BFGoodrich KO2 sizes cover different wheel diameters, widths, load ratings and tire constructions, so a size that fits one truck or SUV may not suit another. Start with the size and load requirements on your vehicle’s door-jamb placard or in its owner’s manual, then compare the exact KO2 listing with your wheel and clearance limits. A larger tire may add ground clearance, but it can also rub, change speedometer readings and affect how the vehicle feels on the road. The right choice is the size that meets your load needs and intended use without creating fitment problems—not automatically the largest one that can be mounted.
A size such as 265/70R17 describes the tire’s nominal dimensions. The first number is its approximate section width in millimetres. The second is the aspect ratio: the sidewall height as a percentage of that width. “R” indicates radial construction, and the final number is the wheel diameter in inches.
A tire may also have a prefix such as P or LT, followed by load and speed markings. P-metric and LT identify different tire classifications; the numbers and letters after the size provide additional information about load capacity and speed rating. A size marking alone is not enough to confirm that a tire meets your vehicle’s requirements.
Some larger tires use flotation-style sizing, often written in a format such as 33x10.50R15LT. In that format, the numbers indicate approximate overall diameter and width in inches, followed by the wheel diameter and light-truck classification. As with metric sizes, the label is a guide, not a substitute for the manufacturer’s published dimensions.
The following examples show how two metric sizes differ on paper. They illustrate the size notation and the basic arithmetic; they are not a claim that either size is currently offered as a KO2 or approved for a particular vehicle.
| Example size | Nominal section width | Calculated nominal diameter | What changes from 265/70R17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 265/70R17 | 265 mm | About 31.6 inches | Baseline example |
| 275/70R17 | 275 mm | About 32.2 inches | About 10 mm wider and 0.6 inch taller |
| 285/70R17 | 285 mm | About 32.7 inches | About 20 mm wider and 1.1 inches taller |
These nominal diameters are calculated from the size code, not measured BFGoodrich KO2 specifications. Actual dimensions can differ by tire model, construction and measuring rim. Before buying, use the published specifications for the exact KO2 size you’re considering, including its overall diameter, section width and approved rim-width range.
That difference matters at the vehicle. A wider tire may sit closer to suspension components or the inner wheel well, while a taller one needs more room above and around it. Wheel offset and width also affect where the tire sits. Two tires with similar labels can therefore have different real-world clearance on the same vehicle.
Check the driver’s door-jamb placard and owner’s manual before comparing alternatives. Note the original tire size, load index, speed rating and recommended pressure. If your vehicle has different sizes front and rear, or a separate spare specification, record those too.
The placard is a useful baseline, but it does not approve every alternative size that can be physically mounted. A KO2 must also be suitable for the vehicle’s wheel dimensions and load demands. If the vehicle has been modified, is used to carry heavy loads, or has non-standard wheels, confirm the setup with a qualified tire professional rather than relying on a general online fitment result.
A tire can clear the body while parked and still rub when the suspension compresses or the steering is turned. Check the vehicle at full steering lock in both directions and consider the space needed through the suspension’s range of movement. A fitment check should account for the exact wheel width and offset, not only the tire size.
Do not assume that a lift kit automatically solves rubbing. It may change some clearances, but wheel position, suspension travel and body shape still matter. Likewise, changing wheel offset can move a tire outward or inward and introduce a different clearance issue. Ask the installer to assess the complete wheel-and-tire combination on your vehicle.
Staying close to the original size is usually the simplest route when the vehicle is mainly driven on pavement, factory handling is a priority or you don’t want to modify the vehicle. It makes it easier to retain the original fitment and load requirements, provided the exact KO2 specification matches the vehicle.
A modest increase may suit a driver who has verified clearance and wants a little more tire height for their use. The trade-off is that even a seemingly small change can affect fit, steering response and speedometer accuracy. A significantly larger tire is more likely to require a detailed fitment assessment and may involve changes to the vehicle. Don’t treat modifications as a guarantee of safe or trouble-free fitment.
Diameter changes can affect the relationship between wheel rotation and distance travelled. If the replacement tire is larger than the size used to calibrate the vehicle, the speedometer and odometer may no longer correspond as closely to actual speed and distance. A larger or heavier tire can also change acceleration, braking feel, fuel consumption and ride comfort. The extent depends on the vehicle and the complete tire-and-wheel setup, so avoid assuming that the difference will be negligible.
For frequent highway driving, towing or carrying cargo, give load capacity and predictable handling priority over maximum diameter. For occasional off-pavement use, consider the actual terrain and available clearance before moving up in size. A tire that fits without rubbing and meets the vehicle’s load needs is more useful than one that looks larger but compromises the vehicle’s intended use.
Two KO2 tires with the same nominal size may have different load specifications or construction. Compare the full sidewall markings and the product details for the exact tire, not just the first set of numbers. Load index indicates a tire’s rated load capacity under specified conditions; load range describes a different aspect of the tire’s construction and capacity. They are related to choosing a suitable tire, but they are not interchangeable labels.
Do not select a tire with a lower load rating than your vehicle requires. If you’re switching between passenger and LT tires, or changing load range, ask how the new tire’s load capacity and inflation requirements apply to your vehicle. The pressure printed on a tire sidewall is not a substitute for the vehicle’s recommended operating pressure or a load-based pressure recommendation.
For a vehicle that regularly carries passengers, tools, equipment or a trailer, consider the load on each axle and the way the vehicle is used. A retailer can help confirm that the selected KO2 specification supports the required load. If the vehicle is modified or operates near its rated limits, consult a qualified professional before ordering.
When checking availability, search or ask for the complete tire specification rather than only “KO2” and a wheel diameter. BFGoodrich’s current product information and the retailer’s listing should match on size, construction and load details. Availability can vary by market, so don’t assume that a size shown for one region or vehicle is offered in the same specification where you shop.
No. The available size and load specifications can vary by market and change over time. Confirm the exact KO2 size and full load markings with current BFGoodrich product information or a tire retailer before ordering.
Possibly, but the size code alone can’t confirm fitment. The result depends on the vehicle, wheel width and offset, and clearance through steering and suspension movement; have the exact combination checked before purchase.
Not necessarily. Width mainly affects the tire’s side-to-side dimensions; ground clearance is more closely related to overall tire diameter and the vehicle’s setup. Compare both published dimensions rather than choosing by width alone.
It can. A larger overall diameter covers more ground per revolution, which may cause the speedometer and odometer to differ from their original calibration. The effect depends on the size change and vehicle, so ask whether recalibration is appropriate for your setup.
That depends on the vehicle’s requirements, load and use; one construction is not automatically the right choice for every driver. Compare the complete load specifications and pressure guidance with the vehicle’s requirements, and get professional advice if you’re changing tire classification.
No. You also need the tire’s published dimensions, load specification and approved rim-width range, along with the vehicle’s wheel and clearance details. A fitment listing can help narrow choices, but it should not replace a vehicle-specific check when the size or wheels differ from stock.
To choose among BFGoodrich KO2 sizes, begin with the vehicle’s specified size and load requirements, then compare the exact tire dimensions against your wheels and available clearance. If you’re considering an upsized option, have the full setup checked before you buy; a suitable fit is more valuable than extra diameter on its own.
