Question about the new BFG KM2

[Jim in Alaska]

Has any one used it to any extent?
How does it compare to the old mud terrain tread design?
It looks like the old km or MT is being phased out for the newer km2 design.
Its time to purchase new tires for my E350 4X4 van and the size choices in the old MT are becoming limited.
I guess I'm being resistant to change but I have used the old MT design for lots of years with great performance and dont really want to change from a proven performer.

regards,

Jim

[The Adam Blaster]

There is a thread that i participated in a little in Gen 4x4 about this tire.
In my opinion, it's more aggressive than the older M/T model, but i have yet to hear anything about road noise vs. the old one, or longevity of the rubber.
I've attached some pics for you, first is KM, 2nd is KM2.
They haven't released the whole spectrum of sizes of the KM2 yet, more will be available in late August/early September this year.
But, they said that last year and cut the run of tires short -- no idea why.
They are sort of catering to full size p/u's with the new KM2, lots of larger sizes in higher diameter wheel fitments -- 17's, 18's 20's.
Very little offerings in 15's and 16's.

[Rockhales]

I hope the side wall is tougher than the old MT's.

[The Adam Blaster]

Originally Posted by Rockhales

I hope the side wall is tougher than the old MT's.

That is one of the claims BFG is making -- tougher sidewalls.
I drove around for about 1.5 years with a small half-moon shaped cut in my KM's sidewall, not all the way through mind you. But it held air the whole time.

[1sicbronconut]

We've put hundreds of them on oil field trucks and so far they are doing great. Seem to wear decent and the drivers I've talked to say the road maners are better and they also work great in the mud. Most of these trucks are way over loaded weight wise and also tend to run "D" rated tires because it's hard to find a "E" rated tire in the taller sizes like a 285. I don't know what size you have on your van but I haven't seen/don't think they have the tire out in 15" or 16" rims yet.

[RocKrawler]

I didnt like my old MT's at all, but put on the KM/2's and so far they are much better on & off road. Easy stuff but just ran Sedona last weekend, here are some shots:

[The Adam Blaster]

Originally Posted by RocKrawler

I didnt like my old MT's at all

I'm curious, what was it you didn't like?

[Norcaljr]

Originally Posted by The Adam Blaster

I'm curious, what was it you didn't like?

x2

[RocKrawler]

thought the BFG traction was just OK, noisier than most other MT's I'd owned (the Goodyear MTR was noisy, but at least the traction was way better) for the grip they provided & they seemed to float a lot on road, didnt track as straight as the Goodyears, and the sidewalls cut easy. The new KM2 grips better & tracks straighter with little or no float noticable. So far very happy with them, will need to head back to JV before I give them a final opinion. We ran claw last month, plan on running aftershock in May hopefully - for an IFS FJ thats not too bad!

[fcfred]

Originally Posted by Rockhales

I hope the side wall is tougher than the old MT's.

i've put a few thousand miles on some and beat the living poop out of the sidewalls. i would say they are very much tougher than the old MT sidewalls.

[Mr. Mindless]

weak sidewalls and poor wet traction were my complaints on the old m/t. I'll seriously think about the km2 to replace my MT/Rs when the time comes if reviews keep coming in like this, and price and size are right.

[MSparks909]

I'm running some 35x12.50's on my 05 F150 and I love them. Not alot of road noise and they perform GREAT offroad. Wet weather traction is very good for an M/T. I live in Eastern NC, and all the trails here are pretty much gumbo goo. They're certainly not Swampers but they clean out well. I've only put about 2000 miles on them so as far as durability goes...

[The Adam Blaster]

Ya, the impressions of the KM2's overall are much better than what i would have expected, longevity is really the last thing to hear about i guess...

[ON THE RCKS]

I've got about 15 thousand miles on my 37" KM2's and they are holding up great. I like them better than the old ones especially for towing my 15K lb 5th wheel. They are about the same noise level at first, but my old MT's would get progressively louder as they wore. So far these barely look worn. They also have a nice feel in snow and ice, it drifts but in a good way

[fordman1978]

i cant wait until they come out with something in a 15" wheel. they would look awesome on the wagoneer im trying to get.

[Todd W]

Originally Posted by ON THE RCKS

I've got about 15 thousand miles on my 37" KM2's and they are holding up great. I like them better than the old ones especially for towing my 15K lb 5th wheel. They are about the same noise level at first, but my old MT's would get progressively louder as they wore. So far these barely look worn. They also have a nice feel in snow and ice, it drifts but in a good way

How many miles do you expect to get out of them? 30k?

[ON THE RCKS]

How many miles do you expect to get out of them? 30k?

I think more! That picture shows them with 15K already and they still look like new. My brother has the 35" ers's on 20's and his are wearing faster, smaller tire, but he already has 25K and they have 1/2 the tread left on his 08 F350. Only time will tell, plus it all matters how many miles I have on before winter with the snow load we get at my cabin as to when I replace them.

[RustyNailJustin]

Originally Posted by ON THE RCKS

I've got about 15 thousand miles on my 37" KM2's and they are holding up great. I like them better than the old ones especially for towing my 15K lb 5th wheel. They are about the same noise level at first, but my old MT's would get progressively louder as they wore. So far these barely look worn. They also have a nice feel in snow and ice, it drifts but in a good way

That truck looks fantastic with those tires!

[HaroldD]

I'm a long time MT fan - have run others with poor results. My only downer with the MT was the increasing noise as they wore down.

So, along comes the KM2 and I was eager to try them out. They work great!
- They are a little softer, but outstanding grip and flex.
- Quieter on road (surprised me).
- Wear seems similar, maybe a little less life due to softer compound, but well worth it in my book!

I run the 37-21.5-17 on a 98 3/4t Dodge 2500 v10 that sees 70-30 on/off road. Not a lot of mud, more sand and rocks here in AZ.

Originally Posted by Jim in Alaska

Has any one used it to any extent?
How does it compare to the old mud terrain tread design?
It looks like the old km or MT is being phased out for the newer km2 design.
Its time to purchase new tires for my E350 4X4 van and the size choices in the old MT are becoming limited.
I guess I'm being resistant to change but I have used the old MT design for lots of years with great performance and dont really want to change from a proven performer.

regards,

Jim

[chevy_man]

If you don't want to change, buckshot mudders are damn near identical and cheaper.

I personally would take MT/R's over the BFG's, but I hate the traction of the bfg's, just seems like lots of other tires outperform them.

[Elwenil]

They are cheaper in more ways than one. You get what you pay for.

[Zukiford87]

Any body know when these are coming out for the smaller wheels 15's and 16's

[ON THE RCKS]

If you don't want to change, buckshot mudders are damn near identical and cheaper.

I personally would take MT/R's over the BFG's, but I hate the traction of the bfg's, just seems like lots of other tires outperform them.

You must be talking about the old mud terrains. Or you just don't know what your talking about There isn't a single team running the MT/R's in the top 10 in We-Rock West for a reason.

[Sim79]

Originally Posted by Zukiford87

Any body know when these are coming out for the smaller wheels 15's and 16's

September.

[The Adam Blaster]

Originally Posted by Sim79

September.

Supposedly...
Last year they only manufactured about 50% of the promised sizes. Don't hold your breath too long for them.