KO2s vs Ridge Grapplers - Opinions needed!

grrr027 · July 10, 2020

We all have opinions... share 'em! I'm wresting between these two tires. I have had K02s before on my Jeep Wrangler, before selling it to buy a Sierra Denali. They were amazing, but i am also now considering Ridge Grapplers primarily because I like the tread design and they seem to get good reviews when it comes to road noise. My main concerns are road noise and tread life. I'm pretty regular with rotations every 5k miles.

What experiences have you guys/gals had with each of them on your T1?

topgear1224 · July 10, 2020

Ko1 and ko2 hate wet pavement. Ko1 couldn't get going, KO2 doesn't like stopping.

Overall I loved them perfect blend of off road performance and on road use. Good handling, quiet, worked REALLY well in AZ sand. Excellent grip when aired down.

Certainly isn't a KM2, but also works in ways KM2 can't.

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grrr027 · July 10, 2020

17 minutes ago, topgear1224 said:

Ko1 and ko2 hate wet pavement. Ko1 couldn't get going, KO2 doesn't like stopping.

Overall I loved them perfect blend of off road performance and on road use. Good handling, quiet, worked REALLY well in AZ sand. Excellent grip when aired down.

Certainly isn't a KM2, but also works in ways KM2 can't.

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I agree with the KO2s on wet. I live in the Pacific NW, and after 4 years on KO2s that was my biggest, but only real complaint. I put nearly 50k miles on them and swear when I sold the rig they had 30k-40k left on them. That makes it tough to steer away from them, hence the post.

CamGTP · July 10, 2020

I personally dislike KO2's, they look stupid and they turn into hockey pucks after half tread. It's a reason they last a long time because they get so hard after the tire wears off so much.

The complaints I hear with the Ridge Grapplers is sorta similar. They have a good tread pattern and sipes for about 20k miles and then they turn it's just blocks of tread. When that happens it's tougher to spread water and they tend to spin more and could make stopping worse.

The Terra Grappler G2's are a better tire for all around in my opinion.

topgear1224 · July 10, 2020

I personally dislike KO2's, they look stupid and they turn into hockey pucks after half tread. It's a reason they last a long time because they get so hard after the tire wears off so much.

The complaints I hear with the Ridge Grapplers is sorta similar. They have a good tread pattern and sipes for about 20k miles and then they turn it's just blocks of tread. When that happens it's tougher to spread water and they tend to spin more and could make stopping worse.

The Terra Grappler G2's are a better tire for all around in my opinion.

All tires get hard after numerous heat cycles. Ozone damages the rubber too.

In PHX it's not uncommon to find micro cracks on sidewalls only 3 years old from the heat and the pollution. Parking in a garage helps, but it still happens.

From the moment a tire leaves the mold it starts to degrade.

The DT version on the KO2 is better about hardening up because it starts as a harder compound. It loses its 3PMS certification, but comes with a 50k mile warranty.

Personally I run winter tires in winter (Now in Alaska). All they have to do is prevent one single accident and they pay for themselves. The deductible, and subsequent years of higher insurance premium simply isn't worth it to me.

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topgear1224 · July 10, 2020

the best advice I can give somebody that searching for tires is the first thing you have to do before you look at anything else to decide:
1. how long you plan to keep the vehicle?
2. where does most of your driving actually occur?

all terrains look cool but if you do 90% of your driving on the street you're going to have a better experience with the More Street orientated all terrain. Such as Michelin LTX A/T2. Loved those tires on our Avalanche 2500. Never had an issue. Worked great on our desert trails.

My Ranger got the KO then the KO2 as the tail was incredibly light and the 4.0 made gobs of torque. Never got stuck, even in Tennessee mud.

My vote goes for the KO2 because I am very familiar with the tire. If the other options that you're looking at have money back guarantees ( watch out for exchanges that require you to stay inside the same brand) then go for it.

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grrr027 · July 10, 2020

Thanks for the feedback, all. When I put KO2s on my Jeep, it was specifically for the purpose of taking it on trails, but also to have a decent pavement tire. They served that purpose on many occasions and they held up well in mud, dirt, on rocks, and tarmac. Something about a truck with touring tires makes me cringe, just doesn't look right to me. That said, @topgear1224 I get what you are saying and realistically, I can't see myself wheeling a $60k truck... so point well taken. This rig won't see trails, but it will see it's fair share of gravel and dirt roads. Ultimately, knowing myself as I do I'll still end up going with something with a but more aggressive sidewall design. I'm a sucker for exterior aesthetics.

loud_pipes · July 10, 2020

I know this wasn’t one of your considerations, but if you want a decent paved/gravel/dirt combo, check out General Grabber AT2’s. They look better than most AT’s, not quite as aggressive on the road as KO2s. I am running them now on my ‘07 H2 and they handle a heavy truck really well. Just a suggestion to consider.

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cltsig · July 10, 2020

I was leery of Nitto's (lack of or bad, forget) warranty on Ridge Grapplers. Maybe look at Toyo AT3. Same company, better tire (I've heard) and with a warranty.

Edited July 10, 2020 by cltsig

Gangly · July 10, 2020

9 hours ago, grrr027 said:

This rig won't see trails, but it will see it's fair share of gravel and dirt roads. Ultimately, knowing myself as I do I'll still end up going with something with a but more aggressive sidewall design. I'm a sucker for exterior aesthetics.

Whether we are willing to admit it or not, that's 95% of us, so don't let that bother you.

IceOnly · July 13, 2020

KO2’s! I’ve had them on all my trucks since 03. Never an issue. Great in snow, dry wet and last a long time. First set of the original KO’s went 130k before I sold them to a buddy!