Anyone running BFG TA KO2 tires on their offroad TC rigs?

[silversand]

Is there anyone out there running the new KO2 BFGs on their rigs?

We're now running Duratrac meats on our rig, but would like to gather info on these babies...

LT285/75R16 (126/123R) E (3750 lbs @ 80 PSI)

[The_Mad_Norsky]

bcbouy wrote:
in bc after oct.1 to march 31 all passenger cars and rv's must have m+s or snow tires to travel high elevation mountain passes and a couple high elevation hiways.almost all m/t and a lot of a/t tires meet the standards for bc.did you look at the toyo m55?judging by quebec laws it might be easier to mount a separate set of tires for winter driving.you are very limited in snow tires.

problem with the M55 Toyo is the very hard rubber compound they use. Yes, it is a good, long lasting tire but very poor in cold conditions. Although studding it would help.


:h
I must admit confusion here, but I think that the Toyo Open Country C/T linked to by kohldad and the Toyo Open Country R/T I mentioned earlier are actually the same tire. One for Canadian sales and the other for the US.

[bcbouy]

in bc after oct.1 to march 31 all passenger cars and rv's must have m+s or snow tires to travel high elevation mountain passes and a couple high elevation hiways.almost all m/t and a lot of a/t tires meet the standards for bc.did you look at the toyo m55?judging by quebec laws it might be easier to mount a separate set of tires for winter driving.you are very limited in snow tires.

[kohldad]

Checked the Toyo site and found only the Open Country CT has mention of the snow cert logo. Unfortunately, not in the size you need.

And if you are wondering why I keep posting helping you find the tire is because I'm looking at options for my next tire which must be capable of running in the snow on my snow runs.

[sstan]

silversand wrote:
Hi Steve!

Wow. Just to clarify: was it the TA/Ko or TA/KO2 BFGs that cracked and delaminated? I would never go back to BFG TA/Ko tires; after just 3 years of use, all 4 of mine cracked severely between tread blocks and completely around all 4 sidewalls (I had scrapped them ~7 years ago for set of Micheline LTX AT2). I liked them before they cracked up (used them all over the Chaco area and VOG on the TC rig), so I was hoping to gather lots of TC rig anecdotes IF the KO2s are being used at all on heavier rigs...

I'll have to seriously look at those Toyos. Are you aware of the winter rated stamp being on any of the Toyo line-up ? Unfortunately, this year in Quebec, all heavy-duty trucks are required to have the special snow/ice rating stamped on tires used after mid December, or major fine (I believe that British Columbia has the same winter tire law, too), or i'd have the tires of my choice siped.

Silver,

The tires were TA/KO's that cracked and delaminated. But when Michelin told me they would not warrant the truck damage I was done with BFG. We're up on the mountain today but will check on the stamp when we return.

Steve

[kohldad]

I don't think you are going to find many folks with actual KO2 usage, definitely not long term since they were only released November. These are a new release and the new sizes are still being released. My 18" tire size won't be released until March this year.

My guess though is if you are unhappy with the KO, you won't be happy with the KO2.

Did some checking and found out the these two rinks which may help you out. They show 5 tires which all should have your size. Toyo was not one of the tires, but tirerack carries them at least in the size you are looking at getting.

Non-Winter Tires That Meet the Industry's Severe Snow Service Standards

[silversand]

Hi Steve!

Wow. Just to clarify: was it the TA/Ko or TA/KO2 BFGs that cracked and delaminated? I would never go back to BFG TA/Ko tires; after just 3 years of use, all 4 of mine cracked severely between tread blocks and completely around all 4 sidewalls (I had scrapped them ~7 years ago for set of Micheline LTX AT2). I liked them before they cracked up (used them all over the Chaco area and VOG on the TC rig), so I was hoping to gather lots of TC rig anecdotes IF the KO2s are being used at all on heavier rigs...

I'll have to seriously look at those Toyos. Are you aware of the winter rated stamp being on any of the Toyo line-up ? Unfortunately, this year in Quebec, all heavy-duty trucks are required to have the special snow/ice rating stamped on tires used after mid December, or major fine (I believe that British Columbia has the same winter tire law, too), or i'd have the tires of my choice siped.

[sstan]

Silver,

I had these on my Dodge Ram. They were noisy but did OK off road. They didn't do well in the ice and snow we see in the Sierras though. They developed sidewall cracking and eventually the tread delaminated on one - tacking out my quarter panel.

I now run Toyos and just mounted a set of their AT2's. Some sizes come in "extreme" tread depth that look and act like MT tires but come with a 50k mile warranty. Siped they are amazing. You might want to give these a look.

[kohldad]

Having the symbol on the side of tire isn't that much of an issue down here but understand.

I ran the BFG AT K/O on my Grand Cherokee and they did extremely well in all conditions including off-road, 8" of snow, and ice. Nothing works on ice, but I was surprised at how well they did. After 60,000 miles, they still had good amount of tread left on them. Had considered them for my truck, but it doesn't see harsh enough conditions to take the chance on amount of wear from carrying a camper a lot of the time. But if they were the only choice that meet the need, I would be willing to at least give them a fair shot.

[silversand]

....Michelin LTX A/T2 tire

I just replaced these tires (at 6.4 years of age: started significant sidewall cracking on 3 tires). I was impressed by them, however, I need a legally rated and performance-tested snow tire rubber compound and tread, that doubles as all season (with the U.S. Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) severe winter rated logo stamped on the tire). We expect to do some snow and ice driving now that we are on the cusp of full retirement (ie. we will encounter potentially significant snow and ice traversing to/from warmer climes several times a year).

The only load-rated E tires on the North American market, as far as I am aware, with this capability are: Goodyear Duratrac and BFGoogrich TA/Ko (and K02) full sized truck tires.

[kohldad]

May also want to look at the Michelin LTX A/T2 tire. They may not be aggressive as you want. Not very good in muck, but shines every place else. With the TC on the truck, can vouch for them on 6" unpacked and packed snow. They wear even, are quiet, and have a nice ride.

Had them on my old truck and will be putting them on the new one as soon as the factory tires wear out.

[kevden]

I have had a few sets of the old BFG AT/KO and I liked them. A bit noisy, but that is expected in a tire like this. Had one get cut through the tread on a freshly regraded gravel road causing a flat. The tires were due to be replaced within a year, so I just replaced all 4 with General Grabber AT2 which has almost the exact tread pattern.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

I am thinking that any of the following three would be great tires for us TC haulers.

Part mud terrain, part all terrain. 3 ply sidewalls.

1). Cooper ST Maxx
2). Toyo Open Country R/T
3). Nitto EXO Grappler AWT.

The Toyo and Nitto have only recently been introduced to the market, so appears they are limited in sizes available right now.

The Cooper ST Maxx has been around for a few years now, with very favorable reviews. It does have the LT 285/75R16 size available @ the 3750 lbs load rating.

[silversand]

Thanks Guys!

The reason I started this thread so early in the game (our new Duratrac tires are literally brand new, 1840 miles on them; they are excellent in every respect....so far), is that I want to start accumulating experiences as an future alternative tire.

DJ: I got a chance to see the Toyo MTs first hand (on a very nice imported Land Rover) in North Carolina, this past October. They had a good review by owner. Tks.

[kbaum]

I am also interested in the new!!! KO's but for my Jeep. They appear to have some interesting new sizes, as well. I have not seen the tire yet but am interested. The 3,750 Lb load range on the tire you are investigating is intriguing .

[_DJ_1]

bcbouy wrote:
i had them on my f150.good sand/ gravel tire but terrible in the mud,also really stiff when unloaded.wear was about average if you rotate every 5k .all around uncomfortable tire.i definately wouldn't put them on a heavy duty truck.if you're looking for a good all around road/off road go with the toyo open country m/t. i'm happy with my goodyear duratrac m/t's as well.

I also have the Toyo MT and had them siped. Great traction on all types of conditions. A little noisy and only get about 30-35K miles out of them. I run the 35x12.5 and they are a little pricey. April I will have to replace them and by the time I get them mounted, balanced and siped will be a little south of $2K.