500-Mile Report: First impressions of the new BFGoodrich KO3 All-Terrain T/A

-Given the aggressive tread pattern, the KO3 All-Terrain T/A is fairly quiet with minimal tread block hum, smooth rolling with no apparent steering wheel vibrations, and track appropriately with no noticeable radial pull – all during street and highway use. Balancing the KO3 proved undramatic with each tire weighted between 2 and 3 ounces.

-The KO3 All-Terrain T/A provides excellent dry pavement handling performance and traction in a variety of scenarios. The tires provide strong stability and grip at speed through winding road sections and over irregular roadway surfaces such as angular rail crossings, expansion joints, bumps, and dips. We have yet to subject the KO3 to icy, snowy, and wet road surfaces.

-KO3 All-Terrain T/A traction characteristics on gravel roads are solid at low to moderate speeds and during hard braking. We have yet to subject these tires to serious off-road use such as rocks, mud, snow, slick trails, and high-speeds.

-The KO3 All-Terrain T/A is a bit heavy. BF Goodrich’s specified weight for our test LT285/70 R17 (load range E) tires is 61.5 pounds (each). Various online tire retailers/suppliers place the tire’s weight between 56 and 57 pounds. When we weighed our brand new unmounted KO3 tires, they cashed in at 59.5 pounds (each). The KO3 is a bit hefty (in load range E) as we noticed slightly diminished acceleration and braking performance. The same KO3 in size LT285/70 R17 with a load range C (set for release in July 2025) is slated to weigh 44.6 pounds. We will talk more about load range in our upcoming KO3 review/reports.

-Tire stiffness of the KO3 All-Terrain T/A in terms of ride quality on and off pavement has yet to be determined. We believe tires need to be aired down and driven off-road a number of times to facilitate a proper “break-in” of the sidewalls and main tread – in theory this facilitates tire flexibility like breaking in a new pair of hiking boots. Over the years, with dozens of sets of tires mounted on our vehicles, we’ve noticed tires become more flexible and provide a better ride quality after a few multi-day NMBR trips.

A note About our test subject vehicle platforms and the KO3 tire specifications: The primary vehicle we will reference for NMBR’s long-term BF Goodrich KO3 All-Terrain T/A review is the NMBR Tacoma. Our 2023 Tacoma is a double cab/long bed, and TRD Off-Road package equipped model. Modest upgrades include ARB BP-51 suspension, Greenlane aluminum winch mount, Warn 12K winch, Topo Topper camper, and a few other upgrades. The BF Goodrich KO3 All-Terrain T/A tires we are testing on the NMBR Tacoma are size LT285/70 R17 (load range E) mounted on Nomad Convoy wheels (17X8.5, 0-offset). We will also be referencing BF Goodrich KO3 All-Terrain T/A tires that have been installed on a NMBR client’s (currently stock) 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser. This will allow us to provide feedback on a different tire size (265/70 R18, load range E) and different vehicle platform for comparison purposes and to add bit of variety. With that said, NMBR’s long term test/review of the BF Goodrich KO3 All-Terrain T/A tires will be primarily based on the tires mounted on the NMBR Tacoma.