Tire replacement time...

[slingshot60]

My 2019 Raptor has about 36k miles now and the stock KO2's still have a good deal of tread left. I was satisfied with them until the last 3 weeks. Two times while driving in the rain they have broke traction and 'fishtailed' going down the highway. First time was while I was towing my 23' Tige' wake boat and it scared the living crap out of me. Happened again today just driving down the Interstate in the rain. Never happened before. Was planning to run them for another 4-6k miles but I'm not ready to die just yet so am going to replace them soon. I know most of you probably hate people like me--I drive 90% on the highway and frequently tow 7000-8000 lbs. Very rarely off road and even then not seriously. Just like the looks, power and ride of the Raptor. Anyway... what do the learned recommend for a good replacement? I'm not necessarily opposed to going back with OEM BFG's but now know they will need to be replaced at about 35k miles. Suggestions?

 

[slingshot60]

Forgot to add (for those interested... ), both times it happened I was going uphill and and slightly turning to the left--as the boost came up to maintain speed the tires broke loose.

 

[Gen2Boost]

My 2019 Raptor has about 36k miles now and the stock KO2's still have a good deal of tread left. I was satisfied with them until the last 3 weeks. Two times while driving in the rain they have broke traction and 'fishtailed' going down the highway. First time was while I was towing my 23' Tige' wake boat and it scared the living crap out of me. Happened again today just driving down the Interstate in the rain. Never happened before. Was planning to run them for another 4-6k miles but I'm not ready to die just yet so am going to replace them soon. I know most of you probably hate people like me--I drive 90% on the highway and frequently tow 7000-8000 lbs. Very rarely off road and even then not seriously. Just like the looks, power and ride of the Raptor. Anyway... what do the learned recommend for a good replacement? I'm not necessarily opposed to going back with OEM BFG's but now know they will need to be replaced at about 35k miles. Suggestions?

I ran my original KO2’s to 52k miles and just had a new set of the same put on last week. After about 48k miles I got that same “slip oh sht” moment on my original KO2’s. I was certainly due for a new set. Those KO2’s are well worth the money I spent last week. Original KO2’s got me through two cross country trips from South Florida to Moab where they got me up and down some highly sketchy terrain to say the least. When I started to lose traction on wet terrain around 48k, for the last 4k miles leading up to the new tire swap last week, I was very much aware of how I needed to handle my Gen 2 on wet pavement. And now having the new set on there, I realized that I completely forgot how fantastic KO2’s felt new with ample tread and grip. Stick like glue. Sure there are cheaper alternatives but That’s not a game I want to risk playing with an $80k Raptor. Plus the cost difference is negligible considering how long a set of KO2’s will last you. Only difference between the original set and these new ones is the speed rating went from S to T only because they had a set of them in stock.

 

[Nex]

During my Alcon/wheel issues, I went from Mickey Thompson Baja Boss to Falken Wildpeak. I like the look and deep tread of the MTs over the Falken. Both seemed to handle fine on the trails. Both towed my 19' ski boat fine. Been dry up here in Washington so no weather testing yet. But the MTs did great in the snow last year.

I would run either of those over the KO2s. Even the KO3s would be a better choice than the 2s.

 

[AvalancheGrey2017]

I am going through this same conundrum and have read a bunch of threads without coming to a conclusion. I spent most my time as a daily with trips on the beach, camping, and trails (or combos of all three). I live in VA so snow/ice is a concern but not as bad as our folks up north. I am stuck between a few options it seems. ALl are prices about the same so that's the least concern. Biggest consideration is good on road and off road use coupled with road noise as I do all my long haul travel in the truck. Currently considering the following an honestly not sure where to go:

Toyo Open Country AT3
KO2 replacements
MT Baja Boss AT
Cooper STMAX PRO
Nitto Terra Grapplers

I also considered falken wildpeaks but - they are by far the heaviest of the bunch, weight isn't a major factor in choice for me but still a small factor if it can be mitigated.

Not here to hijack your thread! Wanted to throw out what I was considering for food for thought and subscribed.

 

[slingshot60]

Thanks for all the replies. I really do want to maintain ride quality, a relatively quiet tread design and good load handling. Don't want a serious off road tread design but do need adequate off road capability on the rare occasion it is needed... besides, IMHO highway tread tires just look wrong on a Raptor (guess that makes me a poser?). Not familiar with the KO3--guess I will research it.

 

[Jonesky]

Imho don’t overthink it. Put more KO2’s on.

 

[smurfslayer]

Every tire you can buy is a compromise. The question is what are you willing to sacrifice. The stock C range KO2 offer a good deal of off road capability, compliance, flexibility and all around performance.

You can easily defeat them off road with a solid MT tire - KM3 and many more, BUT you will lose some overall street traction capability and wet weather capability as a result.

Rain tires have specific types of siping to handle water and keep contact with the pavement.

What’s happened to you more than likely is heat cycle fatigue. Your tread is plentiful, but the “stick” is fading or gone. I’ve had that on motorcycle, car and now truck tires. My stock KO2’s began to lose ‘stick’ at around 36k as well. I swapped them at 42 or 44k miles. I do a lot of driving in 4a, don’t tow and I had to take it easy on turns for sure. Well... not really, the truck cuts so much power on turns it’s nearly impossible to break loose with the electronic nannies engaged but I definitely heard a lot more protest from my tires as they got close to 40k miles.

If you’re mostly highway, I’d suggest you stay away from MT tires altogether. Yes, you will have supreme off road capability, but your stopping distance will increase, and overall pavement traction will decrease. Look at all season type tires. KO2’s are a great all arounder but don’t offer as much usable traction life.

 

[pastorwug]

Just replaced my OEM KO2s (50k miles) with the same at Discount TIRE (a great company) - only had to buy three as my spare had never been used, saved the best used tire for the spare - saved a good amount of money. If you switch to another brand you have to buy 4 tires, and perhaps 5 tires if your spare is going to be the same brand.

 

[DFS]

I've gone with Toyo AT3 on three trucks at the moment, and cannot complain about any of them. They do it all very well.