BajaNomad - BFG TA KO failure thread.....

BFG TA KO failure thread.....

Tomas Tierra - 8-1-2014 at 03:33 PM

Please post your number of, and reason for failure, on your BFG TA KO tires in Baja.

I had left a full case of beer (Carona Familiar!) in my camp and taken my truck a couple of mile away to surf.. A gringo passed by while I was changing out and said a mexican rock farmer was walking away from my camp with my last case of beer... I peeled out to rescue my precious beer, took a nail through the tread.. Only flat in 20 years and ten sets of BFG ta ko's...

Gotta be a few out there?

TT

chippy - 8-1-2014 at 03:45 PM

Did you rescue the beer?

wessongroup - 8-1-2014 at 03:47 PM

beer lost is far more important ... IMHO

gnukid - 8-1-2014 at 04:02 PM

BFG TA KO Radial I was driving down a dirt road, perhaps a bit fast, the truck went over a rise and as it came down into a low section the tire exploded unexpectedly. Second time I was driving down the freeway and noticed a little wobble in the tire, I figured I's check at the next stop. The tire exploded and took out the whole side of the truck fender.

Tomas Tierra - 8-1-2014 at 04:07 PM

Thanks Gnukid... Older tires?

The majority of the beer was recovered.. There were 4 already opened.. Made the perp dance with the resotera for a few minutes, apologized to the innocents that the beers weren't cold and went on my way

gnukid - 8-1-2014 at 04:50 PM

Maybe 6 years old with 6k miles. I think the car is heavy, and the tires were under-inflated at 25lbs which makes them wear at the sides quickly. I do air down and back, but find I am often going on and off pavement, and I drive aggressively off road but slow on pavement. Its a race car. Either way, I replaced them with the newer K2 mud version for $220 each in Baja since they match and seem to work fine except the exploding part. Overall I think you can get by with much less aggressive tread that most people use, you don't see professionals using aggressive tread. Though nails and bobbed wire and metal and such are common in Baja. I have flats too, all was resolved quickly. I still choose BFG tires and Michelin for the look.

[Edited on 8-1-2014 by gnukid]

chippy - 8-1-2014 at 04:51 PM

Thanks now I can sleep.

Ateo - 8-1-2014 at 05:22 PM

Tioloco - 8-1-2014 at 07:12 PM

Are these what Lone Wolf McQuaid had on his Ramcharger? Those tires were incredible!

liknbaja127 - 8-1-2014 at 07:38 PM

We have BFG's on all the trucks we bring down to Baja, sorry we do not have
any good story's, they just go and go! We did have a side wall blow out
on the prerunner, leaving Cocco's , heading back to Gonzaga, These are the
KRT, Rear, looked like a knife was shoved through it! But things happen at
90 mph on that road

Still love the tires for down there!

woody with a view - 8-1-2014 at 08:54 PM

at least you were sporting on a toyota!

that makes for 'scuses....

bajaguy - 8-1-2014 at 09:04 PM

You put new tires on that wheel????....you could of at least cleaned it up for the photo!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo

norte - 8-1-2014 at 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gnukid
Maybe 6 years old with 6k miles. I think the car is heavy, and the tires were under-inflated at 25lbs which makes them wear at the sides quickly. I do air down and back, but find I am often going on and off pavement, and I drive aggressively off road but slow on pavement. Its a race car. Either way, I replaced them with the newer K2 mud version for $220 each in Baja since they match and seem to work fine except the exploding part. Overall I think you can get by with much less aggressive tread that most people use, you don't see professionals using aggressive tread. Though nails and bobbed wire and metal and such are common in Baja. I have flats too, all was resolved quickly. I still choose BFG tires and Michelin for the look.

[Edited on 8-1-2014 by gnukid]

Show us pictures of this "race car".

woody with a view - 8-1-2014 at 09:26 PM

HIJACK ALERT!!!!!

i ran toyo open country at's and got 25k on them before 2 of 4 failed on the same trip. either i'm more core than i give myself credit for, or i just got a sh!tty set of rubber so i put these on:

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-selector/category/suv-crosso...

they run EPIC in the sand without letting any air out and they are quiet on the road!!!!! 60k tread life warranty? F.U.!!! LOVE THEM!

[Edited on 8-2-2014 by woody with a view]

Bichito - 8-1-2014 at 09:38 PM

I've had many sets of BFG All Terrain TAs (thank you Service Specialists Carlsbad).. What a great tire! Michelin LTX A/T2 came on my new Tundra - I can't wait to swap them out..

Ateo - I keep thinking about the triple blow out we had heading up the Sisters! I think we were running the same tire?!

bajadogs - 8-1-2014 at 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
HIJACK ALERT!!!!!

i ran toyo open country at's and got 25k on them before 2 of 4 failed on the same trip. either i'm more core than i give myself credit for, or i just got a sh!tty set of rubber so i put these on:

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-selector/category/suv-crosso...

they run EPIC in the sand without letting any air out and they are quiet on the road!!!!! 60k tread life warranty? F.U.!!! LOVE THEM!

[Edited on 8-2-2014 by woody with a view]

Ditto! minus the fu part. Best tires I ever had.

Ateo - 8-1-2014 at 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
You put new tires on that wheel????....you could of at least cleaned it up for the photo!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo

It is a dirty, disgusting wheel. I took no time cleaning up. I was on my way to la playa for a surf and uploaded via photobucket app. It doesn't do the tire justice.

My last pair of BFG AT/TA KO Baja Champs went over 65K, and tons of time off road in Baja, including parts of the race course of the Baja 1000, 500, and 250. Never one flat.

willardguy - 8-1-2014 at 09:48 PM

"my old mans spare tires were only actual tires in the academic sense.they were round and had once been made of rubber"

just a side note, all my buddies have been running Falken's and are very happy with them and a BUNCH of guys ran Maxxis tires in the 500 with excellent results, so yeah theres other choices. I'll stick with the BFG's also! :yes:

Bichito - 8-1-2014 at 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajadogs

Quote:

Ditto! minus the fu part. Best tires I ever had.

Woody - I like the enthusiasm! That's good news... Maybe I shouldn't be in such a rush to swap these new LTX A/T2's.

I've had two trips to the Sisters w/ the old Michelin LTX's.. One trip in an old Land Cruiser (double blow out) and one trip in a Tundra (triple blow out). I've done the same road many times w/ BFG All-Terrain's and no good stories..

Ateo - 8-1-2014 at 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bichito
I've had many sets of BFG All Terrain TAs (thank you Service Specialists Carlsbad).. What a great tire! Michelin LTX A/T2 came on my new Tundra - I can't wait to swap them out..

Ateo - I keep thinking about the triple blow out we had heading up the Sisters! I think we were running the same tire?!

Triple fricken blow out. Yes, thanks for confirming my memory. That goes down in my all time Baja stories. I gave up and was ready to drink beers and listen to Morrissey but you guys got us going with SLIME and got us outta there for repairs and fried chicken.

Yes, Michelin LTX A/T2 was what I was running. You'll be fine with new ones, but I would change them out eventually.

[Edited on 8-2-2014 by Ateo]

gnukid - 8-1-2014 at 10:12 PM

no prejudice, I run Dodge, Chevy and Ford with BFG (and Michelin)

BajaNomad - 8-2-2014 at 09:38 AM

I won't use BFG All-Terrain's. Had a sidewall blowout on the Laguna San Ignacio road, and didn't see any obvious reason for it. Also knowing of a widespread BFG issue at a SCORE race out of Mexicali (now, many-many years ago), I chose personally to look elsewhere for tires. After trying out a set of Bridgestone Duelers, I've never looked back. The Bridgestone Duelers have been reliable and tough through many sets - for over 15 years now.

Of note: the Bridgestone Duelers have been for a Toyota Tacoma. The BFG blowout was on an earlier model Toyota 4WD pickup.

David K - 8-2-2014 at 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNomad
I won't use BFG All-Terrain's. Had a sidewall blowout on the Laguna San Ignacio road, and didn't see any obvious reason for it. Also knowing of a widespread BFG issue at a SCORE race out of Mexicali (now, many-many years ago), I chose personally to look elsewhere for tires. After trying out a set of Bridgestone Duelers, I've never looked back. The Bridgestone Duelers have been reliable and tough through many sets - for over 15 years now.

Of note: the Bridgestone Duelers have been for a Toyota Tacoma. The BFG blowout was on an earlier model Toyota 4WD pickup.

Oh Doug, your just another BFG hater aren't you? :lol:

Thanks for your fearless post of another actual witnessed sidewall fail. There are many more I have heard about (but hearsay is not admissible here, right?)
:light:

norte - 8-2-2014 at 10:36 AM

What? No race car?

Quote:

Originally posted by gnukid
no prejudice, I run Dodge, Chevy and Ford with BFG (and Michelin)

gnukid - 8-2-2014 at 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by norte
What? No race car?

Good luck in baja with your yugo! loser!

norte - 8-2-2014 at 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gnukid

Quote:

Originally posted by norte
What? No race car?

Good luck in baja with your yugo! loser!

Hey, I am not the one who said they had a race car! What does that make you?

TMW - 8-2-2014 at 12:11 PM

Since 1993 using BFG TA KO tires on four 4x4 trucks I've never had a sidewall blowout or flat from a cut, I did have a large nail sticking in the sidewall when I stopped for gas at a Shell station on the US side and changed the tire before it lost air. I have had one flat from a rock thru the tread. two or three, maybe four nails in the tread but caught before going flat including last trip in July. Can of Fix a Flat saved the day, small nail the size of a pencil lead. I left LA Bay in May 2003 and after a while I heard a noise that seemed odd. I lifted my hands from the steering wheel but the truck stayed straight. I could not tell while driving that anything was wrong except that noise which at first I thought was the asphalt pavement. Finally stopped and the left rear tire was flat, roofing nail from the hotel parking lot in the tread. They were putting a new roof on while we were there. Ran on the tire so long I damaged the sidewall.

Tioloco - 8-2-2014 at 12:14 PM

Obviously, many more people happy with them than not.

Ateo - 8-2-2014 at 12:24 PM

If I could make love to my Baja Champions, I would.

Tioloco - 8-2-2014 at 12:26 PM

Depending on the tire size..... Would be like throwing a hotdog down a hallway... Jajaja

Ateo - 8-2-2014 at 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tioloco
Depending on the tire size..... Would be like throwing a hotdog down a hallway... Jajaja

That made me laugh like I've never laughed before. Thanks.

[Edited on 8-2-2014 by Ateo]

Ateo - 8-2-2014 at 12:30 PM

I have had to deal with 1 flat on my Baja Champions. It happened when I was living in North Park, San Diego. I had a stalker girlfriend. She would sleep on my front porch. One morning during one of her bi-polar events, she slashed my tire with an ice pick.

True story.

Tomas Tierra - 8-2-2014 at 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Oh Doug, your just another BFG hater aren't you? :lol:

Thanks for your fearless post of another actual witnessed sidewall fail. There are many more I have heard about (but hearsay is not admissible here, right?)
:light:

Ok, there's two cases, still wouldn't call that repeated.. Would you?

Not hating on you dude, just want you to back up your claims so you don't look like such a blowhard.. Just giving you that chance that's all.. Take it or leave it..

liknbaja127 - 8-2-2014 at 07:34 PM

Norte here's a pic from 2 years ago San Quintin

Tioloco - 8-2-2014 at 08:40 PM

Ateo, surprised the tire couldn't repel a psycho chick. I will have to consider that failure on my next tire purchase. I bet some of the other brands would've shrugged that off, no sweat.
Gnukid, that is a clean older Bronco.

wetto - 8-3-2014 at 07:32 AM

I ran BFG TA's for years, then cheeped out a few years back and bought a set of Cooper tires. This last spring in Mulege headed out to Playa Naranos (SP) blew two of the coopers...rocks through the center of the treads on both. Front and back tires on the same side. Same rock?
My spare (original tires) was a new BFG TA and reminded me how hassle free these tires are. Found a lantana (SP) to repair the other and when back home replaced the Coopers.... happy, happy, happy.
(other than road noise when wearing down to 50% of tread life)

David K - 8-3-2014 at 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tomas Tierra

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Oh Doug, your just another BFG hater aren't you? :lol:

Thanks for your fearless post of another actual witnessed sidewall fail. There are many more I have heard about (but hearsay is not admissible here, right?)
:light:

How many times do I need to repeat myself Tomas? I was in a truck in 2001 and again in 2014 with new All Terrain TAs that had a sidewall failure. That's 2. Doug just posted of one, total 3.

Now, if others are not afraid of your repeated questioning of this matter, they may come forward? There is no doubt that BFG has the most popular tire, that it is great for MOST people. I just think they use their 3 ply sidewall as a selling feature and that does not make the tire invulnerable to sidewall damage, so be warned. I see MANY BFGs along the side of roads with sidewall rips.

No hate, nothing made up, just observations, ie. science.

Do you hate Toyo, Cooper, Hankook, GoodYear, Yokohama, Bridgestone? Because you don't talk positive about them, I am wondering? The point is, tires are supposed to be good, so posts about good tires don't really add to the knowledge base. However, when a tire fails, it is good to report either to save others from disappointment or so the word gets back to the manufacturer to IMPROVE the product.

David K - 8-3-2014 at 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wetto
I ran BFG TA's for years, then cheeped out a few years back and bought a set of Cooper tires. This last spring in Mulege headed out to Playa Naranos (SP) blew two of the coopers...rocks through the center of the treads on both. Front and back tires on the same side. Same rock?
My spare (original tires) was a new BFG TA and reminded me how hassle free these tires are. Found a lantana (SP) to repair the other and when back home replaced the Coopers.... happy, happy, happy.
(other than road noise when wearing down to 50% of tread life)

Since Cooper (like BFG) makes many different kinds of tires, please tell us which tire failed. I am also wondering what was the pressure you were running and how fast where you driving. Yes, it sounds like the same object indeed!

StuckSucks - 8-3-2014 at 09:23 AM

Along the same line ...

This is one of the COPS Trophy Truck BFG Baja TA tires after the SF250 a couple years ago - the bigger stick was about 2x the diameter of a pencil. Yep, still holding air.

MMc - 8-3-2014 at 09:53 AM

1998 We was going into Abreojos with a new truck sporting Goodyear tires. This was when the road was washboard most of the way in. That trip I was doing the 45 mph and just hitting the tops of the washboard. About 50 miles in the rack get lose I fix it and 3 more miles I get a flat. We go into town to fix the tire before making camp.

Next day I am on the beach south of camp clamming and when I back to the truck, flat tire. Swich it out and back to the tire guy. This one can't be fixed, rock didn't penetrate the tire but busted the tire enough it had a leak. So I purchase a new BFG KO. while talking to the trie guy he says" "I see a lot of tires, The BFG are the best for out here.

Leaving be come back home I get a flat before the highway. We get it fixed in GN the guy put a nails though it so he knows where the hole is. He pushes the nail back from the inside and patches it up. He didn't pull the nail out however, I will learn this when I am replacing another flat.

We are meeting some friends on the beach at Colonet, I have another tire going flat on the road in. This is the tire that has the patch and nail in it. We limp into their camp with the idea they'll be able to take the tire going flat and the flat spare. I as pull up into camp my body says you know you have a flat? I say "yup the left rear" he says "no, the right front". All three get fixed in town, and yes, he gets a flat driving into town.
That trip I put a hole in all my tire including the spare.

When I get home all the tires including the spare are replaced with a larger BFG KO's.

I no longer drive 45 mph over the top of washboard.

I no longer run tire at 50 PSI with a overloaded truck.

I no longer run a truck off road with full tire pressure.

I only run premium tires, Michelin, Generals BFG's and I have put on the truck before I pick it up.

elgatoloco - 8-3-2014 at 01:24 PM

We have been really lucky I guess. Our F-250 has 310,000 miles with fair amount of off road / camper / 4x / Baja / desert / mountain / highway and only BFG since the start. Still waiting to be disappointed. Let you know when that happens.

chippy - 8-3-2014 at 05:09 PM

Man thats some great mileage- I don´t think I´ve ever gotten more than 299,000 out of any set of tires. :biggrin:

BajaRat - 8-3-2014 at 06:32 PM

I think we may have to start looking in to driver failure as a possibility in some cases :lol:

So far nothing that convincing. Now I can understand a bad production run, Possibly what Doug was talking about ? Firestone ring a bell ?

You'll have to pry my BFG KM2s from my cold dead hands :cool:

elgatoloco - 8-3-2014 at 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chippy
Man thats some great mileage- I don´t think I´ve ever gotten more than 299,000 out of any set of tires. :biggrin:

Tomas Tierra - 8-3-2014 at 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by Tomas Tierra

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Oh Doug, your just another BFG hater aren't you? :lol:

Thanks for your fearless post of another actual witnessed sidewall fail. There are many more I have heard about (but hearsay is not admissible here, right?)
:light:

Sorry dood.. Still at 2... That picture you keep posting from up on the Mesa was driver error disclaimed.. Remember?
Of course I don't hate those other tires.. I don't post about them cuz I don't post here much anymore... And, they are not even on my radar..
Hate is reserved for the Kelly Safari AT.. 5 flats on one trip through the "Catavina area".. Switched to the Big F%#@ing Guns after that and haven't even thought about tires since... Until your infinite experience decided BFG were having "repeated sidewall failure". I get passionate about things I truly believe in, that's all

Look forward to this thread seeing its way through.. I think the good testimonials are far outweighing any real issues you are conjuring.. And I would hazzard a guess that most BFG faithful wouldn't even bother posting on this... I mean why? Any Baja person knows

Tomas Tierra - 8-3-2014 at 09:32 PM

Btw DK, unless you have more real info on this, I'm kinda done with our little debate.. No hard feelings, just wearing my passion on my keypad.. Happy and safe travels! If I see you on the dirt road with a flat, I'll stop and help... On the pavement? On your own

PaulW - 8-4-2014 at 07:25 AM

What I know about my off road tires.
My off road in Baja driving is probably rated as extreme.
The BFG AT would not be my choice due to flimsy sidewall. However in the Jeep club in San Felipe that is the tire most all of them choose. They creep along slowly and are careful of tire placement
I use that tire on by Superduty F350 and have no issues, but it seldom travels on the rocky Baja trails. I like the soft ride, good tire mileage & excellent traction. IMO its an OK choice for very light duty off road use, but not the rocky Baja race tracks. The typical Baja cactus, rock, & sticks will be the downfall for the AT's

My SF Bronco uses BFG Baja tires and I have lost count on how many have flatted due to sticks & cactus thru the sidewall. I usually plug them and keep on driving. However I remember several the were ruined because the sticks were big. I replace the tire if the hole needs more than 5 plugs. For sure this tire is heavy duty with 4 plys nylon sidewalls and the old mud style tread. It would not be an acceptable tire for a daily driver. I use them because I got them free as compensation for what I do for them off road.
Another hard core rig has BFG Krawlers. Fatter than the Baja's and much heavier with the same 4 ply nylon sidewalls. It would not be an acceptable tire for a daily driver. Its just a tough off road tire. way expensive.

So what a guy to use?
The BFG KM2 is a mud terrain and has 30% stronger sidewalls than a KO and the cost reflects the better construction. It has the Krawler mud tread design which most guys like very much. This tire should be a good all around daily driver tire and still be reliable in Baja. The mud style tread is lumpy at slow speeds, but smooths out above 20MPH. Recommended for youall.

Then I have another hard core rig and it has Goodyear MTRs without kevlar. Typically they come in tiny sizes on new Jeeps. Mud style tread and very strong sidewalls. Excellent wear. Never had a flat so far after 22k miles. Ride on the highway is actually quite good if the balance can be accomplished. Buy from the Goodyear dealer and do not accept out of balance ones.
For more money Goodyear has the MTR kevlar sidewall and a new directional tread design that should be daily driver friendly. Way good for Baja rocky trails. Probably has the strongest sidewall I know of. Guys using them report smooth feel at all speeds. Also recommended for youall.

IMO these two Goodyears tires are being overlooked and offer a big improvement over similar BFG tires especially for the sidewall reliability.
PW
==========

Quote:

Originally posted by Tomas Tierra
Please post your number of, and reason for failure, on your BFG TA KO tires in Baja.
TT

David K - 8-4-2014 at 07:58 AM

Yup Tomas, no hard feelings... and as others come forward (if they don't mind getting flamed) you will hear that BFG All Terrains are not fail proof... and that is all I am pointing out. Just like Tacomas are not fail proof... :biggrin:

So far the count is 4: Me 2, Doug 1, Paul 1. Anyone else have a All Terrain TA sidewall or other failure (flat)?

chuckie - 8-4-2014 at 08:01 AM

Yes.

David K - 8-4-2014 at 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckie
Yes.

So that makes the count 5 ??? :lol:

chuckie - 8-4-2014 at 12:29 PM

If there were 4 be4ore, then that makes 5...

aguachico - 8-5-2014 at 07:01 AM

I have had these tires on my f250 295/75 r16(i think). They have been great for 150,000 miles. San Francisquito x3, Punta Falsa(x 100), Labocana(x100) fully loaded or towing the Grady White.

The biggest road test for any tire - TIJUANA(mariano,el florido, dorado, presidente, los pinos)

Bichito - 8-5-2014 at 05:48 PM

I hate to be responsible for rekindling this thread... Some gear head once explained the merits of the LT rating of the BFG All Terrain tire versus most other truck tires rated with a P... (P=passenger car & smaller SUV's for a softer ride..LT=light truck & has more sidewall strength etc..)

e.g. LT275/65R18 vs P275/65R18

Then there is the load range rating to consider..

I'm giving the LTX AT2's that just came stock on the Tundra a fair shake... My experience has been that the BFG's are a great tire though!

Ateo - 8-5-2014 at 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bichito
I hate to be responsible for rekindling this thread... Some gear head once explained the merits of the LT rating of the BFG All Terrain tire versus most other truck tires rated with a P... (P=passenger car & smaller SUV's for a softer ride..LT=light truck & has more sidewall strength etc..)

e.g. LT275/65R18 vs P275/65R18

Then there is the load range rating to consider..

I'm giving the LTX AT2's that just came stock on the Tundra a fair shake... My experience has been that the BFG's are a great tire though!

You will be testing them out shortly on 100 miles of washboard, dirt, and sand. Oh, and maybe some salt flats. Get her up to 80 MPH on those flats to save time. Have fun, you bastard.

Bichito - 8-5-2014 at 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo

Quote:

You will be testing them out shortly on 100 miles of washboard, dirt, and sand. Oh, and maybe some salt flats. Get her up to 80 MPH on those flats to save time. Have fun, you bastard.

Ahhh... You guys are gonna have a blast too! I want one of your trip reports... I'm too lame to put one together.

BajaRat - 8-10-2014 at 02:24 PM

I was changing tires on one of our larger trucks at a local shop here in Az and much to my surprise I saw what appeared to be BFG KM2's with the tread separating from the carcase. Sure enough it was, but on closer inspection it was a retread copy of a BFG KM2 laminated to a BFG KO carcase.
Crappy retread job but the BFG KO sidewalls were surviving the reincarnation .
I still believe that many sidewall failures can be attributed to operator error.

[Edited on 8-10-2014 by BajaRat]

rts551 - 8-10-2014 at 03:56 PM

now, who we going to blame that on?

chuckie - 8-10-2014 at 04:17 PM

Some politician or labor union, Lord forbid the recapper....

msteve1014 - 8-10-2014 at 05:04 PM

No way that was a union shop recap in Arizona.