KM2 or AT?

[Trey Hermann]

Hey all,

My apologies if this topic has been covered heavily somewhere else, but I wasn't able to find it in the search. Feel free to point the new guy in the right direction.

Coughing up for new tires for the FJ62 and I'm going back and forth between the BFG ATs and the KM2s. Size will be 33x10.5x15 on the OEM wheels. The suspension is stock, for the time being. Usage will range between gravel and sharp rocks in West Texas to drifting, loose sand on North Padre Island and plenty of general mixed terrain in between.

To complicate matters my local tire guy mentioned he has seen numerous KM2s coming back with separated treads and the associated damaged bodywork.

Any advice would be great. Thanks!


Hermann

 

[cnynrat]

Well, it's just one data point, but I have about 20k miles on my KM2's without any problems. I've not heard the reports about tread separation.

I had AT's before the KM2s, and other than the fact that I had a couple tires that were a real pain to balance, they were fine as well.

I think to a large extent the choice comes down to anticipated time in the dirt vs. on the street, and whether your off-road excursions require the extra capabilities of an MTR. My FJ is my daily driver, and I don't find the KM2s are objectionable in that role.

 

[Moody]

AT's. Mud Terrains are rarely (in my opinion) really necessary in Utah's terrain. I am not that familiar with TX terrain, but if you really have a lot of mud, then go with a mud.

I had BFG AT's in the 33x10.50 flavor on my old FJ 62.

 

[max.powerzz]

I've got 33x10.50 bfg at's on my 62 and love them. Just got back from Cruise Moab and they were great on the rocks. I passed a guy with some toyos and he popped a tire on the same mild trail, maybe luck of the draw but I've been very happy with mine with a mix of offroading and street use.

 

[redthies]

Either one will do just fine. I love BFG ATs, but it is very wet where I live so the MTs are a benefit. 9 days out of 10 ATs would probably work fine, but on day 10 I want the extra traction... As for delams, never heard of even one!

 

[Schattenjager]

One advantage of ATs is that you can put chains on if the rare occasion calls for them.

 

[1911]

One advantage of ATs is that you can put chains on if the rare occasion calls for them.

RUD chains go on my KM2's with no problem and work fine.

I really like the KM2's on my FJ40, they are quieter on the highway than other mud tires I have run and air down well for good traction. Not enough miles on them yet to know how long they will ultimately last.

 

[Viggen]

Pro Comp All Terrains. Just an alternative. I have them and they have been great. Wear is great and they clean out mud pretty well. Had them in some slick situations too.

 

[2000UZJ]

I ran 295/75/16 AT's and 305/70/16 KM-2's on the 100. With how fabulous the 100 is on the highway and washboard type surfaces. The AT's ruined the ride, they pulled, never balanced out and crumbled. I never thought I would or could say this about a tire BFG produces, but I absolutely hated that tire. They pulled the truck when uneven pavement went under the rig, the grip was terrible on GA trails, no matter what PSI I had them at. I ditched the for KM-2's at 22,000 miles and 85% tread life. Couldn't wait to get rid of them.

The 305/70/16 BFG KM-2's are another story. They rumble at low speeds, loud, descent performance in the rain. But when you look past those things, the KM-2's ride better on the highway, grip a LOT better, and they are much nicer at soaking up small bumps. They do not pull when I hit uneven paved on the highway ( as in changing lanes it does not get squirely(sp?) as the AT's did). Offroad it's a world of difference. At 40PSI they will walk up stuff my AT's struggled at 18-20psi. Air them down to 12PSI and the KM-2's will go wherever you point you truck.

I have no regrets going with the KM-2's. I would buy them again, but I am going to try the new DuraTrac when these go below the wear bars. I am looking at 30K out of these. At best

Wrote this on my iPhone, not the best review. Please let me know if you have any q's. I can hop on the puta.

 

[theksmith]

i used to always run nitto terra graplers (all-terrains), was always afraid of how much noise/balancing/wear/etc mud terrains might have. then i got KM2's one day just to try it, no problems whatsoever wearing out a complete set of 5 33's. now on a set of 5 35's and no problems either.

the KM2s are slightly noisier than the nittos, but only slightly. they "stick" to things and climb rocks much times better. i don't see much mud, but obviously the open tread will do better there as the name implies (as well as in the loose sand you mentioned, though a properly aired down AT would be fine as well).

go with whatever you like the look of and what you may or may not need the functionality of. either tire is great, the AT's are a classic standard, and the KM2s are becoming one.

 

[Trey Hermann]

Wow. Great information guys and thanks for taking the time to pass it along. Much appreciated!

Weighing all the feedback from you all, in addition to input from some buddies that find themselves running around North Africa in Defenders, I think I'll be giving the KM2s a try. Sounds like I'll just be giving up some tread life and highway fuel economy in exchange for having a very good all around off-road tire.

Thanks again everybody. Glad I found your forum!


Best, Hermann

 

[4Rescue]

I'll throw in my .02 I live in Oregon so the wet/mud is more prolific then most anywhere on the plannet and personaly I find my BFG AT's to be FANTASTIC. In the rain they're near impossible to beat and while my old MT's were better in the slop and on long exposed root climbs, the AT's have gotten me in AND out of everything I've come across and they ride amazingly on the road. As for the previous statement that the AT's "never balanced and pulled, crumbled etc" I would assume you got a complete set of lemon tires there... That is the complete oposite of my experiences and that of MANY others.

Personaly I'm kind of tempted to try out some Dura-Tracs or Maxxis Bighorn's (a nice cross of an MT/AT) but as far as TRUE AT's are concerned, the BFG is by FAR the best.

Now, that said, I think I may also give the KM2's a try (again in 33X10.50) when these AT's finaly give up the ghost. Only reason being I've heard SO much good about them and I think that with my tire groover I can probably get them to be perfectly grippy along the lines of my AT's (they really need to be siped IMO for the NW weather, it's something you just have to live in to really appreciate, but it is WET up here and the roads have the assosciated problems that change day to day... this is where the AT's really shine IMO)

Cheers

Dave

 

[Mr. Leary]

A/T. I have been less then impressed with the durability of my KM2s, and find my set of BFG A/Ts to be well suited to the various terrain types of Texas. I have used them on PINS, Big Bend, the hill country, piney forests, and the panhandle, as well as places in other countries, like the USA.

 

[Pskhaat]

Why no chains on the MT?

 

[Navman]

A/T. I have been less then impressed with the durability of my KM2s, and find my set of BFG A/Ts to be well suited to the various terrain types of Texas. I have used them on PINS, Big Bend, the hill country, piney forests, and the panhandle, as well as places in other countries, like the USA.

haha, you said it.