Cooper ST Maxx

[WiscoTundra]

Don't know how many of you run them but anyone looking for tires I will highly recommend them. I've been using them on my Tundra and 4Runner for about a year and they hold up very well. Quiet on road and aired downed off road they are amazing. Last month had the 4Runner in CO, UT, ID, WY and tore up some tread and took a chunk out of the sidewall where a lesser tire would have failed. I guess I just wanted to let anyone looking for tires where to look. And don't be scared of the E rating they flex in the sidewall more than my buddies D rated AT3 in the same size. I run 275/70/17

 

[Fishpilot]

Any miles in the rain, how about packed snow/slush? Good to hear the new tires are working out for you.

 

[LandCruiser]

Any miles in the rain, how about packed snow/slush? Good to hear the new tires are working out for you.

I'm guessing "mediocre to bad" based on the tread pattern and laughable siping.

 

[High_Country]

I've had no problems in the rain and driven through a lot of it earlier this year with those tires. They seemed just fine in the snow we had early in the year as well. I felt they were more sure-footed than the stock AT20's in rain and snow (which is a little counter-intuitive given the siping that's on the AT-20's and lack thereof on the ST maxx's as [MENTION=92049]LandCruiser[/MENTION] mentioned).

 

[WiscoTundra]

I've had no issues with them in rain or deep snow. If you get into the piles of slush on the side of the road they tend to slide a little but I'd attribute that more to the width than the tread pattern. I run a 275 on the 4Runner and 295 on my Tundra. But getting going in any condition is no problem they dig in and clean out extremely quick. Only issue I have had is the annoying sound of a rock tapping away on the pavement as you drive. This happens quite often and they usually come out when you hit 60, which if you've ever heard a rock get thrown into the bottom of the vehicle at that speed it definitely scares you the first time.

 

[GU4runner]

I've had no issues with them in rain or deep snow. If you get into the piles of slush on the side of the road they tend to slide a little but I'd attribute that more to the width than the tread pattern. I run a 275 on the 4Runner and 295 on my Tundra. But getting going in any condition is no problem they dig in and clean out extremely quick. Only issue I have had is the annoying sound of a rock tapping away on the pavement as you drive. This happens quite often and they usually come out when you hit 60, which if you've ever heard a rock get thrown into the bottom of the vehicle at that speed it definitely scares you the first time.

These are exactly the tires that I've been holding out for. Waiting to see if some kind of deal comes out to cut cost. Trying to keep the budget low so I can get a lift at the same time. Thanks for the info.

 

[BigredTEX]

I've been running them for 9 months, replacing a set of KM2's, and my son has been running them for 18 months. They are the best compromise tire I've found, leaning more toward off road use, all things considered. E rated, so they are heavy, but they are tough and will hold up to just about anything. Traction is great on and off road and in the rain. Living in Dallas there's not many opportunities to try them in snow. Much quieter than a more aggressive, dedicated off road tire, but they perform as well in anything but a swamp while giving much better street performance. Unless someone comes out with a miracle tire in the next couple of years at the same price point (say value) I will be replacing them with an identical set.

 

[SouthernSS]

I agree, these tires are great. Been running them on my GX for a few months now and I am very impressed. Quiet,quiet on road, excellent off road. I have much more confidence in these tires in the rain and standing water than the STT's I've got on my 4runner.

 

[c4k30rd34th]

I got them as well(pizza cutter 255/80/17) and absolutely loved them on my recent trip. I was very impressed with the traction it got as I did the beginning of Alpine Loop(Mineral Creek Trail) in the rain. I didnt even air down because I wasnt having a single traction problem.

 

[Okki]

Anyone who has run both the ST Maxx and the APT? I'm on the ATP now and like them a lot, but was looking at the ST Maxx for my next set of tires.

The ATP has been great on both rain and snow, although they did get a bit worse after the first year, but still very capable and no concerns. The decline was expected with regular wear and tear. I've been running the Discoverer ATP LT265/70R17 since April 2012 and would recommend them without issue.

Okki

 

[Bad_Influence]

Curious to know if anybody has these tires and elected to go with an aftermarket siping job, and if so, how did they perform in icy and packed snow, and did they chip and wear ok with the aftermarket siping job?

My buddy runs these tires, he loves them, however he did mention they are not good in packed snow, no surprise there. Another thing he said about them, which was already mentioned is that they are magnets for rocks, he said he is always picking rocks out of them as he has cracked at least 2 windshields of cars that were driving behind him on the highway. (he has 285/70r17's on a chevy silverado) He had duractracs before this set and mentioned that he hears 3 times as many rocks flinging into the wheel wells as he did with the duratracs.

I want to get these, but only if a good sipe job doesn't offset the performance and the wear too substantially.

thanks for any feedback!

 

[alexb]

About 20K on mine now. They are great but have their flaws. Offroad performance is pretty outstanding, especially when aired down. I made it through Alpine Loop and Imogene last month without a hitch and rode pretty nice.

Now the flaws. On road performance is great and noise was very quite for a while. At 20K miles now though they definitely have a whine to them and have started cupping on the outsides. I run around 40PSI and rotate every 5K. Also have had the alignment checked regularly. I'm going to start rotating more often to see if it helps the cupping.

All 4 tires are off the charts in remaining tread depth and have balanced well so I am slightly disappointed in the cupping and noise already. I realize this can be an issue though with such an aggressive tread pattern and having 99.5% of their mileage be on city streets and highways.

 

[RedMagik]

I've had no issues with them in rain or deep snow. If you get into the piles of slush on the side of the road they tend to slide a little but I'd attribute that more to the width than the tread pattern. I run a 275 on the 4Runner and 295 on my Tundra. But getting going in any condition is no problem they dig in and clean out extremely quick. Only issue I have had is the annoying sound of a rock tapping away on the pavement as you drive. This happens quite often and they usually come out when you hit 60, which if you've ever heard a rock get thrown into the bottom of the vehicle at that speed it definitely scares you the first time.

How about ice? That is my biggest concern, I'd like these but after everything I've heard/read on the KO2s they may be the best all year round tire for where I'm at.

 

[nevetsvsx]

Anyone who has run both the ST Maxx and the APT? I'm on the ATP now and like them a lot, but was looking at the ST Maxx for my next set of tires.

The ATP has been great on both rain and snow, although they did get a bit worse after the first year, but still very capable and no concerns. The decline was expected with regular wear and tear. I've been running the Discoverer ATP LT265/70R17 since April 2012 and would recommend them without issue.

Okki

I had ATPs on my Tundra, AT3s on the 4runner when I got it last may and last October I put the St maxx's on the 4runner and I love them! ATPs and AT3s do well Offroad and pretty good on road and I'd say the on road manners (including rain) of the St maxx is on par with them. Off road the St maxx blows the atp and at3 out of the water in my opinion! I recently tried them aired down and they stick to dry stuff very well (rocks and dirt) and expel mud fairly well. They are not a mud tire obviously, so don't expect them to be and you won't be surprised in that arena. They also stand up to rough terrain without flinching since their 10ply. Also, the side lugs definitely help dig into dirt walls when needed of road and. Lastly, road noise is about the same to ever so slightly louder than the ATP or AT3s.

If you're considering them I'd highly recommend them!! Definitely the best all terrain tire I've owned.

P.S. I've got 20k+ miles on them and (much like the AT3s and ATPs) they have hardly warn down. I assume they are the same silica based compound so I'm expecting 50k from them even though they don't carry that warranty.

 

[Stick4R]

About 20K on mine now. They are great but have their flaws. Offroad performance is pretty outstanding, especially when aired down. I made it through Alpine Loop and Imogene last month without a hitch and rode pretty nice.

Now the flaws. On road performance is great and noise was very quite for a while. At 20K miles now though they definitely have a whine to them and have started cupping on the outsides. I run around 40PSI and rotate every 5K. Also have had the alignment checked regularly. I'm going to start rotating more often to see if it helps the cupping.

All 4 tires are off the charts in remaining tread depth and have balanced well so I am slightly disappointed in the cupping and noise already. I realize this can be an issue though with such an aggressive tread pattern and having 99.5% of their mileage be on city streets and highways.

I know this is an old post, but i have noticed these tires cupping as well and have been trying to find out if this is a common issue for these tires. Tire shop (Big O) trying to tell me the shocks were failing and resulting in the cupping. I'm not convinced, its a new 4runner with only 30k miles. Other than the cupping I still love these tires. Is anyone else having cupping issues perhaps due to the tire design?

 

[mteolus]

The ST Maxx looks like a hybrid to me, half AT and half MT. I think cupping would be difficult to stop no matter what, that just the nature of MT's.

One thing for sure, they are strong tires. Here is a YouTube video showing how strong they really are.

 

[Kuduhunter]

Cooper ST MAXX

I had the Coopers on my 99 4runner and they were not good in the packed snow and ice plus had load range E so was heavy. Moved them to my F150 and put some BIG O AT on the 99 4runner and does better in the snow. Going to pull them off the F150 and replace with Duratracs and sell the Coopers for the reasons above just not enough siping for my style of driving here in the CO Winters. Good otherwise on trail and road but not snow and ice.
Have Falken Wildpeaks on my 17 4Runner so just now getting some snow to try them out.