Tires tires tires

[BMH95]

Well I hit a hunk of steel today, and blew up one of my rear tires. So it's time for new ones. My tire guy is working me on a set of Cooper Discoverer STT tires in 285/70/R17 with a ply rating of D, a load factor the same as the stock Rugged Trails, and a weight rating of 3195.



He's telling me that everyone gets into arguments over play rating vs. weight rating, and they should be worried about the "load factor". He says these tires are the same as the BFG Rugged Trails that came from the factory. Should I listen?

 

[JFlagg]

Not sure about the load factor deal, but I know a few guys with those same tires on there 3500's and they all love 'em. I would have a set if they made 35's that fit on 17" wheels!

 

[mberry]

It's my understanding that it's not even so much the weight rating. It has to do with sidewall flex and the subsequent stability while towing/hauling heavy loads. It's your truck and your money though. It's not worth the risk to me. Just my opinion.

 

[RustyJC]

Even if the load rating of a larger D-rated tire is the same or higher, you'll likely find that there's noticeably more sidewall flex - this is something you definitely don't want if you're towing.



Rusty

 

[Strick69]

If the weight rating was the only concern then why would manufactures worry about making E and D rated tires??

 

[Grizzly]

I think he's trying to sell you what he has, not what you need. Stay with what came on your truck, "E" rated.

 

[Heavyweight]

I second and third the "E" rated tire.

 

[Regcabguy]

Say no to "D"s

I fourth and fifth that motion. I had a blowout with "D" rated Bridgestones with a load rating of 3305/tire. $3300 damage in maybe 15 seconds. Luckily AAA covered the damage. I'm running Toyo "E"s now.

 

[SKing]

Cooper is starting to have a blow out problem like firestone did. I would check into this before you buy. From what I have read, you couldn't pay me to put cooper or any of there off name tires on my truck. Cooper also makes futura and master craft tire brands. They do not weave the tire tread to the side wall. It is glued and under load or hot temps they are separating.

 

[nauidvr1]

I fourth and fifth that motion. I had a blowout with "D" rated Bridgestones with a load rating of 3305/tire. $3300 damage in maybe 15 seconds. Luckily AAA covered the damage. I'm running Toyo "E"s now.

BajaBob,

I just ordered a set of the Toyo Open Country AT's (285/70/17 E rated) due to arrive tomorrow - is this what you have? How do you like them so far? How's the ride, handling, etc... . ??? when compared to the stock BFG Rugged Trails... .....

 

[RKerner]

Not sure about the load factor deal, but I know a few guys with those same tires on there 3500's and they all love 'em. I would have a set if they made 35's that fit on 17" wheels!

My buddy with a Ferd has them on his SD smoker. I had to yank him around in the snow at IP this christmas with my AT KO's. It didn't appear that the ST's are much of a snow type tire.

 

[Regcabguy]

Toyo AT's

BajaBob,

I just ordered a set of the Toyo Open Country AT's (285/70/17 E rated) due to arrive tomorrow - is this what you have? How do you like them so far? How's the ride, handling, etc... . ??? when compared to the stock BFG Rugged Trails... .....

Super quiet,stable ride even at 65psi. Balanced up with minimal weight. I changed from BFG's to Toyo m-55's on my '99 and night and day difference. I'm sold on Toyos. I do wish they were not made in China. My truck weighs 8650# with the popup.

 

[RHestand]

I had set of Cooper Tires installed while traveling out of state. By the time I got back home (2000 Mi. ) the vibration was so bad above 50 I could'nt stand it. I took it to a Cooper dealer. He said they were slightly out of round and he would fix them by grinding them back to round,which removed about 25% of my tread. That helped some, but still was'nt right.

After another 6 or 7000 Mi. the tread de-lam. in the Az. dessert (110 degres) and that was the end of my ***. with Cooper Tires.

I did promise myself I would tell this story to anyone interested in Cooper Tires.

This was several years ago but, the burn is still in me.





RHestand

 

[CumminsBu]

I'm in the same boat I think I'm going to go with some Hanhooks.

 

[daytripper63]

Say no to "D"s

Yeah, E 's are nicer :-laf

 

[Bertram65]

BajaBob,

I just ordered a set of the Toyo Open Country AT's (285/70/17 E rated) due to arrive tomorrow - is this what you have? How do you like them so far? How's the ride, handling, etc... . ??? when compared to the stock BFG Rugged Trails... .....

I have the Toyo 285/70/17 Open Country AT load range E tires, they have been great. Much better than the stock bfg rugged trails. I balanced them with Dyna beads, 8oz per tire, worked very well for me.

Where did you order them? I used www.tiredeals4less.com best price I could find by a long shot.

 

[Edgemann55]

Another thumbs up for the Toyo 285/10/17 AT E rated tires. I replaced the slip and slid Michilens that came with the truck at 25,000 miles. I have put 10,000 miles on the Toyo's and they have been great. Stick well in the ice and snow,ride quiet with a very stable ride. Plus at the wear rate so far I should see 60,000 miles out of them. I am sold on Toyo's.

 

[BMH95]

So what's interesting, is that the STT in 285 D is shown as the same duty rating as the STT 265 E. (on Cooper's spec sheet)

 

[RustyJC]

So what's interesting, is that the STT in 285 D is shown as the same duty rating as the STT 265 E. (on Cooper's spec sheet)

As was mentioned earlier, a larger D can have a load capacity (measured in pounds) as much or more than a smaller E. That's what you're seeing. There are other factors than load capacity to consider, however - such as sidewall flex.



Rusty

 

[BMH95]

Right, but there is a separate rating number. I'll get the table:



The number/letter column is called "Service Description". It supposedly has to do with what the tires are designed to handle (according to Cooper).



Discoverer STT 33X12. 50R17LT 114 Q 0 D OWL 8. 5 - 11 10 12. 54 32. 76 9. 8 2600 20. 5

Discoverer STT 35X12. 50R17LT 119 Q 0 D OWL 8. 5 - 11 10 12. 67 34. 76 9. 8 3000 20. 5

Discoverer STT 37X12. 50R17LT 124 P 0 D BLK 8. 5 - 11 8. 5 13. 1 36. 9 10 3525 23

Discoverer STT LT245/70R17 119 Q 0 E BLK 6. 5 - 8 7 9. 6 30. 7 7. 6 3000 18

Discoverer STT LT265/70R17 121 Q 0 E OWL 7 - 9 8 10. 8 31. 9 8. 25 3195 18

Discoverer STT LT285/70R17 121 Q 0 D OWL 7. 5 - 9. 5 8. 5 11. 5 33 8. 85 3195 18