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Tire choice - BF Goodrich KO2 vs. Nitto Ridge Grappler (or something else?)

17K views 74 replies 31 participants last post by  gth802s  
#1 · (Edited)
Hi all, new member here. It is getting close to needing new tires for our 2015 Transit LWB. It weighs just under 9,900 lbs with all fluids topped off and us in it.

We bought the van used and it came with Nitto Ridge Grapplers. Overall, I have been quite happy with these tires, except the noise (they have gotten especially loud as they have worn).

Our local campervan conversion company recommended the BF Goodrich KO2 as an alternative, but I have read conflicting things about them with reported issues on sidewall cracking and difficulty balancing. The Nittos are great in this sense; they have been durable and vibration free.

Anyone here have experience with the K02s? We have aftermarket 17" wheels so these would be 265/70R17.

I have also came across Michelin LTX A/T 2 tires which looks interesting. To be honest, we rarely go off-road in our van so having a smooth highway ride is more important than off-road traction.

Thanks in advance!
 
#70 ·
8600lb HR-EL here. Had the wildpeaks, great traction in dirt, terrifying at thruway speeds for 1st 1500 mi or so, super loud after 18k mi or so. Replaced with goodyear AT (not HT). Less agressive looking tread but still 3 peak and 121 load rating. Highway use so far (500 mi) has been exceptional, smooth, low noise, zero wander. No off road yet, prob wont b as good as wildpeaks but not almost crashing 20 times while breaking in offsets that.
 
#73 ·
I'm on my third set of these Pirellis. 50K warrenty, great traction, (3 peak) and limited road noise. Compared to the KOs, which I ran 2 sets on a 2018 Tahoe, they don't get "hard" and noisy at half wear.

 
#74 ·
To close the loop on this, ended up going with Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT (apparently they do come in an E load rating). However, this was out of necessity instead of it being my first choice because my dumb-ass decided to push the old tires a little more (had them inspected before leaving, and the shop said I should be able to get at least another 5,000 miles out of them). We ended up paying for that decision by having to stop at a tire shop while on route from Big Bend NP to Guadalupe Mountains NP because our rear left developed a bubble and started rubbing the wheel well. Luckily, we made it to the tire shop without a blowout.

Let's hope these Coopers turn out to be decent! :)
 
#75 · (Edited)
Quick update: drove for about 3 hours after getting the new tires installed. I can't believe how much quieter they are. They also ride much better than the Nittos at the same pressure. Not really an apples to apples comparison of course; I wonder what the Nittos rode and sounded like when they were new. It was also insanely windy (a very stiff cross wind), and didn't have any issues with sway / handling.

Will keep my fingers crossed that our experience stays positive!