BFG KO2 vs Firestone X/T

[GoldCountry]

Our TJ over steers very easily in the rain on the twisty roads around our house. We are not sure if this is due to the age of our tires at seven years old, if it is the way the BFG KO2 is in the rain even at slow speed or if it is just the mannerisms of a short wheelbase Jeep.

We figured we’d ask the question assuming it’s the age of the tires, but let us know if you think otherwise.

We would like opinions from those who have KO2s that aren’t 7 years old and also opinions on the Firestone X/Ts.

Thanks!

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

Ive not run firestone tires however they dont carry a good name.

ko2 ive had multiple sets. i live in a rain forest, they are epic in rain and unreal in heavy wet snow that we get out here. ive had 33,35 and 37s. all performed flawlessly and last a long time.

at 7 years old you tires need to be replaced, the rubber is degrading and getting hard. this is causing your issues. neither of my jeeps have this issue with the ko2. (ive been selling tires for 20 years and 10 years in a parts dept.)

 

[lBasket]

Ive not run firestone tires however they dont carry a good name.

ko2 ive had multiple sets. i live in a rain forest, they are epic in rain and unreal in heavy wet snow that we get out here. ive had 33,35 and 37s. all performed flawlessly and last a long time.

at 7 years old you tires need to be replaced, the rubber is degrading and getting hard. this is causing your issues. neither of my jeeps have this issue with the ko2. (ive been selling tires for 20 years and 10 years in a parts dept.)

You like KO2s in heavy rain??

 

[mudmaster]

I'll second the KO2s. I have them on our GC in the stock size on my DD.

 

[lBasket]

IMO the KO2 is a mediocre tire at best but my biggest complaint about it was performance in rain. That tire wants to hydroplane so bad, I would absolutely never recommend it specifically for driving in rain.

 

[mudmaster]

IMO the KO2 is a mediocre tire at best but my biggest complaint about it was performance in rain. That tire wants to hydroplane so bad, I would absolutely never recommend it specifically for driving in rain.

Strange, No issues here. I've driven in plenty of rain with them for the last 3 years.

 

[lBasket]

Strange, No issues here. I've driven in plenty of rain with them for the last 3 years.

Yeah idk. I specifically noticed that right away - I've never driven a worse tire in rain, or even just small puddles or runoff on the curb. They're by far the worst tire I've had on my Jeep, and not just because of that.

 

[ColoJeep]

IMO the KO2 is a mediocre tire at best but my biggest complaint about it was performance in rain. That tire wants to hydroplane so bad, I would absolutely never recommend it specifically for driving in rain.

I had KO2's on a S-10 and was less than impressed with the snow traction up or down hill. Wet road hydroplaning was there too. I was very let down by the KO2 performance , especially for the high tire cost.

 

[mudmaster]

Maybe it's the higher weight of the GC? I also had them on a F250 and they were great. I have KO3s on my F350 now and they're great also.

 

[lBasket]

Maybe it's the higher weight of the GC? I also had them on a F250 and they were great. I have KO3s on my F350 now and they're great also.

That could be it. Does that just mean the weight is masking a problem in rain though? Idk really, probably doesn't matter I guess since he's talking TJ.

I will say idk these Firestone XTs - so the KO2 could still be a better tire between the two!

 

[deadbeat son]

I did not like the KO2 in the rain on my Tacoma or my 4Runner either. They have a tendency to slide in corners.

 

[bbaldwin237]

I had KO2s on a Silverado for work and hated them in heavy rain. I have them on my TJ (previous owner's choice) and don't love them for anything other than snow. I'm with @lBasket, I found them to be unimpressive personally.

The Duratrac served me better on my work truck for rain (currently running the RT's) but I hate how they chunk and wear (we'll see if the RT's do better).

I can't speak for the Firestone personally, but a friend ran them on an F250 gasser and loved them. However, that's a very different rig!

 

[KennethS]

Well I guess it's a good thing it rarely ever rains here in Phoenix as I just got a new set of BFG KOs.

 

[lBasket]

Well I guess it's a good thing it rarely ever rains here in Phoenix as I just got a new set of BFG KOs.

You'll be happy to hear they sucked on rocks too!

 

[ColoJeep]

Well I guess it's a good thing it rarely ever rains here in Phoenix as I just got a new set of BFG KOs.

Or snows .

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

You like KO2s in heavy rain??

absolutely i do. ive not had better tires on a suv in the rain ever. we get more rain in a month than most places get in a year. google vancouver average rainfall.

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

You'll be happy to hear they sucked on rocks too!

not in my experience. 10psi and they were like suction cups.

 

[KennethS]

not in my experience. 10psi and they were like suction cups.

Same here. I had two sets of BFG ATs over the years, then went to BFG MT, then Goodyear MTRs, and now back to a set of BFG ATs. All of those tires seemed to work about the same in the rocks. I never had any issues wheeling with the ATs, and many folks I wheel with use them as well, and no one ever had any issues in the rocks. Aired down appropriately and they worked as well as any of the MT tires.

 

[bbaldwin237]

absolutely i do. ive not had better tires on a suv in the rain ever. we get more rain in a month than most places get in a year. google vancouver average rainfall.

We're about 70-80" per year and I hate the KO2s lol Cooper AT3s and Fallen AT3Ws do well and we've really liked the Baja Boss ATs on my wife's GC Trailhawk.

Hate might be a strong word, but they're far from my favorite. They really miss the mark for me in heavy rain. Just wet roads they do fine. But heavy rain they just don't evacuate the water well enough.

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

We're about 70-80" per year and I hate the KO2s lol Cooper AT3s and Fallen AT3Ws do well and we've really liked the Baja Boss ATs on my wife's GC Trailhawk.

Hate might be a strong word, but they're far from my favorite. They really miss the mark for me in heavy rain. Just wet roads they do fine. But heavy rain they just don't evacuate the water well enough.

ive not had the same experience. we seem to have roughly the same amount of rain. to each their own i guess. falken at3 is an excellent tire as well i agree there fully