BFG KO2 vs General Grabber ATX

[Punkn89]

Alright, I am hopefully not going to start a war here, but I’m in a pickle. I’ve run KO2’s before and they were good. I’m very tempted to go atx due to them being less expensive, very similar to KO2 and the Expedition Overland guys swear by them. These would be in size 315/70r17. KO2 has the advantage of C rated. ATX is only E rated, but they say they are just as comfortable and less noisy than a KO2. I’d like to hear some opinions on real world experience from you all. I know BFG KO2 fans are basically a cult now, haha, but please stay as unbiased as possible! For reference, this will be on a 2019 JLU Sahara with a Teraflex spacer lift On icon wheels with -6 offset. Thanks!

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[Jim1964]

E rated will not ride like a C.

XO are paid for their representation of the brand. Don’t mistake “content creators” for anything other than what they are; paid marketing platforms.

I have run the General X3 in load range C and it was pretty good. But noisy, as that is more nearly a MT pattern.

 

[Punkn89]

E rated will not ride like a C.

XO are paid for their representation of the brand. Don’t mistake “content creators” for anything other than what they are; paid marketing platforms.

I have run the General X3 in load range C and it was pretty good. But noisy, as that is more nearly a MT pattern.

Do you believe E rated tires have better longevity than C rated ones, or is that all driver/terrain dependent?

 

[Jim1964]

Do you believe E rated tires have better longevity than C rated ones, or is that all driver/terrain dependent?

I believe longevity depends on the tread compound, pattern, and the type of use. Load rating not so much. Although it’s certainly true that lots of E rated tires will have a hard wearing tread compound.

 

[AcesandEights]

Typically a E-rated tire will have a harder tread compound because it is rated to carry more weight. The size is the same, so in order for it to carry more weight, it has to be harder, in theory, or it will wear really fast.

 

[srt20]

Agreed With sponsored content creators and Load range E vs C.
Take sponsored creators with a grain of salt.
In my own experience Load range E last longer and ride rougher.

I like Load range E on my trucks, and anything lighter, softer, etc on Jeeps, toys.

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

I run Grabber ATX E rated 33s. Even at 35psi they aren't too bad and the ride quality on road is comfortable. I run them at 33psi (measured cold)

I did feel that it was a lot stiff brand new. Couple of offroad trips aired down 18psi.. i didn't feel that initial stiffness later on.

 

[Punkn89]

I ran the previous grabber AT version on my tj, didn’t have complaints. My brain is telling me KO2. I just wish there was more out there on the ATX. These Maryland potholes and loose construction gravel/nails will put any tire to the test!

 

[TxJeepers]

KO2 many times on many vehicles. It's a great tire. I wouldn't hesitate to run the Grabbers should they be significantly lower price and more available. 2nd choice though.

I've done the JJUSA Texas Spur multiple times with Rusty (Rusty's). He runs General tires on his rigs and wheels them hard. Never seen his rigs struggled related to tires or tire failure.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I have no current experience with the ATX's, but years ago I ran Grabber AT's on a 1/2 ton truck and they did not last very long, that may have changed with improvements to the line so there is that.

As others have stated LRE will not ride as good as LRC, side walls are stiffer, the tire will be heavier, etc. I can say the BFG K02's I am running have been the quietest A/T tire I have had in the past 10 years.

Definitely see your point on saving money at this day and age, but it is hard to go wrong with K02's.

 

[Punkn89]

I have no current experience with the ATX's, but years ago I ran Grabber AT's on a 1/2 ton truck and they did not last very long, that may have changed with improvements to the line so there is that.

As others have stated LRE will not ride as good as LRC, side walls are stiffer, the tire will be heavier, etc. I can say the BFG K02's I am running have been the quietest A/T tire I have had in the past 10 years.

Definitely see your point on saving money at this day and age, but it is hard to go wrong with K02's.

its not a huge price difference, $300 vs $360 per tire. Either way, I’ve got time to do more research with all of this backorder still happening. If anyone else has experience with other C rated tires in that size, please let me know.

 

[roaniecowpony]

The Maxxis Razr AT has my attention right now. Good reviews by members here as well.

 

[unsavory]

Just another option that I have personally not tried, but have heard a lot of great things about, are the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W. They are available in load range C, and are excellent tires for snow/rain and don't pick up rocks like the BFG KO2. Allegedly.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Another thing to keep in mind, these JLs, especially the 4 door, are among the heaviest jeeps built. I believe I read that the GVWR of a 4 door Rubicon is 5800 lbs and off-roaders routinely exceed that with all the steel armor, bumpers, winches, lights, roof racks, fuel cans, tire carriers and huge tires. So an E rated tire on a JLU isn't the same as a E rated tire on a TJ in terms of how loaded our tires are. For reference, a TJ was about 3300 lbs curb weight vs a JLUR at about 4400lbs

 

[Remorseless]

its not a huge price difference, $300 vs $360 per tire. Either way, I’ve got time to do more research with all of this backorder still happening. If anyone else has experience with other C rated tires in that size, please let me know.

$60 per tire is $300 for the whole 5 tire set, not insignificant IMO. Personally, I'd suggest looking at the Falken Wildpeak AT3 or the Toyo Open Country AT3 or the Goodyear Duratrac. The KO2s ride great on the road, but I find them lacking in off road traction. The other 3 tires I've run personally with good results or wheeling buddies have run with good results.

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