KO2 versus KO3?

[Zucco22]

Does anyone have expericence with the KO3 versus the OE KO2? I am about to replace the tires on my 2023 Bronco Raptor and trying to figure out which to go with. I do mostly highway driving. I will occasionaly do light offroading, but mostly road driving. I have about 48k miles. I have a little life left on current tires, but figure I will replace them now. Thanks in advance.

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[TruckCamper]

You'll want to wait till May 2026 for the Ko3 37x12.5R17 Load C. The current version of the KO3 37x12.5R17 is Load F (for HD trucks). Lots of improvements. I haven't run them yet. Waiting on release of a couple sizes coming up....

Big fan of the Ko2 (had 8 or more sets) over the years on various rigs. Biggest change for the KO3 is the 3 ply sidewall which was previously only for Load D & Load E tires. My understanding is all KO3s will have 3 ply. This is a MASSIVE improvement from your stock Ko2 with 2 ply sidewall.

 

[Zucco22]

I was concerned when I saw they were F rated. Thought it would really hurt my ride quality. Thanks for the reply. I'll stick with KO2 for now.

 

[TruckCamper]

I was concerned when I saw they were F rated. Thought it would really hurt my ride quality. Thanks for the reply. I'll stick with KO2 for now.

If you buy Ko2 get the Load D for the 3 ply sidewall.

 

[Jakob1972]

I am running the K03s in the 315 (35") size in the load range F and if you don't air them up to 40psi they are pretty nice. only cost me about 1 MPG. I do need to air down to mid teens when in the rocks. I did spend a week about 600 miles in the desert and dunes aird to about 22psi with no problems. K03 are a bit quieter then K02s also.

 

[MCLDO]

FWIW, I have two friends with Ranger Raptors with the KO3 as OE tire. They both complained about a shimmy or shaking after about 10k miles. It may be as simple as an imbalanced/out of round tire but thought it may be worth looking at a ranger raptor forum to see if it is an issue. I haven't asked what they have done to remedy the issue since they told me.

 

[TruckCamper]

FWIW, I have two friends with Ranger Raptors with the KO3 as OE tire. They both complained about a shimmy or shaking after about 10k miles. It may be as simple as an imbalanced/out of round tire but thought it may be worth looking at a ranger raptor forum to see if it is an issue. I haven't asked what they have done to remedy the issue since they told me.

There are many complaints about balancing. I did find with our Ko2s they are rather sensitive... often after airing down off road the balance was off. Likely from the wheel/tire slightly rotating. This is probably less of an issue with beadgrip or non issue with beadlock. Worth the tradeoff for us for the quiet ride, great traction and great mpg. One of the 37s we have regularly hit 20mpg on the road with multiple rigs.

 

[MMR16]

Does anybody know when we will see 315s in load C or D rating.? F seems to heavy duty for why I do.

 

[Portagebay]

I just swapped over to KO3s on my Badlands Bronco and off-road trailer. Very happy so far. Heading out to work in Death Valley NP for four months (where I have had several flats and sidewall cuts over the past 45 years) I'll report back.....

 

[Canyon Coolers]

I was concerned when I saw they were F rated. Thought it would really hurt my ride quality. Thanks for the reply. I'll stick with KO2 for now.

KO2 is pretty dated. I attended a Tire Dealer training shootout and head to head it performed pretty poorly relative to everything else out there. Better then no name but below anything brand name I saw.

Don't get too caught up in sidewall ply count, Toyo claims to have 20, but its the overall thickness that matters more.

Also I would stick with C rated
Personally I'm a Kenda Klever RT guy but there are other good brands too.

 

[TruckCamper]

KO2 is pretty dated. I attended a Tire Dealer training shootout and head to head it performed pretty poorly relative to everything else out there. Better then no name but below anything brand name I saw.

Don't get too caught up in sidewall ply count, Toyo claims to have 20, but its the overall thickness that matters more.

Also I would stick with C rated
Personally I'm a Kenda Klever RT guy but there are other good brands too.

I find those "tests" rather unhelpful for off road use... Durability is crucial. Hard to lab or track test compare. Also rolling resistance is rarely considered. I care about mpg (which is range) and durability rather highly. Traction is important but difficult to compare (too many variables). Longevity is also a consideration.

I disagree on sidewall ply count. 3 ply is more durable. I've punctured 2 ply. Nothing is invincible but construction matters! Falcon AT3W had 2 ply sidewall... I never liked them due to the construction and extremely heavy (similar to Cooper tires). Everyone said the same thing ply count doesn't matter. Yet, seeing the sidewall punctures off road was proof. Oh.... and the replacement AT4W is now 3 ply sidewall and it's an "important" improvement. Or wait. It was ALWAYS important they just didn't offer it.

BFG is owned by Michelin which is one of the oldest and most innovative tire companies of all time. I also don't like to support tires made in China. Google says "some" Ko2s are manufactured overseas but haven't seen that printed on the actual tires I've owned.

There are not many great tire companies. And all tires are not the same.

 

[whutt]

Tire opinions are like a certain body part, everyone has one. That said, in my experience I have had really good luck with the KO2’s on both Jeeps and an F350 (over 280,000 miles). C rated on the Jeep, E on the Ford, I would have had the :grass is greener” and tried Nittos, Yokohamas, Goodyears, and always came back to the BFG’s. Trashed some rims and Beadlocks rings, but never cut a sidewall enough to cause a leak. When it comes time to replace tires on the Bronco I hope the KO3s are available in C.

 

[CalvinT]

Be interesting to go to a Ford dealer and see what's on new Badlands.

 

[Nanook]

Just get the Ford Performance KO2’s if you are sticking with BFG.

 

[swamp2]

JMHO, of course, but Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs look like a great option before the KO3 is out in the Raptor size. It may still be great after that option is available too.

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