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BFG Ko2's suck that bad in rain?

dginz

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New to Jeeps. I fitted 315/70/17 BFG KO2's on my JLU sitting on 17x9" et 12 Method wheels. Running 30psi. The tires were used w/ only about 8K mls on them. Long story short, they are HORRID for wet traction. I'm fish tailing barely pressing the gas, and came to a light stop sliding... this doesn't seem normal. Or is it? Thanks
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Some Random Guy

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I live North of Seattle, and yes they slide in the rain. I wasn't expecting a sedate drive in a 5,000lb vehicle to go squirrelly like that, but it is RWD. I drive like a grandma too, I regularly get flipped off by people who seem to think they should be able to stretch out first gear when they're second in line at a light (I make it worse by driving M/T).
Long-Story-Short, it doesn't take much to break rear traction based on my anecdotal experience.
Long term, I think my goal is to have 2 sets of tires since this is my winter commuter. On-road all season tires using stock rims, and off-road with beadlocks. The BRZ I have can't handle sub-40 temperatures without risking cracking the tires, and the best tires in the world won't help it keep traction even if I get winters.
 

sam0329

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From my experience, they are pretty bad in rain and snow. I just mounted the Good Year duratrac a month ago and its going to rain/snow here this coming Friday. I will find out how they perform compare to the KO2 lol.
 

The Fixer

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New to Jeeps. I fitted 315/70/17 BFG KO2's on my JLU sitting on 17x9" et 12 Method wheels. Running 30psi. The tires were used w/ only about 8K mls on them. Long story short, they are HORRID for wet traction. I'm fish tailing barely pressing the gas, and came to a light stop sliding... this doesn't seem normal. Or is it? Thanks
I have 285/70 KO2s on my 2-door and find them to be just fine in the rain. When was the last time MD saw any rain? Jersey has been dry for a while, so I know it could be slick out there now. If it's been very dry for a while, the road will have lots of oil and other stuff on the surface, that might be more of what you're feeling. See how it feels in the rain the next time you're out and if it improves.
 

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JDJL

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I live in FL where it rains daily for most of the year. I haven't had any issues whatsoever driving in the rain. Maybe you have old or bad tires?
 

drvn

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No issues in the rain in Indiana.
34 x 10.5 BFG KO2 AT D rated

EDIT: @dginz
I'd like to completely revoke my initial assessment. It was too early and without enough experience. My tires now have 4000 miles on them. Unfortunately, they are down right scary on wet roads. Im sliding around corners and fish tailing. (No, I'm not speeding) Nearly wet my pants after moving half way into another lane today. Sigh. I did have C rated. My new ones are D rated. This harder compound is definitely not best in wet conditions....
 
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WAOLIFE

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New to Jeeps. I fitted 315/70/17 BFG KO2's on my JLU sitting on 17x9" et 12 Method wheels. Running 30psi. The tires were used w/ only about 8K mls on them. Long story short, they are HORRID for wet traction. I'm fish tailing barely pressing the gas, and came to a light stop sliding... this doesn't seem normal. Or is it? Thanks
These tires have a long wear life, which equates to a harder compound. Typically harder compound materials provide less traction in snow and rain than softer compounds. You have to weigh the pros and cons against what your use is, how you use them, and what you are willing to do about it.
 

jessedacri

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Worked fine for me. Rain and light snow on pavement was totally fine on the KO2s. I wouldn't expect dedicated winter tire performance but it shouldn't be terrible IMO.
 
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dginz

dginz

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I live in FL where it rains daily for most of the year. I haven't had any issues whatsoever driving in the rain. Maybe you have old or bad tires?
Yeah Iā€™m thinking these particular tires may be bad. I donā€™t get it. Guess thatā€™s what I get buying used tires.
Thanks for all the feedback everyone.
 

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JimLee

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Yeah Iā€™m thinking these particular tires may be bad. I donā€™t get it. Guess thatā€™s what I get buying used tires.
Thanks for all the feedback everyone.
Check the date codes. The may have been sitting for a long time. Tire compound degrades with time, some of them become hard over the years. When I buy new tires I won't accept anything off the rack that is a year old or older for this reason.
 

calemasters

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New to Jeeps. I fitted 315/70/17 BFG KO2's on my JLU sitting on 17x9" et 12 Method wheels. Running 30psi. The tires were used w/ only about 8K mls on them. Long story short, they are HORRID for wet traction. I'm fish tailing barely pressing the gas, and came to a light stop sliding... this doesn't seem normal. Or is it? Thanks
My BFG KO2's were good in the rain, but not very good in snow since they have no siping.
 

Bryce

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I've got one spot near my house. A traffic signal on an up hill with a right turn. Both my 2019 JLUR and my 2001 F250 spin the tries like crazy there. Both have BFG KO2s I don't notice it anywhere else. I thought maybe something was spilled there, but its been like that for quite a while now
 

chris4prez

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37 KO2s w/ beadlocks here and live in FL where it rains all the time. Iā€™m built heavy and no issues. Only gripe is stopping distance and thatā€™s on the brakes and not the tires. That will be my next upgrade....
 

WAOLIFE

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37 KO2s w/ beadlocks here and live in FL where it rains all the time. Iā€™m built heavy and no issues. Only gripe is stopping distance and thatā€™s on the brakes and not the tires. That will be my next upgrade....
Next after that will be tires . . . lol jk
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