’t mean it is.

 

I haven't see one thread in my 1+ year here of anyone "talking up how good they are" I will admit.

They work for me. When they wear out I will evaluate all options.

 

Yeah, you wouldn't want to run the LTX tire on any trails. I blew out the sidewalls on two of them in one week when we were borrowing our friends GX for a family trip. Have heard good things about the Wildpeaks but have no experience with them. But in the last two years or so between my wives Tacoma and mine, we've ran KO2's, Duratracs, Klever RT's, ST Maxx, and AT3 XLT's and have to say the KO2's were the worst overall performing tire of the bunch. It is also the only tire besides the LTX that I've ever blown a sidewall on in all the years we've been wheeling (also blew a sidewall on the original KO tire on our old Wrangler). And we are currently running the GO15 on our RAV4 and they are quite impressive especially compared to the Open Country tires that we had on them previously. Also ran the GO15 on a FJ Cruiser that we use to own. Loved them on that rig but make sure you get them in the LT version if you do much off roading as the tread depth is quite a bit deeper on the LT version.

If your just driving in dry conditions then there are a lot of great performing tires including the KO2. But when things get wet or rocky, that's when choosing a tire based on looks isn't going to pay off.

 

Tough call because I replaced the original Yokohama Geolanders with KO2s because one the geolander sidewalls shred on a shale rock trail. And KO2s have been nothing but a dream on Sierra granite and rock.

I just can’t believe there’s too much disparity between these tires if part of the same class. Road tires are going to be better on wet pavement. Real AT tires better off road. Beyond that I think all popular tires perform well for their intended purpose.

Still the new LT geolanders (GO15) are on my shortlist when the KO2s wear out. Which is soon.

One tire I haven’t seen in this thread is the Goodyear Ultraterrains. Those look good too.

 

Google KO2 Tacomaworld and start counting how many threads there are for these tires. Have to be the most popular tire on this site but definitely not the best tire. I would consider that over rated.