Cooper ST's - 255/85/16

[Desertdude]

Coolness...:wings:

I found my tire location, they can order by fax now and install Monday afternoon if all goes well...

(its amazing how different the pricing is at different locations)

My existing tires (going from bad to worse quickly) are done, bouncing down the road :jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

 

[Redline]

Visual Tire Tread Comparisons 255/85R16

For people looking at these Cooper ST treads or other 255/85R16 tires this side-by-side comparison may help with their decisions. These photos are intended to show the tread design, tread width, and the slight difference in shape of the tire/sidewall of these tires. Most of these tires have a tread width around 7.75 to 8-inches, but the Cooper ST (and Dean SXT, not pictured) have a tread width of 7.2-inches. The void ratio of these different treads is what I find most interesting and different.

All tires below are size 255/85R16. All are mounted on wheels, but only the Cooper ST tire is on a car. The Toyo M55 is on a stock Ford 16x7 steel wheel, the others on Toyota FJ Cruiser TRD 16x7.5 wheels.

The Cooper STs are new (18/32"), the BFGs almost new (18/32"), Bighorn MTs have a few thousand miles on them (16/32"), and the Toyo M55 have plenty of tread left (15/32"). Bighorns & BFG are siped. Note how the Toyo M55 has much less tread depth between the center ribs because of the rubber reinforcement between the blocks.

Cooper ST & Toyo M55

Cooper ST & Maxxis Bighorn MT

Maxxis Bighorn MT & Toyo M55

Cooper ST, Maxxis Bighorn MT, BFG MT

 

[Desertdude]

What are your thoughts on the Toyo M55 ?

How is the sound down the highway?

 

[Redline]

What size ST did you order and for which vehicle?

I've been quietly following this thread. I don't think I have ever read a more concise report on these tires. The choices are slim in this tire size (255/85/16) Thanks for the detailed testing and reports.

I have been through two sets of the BFG MT on the Tacoma and one set on the 80 series. I am finally going to switch brands.(and have to Toyos on the 80) With my driving schedule this year, I will be on the highway more than off - I was looking for a quieter tire and something less aggressive.

At less than 50% thread wear the BFG MT have really not worn evenly... Now at 60% they are past the point of comfort and traction.

I am out on the road and will have to locate a dealer and get new Cooper meats. ASAP.:victory:

Thanks for the awesome info

 

[Desertdude]

255/85/16 for the Tacoma

Looking for more quiet highway miles this year...

 

[Redline]

I know you read the comments above... but they are not quiet, but quieter than MTs for sure

255/85/16 for the Tacoma

Looking for more quiet highway miles this year...

 

[Redline]

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7861

You may want to check out the thread above, but my comments on the M55 from that thread I have pasted below.

The M55s started on my F350, and later were on my '05 Jeep LJ. I had them for about 5,000-miles before I traded them for some backhoe work, but I had them long enough to form some opinions about them. My neighbor has them on his 2003 F350 Power Stroke and he likes them much better than the BFG A/T 315s he has on 10-in. aftermarket wheels.

Noise:

It was not as noticeable on my loud, old F350 but the M55 is pretty loud, which was more noticeable on the Jeep. The tone is like a over-the-road semi-truck tire singing when on the freeway, though not as loud. I have had more aggressive tires that have similar volume but with a different, more pleasing tome to my ear (Toyo M/T).

Balance:

Of the four sets of Toyos I have recently run the M55s took the most weight to balance and were the least smooth going down the road. Again the two sets of Toyo M/Ts beat the M55s, requiring less weight and riding smoother, truer down the road. Of course this could have just been the set that I had and the ones you buy could be much better... I know it's not my wheels.

Wear?:

I didn't run them long enough to learn how well they will last but a bet at least average, 35k+ or much more, depending on the load, driver, etc. Lots of people love the M55 because it is reported to last a very long time.

Traction:

They were good in on-road snow and dry/wet pavement and dirt. I never had them in anything too challenging but as you can see from their void ratio they will certainly fill up with junk should they be subjected to lots of slimy wet stuff.

Would I Buy Again? Probably Not... (Edit: I actually did try another set in 2010, couldn't get my 4Runner to drive straight with them. Probably not the tire's fault. I also didn't think they were as loud as I stated above.)

I really wanted to love the M55, but my experiences showed me it was not as well rounded a tire as I would have liked, nor did it balance or run down the road to my satisfaction. Have you noticed the the center tread ribs have much less tread depth because because of the added rubber linking the blocks together? Obviously this is for strength and durability for the designed commercial applications but I'm not sure it is best for most recreational users.

Other options:

I assume you don't want or need a super traction tire or you would be looking at a different tire. I recently bought a set of Maxxis Bravo MA-761 all-terrains as my 'street' tire for my 4Runner, special ordered them in 255/85. I really like them so far. They are less aggressive than the M55, but all the 8-ply and 10-ply sizes of the Bravo 761 have a three ply sidewall. These are heavy, stout tires. I put these new Maxxis on my F350 last month for a week of abuse and testing antelope hunting: heavy travel trailer towing, then fast dirt/gravel roads, slow rocky roads (with 30-psi front, 20-psi rear), and a 200-mile 80+ MPH freeway round-trip with no load/trailer (but tire PSI was up). These are also apparently chip-resistant as we incurred only a few tread divots in 274-miles off-road miles. An afternoon trip in my buddies new Dodge/Cummins with new Toyo M/Ts and me driving over the same trails with the same tire psi resulted in a few tire chips in his Toyo MTs. These Bravo A/Ts are now at home on my 4Runner and I will have sipes cut into them before winter. I plan to put a lot of miles on these. (Edit: I didn't, not open enough for my taste, sold them.)

I really like the Toyo M/T and would strongly suggest you consider a set if you want a traction tire, even over the M55. I think they offer better ride, balance, and traction with few if any compromises compared to the M55. They are more civilized and quieter than a BFG M/T. The two sets I've owned have always balanced very well with little wheel weight and I've had them on a few different vehicles and wheels. I sold my 285 Toyo M/Ts to the guy that bought my Jeep but I still have the 265/75R16 set, and they are currently on my F350 with no wheel weight added, as my Centramatic balancers are up to the task of keeping these balanced. The only possible negative I have found with the Toyo M/T is that since they are so stout, they have a stiff sidewall and can ride a little firm depending on your ride preferences (meaning they are an E-load-range tire, and the sidewalls are stiffer than the average E-range tire). I tend to prefer a softer ride and more flexible sidewall but I also don't over-inflate my tires, only inflating to the required psi for the load. The tough sidewalls seem to help keep the beads seated, I have had my Toyo MTs down to 8-9 PSI without bead-locks (they actually need to be at much lower pressure than other tires because they are so stiff).

What are your thoughts on the Toyo M55 ?

How is the sound down the highway?

 

[Desertdude]

Thanks for that info.

 

[p1michaud]

Tires tires and more tires...

For people looking at these Cooper ST treads or other 255/85R16 tires this side-by-side comparison may help with their decisions.

Redline,
Excellent pictures and information! Great addition to the forum. You are indeed a tire junkie my friend!

Cheers :beer:,
P

 

[Redline]

Thanks Pierre :26_7_2:

Redline,
Excellent pictures and information! Great addition to the forum. You are indeed a tire junkie my friend!

Cheers :beer:,
P

 

[olympiccop2002]

I put a set of the Cooper ST tires (265/75r16) on my Montero about 1000 miles ago. I love them! They replaced a set of Firestone Destination LE. The noise is noticeable but I would rate it on par with the BFG A/T that I had on my truck. If you are going slow enough in traffic you can feel every void but at speed you just get a mild hum. My Wife told me the other day that she feels safe driving the Montero on the icy streets and that she was glad I bought them! I couldn't believe it! We live in Minnesota and the tires behave really well on ice and in the snow. No trail reports yet but I have an ice fishing trip planned in a few weeks so I should see how they do in deeper snow on the lakes.

Bjorn

 

[Desertdude]

Tires installed last night. I found an interesting place here in CA, kind of a cross between a chop shop and midnight tire sales... The owner was super cool and was very interested in the Tacoma, my travels and talking about Land Rovers. There were people coming in and out cash flying and about 8 guys working at once. I was in and out in less than 25 minutes.

I really like the ride with these Coopers, smooth ride and much quieter than the BFG's (at least to my ears.)

The Tacoma is once again very happy :wings:

 

[Redline]

Yep, the smoothness of my Cooper STs (well balanced) really impressed me too. Possibly one of the best riding tires I have right now. Glad you were able to buy a set out on the road. Looking forward to hearing how your traction and wear are with the STs.

James

Tires installed last night. I found an interesting place here in CA, kind of a cross between a chop shop and midnight tire sales... The owner was super cool and was very interested in the Tacoma, my travels and talking about Land Rovers. There were people coming in and out cash flying and about 8 guys working at once. I was in and out in less than 25 minutes.

I really like the ride with these Coopers, smooth ride and much quieter than the BFG's (at least to my ears.)

The Tacoma is once again very happy :wings:

 

[Jacket]

This is a great thread! Redline - I appreciate the detailed analysis. Since most of the tires you are analyzing are new or nearly new, it will be interesting to see how they wear over the next year or two as you put some mileage on them. Hopefully you'll keep these tires long enough to provide a long term analysis.

 

[dnellans]

I've had mine on an '04 tacoma for a few thousand miles now and am quite happy with them. I would say they are equiv or better than the BFG AT at everything on dirt except for ice. I've had several days of driving on ice both on the dirtroad i live on as well as blackice on pavement and they are noticably worse with lateral grip than the BFG AT's were. i'm guessing this is due to less siping than the AT had as well as less contact area. stopping straight forward on ice they might be a little worse but not enough to complain, its the side to side that is noticable. I don't think the road noise is noticably different than the old BFG's but passing power is certainly reduced at highway speeds due to the diameter difference.

Here are bunch of photos to contribute to info. '04 tacoma with 2.5 lift, old tires for comparison are bfg AT 265/75 R16