Cooper Discoverer S/T tires (load range C) vs BFG AT KO

[paddlenbike]

It's tire-time--I currently have 7 years and 60,000 miles on my BFG AT KOs mounted on a 2000 Toyota 4Runner. They've been a great tire with no issues to speak of. My current BFG's are load range D and the new ones are load range E only, my concern is this tire will be too stiff given the relatively light (4100 lb) vehicle I have. Therefore I am looking at making the move to a load range C Cooper Discoverer S/T. They have great reviews, apparently the silicon content of the tires is an advantage over the BFGs, they have a similar tread pattern, with the down-sides being perhaps less sidewall strength than the BFG and the lack of the rim protector feature.

My 4Runner is a daily driver, sees all types of off-roading (fire roads, rocks, desert-use, etc.) I am also making the move to a 17" wheel with a 275/70R17 tire. I keep hearing complaints about BFG's, sidewall strength, etc., so I wonder if the Cooper might be a better tire for my application or if I should just stick with what I know. Anyone have experiences with the Cooper S/Ts?

 

[4x4x4doors]

I'm an unabashed supporter of the BFG. While I've heard references to sidewall strength issues, I've never personally experienced or witnessed that.
BFG has for years supported the offroader with the Outstanding trails program with cash.

 

[Clutch]

I have been running BFG's both AT& MT's close to 25 years now.

On a set of Cooper STT's now...can't say I'll ever go back to BFG's. Just didn't know what I was missing. Simply blows BFG's performance-wise
out of the water, whether it be dry, mud, snow. Heck, I rarely even have to put it in 4WD anymore. Wet pavement performance is stellar, where BFG AT has let me down a couple times, literally slid through a few red lights with the wheels locked up in the wet, whilst towing my dirt bike trailer. The Coops feel like suction cups, and stop on half of a dime. First time I jumped on the brakes with the Coops on wet pavement, I was sold...done with BFG for good.

I would stick with a 16" rim though.

 

[paddlenbike]

I would stick with a 16" rim though.

I am going to a 17" wheel (from a 16") because it's only size that offers the tire I want, a 275/70R17, which is exactly inbetween my current 265/75R16 and the 285/75R16 in width and diameter. I'm going up 1/2" in sidewall height and up 1" in rim diameter, so I'm not losing a ton of sidewall.

Keep the comments coming, they are much appreciated.

 

[Clutch]

I am going to a 17" wheel (from a 16") because it's only size that offers the tire I want, a 275/70R17, which is exactly inbetween my current 265/75R16 and the 285/75R16 in width and diameter. I'm going up 1/2" in sidewall height and up 1" in rim diameter, so I'm not losing a ton of sidewall.

Keep the comments coming, they are much appreciated.

Ahh I see. You'll have no problem selling those 5 spoke 4Runner rims, those are highly desirable.

I bought the Coopers by accident, BFG had my favorite size on back order for over a year. 32/11.5/15....which hardly anyone
makes that size tire any more. Cooper was one of the few...so I gave them a try. Very impressed to say the least. My only
complaint is they are just a wee bit aggressive for my liking. Going to try the ST or ST Maxx next...will have to get 16" rims
to get the size I like though, which is why I went with the Coppers in the first place (didn't want to buy new rims...oh well) it
does say how much I like them over BFG's.

 

[paddlenbike]

The Cooper S/T Maxx tires have the stronger sidewall (Cooper calls it Armor-Tek3) than the regular S/Ts I'm look at, but unfortunately they don't make the Maxx series in the size I want.

I need a bit more tire in my wheelwell, but the next step up from my 265/75R16s is a 285/75R16, which is considerably wider and taller.

I could not find an aftermarket wheel I liked, so I ended up with a Toyota 17x7.5" wheel I am currently refinishing in a graphite color. I like my existing 5-spoke wheels but these should look pretty good too.

 

[Clutch]

Bummer about the Maxxes, those will look good, they came on Tundras and Sequoias IIRC.

Lucky for me the 6 spokes came in a 16", so it will look stock. Since many people
do not like them, can find them for next to nothing.

 

[fasteddy47]

BFG guy for years...Just running my first set of Coopers.
Same lake same truck same road same tire pressure , way more traction with Cooper STT MAXX.
Blew the Mud Terrains away..... Also as quiet as an all Terrain. I'm a Cooper believer!

 

[Clutch]

BFG guy for years...Just running my first set of Coopers.
Same lake same truck same road same tire pressure , way more traction with Cooper STT MAXX.
Blew the Mud Terrains away..... Also as quiet as an all Terrain. I'm a Cooper believer!

My co-worker went from BFG AT to Coopers A/T3's on his Sequoia a couple weeks ago, right off the bat he is impressed.

 

[p nut]

Just FYI on those Sequoia/Tundra 17" rims. The backspacing is around 5.125" on those (I believe) and the stock 3rd Gen 16"s are at 4.625", which means they will be sucked in just a tad (1/2" per side). May not matter, but just something to consider, especially if you're thinking of going 285's eventually.

I have no experience with Cooper's. I almost bought the STT Maxx the last go around a few months ago, but Toyota was having a buy 3 get one free deal, and couldn't pass up the 285/75 BFG's. Had BFG's for a long time and have been happy. I'll live in my blissful ignorance for now, but will give Cooper's a shot next time around. One thing I'll mention about BFG's--after 30-40k miles (about 1/2 tread for me), the compound gets extremely hard, which affects performance. I usually sell them off at that point and get new ones. Resale is awesome on these tires.

Last point, ST, STT, STT Maxx all have different tread designs (and compounds?). Just clearing that up, since all three were being talked about here.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/25602-Cooper-tire-dilemma!?p=372395#post372395

Ok, real last point--you should just man up and go 285's or 255's!

 

[Clutch]

Last point, ST, STT, STT Maxx all have different tread designs (and compounds?). Just clearing that up, since all three were being talked about here.

I do believe the compounds are different. STT being the softest, there is a tread wear chart on their website...can't find a durometer rating though.

 

[telemike]

Take a look at the Kelly TSR. I am happy with mine. I have a review post on here

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ly-Safari-TSR-Tire-Review?highlight=kelly+tsr

 

[brian90744]

I switched to Cooper 315-70-17 Dicoverer AT3 and think they great, Quiet A/T tire. long warranty .

I am going to a 17" wheel (from a 16") because it's only size that offers the tire I want, a 275/70R17, which is exactly inbetween my current 265/75R16 and the 285/75R16 in width and diameter. I'm going up 1/2" in sidewall height and up 1" in rim diameter, so I'm not losing a ton of sidewall.

Keep the comments coming, they are much appreciated.

 

[paddlenbike]

Just FYI on those Sequoia/Tundra 17" rims. The backspacing is around 5.125" on those (I believe) and the stock 3rd Gen 16"s are at 4.625", which means they will be sucked in just a tad (1/2" per side). May not matter, but just something to consider, especially if you're thinking of going 285's eventually.

The backspacing is 4-5/8" on the 4runner 5-spokes and 4-7/8" on the Tundra/Sequoias, but they are 1/2" wider, so they'll be 1/4" closer to the upper A-arm AND stick out 1/4" more than my existing wheels. I'm installing some 1" wheel spacers to move them out even with the edge of my large SR5 fender flares. I just finished painting the wheels today, they came out looking really nice.

It sounds like I can't go wrong with either the BFGs or the Coopers, thanks for everyone's posts! Feel free to keep them coming.

 

[paddlenbike]

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Cooper S/Ts. Thanks for all of the information; I will be sure to post my impressions after I put some miles on them.