Five Things to Know about the BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3

 “Made to mud, built to climb, and created to conquer.” – BFGoodrichTires.com

The BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3 isn’t your standard everyday tire. It’s aimed at drivers who make a habit of straying far from the beaten path.

With tire design concepts rooted in top-class, off-road racing, plus decades of mud terrain tire development and progress, BFGoodrich is uniquely qualified to equip your 4x4 with prime off-road tire technology.

Here’s what you need to know about the most extreme and off-road capable product in BFGoodrich’s (road legal) lineup.

KM3 = fifth generation excellence

The KM3 builds on the strong foundation set by many previous generations of BFGoodrich mud terrain tires, including the (still active and available) Mud Terrain T/A KM2.

The KM2 has been successfully shredding off-road terrain for over a decade and is highly regarded by enthusiasts.

The KM3’s roots actually date back all the way to 1980, and the original Mud-Terrain T/A. In other words, BFGoodrich has been optimizing the quality and performance of its mud terrain tires since Jimmy Carter was in the Oval Office. The KM3 is the product of countless hours of development, real-world testing, and data gathering.

More off-road performance, traction, and durability

BFGoodrich likely had to grind to find ways to measurably improve upon the KM2, but they succeeded. As compared to its predecessor, the KM3 offers:

• 5% better mud traction
• An 8% improvement in rock traction
• 27% more durable sidewalls

(According to internal BFGoodrich testing vs. the Mud Terrain T/A KM2.)

Strong off-road design orientation

All-terrain tires walk the line in terms of performance priorities. There’s no doubt the Mud Terrain T/A KM3 is engineered with a strong off-road design orientation. BFGoodrich suggests the KM3 is suitable for vehicles that spend up to 80% of the time off-road.

The Mud Terrain T/A KM3 delivers unparalleled and comprehensive off-road performance. It’s designed to handle every variety of off-road terrain – mud, gravel, rocks, boulders, sand, stumps – you name it.

In exchange for its tread-anywhere capability, the KM3 sacrifices some on comfort, treadlife*, and fuel economy as compared to all-terrain alternatives. For example, “little brother” All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a more dual purpose, 50% on-road/50% off-road tire.

Top of the food chain off-road design features

You’re getting the best of the best modern, off-road tire engineering with the KM3. If your zombie apocalypse bug out plan involves heading for the hills, the KM3 is the tire to count on.

• “Terrain Attack” tread design. The KM3’s updated tread design features massive blocks arranged to maximize grip regardless of approach/steering angle. The new tread design will come in handy on tight and twisty trails where any available traction point has to be maximized, as well as in rock crawling environments.

• Traction armor sidewall structure. Notched tread rolls onto the sidewall to extend grip beyond the usual tire contact patch. The design feature contributes to enhanced traction in both mud and deep snow.
• Linear flex zone. Also working to broaden the contact patch, the KM3 is designed to flex and “envelop objects” when aired down.

• New Krawl-Tek compound. The compound materials of tires are fundamental to optimizing traction in every environment, from ice-covered roads to race tracks. The KM3’s new compound is similarly focused and optimized for traction on rock and slick off-road surfaces.

• Coreguard Max Technology & Deflection Design. Durability is maximized with sidewall construction features pulled directly from BFGoodrich’s Baja T/A KR3 off-road racing tire. The KM3 is equipped with the strongest sidewall splitting and puncture resistance in the history of BFGoodrich mud terrain tires.

Reasonable comfort and capability on-road

Hardened off-road enthusiasts aren’t likely to be troubled by the KM3’s on-road performance and comfort attributes. According to BFGoodrich, “the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 also offers solid street performance and acceptable on-road noise levels for the rides to and from the trail.”

However, prospective buyers should know what they’re getting into – on-road comfort and quietness are a long way down the KM3’s list of design priorities. As suggested by BFGoodrich, on-road drives to and from the trail are the criteria for assessing “road manners,” not extended highway road trips. The KM3 produces more road noise than the All-Terrain T/A KO2, which itself is perceptibly noisier than all season truck/SUV tire options.**

An acceptable tradeoff for true go anywhere capability? Over nearly four decades, thousands have counted on BFGoodrich mud terrain tires in the most extreme off-road conditions. If you’re looking to equip your 4x4 with every off-road advantage, it doesn’t get any better than the Mud Terrain T/A KM3.

Is the Mud Terrain T/A KM3 right for your rig and circumstances? Give us a call at 866-961-8668 to discuss with one of our tire experts!

*The Mud Terrain T/A KM3 lacks a treadlife/mileage warranty, whereas the All Terrain T/A KO2 qualifies.

**In EU tire noise emission testing, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 registered 76 dBs, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 74 dBs. An all season SUV tire from parent company Michelin registered 69 dBs.