My next tire?

[fenrisx]

Cooper ST Maxx (http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Light-Truck/DISCOVERER-S-T-MAXX.aspx)
http://www.off-road.com/images/content/3-Cooper-Discovery-Tire-ST-Maxx-10-31-11.jpg

Anyone on here running these? Those things scream "buy me! buy me!".. but they ain't cheap. Load Range E only as well.

I'm sure the Cooper AT3 would be a MUCH better choice for my driving habits, but those things look too good to pass up.

[Obi..]

The thing that would hold me back on those would fall to the "E" rating. I'm not cool with an off-road tire that can't handle even sustained 45mph drives. I daily drive my 4Runner, maybe if it became a trailer queen then ok, but even then there's been times when I still had my 60 that I had to drive on a short stretch of highway back to the flatbed.

http://www.goodyear.eu/home_en/tire-advice/tire-information/tire-load-index.jsp

[fenrisx]

The thing that would hold me back on those would fall to the "E" rating. I'm not cool with an off-road tire that can't handle even sustained 45mph drives.


I don't think I quite understand, even after looking at that site. Sustained 45mph speeds? :(

But yeah.. I don't need a tire that aggressive.. and the Load E thing makes me think my already rough ride will be rougher. A man can still dream though..

[4x4mike]

My load range E, BFG AT's have no problem on the road. Sustained 70 mph and up to 90, no problem. I wouldn't let the load range steer you away as much as a lug pattern , noise or durability.

[Robinhood4x4]

Another thing to think about is mileage. With my duratracs, I think I've lost about 2 mpg and that's compensating for the size change. I need more data to confirm this though.

[Obi..]

^You still drive yours? :ban:

I've actually considered a couple of GoodYear's offerings myself lately.

[Robinhood4x4]

The 07, not the 93.

[L33T35T Tacoma]

The thing that would hold me back on those would fall to the "E" rating. I'm not cool with an off-road tire that can't handle even sustained 45mph drives. I daily drive my 4Runner, maybe if it became a trailer queen then ok, but even then there's been times when I still had my 60 that I had to drive on a short stretch of highway back to the flatbed.

http://www.goodyear.eu/home_en/tire-advice/tire-information/tire-load-index.jsp


Obi,

That link you posted references to SPEED RATINGS and not Load Ratings. The coopers have a "Q" speed rating, which is 100 mph.

additionally...

many worry about E load ranges. I wouldn't. It's a simple fact that most tires in these sizes (265/75R16 or 285/75R16) are going to be E load range. Tire Mfgs finally figured out why the hell would we make both D and E load range tires when we can make an E that is sorta "backwards compatible" with vehicles that require a minimum of D (like some Ford Excursions).

Just because a tire is a higher load range (up to E, anyway), doesn't necessarily mean it's going to give you a harsh ride. the ride is going to depend on the air pressure in the tire. If you put a lot in there, say 65 PSI, it will be a stiff ride, as the tire won't give as much as if the tire were inflated to 35-40 PSI.

Overall, the quality of the tire itself is what makes or breaks the ride quality. After reading awesome reviews on tirerack.com, I put the Michelin LTX A/T2s on my new 2012 Tacoma Double Cab. On a 250 mile trip to Pismo, I must say they are AWESOME. Very quiet, and definitely performed offroad, at least, in the sand.

Bottom line, don't focus so much on the load range, and read, read, read reviews from real consumers.

[corax]

Obi,

That link you posted references to SPEED RATINGS and not Load Ratings. The coopers have a "Q" speed rating, which is 100 mph.


Yep, a better link might be this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_code

[Obi..]

Thanks for clarifying, I don't know why I was thinking speed rating, maybe b/c of a recent project. Sorry guys.

[Obi..]

*As for the AT3 vs. ST Maxx, I'd honestly go with the ST's simply b/c of the tread design. I've never been comfortable using a "street AT" type of tread. I'll happily sacrifice the 1-2mpg to run the TA/KO's I got now.

[Crinale]

*As for the AT3 vs. ST Maxx, I'd honestly go with the ST's simply b/c of the tread design. I've never been comfortable using a "street AT" type of tread. I'll happily sacrifice the 1-2mpg to run the TA/KO's I got now.


Thats not always true.. the Falken Wild Peak tires I have right now could be considered more street based on the tread pattern, but the reviews i read all stated that they clear mud better than most of the other AT's in their test (which included the notoriously bad in mud AT/KOs). And they have had excellent grip everywhere I have tested them, and kept grip in 2wd in many places I thought I was going to have to switch to 4wd out in Mojave.

That said, If I had had the money at the time and my taco wasnt my current DD, I might be running something closer to the ST's in the OP. I like the aggressive tires better than ATs any day for a trail only rig

[Obi..]

Thats not always true.. the Falken Wild Peak tires I have right now could be considered more street based on the tread pattern, but the reviews i read all stated that they clear mud better than most of the other AT's in their test (which included the notoriously bad in mud AT/KOs). And they have had excellent grip everywhere I have tested them, and kept grip in 2wd in many places I thought I was going to have to switch to 4wd out in Mojave.



I'll give you your personal experience to reinforce your view, but just as you said about my feedback, the same can be said about a tire's ability to shed mud. I respectfully submit this to you.

Having worked in two different industries where tire handling characteristics are a key item, professional mountain bike racing and baja/etc, I can say that basing too much emphasis on reviews rather than actual experience is a bad thing.

Mud, just as loam, hardpack, light over hardpack, duff, moon dust, pea gravel/rubble, and sand all differ in characteristics from one region to the next. Heck, they can even differ from one hour to the next, Pismo sand being a perfect example of this.

Ultimately it all boils down to personal driving habits interacting with the driver's and vehicle's needs for a given situation.

Sorry for the off-topic. We should consider this subject matter for a tech article? I got ton's of info still floating around my gray matter from my time running tech support, the info is too much to put into a short reply here.

Back on topic, consider trying the tires out, if you buy through some places like I recently did with my last set you can always pay a little difference if you decide the tires are not meeting your needs. Even asking around locally as to who has a rig setup like yours and running them works, do a meet and greet and see if someone's willing to let you play with their rig on a section of trail or just watch how they work.

[paddlenbike]

One would think in such rough economic times that tire manufacturers would make the tires a little more wallet-friendly. I think the decision to make only load range E tires is a poor one. The step up to an even heavier and stiffer tire (and more expensive) does not excite me. I wish BFG made a load range C, 275/75R16...right inbetween a 265/75 and a 285/75 in both height and width. :sadface

[Crinale]

Shane - I wasn't trying to say reviews are 100% correct, I just had to cite it because I only have dry experience with these tires thus far. Come December I will get snow/mud/wet/etc experience on a trip with my gf's family. Dry performance is better than expected given this tire's low price point (I paid ~$900 for 5 31" mounted and balanced, more than $200 less than BFG or GoodYear offerings)

If your wish is cheap but good tires, BFG (or any of the big names) are all going to be expensive. To me, it seems like simplifying the production into one load range instead of 2 or 3 should make their system cheaper, thus the tires cheaper... But I know that's wishful thinking knowing how businesses like that operate. Tires in general are rising in price in part because of high crude oil prices.

[Obi..]

Shane - I wasn't trying to say reviews are 100% correct, I just had to cite it because I only have dry experience with these tires thus far. Come December I will get snow/mud/wet/etc experience on a trip with my gf's family. Dry performance is better than expected given this tire's...


Agreed, we're all good, I was just playing Devil's Pawn is all. Trust me, I'm aware of tire prices, 4 sets between the Runner's new shoes and the other biz rig stuff.

I honestly hope he tries the coopers out, I know a couple guys up in the Sierra Foothills that could use them, but we need rain and snow first.

[fenrisx]

Honestly, I would love to try em out.. just out of my simple wanting of an aggressive A/T. Unfortunately, I am a web wheeler. I DD my 4Runner 70 miles a day now during the week. So, and aggressive A/T would be for mall crawling purposes. They really look good on our 4Runners. As I said though.. I never get to wheel my 4Runner anymore. I want to though. :(

I just want to keep a good A/T with the hopes of getting to offroad some eventually, and have a good tire for the good 'ol Minnesota winters. It's always fun to go riding around when we get over a foot of snow dumped on us. Cooper AT3's are on my short list... Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors... Bridgestone Dueler REVO 2's... Falken Wildpeaks actually look pretty interesting as well.

[04 Rocko Taco]

I've been looking at the new Goodyear Wrangler Authority A/T

[Crinale]

The Wild Peaks are what I have, and they have been awesome so far.. cheaper than the rest of those too

[fenrisx]

I've been looking at the new Goodyear Wrangler Authority A/T

Well those aren't exactly new new.. they have been out for about 3 1/2 years or so. :P I've read a lot of good stuff about them too.. seems to be a good choice. Prices someone posted circa June'ish 09 had them at $165/tire for 265/75r16 load range E.. $5 cheaper for C. Assuming that's mounted and balanced, and hazard protection. On the surface $165 isn't the greatest price, but the other perks are nice.



The Wild Peaks are what I have, and they have been awesome so far.. cheaper than the rest of those too

I want to do some more reading on these and see how they do in snow/slush. Looks like a good tire.. not as aggressive as the Authority that's for sure, but still nice AT.

[DHC6twinotter]

I'm pretty happy with the BFG AT/KO's I have. I was considering the Goodyear DuraTrac, but went with the BFG's mainly because of the thicker sidewall, and because of the recommendation of a few here. I've been happy with my fuel consumption, and recently got 23.4 mpg while driving across the flat hwy 2 in Montana. Mileage drops down to about 19 in the mountains, but I'm still happy with that.

[paddlenbike]

I've been happy with my fuel consumption, and recently got 23.4 mpg while driving across the flat hwy 2 in Montana. Mileage drops down to about 19 in the mountains, but I'm still happy with that.


The 3.4 with a manual is a great combo! Even with the lift, larger tires and supercharger I still get at least what the EPA says my truck should get.

BTW, I saw this yesterday and got a good laugh:

[Crinale]

BTW, I saw this yesterday and got a good laugh:


Oh dear :chair: :ban: :gay:

[fenrisx]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7708445748_c9d6db296c_c.jpg
This is what happens when you lift your truck and don't get an alignment done because your inner TRE's are bad... and proceed to ride on it that way for about 15,000 miles without a rotation. I've put about 20,000 on my truck since then, but I did rotate the tires once since then. Maybe twice.. I can't remember.

I just finish riding home on the interstate for about 16 miles in a heavy downpour/thunderstorm. Scary ride. I need to hurry up and make a tire decision.

[Crinale]

sounds like you need to replace your tre's (if you havent already) before you burn another set of tires..

[fenrisx]

Yeah, that's the plan. TRE's, tires, alignment.

[fenrisx]

I think I'm leaning towards the Silent Armors. Although, even though I don't need this aggressive of a tire, I'm also starting to lean back towards Duratracs which were not on my original short list(but tires I've liked for a long time). The plan is for me to order inner TRE parts this week, hopefully get it in next week & then order tires. Might go ahead and do lower ball joins as well while I'm at it.

[YotaFun]

Have you looked at the new BFG Rugged Terrain T/A, little less aggressive then the Duratracs but little more aggressive then the Rugged Trail or the Silent Armors.

FWIW, my stepdad had the silent Armors on his 02, and they were horrible, lasted a very short time and when they where a little around half lift it was like driving with bald tires, I found myself spinning out in it alot!

The General Grabber AT2s are a nice tires, little less aggressive then the Duratracs, and BFG AT but still a very good traction tire

[Crinale]

Duratracs are great tires, but they are soft rubber and I doubt they'd last too long when daily driven.. (I had em on my old 4runner and loved them traction-wise in everything)