BFG K02 "DT"

[pedroZ]

Does anybody have an opinion on BFG's "DT" (different tread) tire compound?

I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of K02s but I'm on the fence as to whether the DT option is what I want.

According to one of BFG's online customer service reps, the DT tire compound is only offered in certain size tires, I'm guessing in the LT type. The DT designation confers a 50K mile warranty whereas the regular K02 has no mileage warranty. Also, apparently the DT compound removes the 3 mountain snowflake designation...

My concern is that the DT compound will sacrifice traction on wet roads or snowy roads in favor of better tread ware.

Thoughts?

 

[gaijin]

Does anybody have an opinion on BFG's "DT" (different tread) tire compound?

I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of K02s but I'm on the fence as to whether the DT option is what I want.

According to one of BFG's online customer service reps, the DT tire compound is only offered in certain size tires, I'm guessing in the LT type. The DT designation confers a 50K mile warranty whereas the regular K02 has no mileage warranty. Also, apparently the DT compound removes the 3 mountain snowflake designation...

My concern is that the DT compound will sacrifice traction on wet roads or snowy roads in favor of better tread ware.

Thoughts?

From TireRack.com:

All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires labeled "DT" utilize a different tread compound designed to improve wear in high-torque applications and improved chip and tear resistance in gravel. Tires featuring this compound carry a 50,000-Mile Treadwear Warranty and are NOT branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. They can be identified by the "DT" branding on the sidewall immediately following the service description, and are labeled on the Specs page and in search results.

My read is the same as yours, I think the DT compound will sacrifice traction for improved tread wear and resistance to chunking on gravel roads. If your use case is a lot of gravel, and you have experienced problems with chunking before, and you don't mind less wet/snow traction, then the DT variant might be a good choice.

HTH

 

[chilibit]

I agree gaijin. Unless you are routinely losing traction and spinning wheels (think 1 ton diesel PU pulling Bobcat on loose rock) then I would pick traction over mileage every time. Our moderate torque is spread over 4 drive wheels and I suspect you seldom spin a wheel.

 

[M1911]

Personally, I would not sacrifice traction in order to get another year out of a set of tires. YMMV.

 

[SWUtah]

I’ve never gotten less than 80,000 miles out of a set KO2’s
That’s on several LC/LX’s but I don’t go rock crawling. But if I did I’d want all the traction I could get out

 

[pedroZ]

Thanks guys. I think I'm settled on the regular K02s. Traction>Mileage..

 

[Sinister]

Thanks guys. I think I'm settled on the regular K02s. Traction>Mileage..

My KO2 have 52k on them, going to have to change them out soon.

 

[bloc]

A friend of mine with an F250 said the treadwear issues were with trucks of that type hauling at or near GVWR.. big trailers, etc.

I suspect vehicles like ours will keep doing what BFG KOs have for years.. wear like iron

 

[Reckless]

My original set of regular KO2s went 65k miles and I had 3/16" thread left. I had worn the edges completely down. I went DT this time but havent had any serious level of snow to test this in.

 

[Reckless]

According to BFGoodrich customer service the DT will handle the same in snow/ice just not legally a 3 star rated snow tire for places that require that designation. Maybe they did not want to pay for recertification?

 

[gaijin]

According to BFGoodrich customer service the DT will handle the same in snow/ice just not legally a 3 star rated snow tire for places that require that designation. Maybe they did not want to pay for recertification?

Maybe they were talking out their butt!

 

[Reckless]

Wouldnt be the first time.

 

[bloc]

Also.. the regular tire may have *BARELY* met those specs, and the long-wearing compound may have *BARELY* missed them.

Without data to compare the two who knows how different they would really be?

 

[Yossarian]

Thanks guys. I think I'm settled on the regular K02s. Traction>Mileage..

I see you're in El Paso, just a thought, but the DT's might prove better in that climate?

 

[Reckless]

Also.. the regular tire may have *BARELY* met those specs, and the long-wearing compound may have *BARELY* missed them.

Without data to compare the two who knows how different they would really be?

Waiting for snow in chicago to give subjective data report. If I don't like them may get them exchanged at discount tire (they offer 30 day exchanges).

 

[Cruisin911]

Anecdotal data here. I live in Colorado and run the load range E rated regular KO2s. I didn’t want to sacrifice the traction and if I get a little less wear, fine with me. I truly don’t understand buying an AT tire for traction, then sacrificing traction for longevity.

 

[Reckless]

In full disclosure I didn't catch losing the 3 star snow rating when I purchased the new DT version. I thought it was a more expensive KO2 with an additional mileage warranty. I probably would not have gone with it if I thought it would be worse in the snow. Weather report shows its not expected to snow this December in Chicago so may not have a chance to test it before 30 day exchange period comes to an end.