KO2 vs. Ultraterrain ATs

All - I posted the below message in the Ultraterrain thread but no traffic. Any one with experience with both KO2s & Ultraterrain ATs? Thanks in advance.

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Hi Friends -

I'm considering a set of Goodyear Ultraterrain ATs (265/75/16) as I'm trying to lessen tire weight, but gain as much sidewall as I can.

On my FJ40 and Westfalia I have KO2s that I'm very happy with, but looking at tire diameter and weight on the KO2 265/75/16s we yield 31.6" overall diameter at 53lbs and while Goodyear Ultraterrain ATs (SL) boasts 31.7" overall diameter at 40lbs.

My question, for the individuals who have tried both KO2s and Goodyear Ultraterrain ATs, in your experience, which tire had the better ride quality? On my FJ40 and Westfalia, changing to the KO2 tire was a night and day difference in ride quality. The KO2s are fantastic and provide a much better, less harsh, ride.

Can we say the same thing about the Goodyear Ultraterrain ATs?

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

Best,
Michael

 

I’m interested in the ultraterrains as well.

I’m sure they’re far superior to the KO2’s in the rain and snow but that’s just from my research. I don’t have any personal experience with either tire.

 

Never had the KO2's, but I've had the Ultra-Terrains for 2 1/2 years and have been very happy with them.

 

I have the Ultraterrain same size your looking at absolutely great ride quality and aggressive look. I did lots of research before buying and I am very pleased with my decision. Never had the ko2.

 

I switched out the stock's for the ultra terrains. No complaints yet, I haven't used them in the winter yet. I liked the Baja boss's also but couldn't justify the extra $50 a tire and discount tire had a great rebate when I bought my ultras.

 

Full disclosure, when I made my above post I was thinking of the Falken Rubitreks, not the ultraterrains. But every review I have read says that the K02’s are dangerous in the rain so it’s probably still an accurate post lol

 

I’ve never had an issue in the rain with my K02’s.

 

Far as I can tell, the Ultraterrains are basically a Duratrac A/T tire. But I may be wrong.

Regardless, my (C Load) Duratracs have been great in the snow (3 peak snow designation.) and good in the rain, as they've been wearing. Unfortunately I am moving up to a 255/80/17 tire and they do not make a Duratrac tire in that size, nor a 255/85/16.

I will settling on a Faulken Wilpeak A/T tire.

 

Get those tires dirty!! Holy Gloss!! Jk enjoy

 

That was after the local shop mounted them. Trust me they've been in the dirt since!

 

Same.

 

FWIW, Falken is planning on releasing the AT4W early next year. If you can wait long enough and want the newest version.

 

That’s just…so not right. I lived in SW Wa for 20 years. I rains like a MF for 8 months of the year. I’ve had ko2 on a 95 pathfinder, 05 awd 5sp element, and 2 different tacomas in that time. I blasted through rains storms going 75 with nary a problem in all those vehicles. I laughed standing water on the freeway.

I will agree that when they get under 15% they can get slick, but that’s after at least 45-50k miles. Buy new tires.

 

I think most of us can't really compare because we just have our "sense" or "feel" and don't have any objective comparisons. Heck, a lot of us haven't even put extensive miles on multiple different tire types. My C load 265/70/16 KO2s on a 2004 access cab MT did great by me for 60,000 miles in Washington state rain and mountain snow. It was only after the tread got down to about 6/32 that I started to really notice some spinning out when starting from a dead stop on a hill without any weight in the bed; not an issue when 4WD engaged, so I learned to switch that on at the bottom of large hills with lots of stoplights/stopsigns when it was raining out. I also thought they were great on packed and non-compacted snow. Definitely not the same as a pure winter tire on icy conditions--nothing is great in those conditions. But just because I thought they were fine doesn't mean other tires wouldn't have been better.

Now with a new truck and the OEM wranglers that will be changed out soon as I move up to some 17" rims. KO2s definitely still on my short list, but I also checked out the Ultraterrains and was ultimately planning to try the Falken Wildpeaks only because it seems like those who have used both KO2 and Falkens like the Falkens better in the rain and DT has some stuff on their website showing KO2s better at stopping and responsiveness than UTs. Unfortunately, I was told by the local DT that Falkens are currently not being sold while they investigate a sidewall issue. I've seen a number of Falken recalls over the years...not sure if that is a concern or just something that happens with all tire manufacturers.