255/80R17.. NOT Just BFG Anymore

[TOY2G]

They are not avail online at the moment, but they do exist. Cooper makes an AT (ST MAXX) in the 255-80-17 now. They are load range E just like the BFG, but they are an AT not a mud.

Even though they are not avail on the website, you can visit your local DT and order a set as we speak.

FYI...16s also avail

:bluejump:

 

[TOY2G]

Just got a set for my 2013..... Working on a set for our new build on the TE

 

[thegreatdivorce]

That's awesome news. Any reports on them yet?

 

[TOY2G]

That's awesome news. Any reports on them yet?

Yea, I have to report they are killing me.

I have a stack of 5 in my garage and a stack of 5 at my shop, one of the trucks is in TX and won't get the tires until it gets here, and one of the trucks just got new Coopers 10 months ago.

I want to put them on my 2013 BAD, but it would be a waste, I will have them on my TE soon enough, and then I will throw a set on my SR5 at the end of the summer.

 

[thegreatdivorce]

Yea, I have to report they are killing me.

I have a stack of 5 in my garage and a stack of 5 at my shop, one of the trucks is in TX and won't get the tires until it gets here, and one of the trucks just got new Coopers 10 months ago.

I want to put them on my 2013 BAD, but it would be a waste, I will have them on my TE soon enough, and then I will throw a set on my SR5 at the end of the summer.

If you need me to take 4 off your hands, just lemme know. I'm guessing their on-road manners are a little better than the KM2's. Stupid ... wish I hadn't just bought these little 265/70 Terra Grapplers like 20k ago.

 

[Desert Fox]

How do these compare to Goodrich Silent Armor?
My concerns are on ice and snow and sidewall protection against rocks.

I have never owned Cooper tires before.

I know Goodyear has discontinued the Silent Armor but I use those as a bench mark because I know their performance.

 

[TOY2G]

How do these compare to Goodrich Silent Armor?
My concerns are on ice and snow and sidewall protection against rocks.

I have never owned Cooper tires before.

I know Goodyear has discontinued the Silent Armor but I use those as a bench mark because I know their performance.

Cooper uses "armor tech" on the STT, I ran them on my black 4th gen. The sidewalk protection was more than remarkable, I ran the silent armor in my Jeep Rubicon and I liked them, I guess I would have to say the only real difrence bet between the two that I noticed is the traction on wet road after about 20-25k. The Coopers still held very well (likely due to the higher silica compound) my Goodyears started to get a little Harry once the wore down to about 60%, there was a 900lbs weight difrence also, but it was night and day on wet roads.

 

[Desert Fox]

How do they do on ice?

 

[TOY2G]

How do they do on ice?

Have not driven them on ice yet, I just got them and its spring, so time will tell. the Cooper STT did great on ice especially for a mud tire. My Cooper Disco ATs have been driving all Ohio winter on ice and the lateral stability is way better than my Toyos before them. Not sure exactly how, but the lateral friction coefficient must be higher. I can tell you however, the Cooper AT that is currently on my 2013 does not like snow. Slush is fine, ice is fine, but for some reason (I'm guessing because the snow packs the voids) they don't grip well at low speed in the snow, my traction control was always correcting something when i would drive on fresh snow.

 

[LGUMA001]

I just looked at Cooper's website to see the specs. Diameter wise, these seem to run quite a bit smaller than the BFG KM2s (32.8" vs 33.3").
Hell... if they run that small, I might actually be able to squeeze these under my rig.

 

[TOY2G]

I just looked at Cooper's website to see the specs. Diameter wise, these seem to run quite a bit smaller than the BFG KM2s (32.8" vs 33.3").
Hell... if they run that small, I might actually be able to squeeze these under my rig.

yes they do run half an inch shorter according to the size chart, however..... here is the size disclaimer for the BFG tires

>> The sizes shown are average design values for tires measured on specified measuring rim widths. Some tires may vary from this value by +/-3% of the section height (affecting overall diameter), and +/-4% of the section width.
>> Section width varies approximately 0.2" (5mm) for every 0.5" change in rim width.


give the disclaimer the BFG tire can be anywhere between 32.2" - 34.3" on any given wheel. I would be willing to bet (no amount of money) that it is not the larger size.


So is there a 1/2 inch difference in size between the two??? Are they the same size?? Are the Coopers bigger?

:shrug:

 

[LGUMA001]

That disclaimer sure does give BFG a lot of leeway for size variation.

Either way, if I can fit these on my rig without running wheel spacers, I might actually consider them. They look like a good alternative to the Duratracs.

 

[Desert Fox]

I am getting close to pulling the trigger on these.

I am trying to decide between the 255 80 17 and 285 70 17

On Coopers web site they show the 255 as a 32.8 and the 285 as a 32.99.

That is not much difference in size.

The 255 is more appealing to me but I am concerned about how Cooper tires run to their size specs. Goodyear's for example seem to run a bit larger than spec size.

My other concern is the width. Will going to a narrower tire give me trouble on trails?

I normally air down to about 20 PSI.

What do you all think?

 

[MyHigh]

I could be wrong but doesn't the difference in size relate to every tire you buy?
It all depends on I how wide a rim you have, right?
A narrow rim will cause the tire to bulge at the sidewall therefore decreasing the overall height. A wider rim will cause the sidewall to be straighter (less bulge) therefore cause the overall height to be taller.

Right? Or did I miss something?

Yes most manufactures have varying heights for said sizes

 

[MyHigh]

@ DesertFox

I just read your "sig" for your posts, very classy man I like it!!
Thank you for your service sir!

 

[Desert Fox]

I could be wrong but doesn't the difference in size relate to every tire you buy?
It all depends on I how wide a rim you have, right?
A narrow rim will cause the tire to bulge at the sidewall therefore decreasing the overall height. A wider rim will cause the sidewall to be straighter (less bulge) therefore cause the overall height to be taller.

Right? Or did I miss something?

Yes most manufactures have varying heights for said sizes

That is a good point I have not considered. So there should be more height on a narrow tire using that logic.



You are welcome, serving in the Marines was one of my better decisions.

 

[MyHigh]

Kinda sorta.....let's for example look at the spec sheet on tire rack. They will give a rim width range that's safe to mount the tire on. If you match the rim width with the tire width you will achieve a more squared look meaning the tire does not bulge on the sidewalls but rather look flat. When you get the bulge on the sidewalls you lose overall height of the tire.

Portal expedition website does a good writeup on the benefits of skinny tires. Many adventure travelers like skinny tires on their rigs.

 

[TOY2G]

Took her out today to test out the fit of the new 255s I put on. Turns out, it will stuff all the way (no sway bar) and still clear.

Exact dimensions coming tomorrow or Wed. We will have an exact comparison for the 285 vs the 255 on the exact same wheel.

 

[TOY2G]

I was able to get some free time today to do a true apples to apples comparison between the 285 and 255.

I used a straight edge, wall and concrete floor to take the measurements, and i did every measurement at least twice to be sure it was as accurate as it can be in the event someone uses this information to make a decision.

First I measured the 285-70-17



Then I took the tire off



Then I measured the 255-80-17 in the exact same way




here is what we have.

Overall diameter:
285 = 32 13/16"
255 = 33 5/16"

Tread width:
285 = 9 1/2"
255 = 9 1/16"

Overall width (at widest point in sidewall):
285 = 11 9/16"
255 = 10 3/4"

All measurements done in the exact spot, at exactly 30psi.
wheel used 2013 FJ/T4R TE 8 Hole wheel 17x7.5.

Hope this clear up a few things and give someone looking for actual numbers vs chart numbers.


BTW, if you are wondering what the bottom mark is.... that the 285-70-17 with no air and no wheel (my take offs) with 50% tread

 

[Desert Fox]

Thank you very much for going to the trouble to do this. I owe you a cold one in Ouray next month.