NEW, IMPROVED RUBBER

[pjtoledo]

FYI, BFGoodrich has recently released all terrain KO3. an improved version of the KO2.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

FYI, BFGoodrich has recently released all terrain KO3. an improved version of the KO2.

They have? How recently? I just bought KO2's last summer

EDIT...

Just googled them...not sure i like them...the tread looks super close togther and they dont seem to look nearly aggressive as the KO2's...

KO3...

KO2...

The new ones look to goodyear duratrac'y

 

[sgtsandman]

They have? How recently? I just bought KO2's last summer

EDIT...

Just googled them...not sure i like them...the tread looks super close togther and they dont seem to look nearly aggressive as the KO2's...

KO3...
View attachment 110519

KO2...
View attachment 110520

The new ones look to goodyear duratrac'y

They are supposed to be available in July.

 

[sgtsandman]

A bunch of great input, ideas and feedback. Once I find either a type of product or specific manufacturer that suits my mission (daily commutes and cross country towing), I will continue to use it until it is no longer available or the quality diminishes.

The current front runner is a newer tire from Mickey Thompson called the "DEEGAN 38 A/T"; the reason for focus on this tire is it most closely resembles, in both tread design and performance characteristics, the former high mileage AT I've used which after 19 years have just started to dry rot. The other side of my thought is that the Mickey's I have are great, long lasting and perform very well in their designed job.

What I do not know is which version is better suited to my mission, the Lt or the SUV version:
• 33×12.5r15
• 285/75r16

Unfortunately for me, I do not fully understand how the load rating will translate to premium function while towing a modest camper (2,500-4,000 lbs).

If I understand LOAD RATING correctly, I may be better off sacrificing ride comfort for strength. For example:
- 123 load rating will be a stiffer tire with improved stiffness/strength while towing
- 107 load rating will offer more comfortable ride when not towing

Do I have that correct?

While I don't have it completely nailed down, a 112 load rating, which is what is on my 2019 right now, is roughly equivalent to Load C. I've yet to find a chart that gives equivalents of the numbered load rating to the letter load rating system. So, you sort of have to guess at it.

As far as ride comfort, load rating does play a part but side wall plies contribute more. A 2 ply side wall is generally going to ride softer than a 3 ply. The BFG KO2 and Falken Wildpeak 4W tires have a 3 ply with load C from what I'm understanding. The rest only 2 plies. The Falken 3W tires only have 2 plies in the load C but have 3 plies in the Load E. This is all based on information passed on by others. So, YMMV.

Also, don't forget about inflation pressure. The more inflation in the tire, the harder it's going to ride. Obviously, you want the amount of psi to support the weight you are carrying. So, you can only "air down" so far before you risk tire damage. Some tires, like the KO2s, tend to wander if the inflation pressure is too high as well but not every tire is like that. Finding the happy medium takes some trial and error sometimes.

 

[gaz]

@superj
How do you feel a 10 ply tire would hold up on a BroncoII at 3,500 lbs? How would it feel to drive, or two?

 

[Shran]

@superj
How do you feel a 10 ply tire would hold up on a BroncoII at 3,500 lbs? How would it feel to drive, or two?

This is just my opinion but on a small vehicle, there is no downside to running a tire with more plies/higher load rating other than ride quality. You can be totally safe with a P rated/4 ply tire on a Bronco II or anything higher than that. Usually higher load ratings equal stiffer sidewalls. You can also run higher air pressure if you want. I usually run 40psi in the back of my Explorer and 35 in the front. I have 30x9.50x15 BFG KO2's on that rig. I think they are C load range/6 ply.

On the other side of that, if you have a large rig, say an F350, you should not be running low load range tires.

If I had a set of 10 plies in the size & style I wanted, I would have zero qualms about running them on a Bronco II.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

@superj
How do you feel a 10 ply tire would hold up on a BroncoII at 3,500 lbs? How would it feel to drive, or two?

Itll pry ride a bit stiffer. But theyll wear like iron

 

[superj]

Yeah, just the ride would be rough and gas mileage will drop

 

[gaz]

@superj ,
Why would the gas mileage be lower?

 

[superj]

10 ply tires are heavier than load range c. They added ao much on my titan that my gas mileage went from 20mpg on the highway to 16mpg

 

[gaz]

After all the research, daily checks on FB marketplace...I put The A.I. to work for me. As soon as The Amazon needed to clear their oldest set of Cooper Evolution M/T' s in 33×12.5R15, I received an alert. I wasted 37 seconds checking eBay and The Walmart against it, then immediately pulled the trigger.

They were my 5th choice but $300 less than my 1st choice used. Decided (with input) to go raised white letters (RWL) outward.

 

[Uncle Gump]

18 months to decide...

And I thought I was overly analytical.

Those aren't 3PMS rated are they?

 

[gaz]

@Uncle Gump
Unfortunately they are not 3PMS rated, I will most likely be getting them siped. They earned my 5th choice due to favorable reviews regarding tread life/wear, wet weather street driving, off road grip and "made in the U.S.A".

Yes, 18 months to decide, there is an unfortunate sude story to that. As stated, I began asking for input and researching tire performance 18 months ago. My top 4 choices and why:

#1 Interco Super Swamper bias-ply TSL SX², due of the input from a previous neighbor on treadwear and longevity in our environment...despite many more warnings and conceding that they are not the optimum tire for my application but an emotional desire
#2 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T, I have experience unbelievable tire/tread life with both Baja Belted and Baja Claws. If I could have found another set of them, I would have been hard pressed not to grab them, the Baja Boss M/T was the closest current model.
#3 Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT, the closest looking to my former Sears Trailhandler APT all-terrains (made for Sears by Pirelli and lasted FOREVER).
#4 Falken Rubitrek A/T or Falken Wildpeak AT4W, sort of a cheat but they both offered enough of what I want, so best price would win.
#5 Cooper Evolution M/T, great reviews, closeout and Rollback prices in addition to previously stated reasons.

WHY
After parking on the ground for a winter, the Mickey Thompson Baja Belted set were unfortunately leached out and suddenly began to show cords through the primary tread in a couple small spots . While they are still holding air, I had limited their use to local errand runs, under 35 mph , because of this I was prepared to pull the trigger earlier this April; the used set deals, while plentiful, just kept falling through.

Thanks for all the responses, support and interes
...Go Broncos!!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

TSL's will always be something to me, when I first joined here they were THE tire to have.

Bias vs radial was a subject of debate then too...

 

[Shran]

They may not be 3PMS rated but I guarantee they will give you a lot of fun on 3 snowy mountain peaks!!!

Post pics when you have them on the truck!