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BF Goodrich Mud Terrain Km2 tires in Cali

Review – BF Goodrich Mud Terrain Tires

Over 40,000 miles ago I purchased a full set of BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires (Km2 variation) in 285/45r16. They’ve seen concrete, gravel, sand, snow, mud, tree roots, and slickrock in that time and for the most part I’ve been impressed. Actually, very impressed…for the most part. Vague enough?

BFG Mud Terrain tires in the mud

On the Wagon Trail, Naches, WA area

The Mud Terrain Km2’s are an aggressive tread tire, meant to perform well offroad with little consideration for onroad ride quality or noise. To be fair, that’s completely reasonable. It’s impossible to design a tire that is as superb both onroad and offroad. The surfaces require different rubber compositions, tread patterns, depths, and shapes. A wide, deep tread designed to shed mud or sand will be rough and loud on smooth, flat surface because there is not constant contact with the ground. Likewise, a street tire designed for a smooth, quiet ride with clog very quickly in mud or sand and you’ll be left spinning your wheels in a deeper and deeper hole.

So yes, the BFG Mud Terrain Km2’s are good on the asphalt, but not great. They are rough at slower speeds and generate substantial road noise on the highway. They likely also contribute to reduced fuel economy but I haven’t noticed that because the 80-series Toyota Landcruiser (which I have these tires mounted on) is controlled by a very odd phenomenon whereby no matter what speed, surface, weight or weather it gets an average of 12 miles per gallon. This has held true for the many years I’ve had my truck and I’ve heard it reported by many other owners as well. But I digress…

The Mud Terrains also leave a lot to be desired in the snow. On more than one occasion I’ve slid more than expected in cold, snowy conditions where others haven’t had problems. I’m not aware of a mud terrain tire that performs well in the snow, but if you know of one please let me know!

BFG Mud Terrain tires in wet sand

BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires in the Utah “sand”

If you can deal with the above-mentioned detractors (rougher ride and more noise onroad, poor snow performance) then you need these tires on your overland adventure truck. They are exceptionally capable on almost all terrains I’ve encountered; they perform magic in the mud, clearing without any issues at all, they grind through sand with ease, and they hold well on gravel roads, even at speed. They also do just fine on slickrock, but it’s worth noting that these definitely aren’t the tires to go with if that is your main use. The rubber compound is on the softer side of things and if you spin your tires much the 100-grit sandpaper-like surface of slickrock will rub away the tread like an eraser. I effectively put 5-10,000 miles of wear on my tires after only 5 days in Moab this year (although to be fair I spun my wheels far more than usual due to an inactive center differential locker).

Overall I highly recommend these tires. They wear exceptionally well on asphalt and can transition from the highway to the trail without a hiccup. However if you rarely encounter mud in your area (or you try to avoid it altogether) it may be worthwhile to consider the Mud Terrain’s little brother, the BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA’s.

One Response to Review – BF Goodrich Mud Terrain Tires

  1. Peter Mackenzie February 12, 2020 at 1:25 am #

    Thanks

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