All-Terrain T/A KO

A close-up look at the BFGoodrich All-Terrain reveals sipes, which are small slits in the tread blocks of tires. These sipes provide extra gripping edges and allow the tire to conform to the road. On the BFGoodrich tires we tested, each tread block had two sipes. Another thing we liked about these tires was the shoulder blocks (or lugs) found on the outside edge. These come into play in loose terrain, or when the tires are aired down. The space between the tread block design is called the void, and this space allows for water, snow, and mud displacement. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain KOs are said to feature 40 percent more void on the outside lugs compared to the original BFGoodrich All-Terrains. Some of the benefits you can't see include a high-strength, single-strand bead construction, two full-width steel belts, and three polyester plies in the sidewalls. This, along with the dual-compound tread, provides puncture resistance and great traction.

Steel Wheels

We decided to stick with our factory Ford steel wheels because they are cheap, strong, and easy to replace if damaged. We also considered our dry environment and figured we didn't have to worry about them rusting. Our wheels measure 16x6 inches and feature four cooling slots and an 8-on-6.5-inch bolt pattern. Another good thing about steel wheels is they are easy to paint.

Street

Since most of our driving is done on the mean city streets of Los Angeles, we only briefly considered a mud-terrain tire. For us, going from a mud-terrain tire to an all-terrain wasn't much of a stretch, since our commute involves rough surface streets, and our daily grind is very similar to an off-road race. There are potholes that eat fancy rims on low-profile tires for breakfast, and in order to keep up with traffic, we put distance on tailgating vehicles by blasting through the rough stuff. Still, we know that if our truck ever comes across a big mud pit, we'll lack the willpower to stay out of it. Perhaps then we'll wish we went with the aggressive mud-terrains, but besides that scenario, these All-Terrains seem to be ready for anything.

BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO TIRE SPECS:

Tire Type:Radial

Tire Size:285/75R16

Overall Diameter:33 inches

Tread:1-ply nylon + 2-ply steel + 3-ply polyester

Sidewall:3-ply polyester

Tread Depth:15/32 inch

Section Width:11.3 inches

Approved Rim Width:7 1/2 to 9 inches

Weight (per tire):57 pounds

Maximum Load:3,750 pounds

Maximum PSI:80 psi

Load Range Rating:E

STEEL WHEEL SPECS:

Wheel Size:16x6 inches

Weight:34 pounds

Bolt Pattern:8 on 6 1/2 inches

Load Capacity:3,000 pounds