Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx

[Redline]

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I spoke with the engineers who designed the ST Maxx, the ST, and the AT3/ATP and learned a bunch about the construction. The AT3/ATP is fine for general use and off roading, but I don't think I would want it for cross country use. The STT I think was too aggressive for me.

The STT and ST Maxx share the same carcass. The triple sidewall uses 2 straight belts and 1 angled. More resistant to punctures that other tires that use 3 plies straight across. Also, the thickness of the plies is important. The 2 straight plies are 1500 denier and the 3 angled ply is 1000 denier. For example the BFG KM2 has 3 plies all 1000 denier. But of course the KM2 is an off road tire and the ST Maxx is a heavier duty commercial traction tire.

Surely it was satisfying to speak with a tire designer/engineer. Years ago while debating choosing the ******** Cepek FC-II or the Mickey Thompson ATZ 4-rib (both Cooper brands and both treads now superseded). One of my take-aways was that the ******** Cepek tire had more, better "seagull-shaped” sipes in every tread block, as does its replacement the current Fun Country.

Anyways, 265/75-16 size which I have is listed at 58 lbs. There are really no other tires like it. I hate to sound like a Cooper fan boy, but after months of research, I kept coming back to the ST Maxx.

Personally, I want to minimize any chance of tire destruction. My disability would make tire changes in the bush much more difficult than able bodied folks, thus I wanted the toughest tire I could find. I wasn't concerned about weight due to the sheer size of VanDOOM.

Nothing wrong with being a Cooper fan boy, they make many good tires under a few brands. There's a good chance I'll buy a set of Mastercraft (Cooper) tires next month because I like the tread.

Your reasons are important, stick with your research and decision. Not to unnecessarily complicate your process, but I'm pretty sure the ******** Cepek Fun Country and Mickey Thompson P3 use the same carcass/construction as the S/T MAXX. However, I'd guess that those two treads would be both more expensive and harder to locate, so the S/T MAXX again likely wins.

I understand people wanting a lighter weight tire, but in the end, I will take tough durability over lighter weight. The main reason the STT is lighter than the ST Maxx is due to slightly less rubber and larger voids.

The S/T MAXX is a great choice for your application, and application and personal preference matters. I have an old post on my blog arguing in favor of a more flexible, lighter load-range-D tire over a LR E, however, this is very application specific. I still prefer a LR D (hard to locate) on my V8 4Runner, but a stiffer, less flexible LR E makes more sense on my heavily-loaded pickups these days that are hauling slide-in campers.

James

 

[java]

Surely it was satisfying to speak with a tire designer/engineer. Years ago while debating choosing the ******** Cepek FC-II or the Mickey Thompson ATZ 4-rib (both Cooper brands and both treads now superseded). One of my take-aways was that the ******** Cepek tire had more, better "seagull-shaped” sipes in every tread block, as does its replacement the current Fun Country.



Nothing wrong with being a Cooper fan boy, they make many good tires under a few brands. There's a good chance I'll buy a set of Mastercraft (Cooper) tires next month because I like the tread.

Your reasons are important, stick with your research and decision. Not to unnecessarily complicate your process, but I'm pretty sure the ******** Cepek Fun Country and Mickey Thompson P3 use the same carcass/construction as the S/T MAXX. However, I'd guess that those two treads would be both more expensive and harder to locate, so the S/T MAXX again likely wins.





The S/T MAXX is a great choice for your application, and application and personal preference matters. I have an old post on my blog arguing in favor of a more flexible, lighter load-range-D tire over a LR E, however, this is very application specific. I still prefer a LR D (hard to locate) on my V8 4Runner, but a stiffer, less flexible LR E makes more sense on my heavily-loaded pickups these days that are hauling slide-in campers.

James

James, Are you looking at the Mastercraft CT or AXT? Id be interested in your opinion on them.

 

[Redline]

James, Are you looking at the Mastercraft CT or AXT? Id be interested in your opinion on them.

Not to start a conversation about different tread in this S/T MAXX thread, but I'll try to keep it related and short...

Looking at the C/T, which offers a similar void ratio to the S/T MAXX but is available from Les Schwab. I've been studying the C/T for seveal weeks, but have yet to see them in person. My local store doesn't stock them so I'll have them order a set if I go that route.

Love the S/T MAXX, and they are less expensive than the C/T at Les Schwab, but I want to trade-in several take-off tires at Schwab as well as continue to establish a relationship with a new local LS store.

James

 

[Sock Puppet]

Well, I guess I'm a convert as i just ordered a full set of these. Discount Tire Direct on Ebay is running a special right now where you get $100 off of purchases over $400. You can use the discount code up to 3 times. So I ordered a pair in 265/75-16 for $402 minus $100 = $302. Then I ordered another pair. Total for all for = $604. Pretty darned good, especially with free shipping. I have a local guy who will mount/balance them for $10 each. Decided to order some new wheels on the same deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310901803672?item=310901803672&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:OC:US:3160&vxp=mtr

 

[Sock Puppet]

Well, I guess I'm a convert as i just ordered a full set of these. Discount Tire Direct on Ebay is running a special right now where you get $100 off of purchases over $400. You can use the discount code up to 3 times. So I ordered a pair in 265/75-16 for $402 minus $100 = $302. Then I ordered another pair. Total for all for = $604. Pretty darned good, especially with free shipping. I have a local guy who will mount/balance them for $10 each.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310901803672?item=310901803672&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:OC:US:3160&vxp=mtr

Just talked Discount Tire Direct (they called to confirm the accuracy of my order). Even though I bought tires/wheels separately, they still consider it a tire/wheel combo purchase and will mount and balance them for free before shipping them to me. I didn't expect that, so kudos to them. Hope to have them by Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[java]

Nice! Except they dont have the 255's on the ebay store. They do have duratracs tho.....

 

[gwittman]

Sock Puppet, Thanks for the heads up on the special deal from Discount Tire Direct. I just got a great deal on some 33" BFG KM2s. I have been looking around and could not find anything near this deal.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Sock Puppet, Thanks for the heads up on the special deal from Discount Tire Direct. I just got a great deal on some 33" BFG KM2s. I have been looking around and could not find anything near this deal.

No problem. I thought the same thing when I found it. Looks like you're going to have to change your sig now....

 

[Robert Bills]

The Discount Tire Direct Ebay site had a similar sale in March. My local Discount Tire/America's Tire matched the online price. I was able to get a set of 4 LT265/75R16 Cooper Discoverer ST/Maxx for $160 each (plus mounting, balance, tax, etc)

 

[Shocker]

Me too!

 

[FJRanger]

Just finished reading nearly every post.

I think I've found my new tires, now to locate them in 315/75R16. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Haggis]

Well I joined the Maxx club today. I should have done this back in late Spring when my tire guy could get a better deal on them but what is...is. So we mounted up a set of 285/16/75 on the 16x8 inch rims and slapped them on my Tundra.

Its been almost three years since I mounted up my first set of ST Maxxs on my Tundra and after 51,000 miles of work and fun I just put a new set on the truck. These treads have earned their place as my go to tire.

 

[Applejack]

I wish I could say that I'm loving my ST Maxx's, but I'm not. What I like about them is not worrying about slashes or punctures, and that goes a long ways, but it isn't everything. I do get better mileage with them (surprisingly) than my Duratracs but they just don't have the traction that the Duratracs do, at least not in the terrain I travel. Putting my boat in the water requires 4wd to get out, not so with the DT's. They pack up with mud (we have some horrible clay mud)almost immediately, I was really shocked at how poor their mud performance was. No tire except for swampers do well in it, but still I was Very disappointed. I will give them a whirl this winter, hopefully they can redeem themselves but I'm not feeling it.

 

[Shocker]

Wow, that is the exact opposite of every test I have ever read on the ST Maxx.

 

[Robert Bills]

I wish I could say that I'm loving my ST Maxx's, but I'm not.

Wow, that is the exact opposite of every test I have ever read on the ST Maxx.

I haven't read many negative reviews either, but everyone has their own subjective experiences. We also have different vehicles and drive in different conditions. That being said, I'm only 2 hours or so away from Applejack and probably drive in some of the same conditions, yet I have nothing but positive things to say about the ST/Maxx tires on my Xterra.