BFG KO2, General Grabbers ATX for 2005 Ford Ranger

[hugapuppy]

Want something All-Terrain but especially great in the snow/icy conditions.

First-time Wisconsin Winter driver from the desert and I wan'na be prepared.

Thanks so much for all and any suggestions I could possibly get!

 

[hugapuppy]

What about Coopers Discover?

 

[JMF661]

Up in Montana I had pretty good luck with KO2s on my 4x4 tundra. Cooper discovers were on a lot of our work trucks. You’re probably going to be battling a lot more ice than I experienced though.

 

[Dirtman]

All terrain tires are generally not ideal snow tires. Snow is a very different animal than sand, mud or other offroad use. Good snow tires need to be very square for maximum footprint, soft rubber to grip in the cold and with tons of tiny cuts (sipes) designed to pack with snow and bite into ice. All terrains tend to be hard rugged tires with a rounder profile and large grooves in the tread designed to dig into dirt.

Will an all terrain work in the snow? Sure. But they are not even close to the performance you'd get with a true snow tire.

 

[hugapuppy]

So, should I be switching my tires for seasons? Keeping two sets? Is there a tire you recommend?

 

[Dirtman]

Really depends how much snow your area gets (Ive never been to Wisconsin) and how much you plan to drive the truck in the winter. I use to run separate snow tires but not going to anymore because it just doesn't snow enough around here anymore. Gotta weigh the cost of two sets of tires and work of switching them every 6 months vs how much you'll actually need snow tires.

 

[Wannagodiving]

KO2s are awesome in ice and snow.
I lived in Alaska, and I currently live in the mountains in California, and do a lot of snow off-roading. This is if you are only having one set, if you are gonna have two, I’d still say KO2s and maybe chains, or a second set of actual snow/ice tires. But KO2s are severe snow/ice rated

 

[Uncle Gump]

When I bought my truck... it had a set of Michelin Defenders on it. They were just highway tread but had considerable sipes. They did really well on the snow. I've never liked KO2's in the winter.

One thing for sure.... it's way different then being on something with traction.

I will leave you with this to add to your winter driving thought process....

Slow and Steady wins the race.

 

[sgtsandman]

From reviews I’ve seen on different web sites, the KO2s have rated pretty well in snow. I don’t remember for ice.

I’m with Dirtman though. Nothing goes in snow like actual winter tires.

With how the winters have been around here, I’m going to roll the dice and see how the KO2s do. If they do ok, I’ll stick with them and replace my worn out snow tires for mud tires. If they don’t, it will be another set of snow tires. The Mastercraft MSR tires I have on the 2019 seem like a good compromise between a snow tire and an all terrain. They might be an option to consider if you are willing to run two sets and need all terrain capability out of your snow tires. The compound in them would not be a good year round choice though.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

KO2s all day.

I have yet to get either of my 2wd F250s stuck in a michigan winter with them. My 77 i had buried to the rockers and got out under its own power....

 

[crazykev4x4]

I have lived in Wisconsin my whole life and have always run BFG tires and would definitely go with the KO2. Where are you located in Wisconsin?

 

[racsan]

when you have serious snow, nothing beats a true winter tire, I used to run a pep boys house brand (dakota definity a/t) that was great in the snow, made by cooper tire but had a tread pattern similar to the bfg a/t t/a. Its been discontinued for a few years now. My winter set is bridgestone blizzacks, theyve done quite well, granted we dont get much snow in central ohio like we used to, but those 4-8 days every winter when there is something substantial they do well. Some weight in the back is always helpful too but not too much, 200# seems to be about right. and of course easy on the right pedal, even when you can “go” you still need to be able to “stop”.

 

[Blmpkn]

I vote for a dedicated set of winter wheels/tires.

I also pull the abs fuse for winters to 100% disable the traction control, depending what year your rig is you may not have to worry about that.

Losing abs for the winters is a BONUS to me. I find the system to be wayyyyyy too sensitive in snow. Since I started pulling the fuse I havnt had any of those butt puckering moments where your coming up to a stop and nothing's happening but the pedal freaking out.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Never had snow tires, I have gotten along pretty good.

My current Falken Wildpeak AT3's are the best tire I have ran in snow.

 

[justlexi]

BFG KO2 has a lot of great reviews online. My brother told me that this tire provides an excellent grip in all weather conditions. This tire performs well even in winter and so as on a rainy day. He got it from a shop called 4wheelonline at a discounted price.