KO3s in Slick Conditions?

[Kenbike]

I ran a set Nokian Outpost AT's on my Timberline Expedition and they worked great but around 25k in mileage they got very loud. Had 10K of tread let but changed them out.
I did run Nokian WRG5 All Weather tires on my explorer and had rally good results.

Sponsored

 

[stemplar]

I've had many sets from the original All Terrains, KO2, KO3 mostly because they came on the vehicle. I hate them. Now i swap them out even though it's a hit to the wallet.
Poor wet traction.
Hydroplane badly.
At about 20k miles the rubber gets hard, then even dry traction goes away, and snow/ice traction vanishes.

My preferred brand is Nokian. I've had 2 sets of their ATs (F150 & F350) and they've been incredible. Crazy grip in all conditions and quiet. I will probably change the KO3s to Nokian Outpost AT.
We also have a set of their winter tires, and recently put their 4 season tires on the wife's Escape.

Currently have Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 in 295/70r18 on the F350, they have been impressive. Been 3 years with those, very happy.

I couldn't agree more. I'm almost a year into running Outpost nAT tires on my ranger and they're all-around great. Very confidence-inspiring compared to KO2's and KO3's I've used on other vehicles (I've owned the former, and occasionally use a truck with the latter), especially in the wet, or on cold or icy roads. I know TyreReviews channel on youtube rated them as the best AT tire for winter conditions, but I'd love to see them in a review against other popular AT tires in non-winter conditions. They're plenty good enough for me, but since I don't do any hard-core off-roading I don't know how they stack up against others in such conditions.

 

[OxygenMask]

The other tire I would seriously consider for the RR are Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT.
I would run 295 70 17 in those.

 

[Bash1990]

In very wet conditions I've found the KO3s to be terrible. I've never felt less confident driving in heavy rain. They do awesome in the snow and are otherwise pretty decent all around.

I do also prefer my tire pressure down to 35 or 36ish.

 

[RaptorME]

Agreed on the snow, I'm surprised at how good they are. I have to be careful in rain anyway with a tune, even cold asphault is an issue.

 

[NASSTY]

The other tire I would seriously consider for the RR are Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT.
I would run 295 70 17 in those.

I was trying to avoid 10 plys on my grocery getter so I went with 33x12.5x17 Baja Boss.

 

[Aonarch]

A lot of this is tire pressure.

39 psi is for the EPA.

I haven't chalk tested mine yet, but I bet 34 psi hot is probably spot on for these trucks.

 

[OxygenMask]

I was trying to avoid 10 plys on my grocery getter so I went with 33x12.5x17 Baja Boss.

Have you run them in cold and snow yet? Wondering how they do.

I've had way too many punctures with C rated tires, off road. I only run E rated and never had a problem. I don't feel any difference in ride quality.

 

[NASSTY]

Have you run them in cold and snow yet? Wondering how they do.

I've had way too many punctures with C rated tires, off road. I only run E rated and never had a problem. I don't feel any difference in ride quality.

They've been great in rain and snow. I didn't have any issues with the KO3's either. When I was tire shopping I considered KO3's but the size I wanted only came in load range F. So I went with load range D Baja Bosses.

 

[Watchdog62]

I hope I like the KO3 s more when they break in. Only 100 miles and I miss my Cooper Rugged Treks.

 

[bluemarlin25]

My KO3s spin horribly if someone even spits on the pavement

My Chevy Colorado ZR2 was the same way, though

I’ve got to feather the accelerator to get it started or put the drive mode into Slippery for a bit.

Oddly enough, in a heavy downpour they are a lot better

 

[jordantii]

My KO3s spin horribly if someone even spits on the pavement

My Chevy Colorado ZR2 was the same way, though

I’ve got to feather the accelerator to get it started or put the drive mode into Slippery for a bit.

Oddly enough, in a heavy downpour they are a lot better

I’m in FL so we get rain, a lot. When ever it’s wet I’m in 4A. Helps a ton.

 

[Watchdog62]

I drove mine today in light snow and wet in both 2wd and awd for abit. Not too bad but I have less than 200 miles, so we will see.
Still contemplating getting Cooper Wild Trek 315/70/17 with a 2" front spacer lift.

 

[rocsteady]

Never had any issues with the KO3s, heavy rain, snow etc. Right through the 18"+ unplowed snow a few weeks ago. I did just recently air them down to 35 rather than the Ford recommended 39 and it does feel a bit more "soft" in regular driving.
Anyway, as for wet conditions, drive it like it's a pickup truck, that is, pretty good power, light ass end, 2WD, and you won't have problems with them. Drive it like it's a sports car and you'll break traction, for a lot of reasons, least of which is the tires. YMMV, but I love em.

 

[Johnny 5]

My KO3s spin horribly if someone even spits on the pavement

My Chevy Colorado ZR2 was the same way, though

I’ve got to feather the accelerator to get it started or put the drive mode into Slippery for a bit.

Oddly enough, in a heavy downpour they are a lot better

You are correct, they are better in a downpour.

When I first got my RR, I was driving in a downpour in 4A Sport mode doing 55 and because I wanted to test in response to one of these threads, I jumped on it and it got to 90 in a second and I could feel the truck wanting to do nothing but go perfectly straight.

Even though it breaks them loose easier in light rain and light snow, the truck still wants nothing more than to go straight. You just have to stay on it.

In slick conditions, with all the power this truck has, it would seem like they would break loose with any tire. Correct me if that's not the case.

Sponsored