KO3s terrible in damp conditions

[RB205]

It's a truck not a sports car.

You're overdriving the tires, find the limit and hold it. Don't consistently go over it and complain about your equipment.

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[TheRealSasquatch]

I just went out testing in the snow and tried different pressures. I am in Colorado Front range area. There are tons of different terrains to play on.
I did all these combos in Baja Mode 4H to limit nanny features spoiling the fun. No traction control for testing or as much as Ford will allow us to turn off. My wife came along and gives me her review.
First attempt was 36 Front 34 rear. Tire temps never went above 65F front and 55 rear. I had ok forward drive up hills and good forward acceleration and stopping in straight lines. There was very little lateral grip especially in the fronts. Understeer was present a little off power around corners and massive when on power. At these pressures it was best to rotate the vehicle with throttle slide then accelerate in a straight line when the RR settled. Not a good combo kinda scary. My wife was NOT happy with the lack of traction.
I then set the tire pressures to 34 front and 33 rear. Tire temps came up a touch and I was able to push the vehicle harder. Little more front grip but still lots of understeer. Straight line acceleration and deceleration we marginally better. The front tires were able to pull the truck through corners a little more. The tires were staying pretty cool and never got any hotter than previous tests. The wife was still unsettled by the front slide and unstable feelings. The wife was again not happy with traction levels time for a reset.
I lowered pressure to 33 front and 31 rear. This setup was much better. Great forward drive out of corners. A fun and manageable amount of understeer with low to moderate throttle in corners. I was able to get on the throttle hard and really pull the front end through the corners if needed. Once I got the truck rotated and pointed the correct direction it would shoot forward. Tire temps did get into the 70s. At this point I was able to get my wife to grab the arm rest and brace while she let out a whoooo in a fun way. She was less scared and leaning more towards thrilled. I couldn’t get her to take a video sorry no free hands. She is used to me testing all our vehicles like this and finding the hard limits. She will definitely hoon our Bronco but the RR is a different animal. It’s time to take her to RR Assault School.
At this point the plows were out and I’m sure all the neighbors were confused by a RR in Baja mode singing at 4-5k around the area.
First impressions about the KO3 with pressures too high Mehhh… I didn’t like the low lateral grip in the snow. The tire will go from traction to no traction more suddenly than other tires. The KO3 was unforgiving in a turn. But it has great forward bite and goes like a rocket in a straight line in the snow. Once I sorted out pressures driving was much more fun. The lateral slide was a feature not a flaw. If you rotate the vehicle with throttle then straighten the wheel and squeeze on the throttle a grin will be plastered on your face.
I will try the 33 front 31 rear on a warmer day and see what temperatures I’m getting.
In comparison to other tires.
But my odometer only has 373 miles on it and at least one of those miles is now wheel spin!! When I get more dirt and sand miles I can report back. These tires might be the key to great fun slinging dirt and going fast.

 

[Dutch]

Your tire "test" means nothing. It's your "opinion" - you should have started the thread with "IMO".
First clue was "having little to no fear" -- you ain't been around.

 

[Stoogey]

Had both the Gen1 and Gen2 Ranger Raptors, both came with the same BFGs, swapped them out for the General Grabbers on the first one and it just changed the whole truck. Drove like an SUV instead, some noticeable MPG Gains as well. Will be going with the Grabbers again when these BFGs burnout on my new one

 

[Raptor3TT]

To answer your original question, I had the same issues with the previous KO2s and was hoping the new KO3s would be better, but they were not. I changed them out before they hit 200 miles. Personally Mickey Thompson MTZ tires have been on my trucks since 2016 and they have been great in the rain and the snow.

I see a lot of people in this thread saying you are driving it like a sports car and you need to use 4 auto. While I can't speak to how "hard" you are driving, I know that when I was driving normal and making a 10 mile per hour turn onto the expressway in a light rain the KO3s under-steered so bad they were gone the next day. Once I put the MTs on the truck, I had no issue with slipping in 2 wheel drive unless I wanted to.

I'd also like to point on that if you need 4 auto with KO3s I believe you are just compensating for bad tires.

 

[NASSTY]

My 2017 and 2020 F150 Raptors came with KO2's. I read the same complaints about KO2's on the F150 forums. I've never had any of the issues I've read about in rain or snow with KO2's or the KO3's on my Ranger Raptor and I deal with snow about 6 months a year.

 

[Towerdan]

 

[Dubfound]

I got like 10k miles on my RR and I have had zero issues with the KO3’s. I live up north NH so all different weather. I’m actually impressed by them and will replace them with the same tire once they are worn out

 

[Towerdan]

I got like 10k miles on my RR and I have had zero issues with the KO3’s. I live up north NH so all different weather. I’m actually impressed by them and will replace them with the same tire once they are worn out

Same here, i live in Idaho and have been impressed with them. I guess this is why they make more than one type of tire. To each their own.

 

[Dutch]

One detail with the KO3's I've noticed is pressure makes a dramatic difference to performance - more than other tires I've experienced.
I can't say if this is related to the tire or the truck - my guess would be to a variable degree - both.
Fact is - when it's correct - it's very good.

 

[maxxvito]

Who would ever think a rear wheel drive vehicle with almost no weight over said wheels would do poorly in wet conditions when driven hard?

+ off-road oriented tires? Wowww

 

[John B]

+ off-road oriented tires? Wowww

Actually, this might be true as you compare other off road tires/compounds. But honestly, none of the off road tires are designed to excel at wet conditions. The only way to significantly improve wet road handling for a 2w front heavy vehicle is to use a street tire that's designed for that. Off road tires used on the street involve a lot of tradeoffs unfortunately.

 

[Blue Ridge Raptor]

My OEM KO3’s seem pretty good - as good as an “all terrain” tire can be. 7500 miles on my RR since delivery in June. Driven in summer heat, dry & wet. Just had snow & ice and now 8 degrees. The truck and tires handled every condition with appropriate drive settings engaged except ice. Just got chains for emergency use only.
IMO, considering the very diverse skills & driving habits of customer/drivers it’s very capable in all conditions when driven thoughtfully.
JMHO/YMMV

 

[CrankItUp]

We have had no issues with these tires here in the PNW. In 2wd there is a predictable rear slide in wet conditions if you are driving spirited. Most of the time I’m in 4A normal mode. Slippery mode works great in snow. KO3’s are quickly becoming my new favorite tire previously held by Maxxis. I had Toyo AT3 on a Wrangler and had to be very careful in wet conditions. Running tire pressures around 33-35.

What we all have probably learned from this discussion is that everyone has different favorites, which is no surprise. This may be the most subjective part on any vehicle.

I enjoy spotting Rangers in the wild, see you all out there!

 

[ShadeTree]

I just put KO3 on my f150 and love them. Wet, icy and snow here right now.
The ridge grapplers i had on it sucked bad on wet roads

Interesting. I have Ridge Grapplers on my wrangler and they're the best tire I've ever had. I've had a couple sets in 35" and 37" and I think they and the Wildpeak AT3Ws are the best I've seen.

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