BFG A/T vs km2

[Joeprunc]

I've had the KM, KM2, and AT KOs on my old Tacoma.

Unplowed road snow and offroading in the snow the KM2s were the best hands down. KMs were good, but not a good as the KM2s offroad in the snow. I've never had issues with my KM2s on hard packed snow or icey stuff, I just drive slow and steady when the conditions are bad (but the ATs did perform better in hard packed conditions). The thing most people around here think is because they have 4x4 they can haul ***...but they don't realize they have to stop sometimes too. Never had any issues in wet weather either, but again I'm light on the skinny pedal.

Any plowed, icy, or hard packed snow, the ATs were better. In the deep stuff offroading, the ATs had a hard time digging as the treads would get packed with snow.

If you are planning on breaking trail I'd tell you get the the KM2s and make sure your winch is working.

 

[brianjwilson]

Maybe it has more to do with outside temps then, I don't know. I've had mine in plenty of snow and ice in the mountains but normally not colder than 10F. Siping does help a lot though and softens the tread up a bit. I just siped the center lugs about 1/4" apart. Huge improvement on cold/wet asphalt and snow/ice. I would probably cut them more shallow next time and consider siping them again each season. I haven't had any chunking problems but they do pick up little pebbles between the sipes.
I have Michelin ice-x 2's on my fwd commuter so I know how nice decicated snows can be, but I've never NOT been able to get where I want or at a speed I want (even towing) with KM2s. I don't get very far in 2wd with the rear unlocked but never an issue in 4x4, never an issue stopping or turning etc.
Maybe it just has more to do with expectations than anything else. I know if I stomp the throttle and cut the wheel I will be driving backwards but never have (unintentionally). I did feel that my f150 got around a lot better on the km2s (not siped) than the jeep but I assume weight and wheelbase made a big difference.

Anyway that's just my experience with them. I love being in the mountains in the winter and playing with snow and I'd buy them again (for the third time) over the all terrains that clog up terribly in the PNW mud and clay.

 

[1meanz]

But in saying that, I live in Canada and have been very impressed with both my yokohama geoalnder AT-S tires and my current General Grabber AT2 tires on ice. They're both very good in snow for being A/T tires, but obviously don't compare to my old hakkapeliitta's on hard-packed snow or ice. In deep snow I think both my A/T's performed better than the hak's did.

You're the only other person I've seen on here running the Geolanders. I've got them on my Tahoe, and they are by far the best tire in the snow I've ever run on a truck. We get lake effect around here and I can go anywhere I want, stop, turnaround, take off with wheels turned, whatever; all while dragging my rear diff, fuel tank and skid plates through the snow. I've not had them in any deep soupy mud yet, but I have had them in some slimy stuff in the woods and I've not had too much trouble with them loading up, especially when I can generate a little bit of wheel speed.

For an all terrain tire, I think they are fantastic.

 

[Barrows]

A great balance between the two tires would the Goodyear Duratracs. Have you looked into those?

 

[redthies]

Maybe it has more to do with outside temps then, I don't know.

I just siped the center lugs about 1/4" apart. Huge improvement on cold/wet asphalt and snow/ice. I would probably cut them more shallow next time and consider siping them again each season.

I think you are right on the temp thing. Tires that work in wet coastal snow, don't cut it in dry rocky mtn snow, and vice versa.

I also like he idea of shallow siping done each fall. It SHOULD be the best of both worlds.

 

[Buliwyf]

For people that prefer the old KM's: Why not just get the Copper STT or Toyo Mt's? Those even have a sipe in each lug.

The only 4x4 I have left is a fullsize, so I just run AT's and chain them up when it's too sloppy for them.

 

[redthies]

For people that prefer the old KM's: Why not just get the Copper STT or Toyo Mt's?

I'm running the Toyos now. Best all around tire I've ever run!

 

[jeepmedic46]

I got the new tires on, I went with the BFG A/Ts.

 

[cnynrat]

For people that prefer the old KM's: Why not just get the Copper STT or Toyo Mt's? Those even have a sipe in each lug.

The only 4x4 I have left is a fullsize, so I just run AT's and chain them up when it's too sloppy for them.

I've been wanting to try the Toyo M/Ts, but they seem to be much harder to find and fairly pricey.

Does anyone know of good all terrain that is available in 255/85-R16? Availability of that size is one of the factors that led me to the KM2s.

 

[G_fresh]

I have been waiting to get my M/T KM2's on the snow for over a year. So, I have no 1st hand opinion...

Alright. I have first knowledge now. The KM2's were pretty scary on packed snow/ice. I will just get cable chains (or real chains)...

 

[redthies]

Alright. I have first knowledge now. The KM2's were pretty scary on packed snow/ice. I will just get cable chains (or real chains)...

Maybe it's a 80 series thing? I spend a lot of time in Santa Barbara. Let's discuss at length over beverages next time I'm down your way...