BFG KM3's or Goodyear Wrangler MTR?

[DropTopDon]

Hey everyone. Currently running 33 inch KM2’s and i’m more than satisfied with there performance. The tread life on them is wearing down and it’s about time i start saving up for new tires. I was considering either KM3’s or goodyear’s wrangler mtr’s with kevlar. Anyone have any experience or feedback with either one of these tires? I don’t do any serious rock crawling so i’m not sure how useful the kevlar sidewalls would really be for me. From what i’ve seen both are around the same price range so i’m not really sure which tire i should go with disregarding my good experiences with the KM2’s.

 

[Irun]

Tire choice depends on what you want, as well as where and how you'll use them. That said, a lot depends on your intended use. I ran both KM2s and MT/Rs here in Va. Both were fantastic tires off-road, but driving them on-road, in the rain or snow, wasn't a high point. The KM2s balanced out fine, but I had to constantly rotate them to keep the wear even. In the rain and snow, they were okay, but I had to be very conscious of speed, acceleration, and braking.

The MT/Rs were terrible to balance and their road manners in wet conditions made me white knuckled at times. If I were out west, in largely dry conditions, I'd run them in a minute. Here, not so much.

After going through several sets of tires, I finally landed on MT MTZ P3s. They're a super tuff MT, as good as my KM2s off-road, but their on-road manners are excellent. One of their big pros is that they have sipping, which makes them much, much better for use in all-weather conditions.

FWIW, I also considered the Cooper Discoverer STT Pro, which shared similar characteristics to the MTZ P3.

 

[Impact LJ]

We are running the KM3 here in Florida on the JLU. No complaints in the wet and I think they look great.

They are louder than the stockers we took off of course, but that was to be expected.

 

[Plumber1]

BFG's not a fan of Goodyear after their comments about BLM and the police

 

[SvtLdr]

I too had a set of 33" KM2s. I ran them for about 6 years and absolutely loved them. I stepped up to 35" KM3s last year and have had nothing but great experiences with them also. I'd say they are every bit as good as the KM2 with small improvements here and there. They're better on the rocks and on the road than the KM2 and they are still every bit as good in the mud. I don't have any experience with them in the snow or ice as my Jeep gets parked thru the winters now. I don't have any personal experience with Goodyear MTRs but a couple of my buddies have had similar trouble keeping them balanced as mentioned by @Irun. Good luck and have fun shopping!

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

BFG KM3's, I've got about 8000 miles and they still look new and they balanced well. They are a good all round tire out west.

 

[downthepines]

I have km3's, they are very good. I thought the km2's where awesome aswell. I can't speak on the other, But it sounds to me like they are very durable in awfully rugged terrain. Mind you goodyear bent themselves over with politics very recently.

 

[jeepguy03]

The only tire Goodyear makes that isn't garbage is the Duratrac, and it's reflected in their price. I wouldn't run any of their other tires again, and this is just from experience and has nothing to do with their political leanings.

 

[cpwolf]

Hey everyone. Currently running 33 inch KM2’s and i’m more than satisfied with there performance.

When I have awesome results with a product that needs to be replaced, then I....

disregarding my good experiences with the KM2’s.

Why would you disregard your personal experience in exchange for the comments of others?

My experience is when I put 40k to 50k miles on tires and am really happy, I get the tires replaced with the ones that I am already really happy with, but that’s just me.

 

[SvtLdr]

When I have awesome results with a product that needs to be replaced, then I....



Why would you disregard your personal experience in exchange for the comments of others?

My experience is when I put 40k to 50k miles on tires and am really happy, I get the tires replaced with the ones that I am already really happy with, but that’s just me.

There's certainly merit to your recommendation here. Although, every now and again, a product gets redesigned and improved upon from its predecessor. It's my opinion that the KM3 is a better tire than the KM2. Plus, I've head that the KM2 has been discontinued? Perhaps someone else can verify that?

 

[jeepguy03]

When I have awesome results with a product that needs to be replaced, then I....



Why would you disregard your personal experience in exchange for the comments of others?

My experience is when I put 40k to 50k miles on tires and am really happy, I get the tires replaced with the ones that I am already really happy with, but that’s just me.

This. I run BFG KO2's on my Jeep currently. I ran BFG A/Ts on my XJ years ago, and tried several brands since thinking I'd find a better tire for a better price. I'm back with the BFGs on this Jeep, and should've just replaced the initial ones on that Jeep with the same tire.

 

[ejay]

I've had numerous sets of KM1s and KM2s. Haven't got to the KM3s, yet. I thought I read something about the sidewalls not being as thick as previous models.

 

[cpwolf]

There's certainly merit to your recommendation here. Although, every now and again, a product gets redesigned and improved upon from its predecessor. It's my opinion that the KM3 is a better tire than the KM2. Plus, I've head that the KM2 has been discontinued? Perhaps someone else can verify that?

Ahhhh, fair enough. I would still most likely, if I had great experience with the KM2, go with a KM3 and get my own experience. If that trust is then broken, then I'd look for others. And to each his own, but I was just giving how I roll, when a product works, and works well, I go on my own experience, because I've learned a lot of others' review can be biased (not always bad, the bias may be that they have snow ..... I'm in Tejas and that ain't no worry of mine, ha)

 

[Chris]

You left out the most important part: How do you plan to use the tires?

On-road only, off-road only, a mix of both?

If off-roading, what kind of off-roading?

 

[hosejockey61]

I don't have experience with KM2's so no input there.

Since you are not looking to wheel hard I would stay away from the MT/R's. They have their place but on the road isn't their strong suit. Especially in the snow. They are difficult to get balanced well. They are noisy, though not as bad as other MT's.

They are great for conversation when comparing them to Milestar Patagonia's.

I put some Nitto Ridge Grapplers on my Gladiator last year and have been very impressed so far with their on road manners. The run very quiet which surprised me when you look at the tread pattern. I've taken them off-road for light trail use and can't give a solid answer on that. The seem really soft on the trail and I would be worried about the sidewall. They did get me where I was headed though.

 

[pagrey]

I found KM2s pretty mild. If you don't do rock crawling you might consider stepping towards an all-terrain like the KO2 or ATZ P3, might give you a much better ride and still work great on the trail. The KM2 was a real oddball to me, a light MT, I think the modern AT like the KO2 is actually a higher strength or more heavy duty tire.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The only tire Goodyear makes that isn't garbage is the Duratrac, and it's reflected in their price.

You'd reconsider making that claim if you had successfully run 4 sets of Goodyear MT/Rs in the conditions I have. The kevlar reinforced MT/r is extremely popular here in the SW where sharp rocks cut many other tire sidewalls to shreds. Not to mention since switching to their 2nd generation kevlar-reinforced MT/r two sets ago I haven't had a single sidewall cut or puncture as happened too often with my previous BFGs.

That said @Haaris Khan I am not sure I have reason to strongly recommend the MT/r for your local conditions there in Virginia.

 

[jeepguy03]

You'd reconsider making that claim if you had successfully run 4 sets of Goodyear MT/Rs in the conditions I have. The kevlar reinforced MT/r is extremely popular here in the SW where sharp rocks cut many other tire sidewalls to shreds. Not to mention since switching to their 2nd generation kevlar-reinforced MT/r two sets ago I haven't had a single sidewall cut or puncture as happened too often with my previous BFGs.

That said @Haaris Khan I am not sure I have reason to strongly recommend the MT/r for your local conditions there in Virginia.

For rock crawling I can certainly see their advantages. Unfortunately there isn't much of that here.

 

[Irun]

My experience is when I put 40k to 50k miles on tires and am really happy, I get the tires replaced with the ones that I am already really happy with, but that’s just me.

You're making to much sense...stop it!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

For rock crawling I can certainly see their advantages. Unfortunately there isn't much of that here.

Exactly, which is why I suggested you wouldn't feel they are "garbage" if you had a need for what they're great at and wheeled in the extra-tough conditions they hold up very well in.