Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx 255/80/17 Skinnies

[alexb]

After weighing all the various tires options I got my new Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx in 255/80/17 mounted up today. Liking the skinny/pizza cutter look so far.

IMG_20140602_182857 by Alex G Burnett, on Flickr

D71_0030 by Alex G Burnett, on Flickr

D71_0016 by Alex G Burnett, on Flickr

D71_0019 by Alex G Burnett, on Flickr

D71_0023 by Alex G Burnett, on Flickr

D71_0026 by Alex G Burnett, on Flickr

D71_0032 by Alex G Burnett, on Flickr

 

[cleveland48]

Looks great! Any trimming/rubbing issues?

 

[alexb]

Looks great! Any trimming/rubbing issues?

None so far, at least I haven't noticed any. Getting an alignment this morning.

 

[LGUMA001]

Those look really good on your rig. How are they on the road?

As soon as my BFG MTs wear out, I want to switch over to an aggressive all-terrain.

 

[fo' runnin']

That looks AWESOME, Alex!!! I'm running skinnies too and love the look of them, as well as the grip!

 

[cleveland48]

How much is your speedometer off ? About what kind of hit did your mpg take? I've been wanting this tire in this size badly and they look great on your rig. I'm pretty much sold!

 

[alexb]

How much is your speedometer off ? About what kind of hit did your mpg take? I've been wanting this tire in this size badly and they look great on your rig. I'm pretty much sold!

My speedo is actually right on now, according to GPS. Before it was actually 1-2mph low before based on my phone's GPS. I'm holding off on MPG right now. I need to put some more air in the tires, maybe around 40psi, to see if it helps out a bit.

Based on the dash I've taken a 2 MPG hit just about, more than I was hoping. But I don't know how accurate the dash calculation is now. Waiting to go through a full tank of gas and calculate it at the pump.

 

[Dsr5drvr]

alexb your 4runr is cleeeaaann.... love the look of it as is man. Im in the market for tires what is the benefit if there is any to skinnies(tires,notgirls)?
Less rubbing issues?

 

[alexb]

alexb your 4runr is cleeeaaann.... love the look of it as is man. Im in the market for tires what is the benefit if there is any to skinnies(tires,notgirls)?
Less rubbing issues?

The biggest benefit to me was price. $180/tire for 255/80 compared to $250+/tire for 285/70. Less rubbing issues is another thing. And slightly less weight per tire.

 

[67GP]

alexb your 4runr is cleeeaaann.... love the look of it as is man. Im in the market for tires what is the benefit if there is any to skinnies(tires,notgirls)?
Less rubbing issues?

I am looking into this size as I believe it will do better in deep snow assuming I can find the right tread.
BTW to OP nice pictures--Dave

 

[TexasAg]

I like'em! Probably my next set...

 

[TNRunner99]

I have a buddy that had them on his Jeep and loved them. He wishes he would have gotten another set instead of stepping up to the STTs.

 

[cleveland48]

Have you tried to fit one of these in the spare location yet? Curious if it will work.

 

[alexb]

Have you tried to fit one of these in the spare location yet? Curious if it will work.

I have not, but I've heard others have with success. Eventually I'll pick another up to put there.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Have you tried to fit one of these in the spare location yet? Curious if it will work.

I have not, but I've heard others have with success. Eventually I'll pick another up to put there.

I was struggling with this too but I just fitted a Cooper ST MAXX LT255/80R17 onto the factory spare rim and location; fit just fine!

 

[alexb]

I was struggling with this too but I just fitted a Cooper ST MAXX LT255/80R17 onto the factory spare rim and location; fit just fine!

That's great news. I'll be picking one up eventually to do the same.

It seems like my MPGs have started to even out since getting these. Averaged 17.5mpg on a 2 hour trip to the lake at 75-78mph yesterday.

Another great thing about the skinnies, max stuffage and no rubbing.

 

[Desert Dawg]

That's great news. I'll be picking one up eventually to do the same.

It seems like my MPGs have started to even out since getting these. Averaged 17.5mpg on a 2 hour trip to the lake at 75-78mph yesterday.

Another great thing about the skinnies, max stuffage and no rubbing.

17.5 mpg average at that speed with the larger meats is not bad at all. Glad the new tires are working out! I really like mine too but still have another week for my first long trip and so will see how they do.

 

[alexb]

Finally got a chance to get off the pavement and test out the Coopers. Didn't get too far out there, but did get on some decently challenging terrain to test them on. First impressions they did fantastic. Most of the terrain was loose rock and some dirt that they plowed right over. The few places I got stuck momentarily then used the terrain select and diff lock and powered right on through. Did a few water crossing that felt solid as can be, one area the depth was just up to the rocker panels. This was all at 40psi, I imagine the grip will be even that much better aired down on the Coopers.

Enjoy some pics

And Tucker enjoying a nice dip in the river

 

[Desert Fox]

I canweigh in on a user test report.

I installed a set prior to the FJ Summit in Ouray.

The 2 trails that tested the tires are Black Bear Pass and Poughkeepsie Gulch. Both trails are similar but very different.

Black Bear Pass is a high, steep narrow trail on loose shale rock. Not so much as far as rock obstacles but a lot of loose stuff.

Poughkeepsie Gulch is rock from the start to the finish. Loose rock, rock obstacles, wet rock, dry rock moving rock and more rock. The mail trail is paver size rocks with water runner the rocks.

Tire pressure on Black Bear Pass was 22 pounds. No side wall flex was noticed.
The tires held extremely well. This trail seemed to me to be a very easy trail. The Coopers had to have something to do with that. I had no concerns on the tires holding the trail on all that loose shale.

Tire pressure on Poughkeepsie was 18 pounds. No side wall flex was noticed. I think I could have gone down to maybe 12 pounds with no problem.

The Coopers performed excellent again. Slipping rocks on the trail was hardly noticed. Obstacles on the trail were traversed with ease and some were challenging to all vehicles.

Climbing the wall. I did not approach the wall at the optimal line and I dropped my passenger rear tire into a hole. This caused some loss of traction and some spinning both front and rear occurred. After placing some well positioned rocks under the front tires the wall was traversed with ease.

Post trail run check. There is a small amount of cutting on the top tread but very small amount and given the tire slashing environment that Poughkeepsie Gulch is I consider this nothing. No sign of damage to the side walls.

No mud trails and not enough snow to comment on.

Wet pavement traction was excellent. At 70- 80 the tires seemed to float a little but I do not think these tires are made for that speed. Coming back over Monarch Pass the tires cornered well and held the road well but I did feel a little untrusting going top speed around tight curves.


The only negative I have for these tires is getting them balanced. It took 3 times of balancing to get them correct. They are fine now but I did have to request a Road Force balance.

I purchased the tires from Discount Tires. Discount is great to work with at all levels.

Bottom line.

For off-roading I have run Goodyear Duratrack, Silent Armors, Pro Comp AT tires and Hankook Dynapro. Out of the group the Goodyear Silent Armors and Copper ST Maxx are equal in my perspective.

Before buying the Coopers I had the Hankook Dynapros with 80% tread life left. I did not need to change tires but I wanted to try out the Coopers on the trails in Ouray and I wanted the tire warranty that Discount Tires provides.

I am happy with changing out the Dynapros to Coopers.

 

[Desert Dawg]

[MENTION=78909]alexb[/MENTION] and [MENTION=73242]Desert Fox[/MENTION]; great updates, thanks! I can't wait to try mine out!