KO3 new sizes, metric vs 35"

[Docwagon1776]

BFG launched some new sizes for the KO3, and now there are two *very* similar offerings in the 35"-ish R17 category.

35x12.5R17 and 315/70R17 with a "D" load rating, specifically.

The 35" is a tenth of an inch taller and wider than the metric tire. The metric has a 1/16th tread depth advantage. Size seems entirely inconsequential and tread depth barely significant. The metric is 3 lbs heavier and has a slight advantage in load capacity and speed rating (199 lb per tire and 6mph).


The 35" tire is roughly $40 more per tire.

Am I missing something here? Is there likely to be any significant advantage in ride quality, sidewall puncture resistance, fuel economy, etc between these two options? Seems the metric is the better option with slightly more tread at a lower price and a bit better strength since the load capacity is higher. Note there is an "F" rated metric as well, but that's overkill for me and the PW comes with "D" rated.

*edit* fixed a typo that was bothering me

 

[rzr6-4]

For $160 savings and hopefully a little bit better tread life with the extra tread depth, I would be going metric.

 

[Docwagon1776]

For $160 savings and hopefully a little bit better tread life with the extra tread depth, I would be going metric.

$200, as I need a spare as well, but that's what I'm thinking as well. It seems like there's got to be some difference I'm missing, unless the 35" is straight up paying for saying 35 on the sidewall. Which isn't impossible.

 

[olyelr]

According to bfg’s website, the metric is a slightly shorter and wider, slightly heavier, and has the same tread depth (15/32) as the 35x12.5/17.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Brother, I just hope they balance out well for you if you go with them.

The previous KO2's are notorious for requiring ridiculous amounts of weight to even come close to a proper balance.
They are also heavier tires in general.

I had them in LT285/65R20 in Load E and two tires were almost 10oz per tire to balance out, the others were +5oz to +7oz per tire.

I then went to Michelin Defender LTX M/S in LT295/65R20 (equivalent to 35" tires) in Load E and ranged from 0.75oz to 1.75oz per tire to balance, and they were also about 5lb per tire lighter than the smaller BFG's I had before.

 

[olyelr]

Brother, I just hope they balance out well for you if you go with them.

The previous KO2's are notorious for requiring ridiculous amounts of weight to even come close to a proper balance.
They are also heavier tires in general.

I had them in LT285/65R20 in Load E and two tires were almost 10oz per tire to balance out, the others were +5oz to +7oz per tire.

I then went to Michelin Defender LTX M/S in LT295/65R20 (equivalent to 35" tires) in Load E and ranged from 0.75oz to 1.75oz per tire to balance, and they were also about 5lb per tire lighter than the smaller BFG's I had before.

Heavier tires typically equate into a more durable tire.

I have read about the same balancing issues with the bfg’s as well. From what i read the ko3’s are not really any different. It seems to be hit or miss though, at least in my experience. Had several sets of ko2’s with no issues, but havnt tried the ko3’s yet.

 

[joesstripclub]

I skipped KO2/KO3 as well when I went to 35's due to the balancing issues I've heard about and it just seems they aren't a great tire on-road. I went with Continental Terrain Contact in a 315/70/17 and am super happy with them so far. Not super aggressive tread but still an A/T. So quiet on the road that I hear all sorts of noises in the truck I never heard on the stockers.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I skipped KO2/KO3 as well when I went to 35's due to the balancing issues I've heard about and it just seems they aren't a great tire on-road. I went with Continental Terrain Contact in a 315/70/17 and am super happy with them so far. Not super aggressive tread but still an A/T. So quiet on the road that I hear all sorts of noises in the truck I never heard on the stockers.

From Continental's website

With the durability to conquer dirt, gravel and grass...

Not really suitable for my use and I'm fine with the trade offs. I have chunked tread blocks on the OEM tires on trails, need more durability.

 

[joesstripclub]

From Continental's website


Not really suitable for my use and I'm fine with the trade offs. I have chunked tread blocks on the OEM tires on trails, need more durability.

Yeah I'd agree for any real off road use the Continentals are probably not the best choice. Sadly my truck is mostly used for pavement or towing duty at this point.

To answer your original question, I'd guess the 35" is more for the US market where as 315 is a global metric size. Not sure why they have different load and speed ratings though.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I ended up ordering the 35" tires. The 315s in the D range are out of stock everywhere and likely won't be back in stock until August. I have a road/offroad trip planned in June and don't currently have a spare as I had to mount it due to an unrepairable puncture so August isn't going to work.

"F" range for the 315s in stock seemed overkill for the PW and I hope the 35" ride a bit better on rougher trails. I figured they would have a bit more flex, anyway.

 

[Dean2]

If you have any tire with more than 5 ounces of weight to balance it, get the tire shop to move the tire around on the rim. A good one would have already done this as it can dramatically affect the amount of weight needed by offsetting weight of the tire and rim. If they can't get it to cancel out the excess weight, make them replace as many tires as you have to to get it under 5 ounces. The tires that need more are defective, full stop. My tire shop went through 11 Duratracs to get 4 good ones last time I had new tires mounted.

If you have any pull or hop on any wheel after balancing, make them replace that too as the belts are Fershimmeld. Only way we get proper tires is if we refuse to accept substandard build quality and NO, 2LBs of wheel weights in NOT NORMAL for offroad tires or any tire, no matter what the tire shop says.

 

[olyelr]

I ended up ordering the 35" tires. The 315s in the D range are out of stock everywhere and likely won't be back in stock until August. I have a road/offroad trip planned in June and don't currently have a spare as I had to mount it due to an unrepairable puncture so August isn't going to work.

"F" range for the 315s in stock seemed overkill for the PW and I hope the 35" ride a bit better on rougher trails. I figured they would have a bit more flex, anyway.

Well dang. I was considering just going with the d-rated 315’s as they are quite a bit cheaper than the 35’s. Why, i dont know, as they are basically the exact same tire.

 

[Dean2]

D rated tires are always cheaper than E rated. They are also llighteri and ride a lot better with no or light loads. A lot more sidewall flex and tend to have much lower inflation pressure.

As to why two D rated tires so close in size have specs that far apart, I would call the company or talk to a real good tire guy that specializes in that make and model of tire. .

 

[olyelr]

D rated tires are always cheaper than E rated. They are also llighteri and ride a lot better with no or light loads. A lot more sidewall flex and tend to have much lower inflation pressure.

As to why two D rated tires so close in size have specs that far apart, I would call the company or talk to a real good tire guy that specializes in that make and model of tire. .

Thats the thing…35x12.5r17 d rated is $414, while the 315/70/17 f rated is $387.

 

[Dean2]

Well then, I would just buy the cheaper version and not worry about it anymore.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Well then, I would just buy the cheaper version and not worry about it anymore.

The cheaper version is still the 315 "D" but, as stated, it isn't expected to be available until August. If you can wait, that's probably the best option. If not, pay more for the 35" like I did.

 

[olyelr]

Wheres the pics?! You sportin the white letters?!

 

[Docwagon1776]

Wheres the pics?! You sportin the white letters?!

Install is tomorrow.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Wheres the pics?! You sportin the white letters?!

Discount Tire decided the "D" rated tire with a load rating of 119 was unsafe to replace the "D" rated tire with a load rating of 121 with, so they wasted my time. They wanted to sell me something else other than what they'd already sold me so I told them the options were to install what I bought or refund me the money, there was no third option. They refunded it, so I guess I'll wait until August for the 315s to come back in stock and order them from somebody who's not a lawyer moonlighting as a tire store manager.

 

[olyelr]

Discount Tire decided the "D" rated tire with a load rating of 119 was unsafe to replace the "D" rated tire with a load rating of 121 with, so they wasted my time. They wanted to sell me something else other than what they'd already sold me so I told them the options were to install what I bought or refund me the money, there was no third option. They refunded it, so I guess I'll wait until August for the 315s to come back in stock and order them from somebody who's not a lawyer moonlighting as a tire store manager.

I was having issues like that at one discount tire store near me a few years back. Wouldnt mount 12.5” wide tires on my jeep wheels because they were skinnier than the manufacturer recommended.

Now i go to another discount tire the opposite direction from where the other one is, and they dont seem to mind about anything like that.