BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
Walk through any trailhead parking lot, and you will see the same white letters on truck after truck. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is one of the best-known tires ever made for pickups, Jeeps, and SUVs. It built its name on tough sidewalls, long tread life on gravel, and a look that owners love. Even with a newer model on the market, it remains a popular choice.
This guide covers what the tire is, how it is built, how it performs on pavement and off it, how long it lasts, and how it compares with its successor and its rivals. It ends with advice on who should buy it and how to care for it.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Maker | BFGoodrich, a brand of Michelin |
| Tire type | All-terrain, for light trucks and SUVs |
| Introduced | 2014 |
| Replaced | The original All-Terrain T/A KO |
| Successor | All-Terrain T/A KO3, introduced in 2024 |
| Winter rating | Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) |
| Sidewall | CoreGard technology |
| Treadwear warranty | 50,000 miles, limited |
| Rim sizes | 15 to 22 inches |
| Typical tread depth when new | About 15/32 of an inch in most light truck sizes |
| Common load ranges | C, D, and E |
Details vary by size, so check the specifications for the exact tire you plan to buy.
A Short History
BFGoodrich introduced the first radial all-terrain tire, the Radial All-Terrain T/A, in 1976. It created a new class of tire for drivers who wanted one set that could handle the highway on weekdays and the trail on weekends.
The All-Terrain T/A KO followed in 1999. “KO” stands for “Key feature: On and Off-road.” It became a standard fitment for off-road builds around the world.
In 2014, the company launched the KO2. It kept the look of the KO and added a stronger sidewall, a longer-lasting tread compound, and better snow traction. The design drew on the company’s long record in desert racing, including the Baja 1000.
In 2024, BFGoodrich launched the KO3 as the next generation. The older tire has been phased out in stages, size by size. Many sizes are still sold, and stock differs by retailer.
Key Features and Technology
Six design features set the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 apart from the tire it replaced.
CoreGard Sidewalls
The sidewall is the weak point of most tires off-road. A sharp rock can slice it open, and a sidewall cut cannot be repaired. BFGoodrich took the sidewall rubber and design from its Baja T/A KR2 race tire and used it here. The maker says the result is a sidewall that is 20 percent tougher than that of the original KO. The rubber is thicker and extends higher up the shoulder, and its shape helps to push objects away from the casing.
Tread Compound
The tread rubber is blended to resist chips and tears on gravel. The maker claims twice the tread life on gravel roads and 15 percent longer life on asphalt compared with the original KO.
Interlocking Tread Blocks
The tread uses large, interlocking blocks. They brace each other, which improves stability, helps the tire wear evenly, and keeps handling steady as the tire ages.
3D Sipes
Sipes are thin slits cut into the tread blocks. They open to form extra biting edges on wet, snowy, and icy roads. The sipes here lock together inside the block, so the block stays stiff under load.
Stone Ejectors
Raised bars in the grooves push out stones before they can drill into the tread. That reduces damage on gravel roads.
Shoulder Design
The tread wraps over the shoulder with staggered blocks and notches. BFGoodrich calls these “Serrated Shoulder” and “Side Biter Lugs.” They add grip in mud, snow, and rocks, mainly when the tire is aired down and the sidewall touches the ground.
Winter Rating
The tire carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol. That means it passed a standard test for acceleration on medium-packed snow. It satisfies winter tire or traction laws in many regions that accept the symbol, though you should confirm local rules.
Performance on the Road
Most owners spend most of their miles on pavement, so here is how the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 behaves there.
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dry grip and handling | Very good | Stable and predictable, with firm steering for an all-terrain tire |
| Wet grip | Fair to good | A known weak point. Braking distances on wet roads are longer than with many newer rivals, and wet grip fades as the tire wears |
| Ride comfort | Good | Firm, mainly in Load Range E sizes |
| Noise | Good when new | A mild hum that grows as the tire wears |
| Fuel economy | Fair | Heavier than highway tires. Expect a small drop of about 1 to 2 miles per gallon |
| Towing and hauling | Very good | Strong construction and high load ratings |
The most common complaint from owners over the years has been wet traction, mostly in the second half of the tire’s life. If you live where it rains heavily and drive mostly on pavement, weigh this point with care.
Performance Off the Road
Off the pavement is where the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 made its name.
| Terrain | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel and dirt roads | Excellent | The tire’s home ground. Resists chips and punctures |
| Rocks | Excellent | Tough sidewalls and good grip when aired down |
| Sand | Very good | Floats well at low pressure |
| Light to moderate mud | Good | Clears itself reasonably well |
| Deep, sticky mud | Fair | The tread packs up. A mud-terrain tire does better |
| Packed snow | Very good | Rated for severe snow service |
| Deep snow | Good | Works well at lower pressure |
| Ice | Fair | Not a match for a studded or studless winter tire |
For most overlanding, hunting, farm, and forest road use, the tire has all the capability a driver needs.
Tread Life and Warranty
BFGoodrich backs the tire with a limited treadwear warranty of 50,000 miles. Like all such warranties, it has terms. You need proof of regular rotation, and coverage is prorated.
In real use, many owners report 50,000 to 60,000 miles or more with good care. Heavy trucks, frequent towing, aggressive driving, poor alignment, and skipped rotations shorten that figure. Light vehicles driven gently can exceed it.
The tire also comes with a standard limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship for six years from the date of purchase. Check the maker’s current warranty document for the full terms.
Sizes, Load Ranges, and Fitment
The tire has been made in a very wide range of sizes, in both metric and flotation formats.
| Format | Examples |
|---|---|
| LT-metric | LT265/70R17, LT285/70R17, LT275/65R18, LT275/55R20 |
| Flotation | 31×10.50R15, 33×12.50R15, 35×12.50R17, 37×12.50R17 |
Load ranges:
- Load Range C has 6-ply rating. It suits lighter vehicles, such as smaller Jeeps and midsize trucks, and rides more softly.
- Load Range D has 8-ply rating. It is a middle option.
- Load Range E has 10-ply rating. It suits three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks and heavy towing. It rides firmly on light vehicles.
Many sizes come with raised white letters on one sidewall. You can mount them facing out or facing in. Some newer sizes have black letters only.
Most sizes are light truck tires, marked “LT.” They are heavier and stiffer than the passenger-rated tires fitted to many SUVs and half-ton pickups at the factory. They also need different air pressures to carry the same load. Ask your tire shop to work out the correct pressure for your vehicle.
KO2 vs. KO3
| Feature | KO2 | KO3 |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2014 | 2024 |
| Sidewall | CoreGard | CoreGard, carried over |
| Tread compound | Chip-resistant all-terrain compound | New compound aimed at longer wear and better gravel durability |
| Tread pattern | Classic interlocking blocks | Similar look with full-depth 3D sipes and revised blocks |
| Wet and snow traction | Good in snow, weaker in rain | Improved, by the maker’s claims and early tests |
| Winter rating | 3PMSF | 3PMSF |
| Treadwear warranty | 50,000 miles | 50,000 miles |
| Price | Often lower, where still stocked | Usually higher |
| Availability | Shrinking by size | Expanding by size |
If your size is offered in both, the newer tire is the better performer on wet roads and should wear longer. The BFGoodrich KO2 is still a sound buy when it is on sale, when your size has not yet moved to the new model, or when you want to match tires already on your vehicle.
How It Compares With Rivals
| Tire | Strengths | Weak Points |
|---|---|---|
| BFGoodrich KO2 | Sidewall strength, gravel durability, proven record, looks | Wet traction, noise as it wears, price |
| Falken Wildpeak A/T3W and A/T4W | Wet and snow grip, value, deep tread | Heavier, softer sidewalls in some sizes |
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | Balanced on-road manners, wet grip, long warranty | Less rugged sidewalls than the BFGoodrich |
| Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac | Mud and deep snow traction | Noise and tread life |
| Nitto Ridge Grappler | Aggressive hybrid tread, quiet for its looks | No snowflake rating in many sizes |
| General Grabber A/TX | Value, snow traction, can be studded | Road noise |
| Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT | Comfort, tread life, price | Less off-road bite |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very tough sidewalls | Wet-road grip trails newer designs |
| Excellent on gravel, dirt, and rock | Grows louder with wear |
| Severe snow rating | Heavy, with a small fuel economy cost |
| Long, even tread life | Higher price than many rivals |
| Huge range of sizes | Fair at best in deep mud and on ice |
| Classic look with raised white letters | Being phased out in favor of the newer model |
Who Should Buy It?
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is not the right tire for every driver.
It is a strong choice if you:
- Drive often on gravel, forest roads, ranch land, or rocky trails
- Want sidewall protection for remote travel
- Tow or carry heavy loads
- Need one tire for all four seasons, with real snow traction
- Like the classic look
Look elsewhere if you:
- Drive almost only on pavement, mainly in a rainy climate
- Want the quietest, softest ride
- Spend most of your off-road time in deep mud
- Need the best ice grip, which calls for a dedicated winter tire
- Are focused on fuel economy
Care and Maintenance
Good habits help a set of BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires reach or pass the warranty mileage.
- Rotate every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. All-terrain tires wear unevenly if left in place. Use a five-tire rotation if you have a matching spare.
- Check pressure monthly. Use the pressure that suits your vehicle and load, not the maximum on the sidewall.
- Align the vehicle after a lift, new suspension parts, or a hard hit.
- Balance the tires when you feel vibration. Large tires can need rebalancing as they wear.
- Air down off-road, and air up after. Lower pressure improves grip and ride on trails. Driving at speed on the highway with low pressure overheats and damages the tire.
- Inspect after trips. Look for cuts, bulges, and stones in the tread.
- Replace on time. Wet and snow traction fall off well before the legal limit of 2/32 of an inch. Many experts advise replacing all-terrain tires at about 4/32 to 5/32 of an inch for winter use.
- Watch the age. Check the date code on the sidewall. Most makers advise replacing tires after about ten years at the latest, and many shops suggest six.
Buying Tips
- Compare prices across several retailers, and include mounting, balancing, and disposal fees.
- Look for maker rebates, which are common around spring and fall.
- Check the date code on new tires. Since this model is being phased out, some stock may have been in a warehouse for a while. Tires up to a couple of years old are generally fine if stored properly.
- Buy a full set, or at least a matched pair for one axle. On four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles, mismatched tire sizes can damage the drivetrain.
- Confirm the load range and speed rating meet or exceed your vehicle’s requirements.
- If you go up in size, check for rubbing, and plan to recalibrate the speedometer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 still made? It is being replaced by the KO3, size by size. Many sizes remain on sale. Check with retailers for your size.
How many miles does it last? The treadwear warranty is 50,000 miles. Many owners report 50,000 to 60,000 miles with regular rotation.
Is it good in snow? Yes. It has the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. It is weaker on ice.
Is it good in rain? It is acceptable when new and weaker as it wears. This is its best-known shortcoming.
Is it noisy? It has a mild hum that increases with wear.
What does KO stand for? “Key feature: On and Off-road.”
Is it a 10-ply tire? Load Range E sizes have a 10-ply rating. Load Range C and D sizes are lighter.
Does it hurt fuel economy? A little. Expect a drop of about 1 to 2 miles per gallon compared with highway tires.
Is the BFGoodrich KO2 worth the price? For drivers who use gravel roads and trails often, yes. For highway-only use, a milder tire may serve better.
What pressure should I run? It depends on your vehicle, tire size, and load. Start with the vehicle maker’s placard, and ask a tire shop for help with LT sizes.
Final Thoughts
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 earned its reputation honestly. Its sidewalls shrug off rocks, its tread lasts on gravel that chews up softer tires, and it carries a real snow rating. Those strengths made it the default choice for a decade of trucks, Jeeps, and overland builds.
It has limits. Wet-road grip is behind newer designs, it gets louder with age, and its replacement improves on several points. If you find your size at a fair price, and your driving includes plenty of dirt, gravel, or snow, the BFGoodrich KO2 remains a tough, proven tire that will serve you well for many miles.
Key Takeaways
- The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is an all-terrain light truck tire introduced in 2014 and known for tough CoreGard sidewalls.
- It excels on gravel, dirt, and rock, and it carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating for snow.
- Its main weak points are wet-road traction as it wears, road noise over time, and performance in deep mud and on ice.
- It has a 50,000-mile limited treadwear warranty, and many owners see 50,000 to 60,000 miles with regular rotation.
- The KO3 arrived in 2024 and is replacing it size by size, with better wet grip and wear.
- Choose the right load range for your vehicle, and set pressures to match your load.
- Rotate every 5,000 to 6,000 miles and check alignment to get the most life from a set.
