I’ll take a stab at this as my best guess. I too run KO2’s in both mid sized trucks I have. My air pressure is best at 36psi which keeps my truck tracking straight the best and I have just passed 80k kms on this set, rotating every 5-7k kms. Last week, Nov 29, 2023 I had a detailed discussion about these tires and the new KO3’s just coming out, with a previous KAL Tire manager and he took special notice that I was not running the minimum 40psi and he said the “E” rated tire (10 ply, which is technically 9) sidewalls CANT handle psi lower than 40psi. He talked about performing heat tests on the sidewalls of the KO2’s at lower psi and the area you point out where you see cracks is telling me where the tires got hot from the lower psi’s you’re running (32-34) and you’re also doing this with a heavier full size truck. My guess is your highway driving and the “belly” part of the tire that’s heating up from the lower psi’s caused the cracking. He told me, the area that you’re pointing out the cracks is the same area a lower psi 10 ply tire will fail. I’ve heard many times the (10 ply, E rated tires) perform best at 40-60psi especially for full sized pickup trucks.

@Letzrace82

7 ай бұрын

I agree with you. These tires should be run to at least 40 psi, even on a light duty truck such as an f150.

@The-Old-Dude

7 ай бұрын

That for the detailed answer, you are likely right. Can’t imagine what they do at 40PSI but the ride quality has to suffer. I usually run tire pressure based on the wear pattern of the tires. If I run the at 36 PSI the center wears while the outer ~1” of the tires does not even touch the pavement. I based that off the old style BFG I ran in the past and just continued it with these, looks like I will have to up the PSI on these K02’s because of the more aggressive side lug. Or switch to a different tire.

@kevinmcelheran4489

7 ай бұрын

@@The-Old-Dude I also did the chaulk test on the treads and found 36psi was perfect for even, full tread contact on the road. Like you said, 40psi makes the tire edges leave the road putting more pressure on the centre treads. I checked my KO’s this morning and all my tread measure 7 - 7.5mm at 80k kms @ 35-36psi. I’d say the nice even wear and rotating every 5-7k kms worked out well. When we get a dump of snow, I’ll air down to 30psi and throw a couple hundred lbs in the back and I can’t get stuck. I drive a lighter truck than you, 21 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. If I was to air up to 40psi for snow and ice, I’d be all over the place. I have no cracking issues even with the psi I normally run

BFG probably changed up the tire compound and the tire rubber is drying out and giving you the cracks.

@The-Old-Dude

7 ай бұрын

Don’t know about the compound but they did change the side lug design for the K02s

I just had a KO2 replaced for the same cracks at Discount, however the cracks were just in one spot. I had done some offroading in August in rocky Marble Falls, TX so I thought that was the culprit. I do air down to around 12 PSIG when offroading. I'll keep a real close eye on the other tires. Like the comment below I have been running my tires at 33 PSIG so maybe too low?

@The-Old-Dude

7 ай бұрын

I am guessing they did not warranty the tires?

@martycarmichael3885

6 ай бұрын

@@The-Old-Dude I had road hazard so they replaced it with a new one for $50.

I wasn't impressed with BFGs.. switched to Yokohama XAT. Ill never go back. They wear amazing and are the perfect mix of AT & MT without being harsh on road.

@The-Old-Dude

6 ай бұрын

Thanks, I will look into them.

How old are they?

@The-Old-Dude

7 ай бұрын

Not that old, Purchased New 11-2019 with 50k miles on them. I average 68K on these…

@dondavi5798

6 ай бұрын

@@The-Old-Dude their 5 years old. Your camera was good enough to see production date. The one I saw was 33 week of 18 at the mileage you claim they are dried out. If you ever used tire dressings on them it makes the drying out process worsen.

@dondavi5798

6 ай бұрын

Also needs an alignment and better rotation program. The front inner tread looks pretty chopped. Combo of alignment (inner tread focused is toed out) and rotation wear patterns into tire due to stretch and bunching a tire does during travel (see slow motion of drag tire for exaggerated example) when the tire gets pulled under for traction it will cause the tread to get ridges on leading edge of tread, kept in same direction this turns into bigger pattern- chop/cup. When getting rotation always cross the tires going to the drive axle.

They look old

@The-Old-Dude

6 ай бұрын

They are 5 years old but are driven every day so they should not dry rot like a car that sets up in a barn.

Bf Goodrich are junk to begin with buddy

@The-Old-Dude

7 ай бұрын

Everyone has an opinion, especially on tires, but these have always worked for me. What is a better option?