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I'm probably in a minority here but last winter I ran michelin defenders. they are going back on this winter, they hold snow and ice better than any of many tires Ive tried.
Picked up Raptor dealer takeoffs Like new with the stock BFGs. maybe its the size
???? 315/70/17, anyway they suck when they get wet, period, maybe high ratings are peeps coming from other crap tires? I went from new tire to new tire and little rain has me sliding and rear end breaks loose just getting off the hwy exits unless I slow down, last winter I would take the same ramp at 45 and held like glue when wet
Mudder, you aren't alone. I think the high wet traction ratings for the KO2 has to be biased or blinded by the looks and they just throw high ratings in all categories. The tread looks nothing like anything that should hold in wet conditions. The Defenders are the longest-wearing, best overall traction tire ever made. And priced like they know it. I've never bothered putting winter tires on my cars because we use Defenders.
That said, I have ATs on my truck because I want to! Currently Michelin, which have really surprised me in wet conditions. Better than I thought they would be.
Truth be told Any MT or AT tire may look aggressive and do have there place but snow and ice isn't it. No AT or MT tire will replace a good dedicated winter tire for on road driving in winter conditions. Even a mundane looking all season HT with proper "sipping"Will out perform monster mudder's on hard snow and ice.
As for rain those big wide aggressive tires make great water ski's.
Last edited by bubbabud; Oct 23, 2017 at 03:50 PM.
I've had no problems in the rain with my set and all of my driving is city/suburb. Very quiet. Never see any snow but they do have the snow flake on them.
I ran the KO's on my 02 ranges for years never had a problem. And I've been running KO2 tires since I bought my my truck in 2012. They are some of the best tires I have ran. 275/70r18. And I'm from south west Ontario where the snow comes off lake Huron and just pounds us all winter long. Never been stuck. Knock on wood
Ran KO2's for my winter tires in Northern MN last season. Lots of driving through deep snow, blizzards, and ice. These tires performed very well through all of it.
It really is amazing the difference between scientific testing and anecdotal on the KO2s. I'll take the scientific.
It's too bad that study didn't use a better factory tire as its base, Ford uses several and the Alenza is a standout. But, I guess it does also show just how crap most factory tires are, if they aren't even better than an AT.
