Toyo AT3 or BFG KO2/3 275/60r20

[Bbuster]

Looking for new AT tires and have narrowed it down to these two. The Toyo is load E and BFG load D in size 275/60r20. I know many think it’s overkill but I like heavy duty tires for my needs. Both tires weigh within a half pound of each other. Price is close as well. I want a tire that behaves well on the road but is tough and decent enough off-road and in bad weather. Anybody that has these tires, what are your thoughts about them? The KO3 won’t be released until May in 275/60r20 so if it is a big improvement over the Toyo and KO2 maybe I could wait. 

[silveradosid]

a friend of mine put the toyo's on his truck3 years ago, he got a newer truck and decided to go with the toyo's again with the load range E. we have had a lot of snow and icy roads to deal with this winter and he hates the tires, i don't know if it is the load range difference or the tire just does not perforn well in the cold weather. we have had temps around 10 degrees for the last couple of weeks and he is scared to drive his truck due to the lack of traction. some days i have to pick him up or he won't come to work. so if you are where there is cold temps, something to keep in mind

[Bbuster]

That is kind of surprising to hear. Most reviews of the Toyo that I have read say they are pretty good in the snow and ice compared to other AT tires. 

[CamGTP]

I put the toyo's on my mothers trucks like 3 years ago, we live in Minnesota and the cold weather and traction have been zero problems. Theses are standard load range on a Silverado 1500.

 

I often find that people that complain about certain tires either think that tires should be magic in all weather conditions because they paid a bunch of money for them or that they are driving like a dumbass for the conditions. Driving too fast, too heavy on the throttle and way to heavy on the brakes.

 

Either tire will be fine in my opinion. I've been in this business for over 15 years, kinda seen it all.

[Bbuster]

50 minutes ago, CamGTP said:

I put the toyo's on my mothers trucks like 3 years ago, we live in Minnesota and the cold weather and traction have been zero problems. Theses are standard load range on a Silverado 1500.

 

I often find that people that complain about certain tires either think that tires should be magic in all weather conditions because they paid a bunch of money for them or that they are driving like a dumbass for the conditions. Driving too fast, too heavy on the throttle and way to heavy on the brakes.

 

Either tire will be fine in my opinion. I've been in this business for over 15 years, kinda seen it all.

Ya this makes a lot of sense.
One thing I am worried about is the road noise of the toyos. Been in a couple pickups with the KO2s and road noise seemed minimal and totally acceptable to me. Does anybody know if the toyos are loud? 

[CamGTP]

I've driven the truck countless times, they are a quiet tire for the most part. The only time you hear them is at speed under like 10-15mph because of the more offroad tread pattern. I hear no tire noise at around town speeds or freeway speeds.

[silveradosid]

is there any chance they use a different tire compound in E rated tires

[CamGTP]

That I am not sure. For sure the LT's don't flex as much because of tire pressures people run and the stiffer build of the tire.

[Silverado4x4]

On 3/10/2025 at 7:40 AM, silveradosid said:

is there any chance they use a different tire compound in E rated tires

Compound is the same it's just the E rated tire has a stiffer sidewall for higher load carrying. 

[dreisenauer]

I wouldn't do KO's if you drive in snow a lot.  They ball up with snow and don't clean out but I've heard people claim this is what they're supposed to do (and then I pull them out).  I've had better non snow rated GoodYears.  However I would get KO's if you live in the south because the seem soft with long lasting tread. 

[03blackz71]

I run 35" KO2 and I can say they are a quiet tire and ride nice.    Traction is okay in rain and snow,  you just have to be careful or you can spin the tires easy.     I always liked the KO2 tires.

 

I bought 34" Toyo AT3 for this past winter.   They do ride good but my set are loud.  Reminds me of mud tires.   Traction is a little better than the ko2 tires but that could be because they are narrower.   I swapped back to my KO2 before winter was over because of the noise.

 

Our Tahoe has Falken AT3W tires in the size you are looking at in load D rating.  And they are great tires in the rain and snow.  But they are heavier and do have a little road noise but not any where close to the Toyos.   I would look at the AT4W tires.   I would of bought these instead of the Toyos but I could not get the size I wanted at the time.