KO3 "Review"

[COS80]

This isn't so much a review as it is just sharing my experience. I just installed 315/75/16s and the maiden voyage was to Metberry Gulch. It snowed last night, so I got a lot of different conditions in the first outing - highway miles, loose dirt, gravel, snow, deep mud, gravel-covered slick rock, and small water crossings. The tire excelled in all of these conditions, but four things are noteworthy:

1. Snow traction: on a long, steep downhill section, I never locked a wheel, but 5 out 6 of the other trucks slid down pretty much the entire hill.
2. Sandy/gravelly slick rock: every other truck in our group was slipping up the steep rock - the KO3s never made a sound.
3. There were three places on the trail where I would have engaged lockers with my old Nittos, but I no longer need them.
4. They are quiet on the road.

I'm very pleased with these tires so far!

 

[Desiboy]

Thanks, hoping to swap out my Toyos for the KO3s at some point.

 

[landarcht]

I have some questions, concerns and probably comments/feedback regarding the KO'3s that I just put on my 2005 100 series two days ago. I switched from OEM18" wheel with Nitto Ridge Grabbler 285/65/R18 to OEM 16" wheel with BFG KO3 285/75/R18. I made numerous research and comparisons before I made a last minute to KO3 from Falken Wildpeak ATW4 because Falkens are a bit heavier based on my research and that KO3's are a bit more quieter, since this is my DD and mostly on road, I chose KO3's. They look awesome and fit just right on my 2" lift and road manner and noise is as advertised, nothing that's bothersome. however, I do feel I can feel a lot more bumps and the tires don't absorb them as well as Nittos, not sure if because Nitto's are softer rubber or just worn out or the 18" wheel, but I have more walls now. I also feel a tiny bit longer for stopping distance. But what I most noticed is that I'm no longer aligned with the speedometer, the car is actually running about 3-4 miles faster than what the speedometer shows, is that due to wheel size from 18" to 16"? Is there a way to make the adjustment so it reads accurately? I plan to keep the 16's for some time. Other than that, it is fairly quiet and rides nice on paved roads without potholes.

 

[COS80]

A 285/65/R18 is 32.6", whereas a 285/75/R16 is 32.8". 0.2" is not enough to make a 3-4mph difference. Are you sure those sizes are accurate? I just increased my tire size by 1.6" and that only makes a 3% / 2mph difference at 65mph.

As for the stiffness, look at your load rating. My KO3s are E rated and the old tires were Ds. I can feel that difference in firmness on the road.

 

[landarcht]

I know, I also did that comparison before going to the 16" The speed reading I compared to is from google map gps while I was driving on the highway, so unless that's inaccurate. But I remember it was pretty much spot on before whenver I'm using the google maps. But this time I noticed it is that much off.
Mine is E rating.

 

[COS80]

Another data point: we had a major blizzard last night, and the roads were apocalyptic this morning. The car in front of me went off into the bank and just jammed up, forcing me to brake, instantly turning 90 degrees on glare ice. I slid broadside, totally unable to control the slide, but the tires stopped me before the crash. That was a "snow tire" stop on that ice. I pulled over in front of that car and attempted to pull her out (failed) and fell twice.

 

[Bloomer]

Curious if anyone can offer their experience with highway ride quality for the KO3s. I’m a (driver) lifelong BFG KO fan but recently installed the KO3s on a heavy duty truck and the ride quality is not as good as the prior KO2s. Had this experience with 2 HD trucks. Wondering if it’ll be the same for different size tires.