I have 47k miles on my 35x12.5/17 KO2's. They last longer than some street tires I've owned. By the way it looks, it could go another 30k.

 

I have KO2’s. I have zero regrets with them as both daily’s and off-road. Just ran Uwharrie last weekend after a good rain and I never lost traction and they were pretty caked with clay. I was running 15psi. They’re impressive but I’m sure you couldn’t go wrong either way.


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I've had multiple KO2's and now have RG's. I think the KO'2 might be slightly quieter, but the RG's look better. You can't go wrong with either and I just wanted a change.

 

One benefit of the KO2 is the KO2 is a much lighter tire.

 

if you are worried about size, KO2 285/75/17 is 34.1" compared to the 285/70/17 which is under 33".

BFG KO2 -

285/70/17 E load $242

285/75/17 C load $230

285/75/17 E load $250

 

I’m worried because a lot of people talk about ko2s running small

 

I know KO2's tend to be light tires, but in this particular size, there isn't much of a difference at about 3.5lbs per tire.

 

I have both tires. Ridge Grapplers on my Jeep and KO2's on my 4 door F350 full size work truck that has the 6.7 diesel in it. I am about to get my third set of KO2's for my truck soon. I am about out of usable tread on them after almost 65,000 miles. Many of those miles are interstate, but when I am traveling from one state to another I usually have about 3000 pounds of tool boxes in the back end. I have been very happy with the way they wear and the traction I get out of them. I keep them at about 65 psi in front and about 80 in back IIRC. I rotate with every oil change. So far I think I have gotten about 130,000 miles out of the two sets I have put on it so far. You can definitely buy these tires with confidence.

The Ridge Grapplers on my Jeep I really like also. They seem to be wearing very evenly, are quiet and give me excellent traction both on and off road. I don't have anywhere near as many miles on them though. Only 15k or so, so not as much experience with them.

 

If you want lighter go with the C load 285/70/17.
I have the Ridge Grapplers in that size and they were great in all types of Chicago weather.

 

Not interested in 285/70

 

Here are my 285/75 RG’s

 

RG's are going to be the more durable tire. I've seen a number of KO2's come off our trails damaged, but the RG's hold up to the rock abuse. The problem I have with KO2's is their appearance. They just look too wimpy for a Jeep...

But they are both very good tires. The Cooper S/T Maxx is also available in 285/75-17, @jadmt runs those.

 

Ok thanks, probably going with the rg

 

BFGs are great for the street and wear forever. But after cutting 4 different sidewalls on 2 different Jeeps and a buddy cutting a 5th on his rig, no more BFGs for me!!!

(There is a reason they are lighter! Sidewalls are super thin)

 

The 285/75 RG will be my next tire.

 

Never had KO2s but the OG BFG ATs were always caked with whatever I was driving in-mud, snow, wet sand.. These RGs clean out instantly. We did 100 miles yesterday, no top or doors, RGs were dead silent. I'm pretty happy with them so far but only raked up maybe 1500Kmi on em..

 

285/75R17 Ridge Grapplers

I love 'em! Mine too is a daily driver so having a load range C tire was important to me. You really can't go wrong with either tire you're considering. In theory, the Ridge Grappler will handle mud a bit better. Personally, I prefer the more aggressive look of the Ridge Grapplers though function for your needs should trump form.

 

I've been having this same debate. I like both tires and both have pluses and minuses. The KO2 is slightly smaller but also about 5 pounds per tire lighter. The RG comes in a 285/75/17 C rated, but the KO2 is only E rated at that size. The RG also seem to be about $40-$50 more per tire.

I know you want 285/75, but I wouldn't rule out 285/70s. They are cheaper, significantly lighter, and only about an inch shorter. You could potentially get a 285/70 RG tire that is cheaper and lighter than a KO2 285/75. I was dead set on 285/75 but after doing some research, I realized the 285/70s would require less supporting mods (lifts, tire carrier, gears, etc) than the 285/75s for a size size reduction that virtually no one would ever notice. Just something to think about.

 

I know you want 285/75, but I wouldn't rule out 285/70s. They are cheaper, significantly lighter, and only about an inch shorter. You could potentially get a 285/70 RG tire that is cheaper and lighter than a KO2 285/75. I was dead set on 285/75 but after doing some research, I realized the 285/70s would require less supporting mods (lifts, tire carrier, gears, etc) than the 285/75s for a size size reduction that virtually no one would ever notice. Just something to think about.

If you're doing this all for looks, then sure, dropping down a size will save money and trouble regarding the other potentially needed mods to support the tires....for a reduction that virtually no one would notice. That is, no one except your differentials and the rocks/obstacles they may come in contact with.

I don't recall reading why the OP is leaning toward 285/75-17s. He didn't say it was looks, for ground clearance, or any other reason. And sure, the overwhelming majority of people select their tires based on form over function. But there are those who give much closer consideration to their build, taking into account their intended use of the build first and looks second. A shorter tire and all of it's savings is irrelevant if it doesn't fit the OPs needs for ground clearance or whatever other decision point he's basing it on.

 

I had KO2's in 305/65R17, loved them. They did just about anything I asked of them, held up well and were quiet on the highway.

KO2's, stock fenders (note, my Jeep looks nothing like this now. )

 

When it come to your diffs how else would you get more clearance other than tire size?

I hear the 285/75 KO2s run more true to size than the other KO2s.

I personally think there is a huge difference between the 285/75 and 285/70 so chose wisely. Either way they are expensive and if you go smaller you might not be happy.




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Just installed 285/70/17 Ridge Grapplers in C rated on my 2015 2dr. Nitto's seem to run true to size. BFG's seem to run small. Co-worker has a 2018 JL that he put 285/75/17 KO2's on and when parked next to mine with 70's there is NO difference. Mine look the same height and wider. I have not worked the same day as him since I put the tape measure in the Jeep. But I'll measure. Mine are 32 1/8 mounted on a 8.5" wide wheel.

 

I might add that IF (big if) you were considering dropping to 33's, 255/80R17's are actually taller than 285/70R17 and work on factory wheels without spacers. Ridge Grapplers come in 255/80R17 that are listed as 33.3" tall and BFG KO2 come in the 34x10.5 size that are listed as 33.5". Neither require spacers or exceed the 85 pound limit of the tailgate.

 

You guys are right. I was thinking more along the lines of bumpers, exhaust, etc. that could all be changed with a lift. However, when talking a couple of tenths of an inch (or less), tire pressure could make up that difference. But I still stand by my comment that according to what people here have reported, the 285/75 KO2 is virtually the same size as the 285/70 RG. I don't know where anyone heard any size KO2 runs true to size (or any tire for that matter), but I'd love to see a picture of the measurement. I'm right now debating between these two tires and these two sizes, so I've been reading every thread I can find about them. But I'm sorry I tired to make a suggestion to possibly help him make an educated decision.

 

My 35x12.5 R18 Ko2's measure 33.5" at 35 PSI. I thought they were going to look wimpy with a 3.5" lift but I am really happy with them. I had them on my F-150 before and they got me through everything. Snow, ice, rain, mud. Can't wait to put the Jeep to the test.

 

I have 315/70/17 KO2 ATs. They are super quiet. I was in Uhwarrie on Memorial Day weekend and on trails in caked mud they held up great. Track great on the road. I have load range Cs. I had Toyo MTs before and could barely hear the radio. (Little exaggeration). If I had one complaint it would be the tread is a rock magnet, constantly pulling gravel out. But other than that they are great tires. I wouldn't obsess over sidewall unless you do very difficult rock crawling. Sounds like no bad choice here.

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If I had one complaint it would be the tread is a rock magnet, constantly pulling gravel out.

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I agree. They fling rocks out like a bullet. I cringe when I hear a rock hit the side of my Jeep lol


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I have KO2s on my rig and have no complaints! On road, off road, sand, ice, rain, rock.... nothing seems to phase these tires. I'm running 275/70/17 E tires on stock rims with no rubbing issues either.

Can't say anything about the RGs, but have heard good things about them and was actually my second choice, but have had good experience with KO/KO2 on other 4x4s so went with those......

 

I have never run the RG’s. I have run KO2’s. My personal experience was that they were great in everything but mud. Mud was merely acceptable. Which is fine depending on where you wheel. In my area, there tends to be a lot of mud. I found the KO2’s would not clean out terribly well, and I tended to fishtail in mud more than I liked.

They were quiet, wore well, and were great in rain.


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I wouldn’t obsess over 1/4” difference with KO2s. Most say they actually run more true to size while some other brands tend to run just a bit larger. Choose overall performance and the main purpose of the tires over a fraction of an inch in height. My 315/70/17 KO2s measure just under 34” mounted at 35psi with full underbody skids and heavy Barricade rock sliders with the stock rubi rail combo. No problems on the trail for me with a modest 2.5” lift, even aired down.


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