BFGOODRICH KO3's were a huge disappointment. (the tire is great, but load range F is not appropriate for a lightweight JL)

[DustyGladiator]

So I put new tires on my wifes jeep this week. She wanted to stay with BFGOODRICH both because they are American made and because she has had very good experience with them in the past. Shw was able to get 100k miles on the stock 35" KO2's that she had. In any case, we went with 37" KO3's and OH MY GOD do they ride horrible. This is totally on me, but little did I know, their 37's currently only come in load range F. I mean if I had an F250, F350, or super overloaded Gladiator overlanding rig that would be great. But for a light weight JL, they are horrible. The sidewalls might as well be made out of concrete. We aired down to 28psi and the jeep still isn't heavy enough to get even wear across the tire when doing a chalk test. I really don't feel comftorable going any lower than that. At this point I think my only option is to try to return them this weekend and maybe go with Falken AT4W's or Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT's.

Again, its totally on me that I didnt do my research and look up that they were load range F only.

EDIT: This is not entirely on BFGOODRICH. The KO3 is actually a great tire. However due to the way they are rolling out the new tire you have to pay attention to the load rating as load rating C KO3's will not be out until May of 2026. They currently only offer load range F tires. Totally my fault for not doing proper research and knowing this fact. BFG's fault for having this wonky rollout. My tire installers fault for not mentioning what the load rating of the tire was.

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[WannFly]

See if you can get the MT BBAT, tired great, I run mine at 26 psi

 

[DustyGladiator]

See if you can get the MT BBAT, tired great, I run mine at 26 psi

After a week of forum reviews, thats what I wanted to go with but my wife wanted to stick with the Bf Goodrich's. We live in colorado and the erea that we are in gets a ton of snow. She wanted to stick with a known brand. I told her that the K03's were a totally different tire than the KO2's that she had such a good experience with. I knew arguing with her was a loosing battle so I just got what she wanted. This time around We're going with my choice.

 

[10mmauto]

I see a lot of negative reviews of the K03's, but I don't get it. I recently put K03's (LT315/70R-17) on my Willys and they ride great (I switched from the Falken Wildpeaks). They are inflated to 38psi and I don't have any issue. (But then again, I don't buy Jeeps for their ride comfort.)

 

[jeepingib]

I see a lot of negative reviews of the K03's, but I don't get it. I recently put K03's (LT315/70R-17) on my Willys and they ride great (I switched from the Falken Wildpeaks). They are inflated to 38psi and I don't have any issue. (But then again, I don't buy Jeeps for their ride comfort.)

Load range F and inflated to 38 psi? And you enjoy the ride? That's unusual to say the least. But ride is a subjective quality. I can't imagine you passing over a pebble without feeling the exact size and shape of it in the seat.

 

[c20040215]

In your case, any tire with load range F is not going to be great. Your title does not match your post. I don't see anything "disappointment" about the KO3 in this post? Click bait?

 

[Slippery Pete]

I see a lot of negative reviews of the K03's, but I don't get it. I recently put K03's (LT315/70R-17) on my Willys and they ride great (I switched from the Falken Wildpeaks). They are inflated to 38psi and I don't have any issue. (But then again, I don't buy Jeeps for their ride comfort.)

In your case, any tire with load range F is not going to be great. Your title does not match your post. I don't see anything "disappointment" about the KO3 in this post? Click bait?

Curious for all of you that have had both KO2s and KO3s now, are the KO3s still on the smaller side compared to other same size tires?

 

[DustyGladiator]

In your case, any tire with load range F is not going to be great. Your title does not match your post. I don't see anything "disappointment" about the KO3 in this post? Click bait?

BFGoodrich won't be making a 37" KO3 in load range C until sometime in 2026. I went to the tire shop and asked for KO3's assuming would know what load range was appropriate for a lightweight JL and order accordingly. I am hugely disappointed in both the ride, and handling g of the load range F tire that was put on my jeep. Also dissapointednin the fact that BFGoodrich is having a 2-3 year rollout of their tires with some of the most popular sizes and load ranges being towards the end of their rollout. How in the world is this clickbairt?

The average consumer is not going to be looking at what load range the tire they purchased is. Hell, the average consumer doesnt even know what a load range is. Maybe this post will help someone looking to go KO3's on their JL know to wait on the purchase until the correct load range tire is being produced.

 

[RAD1]

BFG has a 60 day satisfaction guarantee so you should be able to return the tires with no questions asked. The issue is the load rating. Why not go back to 35's with load rating C? Those are quiet, ride beautiful, do well in snow and off road.

 

[DustyGladiator]

Curious for all of you that have had both KO2s and KO3s now, are the KO3s still on the smaller side compared to other same size tires?

My 37x1250r17 KO3's measure at exactly 35.48 inches.

 

[DustyGladiator]

BFG has a 60 day satisfaction guarantee so you should be able to return the tires with no questions asked. The issue is the load rating. Why not go back to 35's with load rating C? Those are quiet, ride beautiful, and do well in snow and off road.

Two things.
1) do you know if I need to go through BFGOODRICH for their satisfaction guarantee, or if I should be able to go back to the reseller. In this case Big O? I plan on stopping g by this weekend to talk to them in any case.

2) We jumped from 35's to 37's because this is my wife's jeep and we often head out to the Cllorado mountains and to Utah together. My gladiator mojave with a 4" lift and 37's (Falken wildpeaks) has a much better time on everything except steep overhangs than her jeep did with 35's. Plus, we have a rubicon trail trip planned for September and we wanted some extra clearance.

 

[Aonarch]

So I put new tires on my wifes jeep this week. She wanted to stay with BFGOODRICH both because they are American made and because she has had very good experience with them in the past. Shw was able to get 100k miles on the stock 35" KO2's that she had. In any case, we went with 37" KO3's and OH MY GOD do they ride horrible. This is totally on me, but little did I know, their 37's currently only come in load range F. I mean if I had an F250, F350, or super overloaded Gladiator overlanding rig that would be great. But for a light weight JL, they are horrible. The sidewalls might as well be made out of concrete. We aired down to 28psi and the jeep still isn't heavy enough to get even wear across the tire when doing a chalk test. I really don't feel comftorable going any lower than that. At this point I think my only option is to try to return them this weekend and maybe go with Falken AT4W's or Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT's.

Again, its totally on me that I didnt do my research and look up that they were load range F only.

In your case, any tire with load range F is not going to be great. Your title does not match your post. I don't see anything "disappointment" about the KO3 in this post? Click bait?

BFGoodrich won't be making a 37" KO3 in load range C until sometime in 2026. I went to the tire shop and asked for KO3's assuming would know what load range was appropriate for a lightweight JL and order accordingly. I am hugely disappointed in both the ride, and handling g of the load range F tire that was put on my jeep. Also dissapointednin the fact that BFGoodrich is having a 2-3 year rollout of their tires with some of the most popular sizes and load ranges being towards the end of their rollout. How in the world is this clickbairt?

The average consumer is not going to be looking g at what load range the tire they purchased is. He'll, the average consumer doesnt even know what a load range is. Maybe this post will help.someone looking g ro go KO3's on their JL know to wait on the purchase until the correct load range tire is being produced.

So you bought the wrong tire spec for your vehicle?

Title is click bait, this isn't on BFGoodrich.

If your tire shop mislead you, then pursue a course with them for a favorable outcome.

 

[Ratbert]

Plus, we have a rubicon trail trip planned for September and we wanted some extra clearance.

The Rubicon Trail will be painful AF in Fs that don't flex.

 

[DustyGladiator]

I see a lot of negative reviews of the K03's, but I don't get it. I recently put K03's (LT315/70R-17) on my Willys and they ride great (I switched from the Falken Wildpeaks). They are inflated to 38psi and I don't have any issue. (But then again, I don't buy Jeeps for their ride comfort.)

I can literally see in the picture of your jeep that you posted that the tire is not wearing evenly across the tire. Look at the outer edges of your tire. Your JL isnt heavy enough to get even wear on those tires. Have you done a chalk test?

 

[DustyGladiator]

So you bought the wrong tire spec for your vehicle?

Title is click bait, this isn't on BFGoodrich.

If your tire shop mislead you, then pursue a course with them for a favorable outcome.

We'll agree to disagree I guess. BFGOODRICH has advertised this tire to be compatible with Jeeps. Its on their advertisements and on tons of sponsored YouTube videos.

I already said thst it was on me, but again... The average consumer has no idea what a load range is. I bought a 37" tire. At this point the only 37" KO3 available and the tire performs in a way that is unacceptable. My title says the tires were a dissapointment. Im unclear how that is inaccurate, regardless of whether you think its on me, the manufacturer, or my tire shop. No matter who is to blame, the 37" KO3's that i purchased (the inly 37" KO3 available at this time) were a dissapointment.

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