BFG 295/70-R18 KO2: Anyone Running These Yet?

I haven't seen any pics yet of the new BFG 295/70-R18 Tires on any Tundras. I'm especially interested to see these on the TRD Pro forged wheels. Anyone out there running these yet? Any comments about their performance, ride, etc.?

 

Wow....$320 each seems like a lot. Is it me? Sorry, I can't answer your question.

 

BFG KO2 tires are usually on the higher price end. Given the Mfr. and tire size, I'm not too surprised by the price. My Coopers AT3 XLTs are $290 each.

 

Dont do it, stay away fro KO2s. Trash tires.

 

BFG tires are not what they used to be. They are rock magnets too.

 

My Ridge Grapplers in 285/70's were $330 per tire.

 

Just starting to look at all the options right now. I had KO2s on my '07 4Runner for over 40K miles and no problems. I'm also running a set on my '89 4X4 Pickup and no problems there either - much better than the Mickey Thompsons my son had on before these. Why are these "trash" tires in your opinion? I do like the Coopers I'm running right now, but not sure how they compare to the BFG KO2s.

 

The KO2s are not necessarily a bad tire. There are better tires out there IMO. It depends on your needs. I don’t like them because most of my off road driving involves mud and they’re not very good in mud.

 

Thanks for the comments. Guess I'm just looking at stuff I know and being a new tire size for BFG, I thought maybe they have made some improvements. I've always like the looks of these tires, but that's not the main driver. I'm actually leaning more toward another set of Cooper AT3 XLTs as mine check most boxes, but looking too at the Nitto RGs and others...too many choices!

 

I’ve been running KO2s on my tacos for decades. IMO they are great tires. Very low noise on the highway, good gas mileage, and plenty of tread for snow and light off road adventures. I don’t take it mud running per se, but it’s been off the road a lot on wet, hilly terrain. As soon as these OEM tires wear out, my Tundra is getting a set of KO2s.

 

Falken, Toyo, and Cooper have all passed the KO2 in everything but rock crawling and sidewall toughness (BFG has 3 sidewall plies, the others have two with extra rubber near the tread). The Falken AT3w has spanked the BFG I had previously. Better in dry, wet, snow, and mud. Smoother on road ride too. Just look at the tread design with the incredible deep angular siping and deep S/Z shaped center lugs of the Falken. It all makes sense to me after experiencing the difference in performance. Also they balanced great for the size according to my shop. My BFG would never be a perfect balance just good enough.
BFG hasn’t changed their design in a long time. Just market driven to provide this size.
BFG do also look awesome, kinda a retro tough look now.

 

Thanks for your helpful comments. Only concern I have about the Falken vs. the Coopers is the extra weight. Of course, the BFGs are about 70 Lbs. too. Also, I had the BFG I on my '07 4Runner and thought the KO2s were much better.

 

Yeah the falken is heavy but to me that just means more rubber where it matters? Hopefully. I will probably try the Toyo ATiii next time unless something else comes out. Lots of the same design elements in an American made tire. They look awesome too and a bit lighter in my size. When I purchased they only had the ATii and I couldn’t deal with the reviews that reported compromised wet grip. Looks like toyo fixed it.

 

Looking at the Toyo ATIIIs they look a closer in weight to the Coopers at 62 Lbs. Any other reasons that you like these over others like Nittos?

 

Love my KO2s. 25k miles in, even wear, lots of tread left. Awesome in the snow and best looking A/T tire in my opinion. It's on more aggressive side which will obviously mean it performs worse on the road then more milder ones.

Everyone has different opinions on tire choice so I would just go with what is readily available and suits your needs.

 

Sure. Asking about tires is like asking everyone their favorite Tundra color! ...But it's all good, as I like hearing everyone's perspectives like yours. I often learn a lot of stuff which helps my decision process.

 

Nitto and toyo are same company. Both good tires. The ATIII is their most recently updated tire. It took a lot of the things I want and tied it up in one. Deep tread, nice chunky sidewall, street friendly tread with snow peak rating, great initial quality from all reviews I’ve seen, American made. The ridge grapplers are heavier and not as advanced imo, they look awesome due to the chunky sidewall but not sure they really are performance wise. Lots of people love them because they look good, and a decent compromise if you need a little more off road. The Nitto AT is an older design about 1/4 as old as the BFG but there are more advanced tires out there just like the sister company’s ATIII. My dad hated his Nitto all terrains, described them as sketchy in rain.
Also funny, think at3 advanced and maybe copied bc they had too. Falken was killing the ATII. And another note the Falken will turn brownish. Mine did.

 

Yeah. I just find it funny reading through each tire thread as it alternates between KO2s suck and KO2s are the best... But I keep giving my opinion so I contribute to the problem. Haha.

Everyone wants a perfect tire but it doesn't exist. What makes a tire good in one area will make it worse in another. Unless you pick a tire in middle that is mediocre at everything.

Just my tire opinion, I'm no expert!

 

I do think I’m partial to tires that do good in wet. Almost all my wheeling happens in a rainforest and we get tons of heavy rain here. The bfg would spin in misty weather and were worse in a downpour.

 

I test my equipment therefore an armchair internet expert. I know how everything works just ask me lol

 

Many Thanks Skey44 for the good information. Man, I'm only 30 minutes away from you and didn't see any snow! Cool pics!

 

Think you're right. Seems most either hate the BFGs or love them (I like them, but willing to try something different). The same thing about finding a tire that best meets specific needs can also be said about all the suspension upgrades too. I just have to find the tire that best fits my needs: Mostly good road performance manners, reliability, decent off-road for hunting, exploring, and decent looks. Price isn't too much of a factor as most of these tires are within $50 of each other.

 

Don't you live in Greenville, South Carolina? Is there a rain forest near us? Or maybe you're driving a long ways to go wheeling?

 

never had issues with KO2 on my SUV (have them for 5 years now). they do throw rocks but they work great in snow and sand. Better than my toyo imo. Aggressive sidewalls too.
the pattern is a bit antic though. KO3s soon maybe.

 

I’ve ran BFG’s for 30+ years. Mostly desert and snow, loved them until a set in 2016 wouldn’t balance. Ended up getting rid of that truck, tires were the least of its problems. I still have them on my old 4Runner. I have cooper discoverer at3 4s on the tundra. I’ve been impressed with them so far, quiet, great in wet and snowy weather. They do good in desert terrain too. Not overly aggressive but very capable. Not sure what the next tires will be yet.

 

Thanks for your comments and your service!

 

I looked at them, they weren't available yet when I wanted to upgrade my tires, so I went to the Falken Wildpeaks at $100/tire less in price. And I've been nothing but impressed. Icy roads, lots of wet pavement, snow, a little mud and a little sand - they've been great. My first set of KO2's on my 2008 were good, but these have been great.

 

Yup, jocassee Gorges and Pisgah have areas of temperate rain forest.

 

Right! Wasn’t thinking about those areas.

 

BFG relies too much on their past to care about the present.

I went through 10 tires within a few months. Some had stupid excessive road force brand new, out of the gate. They balance poorly and if you can finally get them to balance out they dont hold and wear poorly. Just a terrible experience.