KO3 tires rides better than road tires… didn’t expect this

[Rodo94]

Ran both KO3 (LT285/70R17 C, RWL ~51lb on Method 703 Gloss Titanium 17x8.5, 35mm offset, 32.7") and Yokohama G057 (285/50R20 on OEM 20x7, 31.5") on my 2026 4Runner Platinum.

Both were set around ~37 PSI warm, and this is all on-road driving (no off-road yet), but my local streets are so bad they might as well count.

What I expected:

• Yokohama = smoother, more comfortable
• KO3 = stiffer, more “truck-like”

What actually happened:
Holy complete opposite!


Yokohama G057 (XL):

• feels stiff over pretty much everything
• harsh on small cracks and rough pavement
• at low speeds (~25 mph on bad streets), it’s just busy and uncomfortable
• on the freeway it gets floaty latterly, bouncing side to side
• steering feels less precise, kinda vague

Weird combo of being stiff vertically but floaty laterally

KO3 (RWL, Load C):

• WAY softer
• genuinely absorbs imperfections instead of transmitting them, it's like erasing them.
• zero vibration
• still quiet, even up to ~90 mph
• steering is noticeably more precise, more feedback
• very stable at speed, no floating feeling

What surprised me most is it feels more comfortable AND more planted at the same time, which makes zero sense on paper for an A/T tire.

Important detail:

The KO3 I’m running is the RWL (white letters) version (~51 lbs), not the heavier ORBL (~57 lbs).
Still an A/T tire, but worth calling out since weight might play a role.
No data on MPG yet
I didn't feel much of a difference in acceleration or breaking
The "bigger" tire fits the spare space no issue,

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[Joestac]

Nice. Wish they had the C load in 265/70/18, I'll probably go D load over E to try and get closer to C.

 

[SteveS]

Any lift or other mods done? Just tires?

Thanks for your succinct and understandable feedback. I have an SR5 on 17" 7" OEM wheels. I probably cannot go to 285's. Like you, my goal is better performance on road over ruts and bumps.

I understand the issue with low profile tires like your 20's. My last vehicle had the same and it was awful over bumps

 

[RAD4RNR]

If you like those tires, try the Toyo Open Country RT. I first tried the 285 X 75 X 17 E and they were heavy and my MPG went down a lot, so I swapped them with 285 X 70 X 17 C and they are so much better and they have a great tread warranty. I liked them so much I even put the 285 X 75 X 17 E on my AT4.

 

[Rodo94]

Any lift or other mods done? Just tires?

all stock, stock AVS suspension

 

[mfoga]

Anyone know why 2 tires with same spes would be 7lb weight difference when it seems like only difference is letter on sidewall.

 

[Rodo94]

I have an SR5 on 17" 7" OEM wheels. I probably cannot go to 285's. Like you, my goal is better performance on road over ruts and bumps.

What about the KO3 LT265/70R17? C Load, 31.6", 45lb, compatible with 17x7" rims

 

[Rodo94]

Anyone know why 2 tires with same spes would be 7lb weight difference when it seems like only difference is letter on sidewall.

the ORBL seems to be Ford specific, thicker and a bit narrower thread, I checked the label at the shop because they were about to install those... they didn't know either, it says "ORBL FOR" for Ford.
I said "white letters inside", the guy said it's all black... If I stayed in the waiting room they would have mounted those... oopsie

 

[RAD4RNR]

Anyone know why 2 tires with same spes would be 7lb weight difference when it seems like only difference is letter on sidewall.

The difference is how many ply tire it is.

 

[Rodo94]

The difference is how many ply tire it is.

No they are both C load, one has more rubber on the threads

 

[RAD4RNR]

No they are both C load, one has more rubber on the threads

Some tires are made specific for the different auto maker. If you look at a BFG A/T at a tire shop its different from the one on a ford that came with it already on. Same numbers on the tire but narrower and less tread.

 

[Nodak]

Ran both KO3 (LT285/70R17 C, RWL ~51lb on Method 703 Gloss Titanium 17x8.5, 35mm offset, 32.7") and Yokohama G057 (285/50R20 on OEM 20x7, 31.5") on my 2026 4Runner Platinum.

Both were set around ~37 PSI warm, and this is all on-road driving (no off-road yet), but my local streets are so bad they might as well count.

What I expected:

• Yokohama = smoother, more comfortable
• KO3 = stiffer, more “truck-like”

What actually happened:
Holy complete opposite!


Yokohama G057 (XL):

• feels stiff over pretty much everything
• harsh on small cracks and rough pavement
• at low speeds (~25 mph on bad streets), it’s just busy and uncomfortable
• on the freeway it gets floaty latterly, bouncing side to side
• steering feels less precise, kinda vague

Weird combo of being stiff vertically but floaty laterally

KO3 (RWL, Load C):

• WAY softer
• genuinely absorbs imperfections instead of transmitting them, it's like erasing them.
• zero vibration
• still quiet, even up to ~90 mph
• steering is noticeably more precise, more feedback
• very stable at speed, no floating feeling

What surprised me most is it feels more comfortable AND more planted at the same time, which makes zero sense on paper for an A/T tire.

Important detail:

The KO3 I’m running is the RWL (white letters) version (~51 lbs), not the heavier ORBL (~57 lbs).
Still an A/T tire, but worth calling out since weight might play a role.
No data on MPG yet
I didn't feel much of a difference in acceleration or breaking
The "bigger" tire fits the spare space no issue,

same on the platinum, swapped the oem grantrek pt5a for the ltx ms2 and it was night and day ride quality.

not surprising as the grandtrek are utterly crap retail or oem.

had 5k miles on them and told the tire shop to keep them and do whatever with them.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

Nice. Wish they had the C load in 265/70/18, I'll probably go D load over E to try and get closer to C.

Im running BFG Ko3s E Load. I keep mine at a certain psi. No issues with the ride being rough or anything. But I’m also on TRD Pro suspension.

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