BFG KM3's or Goodyear Wrangler MTR?

[Irun]

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.

On the plus side, they're one of the rare 35x12.50R17 C rated tires available. The only reason these aren't still on my Jeep is their miserable performance in the wet conditions in my area. I'm now convinced that these were made mostly for the place they shine in, where a majority of those beautiful Ride of the Month pictures come from, i.e. the West Coast!

 

[Chris]

I'd be curious to know what tires work the best down here in the desert of Arizona and California where there's lots of rocks.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I'd be curious to know what tires work the best down here in the desert of Arizona and California where there's lots of rocks.

You need a really cut-resistant tire for the SW's common sharp rocks, the top two I'm aware of is the BFG Krawler (uber-expensive) or the Kevlar-reinforced GY MT/r.

 

[Chris]

You need a really cut-resistant tire for the SW's common sharp rocks, the top two I'm aware of is the BFG Krawler (uber-expensive) or the Kevlar-reinforced GY MT/r.

Is the KM3 not Kevlar reinforced?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Is the KM3 not Kevlar reinforced?

No, it's not.

 

[Chris]

No, it's not.

Good to know. If I ever need to replace my Nitto Trail Grapplers it looks like the MT/R is the best option.

 

[bobthetj03]

Cooper's STT Pro has a Armor tek sidewall reinforcement similar to the MTR. Very tough tire.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Cooper's STT Pro has a Armor tek sidewall reinforcement similar to the MTR. Very tough tire.

About all they did for that was add a third ply to the sidewall with its cords at a different angle. Stronger than their 2-ply but I wouldn't put it in the same cut-resistant level as the Kevlar reinforced MT/R sidewalls.

 

[Chris]

I can say that I'm really damn impressed with how my Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires drive on the road. I'm absolutely shocked these things are E rated. It's almost unbelievable.

From the Nitto website:

ON-ROAD COMFORT
Nitto’s proprietary, automated manufacturing system produces extraordinarily uniform tires. This creates a smooth ride on paved roads.

There must be some truth to that, because these things DO NOT ride like M/T tires.

 

[DuncLJ]

Here's what BFG says regarding the KM3's sidewalls:

"Like the newer K02 All Terrain tire, the KM3 uses the CoreGard Max 3-ply sidewall. The CoreGard Max design and rubber compound was originally developed on BFGoodrich's Baja 1000-winning KR3 race tire. It's much more resistant to punctures and splitting, giving the KM3 a 27% tougher sidewall compared to the KM2."

No mention of Kevlar or anything similiar, but the sidewalls appear to be beefed up from previous versions.

I have 35" KM3's, but for only 3500 miles. So far they are a great tire. (Never had MTR's though). Ask me again in 30000 miles.

 

[ToddK]

I'd be curious to know what tires work the best down here in the desert of Arizona and California where there's lots of rocks.

Exactly what you got on there now Not saying the others aren’t good but once you start wheeling that Jeep you will see in short order those Nittos just work great and hookup awesome on the rocks.

 

[jjvw]

Cooper's STT Pro has a Armor tek sidewall reinforcement similar to the MTR. Very tough tire.

The Armor Tek is the only side wall I have punctured. I ran the allegedly paper thin Duratracs in the same conditions and never had a problem.

 

[JMT]

I ran a set of GY MTR’s. In the rocks I loved them. If it was wet I was scared to death. Literally hit the brakes and slide. Can’t comment on KM3’s. My next set will be Maxxis Razr M/T’s.

KM3’s do run small.

 

[Chris]

Exactly what you got on there now Not saying the others aren’t good but once you start wheeling that Jeep you will see in short order those Nittos just work great and hookup awesome on the rocks.

That’s what I figured. For some reason you just seldom hear about anyone running these tires. I am definitely impressed at how nicely they ride on road so far!

 

[JMT]

That’s what I figured. For some reason you just seldom hear about anyone running these tires. I am definitely impressed at how nicely they ride on road so far!

Those Nitto’s look pretty good. They offer a true 33.03” with deep siping in the center for those of us in a wet or snowy area.

 

[Chris]

Those Nitto’s look pretty good. They offer a true 33.03” with deep siping in the center for those of us in a wet or snowy area.

Yes, so far I am very impressed with their on-road manners.

 

[jeepguy03]

I can say that I'm really damn impressed with how my Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires drive on the road. I'm absolutely shocked these things are E rated. It's almost unbelievable.

From the Nitto website:

ON-ROAD COMFORT
Nitto’s proprietary, automated manufacturing system produces extraordinarily uniform tires. This creates a smooth ride on paved roads.

There must be some truth to that, because these things DO NOT ride like M/T tires.

I love when companies say stuff like this. Oh you mean as opposed to all the companies who hand mold their tires?

 

[Vinman]

I have the KM3’s in 35” flavour on my 06 Rubicon, when I initially installed them I swear they were quieter than the 33” KO2’s I removed. They rode very, very smooth and worked well in all conditions I put them through. Rocks of Moab, muddy Alberta trails, wet trails, snow covered trails and worked way better than they should have on ice. The only conditions I haven’t used them in was heavy rain since we don’t get a lot in my area.

After 3,000 or so miles they started getting louder on road. I now have about 8k on them and while they definitely are louder they also ride a bit rougher than new.
Overall, I don’t think I’d hesitate to run them again

 

[downthepines]

The KM3's climb out of ruts laterally really well, Having said that I need to rotate mine.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

The KM3's climb out of ruts laterally really well, Having said that I need to rotate mine.

I've often thought that might be the case. There's not another mainstream tire with more aggressive wraparound of the lug on the sidewall. Trepadors I guess, but I don't really think of them as mainstream.