Toyo OpenCounty AT3 vs BFG AT KO2 & E vs C vs SL Load Ranges

[Lateknightucd]

I know both of these topics have been beaten to death here but I wanted to combine them for a second.

For the moment, I’m happy with the stock 18’s that came on my truck so I’m not looking to swap wheels at this time.

That said, I have the FP/Fox leveling kit on the way and wanted to put some new shoes on the truck as well. From what I can tell, 275/65R18 should be a good size with that suspension update.

I’m at a bit of a decision point on which tire, specifically, to get. I know many here like the Toyo OC AT3 so that’s definitely on the list. I had BFG KO’s on my Ram back in the day and was very pleased with the performance. When I price out the E rated version of the AT3 it comes in $9 cheaper per tire than the KO2. The warranty is 50K on both tires when looking at the LT metric of the AT3 so that’s essentially a wash as well. Toyo has a C rated LT tire as well that would be a bit lighter, for $21 less than the KO2. Again, pretty much a wash on price but perhaps slightly better mileage? Finally there’s the P metric AT3.

So my use case is that I use the truck as a daily driver and road trip vehicle. I live in Michigan so most of what I’m doing off road is forest roads and occasionally airing down to drive the sand dunes. I tow a 15’ tear drop camper and my son and I are planning a road trip out to the Rockies this summer to visit family then head north through the Dakotas, etc. During that trip I plan to do some wheeling as well as the opportunity presents. So I need a balance of on-road manners and noise with capability off-road. The cost spread on the tires seems to be largely negligible so I could use some insights. Thanks!

TLDR:

KO2 E1 10 ply 55lbs LT 50K warranty $324
AT3 E1 10 ply 53lbs LT 50K warranty $315
AT3 C1 6 ply 52lbs LT 50K warranty $303
AT3 SL 4 ply 44lbs P 65K warranty $299

What to pick for a capable off-road experience, the ability to air down to 15-20 psi while maximizing on-road manners with decent (I know it’s a truck ?) gas mileage?

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[9zero1790]

off road the ko2 hands down
on road the toyo
as the majority of the miles is on road i would go with the more street friendly tire. i would go for the lt e rated if possible. the difference in cost of fuel vs durability and safety makes it worth it. you are towing a long way at highway speeds so the e rated is better suited for that. honestly all the options would likely work fine.

 

[AzScorpion]

I'm glad you posted this because I'm going through the same dilemma myself. Hopefully you don't mind if I piggyback of your thread too. I need new tires soon and was torn between the Toyo's and KO2's. I'm going to be selling/trading in my Ranger so I don't want to spend a lot and most likely won't be going off road as much as before. I'm leaning heavily towards the AT3 SL for the savings and the weight. I'll probably still go off road a bit but nothing extreme because it'll my dumb luck something breaks right when I'm about the get rid of it.

Is there anything else out there I could get that's similar to the AT3's but cheaper? I hate spending a lot of money when I'm most likely getting rid of it later this year.

 

[Joeiconic]

Another popular tire similar to these two is the Falken Wildpeak, which may be a little cheaper in the SL version.

 

[Lateknightucd]

off road the ko2 hands down
on road the toyo
as the majority of the miles is on road i would go with the more street friendly tire. i would go for the lt e rated if possible. the difference in cost of fuel vs durability and safety makes it worth it. you are towing a long way at highway speeds so the e rated is better suited for that. honestly all the options would likely work fine.

Thanks for the succinct summary. I suspect you’re right regarding towing as well. In the end the difference in cost between the SL and E AT3 is pretty negligible for the added safety. Plus a tune can probably negate the added weight.

 

[Lateknightucd]

I'm glad you posted this because I'm going through the same dilemma myself. Hopefully you don't mind if I piggyback of your thread too. I need new tires soon and was torn between the Toyo's and KO2's. I'm going to be selling/trading in my Ranger so I don't want to spend a lot and most likely won't be going off road as much as before. I'm leaning heavily towards the AT3 SL for the savings and the weight. I'll probably still go off road a bit but nothing extreme because it'll my dumb luck something breaks right when I'm about the get rid of it.

Is there anything else out there I could get that's similar to the AT3's but cheaper? I hate spending a lot of money when I'm most likely getting rid of it later this year.

No worries at all. If I wasn’t going to be keeping the truck I’d definitely go P metric on tires. Honestly, whoever gets the truck from you probably won’t have done all the research between the different choices.

The bigger question is why the tailgate damper isn’t enough to keep you around. ?

 

[AzScorpion]

No worries at all. If I wasn’t going to be keeping the truck I’d definitely go P metric on tires. Honestly, whoever gets the truck from you probably won’t have done all the research between the different choices.

The bigger question is why the tailgate damper isn’t enough to keep you around. ?

Easy answer. The Ranger Raptor comes standard with a damper. ? I have my name on a couple dealers list now and just waiting for the price to be announced. Hopefully in the next few months they'll release more info and I can make a decision. But if the economy gets really bad I might just keep my 5G a while longer.

 

[Superdannyboy]

I had the ko2's on the truck for a couple of years. I just recently switched to go to a more street friendly tire. I went with Yokohama AT's and immediately when I left I wasn't even thinking about it and I instantly felt like I was riding on clouds. And they had 50 psi all around compared to the ko2's that I kept at 35!

 

[NotBudule]

It's going be Falkens for me just so I can go in and be like "yo, bro, I need some Falken tires for my ride , y'all got Falken tires ??? What size ? The biggest Falken I can get please !"

 

[Frenchy]

Time for the Firestone Guy to chime in!!!!!!

Don't worry, no EMU's at this time!!


@Lateknightucd I will give you credit for looking at a few different factors with selecting tires. Something to be aware of when you say Forest service roads is theu can very from mild to crazy especially out here in the Rockys. That said when the Ranger is set up right it can handle it.

One tire i think you shpuld also consider is the Firestone Destination XT. It is available in the size you are looking at and is comparable to the tires you are considering. I do have a thread on here with a full review of the tire(I just dont know where its at) with more details of my thoughts.

For that tire size the Firestone Destination XT cost $301.99(Tire Rack) and weighs 49 LBS per tire and is a load E. Compared to the BFG KO2 it will have better wet and dry faction.

Compared the the Toto I cant say as I havent used that tire nor seen it in person. I can say I have ran 3 sets so far(one on my Ranger, one on a work van and one on my 1993 Pathfinder) and I love it. I have actually gotten a few other members on here to go to them and they like it.

There you have it and is something for you to consider

 

[SigOris]

I'm glad you posted this because I'm going through the same dilemma myself. Hopefully you don't mind if I piggyback of your thread too. I need new tires soon and was torn between the Toyo's and KO2's. I'm going to be selling/trading in my Ranger so I don't want to spend a lot and most likely won't be going off road as much as before. I'm leaning heavily towards the AT3 SL for the savings and the weight. I'll probably still go off road a bit but nothing extreme because it'll my dumb luck something breaks right when I'm about the get rid of it.

Is there anything else out there I could get that's similar to the AT3's but cheaper? I hate spending a lot of money when I'm most likely getting rid of it later this year.

What alternatives did Tirerack show?

how about a VIP / Pep Boys private label?

 

[AzScorpion]

What alternatives did Tirerack show?

how about a VIP / Pep Boys private label?

The prices of everything are high now and I want to get something good just in case I end up keeping another year or two. Lord knows (based on y Bronco order) it could be that long IF I end up placing the Raptor order. Weight is also a huge factor and the Toyo AT3's are 3lbs lighter than my Nittos. Also I have a Nitto for a spare so I'm leaning back to getting the Toyo's again. lol

 

[canyonslicker]

The prices of everything are high now and I want to get something good just in case I end up keeping another year or two. Lord knows (based on y Bronco order) it could be that long IF I end up placing the Raptor order. Weight is also a huge factor and the Toyo AT3's are 3lbs lighter than my Nittos. Also I have a Nitto for a spare so I'm leaning back to getting the Toyo's again. lol

Nitto is the redheaded bastard stepchild of Toyo.. Go Toyo..

 

[troutspinner]

My last 3 full sized pickup I had E rated tires because I towed heavy. I hated every time I replaced the stock tires, it changes the suppleness of the ride but it was the right tool for the job. The ride wasn't changed dramatically, but enough that you'll know it and may miss it.

In your situation with the truck staying on paved roads, take notice to the load of a C rated tire vs an E rated tire, you'll conclude that a C works just fine for the Ranger and it's abilities. If you were an off-roader, E would be my only conclusion, I've had my share of tire slices and punctures in my off-roading days.

 

[AzScorpion]

Nitto is the redheaded bastard stepchild of Toyo.. Go Toyo..

I'm leaning this way and I'm not impressed at all how bad these Nittos wore. With only 30,000 on them and rotated every 5,000 they're just about shot.

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