BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 85%
Wet Conditions – 75%
Snow – 75%
Comfort – 75%
Noise Reduction – 75%
Durability – 75%
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The BFGoodrich T/A KM3 is one of the most rugged mud-terrain tires on the market. From deep mud to rocky trails, this tire can handle anything you throw at it. That, too, without getting punctured. So, if you need a tire for extreme off-roading, it is the one.
Another good thing about this tire is that it will last you a long time. Compared with rival mud-terrain tires, it tends to wear slowly and evenly (provided you regularly rotate it). Thus, I have full confidence in this tire to outlast the 6-year warranty on offer.
Yet there are areas where it disappoints. Take, for instance, highway driving. In all my years of testing and driving mud-terrain tires, I’ve yet to encounter one that was quiet upon being driven on paved roads. Unfortunately, the BFG T/A KM3 is no exception.
Which need not be a deal-breaker. After all, mud-terrain tires, even the cheap ones (which this model definitely is not), are meant to be driven on challenging terrains. They are designed to keep you safe on rough surfaces, not to stay quiet on smooth ones.
Read on to know more about the BFG T/A KM3 tire.
Pros
- Provides outstanding traction in deep mud
- Is an incredibly efficient rock crawler
- Very good performance on sand (when aired down)
Cons
- Lags its closest rivals in rainy conditions
The Features of the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3
The BFGoodrich T/A KM3 is one of the most versatile mud-terrain tires on the market.
On the one end, it offers everything you expect from a tire developed for extreme off-roading. Think of class-leading mud traction, unbelievably high cut and puncture resistance, and 8% improved traction on rocks than the T/A KM2, its previous version.
On the other end, it is one of the quietest M/T tires I have had the chance to drive. Besides rolling smoothly on the highway (something most mud-terrain tires can’t do). It doesn’t let many vibrations inside the cabin, ensuring a smooth driving experience.
Per BFG, multiple features have ensured this versatility.
The first of which is an aggressive tread pattern. Featuring massive tread blocks and widely-spaced lugs, the tread pattern keeps this tire from getting bogged down in mud, slush, and snow. It is one of the main reasons why this tire can easily tackle loose surfaces.
Next comes the sidewalls that are 27% harder than the ones the BFG T/A KM2 came with. The added toughness comes from multiple reinforcements that have made the sidewalls and, by extension, the rubber highly resistant to cuts and punctures.
Surprisingly, the sidewalls’ toughness hasn’t hurt ride quality. Instead, it has helped the T/A KM2 offer excellent ride comfort. It has done that by helping the rubber deflect road noise and absorb vibrations before either could enter your vehicle’s cabin.
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 in Dry Conditions
Although primarily designed for off-road adventures, the T/A KM3 performs decently on dry roads.
You can expect short braking distances at moderate speeds. Straight-line tracking will be passable, too, unless you push your vehicle too hard. Also, if you keep an eye on the speedometer while cornering, there won’t be much understeering or oversteering.
That said, don’t expect it to forget its off-road roots. Its on-road stability will take a hit the moment you decide to press your accelerator too hard. Another thing to note is that it takes one or two seconds longer than on-road-focused tires to respond to steering inputs.
Overall, when compared with its fellow mud-terrain tires, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 performs decently on dry tarmac.
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 on Wet or Slippery Roads
The Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 fails to replicate its sure-footed dry performance on wet roads.
Compared with rivals that hit the market after its release in 2018, this tire posts longer stopping distances in the rain. Its wheels produce more spin during sudden hard acceleration, and the lateral grip isn’t something that could make it an envy of its competitors.
That is not to say that everything is negative – thanks to the massive voids in its tread area, this model offers outstanding aquaplaning resistance. As such, you won’t experience any skidding or slippage when driving in the rain, especially if you aren’t driving too hard.
Still, if I were to pick an off-road tire for driving in rainy weather conditions, the General Grabber X3 and Cooper Discoverer STT Pro would feature higher on my wish list.
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 in Snow
The Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 performs differently on packed and unpacked snow.
On unpacked snow (the kind that hasn’t been compacted by vehicle traffic), it offers more than enough traction to keep you happy. Its treads are deep enough to offer the surface area needed to grip the snow, improving traction and shortening braking distances.
However, things take a turn for the worse on packed snow – the type mostly seen on the roads. That is because its sipes, although aggressive in shape, are small in number. This deprives this tire of the biting edges needed for gripping compacted snow.
As such, if you drive frequently in an area that receives more than its fair share of snow, I’d recommend going for dedicated winter tires. Whether studded or studless, premium snow tires will offer better traction in harsh wintry conditions than this model.
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 for Off-Roading
Multiple features make the BFG T/A KM3 ideal for off-roading, including:
- Terrain-Attack tread pattern: Featuring deep voids and aggressive biting edges, the tread pattern enables this tire to offer adequate traction on mud, rocks, and loose gravel, while also improving its control in harsh terrains.
- Traction Armor Sidewall Sculpture: As the name implies, this feature strengthens the tire’s sidewalls against sharp objects such as rocks, stones, and other road debris. This lowers the risk of the tire getting punctured when driving over the kind of objects common on off-roads.
- BFG’s proprietary Flex Zone: Did you know that this tire has a dedicated flex zone? If you’re an off-roader, you know what this means – the ability to conform to obstacles and provide enhanced traction during rock crawling.
- High Load Carrying Capacity: The fact that this model is available in load range E portends good news for its off-road use. As it shows that it can withstand the kind of stress and abuse off-road tires are subjected to without letting its tread break apart.
- Mud Phobic Bars: In case you aren’t sure what they are, mud phobic bars are raised rubber edges that prevent the build-up of mud and similar debris in this tire’s tread. Their action leads to improve traction in muddy and loose soil conditions.
All in all, if you’re looking for a set of dedicated tires for driving on mud, slush, and gravel, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 should be on top of your wish list.
And what about sand and rocks? Well, it can provide adequate traction on both surfaces, provided you drive it with the lowest allowed air pressure for your rims.
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 for Sporty Driving
As you may have guessed, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 isn’t ideal for sporty driving.
While its specialized tread pattern, featuring large and aggressive tread blocks, offers exceptional tread in mud, sand, and rocky terrain, it can hurt your vehicle’s stability and increase road noise during sporty driving on paved roads.
Secondly, since it was designed with off-roading in mind, its rubber compound is harder than you see on performance tires. So, if you push it to its limits on paved roads, faster wear and reduced tread life will follow.
In summary, the T/A KM3 is unsuitable for sporty driving on paved roads.
Does the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 Ride Comfortably?
As comfortably as a mud-terrain tire could.
That means that while its ride isn’t as refined as that of an on-road-focused tire, the T/A KM3 still lets in fewer vibrations inside the cabin and is better at noise dissipation than its closest rivals.
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 Warranty
BFGoodrich offers no treadwear warranty on the Mud-Terrain TA KM3.
However, it does offer several other kinds of warranties, including:
- Uniformity warranty for the first 2/32” of wear
- 6-year workmanship and replacement warranty for the first 2/32” of 25% of wear
All of the above is no different from other off-road tires – I’m yet to come across a mud-terrain tire that comes with any sort of treadwear warranty. That is because these tires come across rough terrains that can tear apart the tread, invalidating the warranty.
Fear not, though, as the T/A KM3 should remain good for 30,000 miles of driving, including some of the harshest off-road terrains in North America.
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
At the time of writing, this tire’s asking price begins from $206.99.
The above figure might make you think that this model is astronomically expensive. Yet that’s the price you have to pay for a premium off-road tire these days.
Take, for example, the General Grabber X3 and Cooper Discoverer STT Pro. Both models are direct rivals of the T/A KM3, and each costs almost as much as this model. In fact, the T/A KM3’s starting price is a few bucks lower than that of its two competitors.
Considering that neither of the two tires are as good on muddy and loose terrains as the T/A KM3, I’d say that this tire is definitely worth the amount written on its price tag.
Should I Buy the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3?
The BFGoodrich T/A KM3 is a must-have for drivers who want class-leading traction on mud, sand, gravel, slush, and even rocks.
Sure, this model’s asking price may blow a hole in your pocket. But so will the asking prices of its direct competitors I have named above, both of which fail to offer the kind of traction the T/A KM3 offers on muddy and soft terrains
What Vehicles Will the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 Fit?
Here’s a sample list of the cars that the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 fits:
- GMC Canyon
- Chevy Colorado, Suburban
- Nissan Frontier
- Ford Bronco, Expedition, Ranger
- Toyota 4Runner
Tire Sizes of the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3
The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 comes in the following tire sizes:
14”
- 28X10.00R14
- 30X10.00R14
- 32X10.00R14
15”
- 215/75R15
- 235/75R15
- 30X10.00R15
- 30X9.50R15
- 31X10.50R15
- 32X10.00R15
- 32X11.50R15
- 33X10.50R15
- 33X12.50R15
- 35X12.50R15
16”
- 225/75R16
- 235/70R16
- 235/85R16
- 245/75R16
- 255/70R16
- 255/85R16
- 265/70R16
- 265/75R16
- 265/75R16
- 285/75R16
- 305/70R16
- 315/75R16
- 7.50R16
17”
- 245/70R17
- 255/65R17
- 255/75R17
- 265/65R17
- 265/70R17
- 285/70R17
- 285/75R17
- 295/70R17
- 315/70R17
- 33X12.50R17
- 35X12.50R17
- 37X12.50R17
- 37X13.50R17
- 39X13.50R17
18”
- 265/60R18
- 275/65R18
- 275/70R18
- 285/65R18
- 285/70R18
- 295/70R18
- 305/60R18
- 325/65R18
- 33X12.50R18
- 35X12.50R18
- 37X12.50R18
- 37X13.50R18
20”
- 275/65R20
- 285/55R20
- 295/55R20
- 295/60R20
- 295/65R20
- 305/55R20
- 325/60R20
- 33X12.50R20
- 35X12.50R20
- 37X12.50R20
- 37X13.50R20
- 37X13.50R22
