LTX M/S vs. T/A K02

[CrazedHoosier]

I’m struggling to decide which tire to get my 2019 Ranger. It’s 4WD, and has the towing package, so I’ll be doing a bit of off-roading, towing, and hauling. I also work in a city outside of where I live, so I’m on the highway a lot. I live in Southern Indiana, so we get pretty severe weather—lots of flooding, snowstorms, ice storms, etc.

I’m sort of stuck since both tires are similarly priced, similar overall, but do best in different settings. I am nervous I’ll drop in fuel economy if I get the K02s though.

Which tire has proven to be the most reliable, all around best tire for your Ranger?

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[Bob902]

I’m struggling to decide which tire to get my 2019 Ranger. It’s 4WD, and has the towing package, so I’ll be doing a bit of off-roading, towing, and hauling. I also work in a city outside of where I live, so I’m on the highway a lot. I live in Southern Indiana, so we get pretty severe weather—lots of flooding, snowstorms, ice storms, etc.

I’m sort of stuck since both tires are similarly priced, similar overall, but do best in different settings. I am nervous I’ll drop in fuel economy if I get the K02s though.

Which tire has proven to be the most reliable, all around best tire for your Ranger?

I have had good luck with Michelin LTX. Very good wear, comfortable and pretty good in all weather conditions. I haven't had the BFG so can't comment on those.

 

[Frenchy]

Too start both tires do not compete against each other at all.

The LTX M&S is an excellent street tire. It will handle winter weather very well and still do nicely in the summer.

The BFG KO2 is an All-Terrain that does well Off-road and so so on the street. Winter performance isn't the greatest either. Why is this you ask? It's due to the lack of sipes in the tire.

My personal favorite that is a good all around tire that will go Off-road is the Firestone Destination XT. I have a thread on here with a review on it. Here is the link, https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/firestone-destinaton-xts-anyone.16856/

Definitely recommend taking a look through it and see what your options are. Also if not lifting (or leveling) the truck you can fit 32 inch tires with no modifications (with stock wheels of course). Just something to keep in mind.

Hope this helps

 

[9zero1790]

both are good tires but are very different. So mentioned a lot of highway and towing. The Michelin LTX is the best tire I have ever had on a pickup. Great on the road very comfy ride, no noise, good in the rain, and stout for loads. however all the things that make them a great tire for an on road truck kinda make them stink off road. The BFG ko2 is one of if not the best all terrain tire you can buy. I have the bfgs on my 5g now and love them. But the 5g is not my daily driver. so i can pick and choose what weather to drive in for the most part so i dont mind them being loose in the rain on the road, or the noise of the tread etc. as far as miles per gallon the Michelin will win that one. its got a much more highway miles friendly design.
my suggestion based on what you said is the Michelin LTX.
I think you can also get the ltx in a mild all terrain. Michlein ltx a/s at2 or something like that.

 

[9zero1790]

the ltx A/T 2

 

[txquailguy]

I've had the LTX tires on an SUV in the past....great tire! I currently run KO2's on my 19' Ranger. Mine are "E" rated, which are 10-ply and very hard rubber. They are very nice on the highway, smooth and quiet. Now on collector streets with any roughness they ride fairly rough. Depending on size you should be able to get, I think "C" rated, which are 6-ply I'm pretty sure. They would ride softer on the streets and still be great off-road. The big thing about the 10-ply is the sturdiness and puncture resistance off-road. Also depends on your level of off-road. If you just use your truck for hunting and getting around Forest Service roads like we do, (Light off-road), I think I would go with the Michelin's...IMHO
I do not tow with my truck at all......

 

[Bob902]

the ltx A/T 2

I wish they offered these in more sizes

 

[SigOris]

I’m struggling to decide which tire to get my 2019 Ranger. It’s 4WD, and has the towing package, so I’ll be doing a bit of off-roading, towing, and hauling. I also work in a city outside of where I live, so I’m on the highway a lot. I live in Southern Indiana, so we get pretty severe weather—lots of flooding, snowstorms, ice storms, etc.

I’m sort of stuck since both tires are similarly priced, similar overall, but do best in different settings. I am nervous I’ll drop in fuel economy if I get the K02s though.

Which tire has proven to be the most reliable, all around best tire for your Ranger?

I’ve had both on vehicles here in western Maine and I’m sold on the KO2’s but wasn’t unhappy with the michelins

 

[GhostStrykre]

so i'm in the exact same boat, OP... i'm trying to slowly update my 2019 ranger fx4, so i don't want to dump a lot of money at once (tires + wheels + suspension + tune, etc)..

my stock hanhooks are near shot at 55k miles.. so i need new tires soon.

What i've settled on:

• size -- 265/70/R17 is what i'm going to go for

what i'm NOT settled on:

• tire
  • i'm considering Falken Wildpeak ATW3's vs Toyo OC A/T3's vs Michelin LTX A/T 2's
  • Toyo and Michelin's have similar weight at this size. Falkens are heavier, but have a better load index.
  • Michelin's have the best tread life, then Falkens, then Toyo (60k, 55k, 50k, respectively)
• Load Rating
  • All 3 tires come in SL ratings, or E ratings. I have similar usage requirements as you, OP. I may tow a light trailer from time to time, but 98% of uses will be sans trailer. Any trail duty would be light fire roads or something.
  • From what I can tell, the load index says all 3 of these tires should be rated above 2,500 pounds per tire.. I don't think the combined weight of the Ranger + tongue weight limit from a trailer would merit an E rated tire...
  • I'm very concerned about harshness of ride on the E rating... the FX4 suspension is already bad enough...

right now I'm leaning towards Toyo or Michelin.. just can't decide between them, and I'm leaning towards the SL rated tire.. doesn't seem to be a load rating offered by them that is in between..

 

[Hickesy]

I've heard good things about the Cooper AT3 4S as a good tire for mostly street driving and occasional light off-roading.

 

[Wes Siler]

Whichever brand you go with is way less important than the tire's category and weight rating.

The LTX is a highway terrain tire. It's designed for on road use in sizes and capacities that fit trucks.

The K02 is an all terrain tire. It's designed to be ok at everything, including off roading, and specialize in nothing.

M+S is a meaningless stamp. It signifies only that the tread pattern includes at least 25 percent void. 3pmsf is similarly not indicative of any real capability. It just means the tire can demonstrate acceleration performance on packed snow at least 10 percent superior to a budget all season Firestone passenger car tire from 1993.

Far more relevant to what you'll actually experience during use is weight rating. A p metric tire will use a higher amount of silica in its compound, which helps with traction on wet pavement. The tread pattern will be tighter for less noise too, and feature more siping. And, of course, it'll be a lighter tire.

An LT ditches the Silica and most of the siping and opens up the tread pattern. Pros are better traction on loose surfaces and less chipping on gravel. Cons are wet traction and noise. Heavier tires reduce performance, ride, and fuel economy and must be inflated to higher pressures.

Sounds like you're a candidate for a p metric AT tire. Check out the Toyo ATIII, it's the latest tire in the category and is made on the most modern tooling. That enables them to more precisely remove rubber from places it's not needed, which makes it a lighter tire.

I can't encourage you strongly enough to run a real winter tire like a Blizzak or Hakka in winter. If you think winter tires are expensive, just wait till you crash your truck...

 

[Discount Tire]

I’m struggling to decide which tire to get my 2019 Ranger. It’s 4WD, and has the towing package, so I’ll be doing a bit of off-roading, towing, and hauling. I also work in a city outside of where I live, so I’m on the highway a lot. I live in Southern Indiana, so we get pretty severe weather—lots of flooding, snowstorms, ice storms, etc.

I’m sort of stuck since both tires are similarly priced, similar overall, but do best in different settings. I am nervous I’ll drop in fuel economy if I get the K02s though.

Which tire has proven to be the most reliable, all around best tire for your Ranger?

Plenty of great recommendations so far. Armed with that information you can't really make a bad choice.

Just to add my 2 cents... I like the Toyo AT 3. Great on road manners and performance and transitions well in off road/inclement weather conditions.

 

[CrazedHoosier]

Thank you guys for all the recommendations!

I guess now what I’m concerned about is how much this will cost me in MPG. I’m currently still on the Dynapro ATMs, and averaging 22 mpg. I don’t want to see it dropping much lower than that. If you all think it will if I get a dedicated AT tire, maybe I should stick to a more on-road option.

 

[9zero1790]

I wish they offered these in more sizes

wish i could afford them for my four g that is due for new shoes soon.

 

[Frenchy]

Thank you guys for all the recommendations!

I guess now what I’m concerned about is how much this will cost me in MPG. I’m currently still on the Dynapro ATMs, and averaging 22 mpg. I don’t want to see it dropping much lower than that. If you all think it will if I get a dedicated AT tire, maybe I should stick to a more on-road option.

What you need to do is ask yourself if you're going to be off road quite a bit or not so much. If you are going to go off-road where are you planning to go? Oh and don't say Forest roads because those can go anywhere from very mild to wicked crazy real quick. That's going to determine whether you are going to get a good altering or not. Also look at tire weights. That will put a big impact in the fuel usage

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