Toyo or Coopers?

Here's the setup...

Non-lifted, 2012 Tacoma, double cab, long-bed. I have 16" wheels on the way from FN Wheels and getting ready for a two week off road, highway trip this summer. The trip will involve several days off 'off roading' across rocky terrain, but nothing where I'll need sliders, not doing any rock climbing, etc.

I've been eyeing the Cooper ST MaXX and the Toyo Open Country AT/II in LT 265/75/16. There are a few concerns about a load E rated tire such as the MaXX. Very heavy tire, 'hard to balance' and might be too big to fit without rubbing around the front end of the truck.

So...looking for feedback on either of these two tires or another anyone would recommend. The Toyo's I'm looking into are load range C, but one of the local deals states he can't get them. "Four ply or 10 ply are more popular...can't get load range C that's in a 6 ply." All that is Greek to me.

12Tac

 

Usage?

Those Coopers are about the heaviest AT tire you can get. They're heavier than KO2's - and that's sayin' something. But they're also bombproof and and have great performance. Unless you have demanding offroad needs, I'd go with the C rated Toyo's.

Toyo AT/II's are very highly rated in their own right. Really can't go wrong.

 

ST Maxx will prob be better choice, less chance of any punctures...
So I vote the ST MAXX ....

 

I couldn't deside between the same two myself, went with the toyo at2s 285/70/17. Putting them on this weekend! 50k warranty and ratings is what did it for me but either way think you'd be content.
Post pics when you pull the trigger.

 

So a local Toyo dealer is telling me they no longer make them in load range C, only in the 10 ply E range. I find that a bit odd.

 

There's plenty at Tread Depot.

 

Just an fyi, I couldn't find this anywhere on the 'net but emailed Toyo for the weight of the Open Country A/T II LT265/75/16 LRC (C load). They told me 48.2lbs per tire.

I ended up going with the KO2 instead although my last set were Open Country A/T originals and they were the best tires I'd had to that point.

 

If you don't mind please post some pictures when you get them on.

12Tac

 

I first went with the Goodyear Duratracs and took them back for the Cooper STmax. I went with the 275/70/17 285 rub just to much for me.

There is a long thread on here for the STmaxx so check it out. Also a lot of great reviews online on this tire. I did consider the Toyos but at the time the tire I wanted was difficult to find and I didn't want a tire that would be hard to get if there was a tire failure. With that said I have not really had a chance to run the through anything yet but the few times I did I liked them. Balancing was and has not been an issue for me. Road hum is minimal.

The negatives are yes they are heavy and MPG will go down a bit, but I was fine with this trade off due to how tough of a tire they are and the fact I drive this truck only 300 miles a month. I wanted a tire that would hold up and I could be confident in even if it is only 1 or 2 times a year I get out.

Hope my .02 helps

 

Im a toyo guy however out of those two id pick the St max..

I got the newish Toyo RT you should check them out

 

I sub'd this thread because I've also been considering the AT2, ST Maxx, and Toyo R/T. Josh828, how do you like the R/T's? Specifically how loud are they and how do they do in the snow (if you've had them in the snow yet)?

 

My main concerns with a heavier tire is loss of power and increase breaking distance. That get's right to the driveability of the truck. I don't drive much either, and along with the trend in gas prices, MPG is the least of my worries.

It's hard finding a nice off-road tire under 50 lbs. These Hankooks I'm using now are P rated, and about 39 lbs. They're mediocre at best. Those ST Maxx's are pushing 60 lbs (in the sizes I'm looking at). They're damn tempting though.

 

I have the same concerns so I'm likely to go with the Toyos. However, my local tire guy has vanished like a fart in the wind over these Toyos. I don't know if they are that hard to get or not, but I find it strange this guy was eager to sell me anything I wanted until I mentioned the Toyos. In fact, he won't provide a detailed quote (TPMS sensors, balance and mount, etc.).

 

Toyo FTW. I have four LT265/75R16 Toyo Open Country A/TII in stock in my warehouse right now. My Toyo supplier has plenty of stock of the load range E and the load range C.

 

Thanks for the info. I may end up just ordering them myself then finding an installer. This is nuts.

 

I love my Toyo Open Country AT/II but I came from the Dueler AT. The performance offroad is awesome for not being a MT and damn near no road noise. I am partial due to not having tried the Coopers though FWIW. I picked mine up at the local Les Schwab if you have those down there.

 

I just checked my 2015 Toyo product book and they still make the 6ply. That tire may or may not phase out in 2016. It isn't a popular tire. We sell WAY more 10 ply's and 4 ply's. I haven't received the 2016 Toyo product book yet.

 

Thank you for the suggestion. We do have a Les Schwab in one of the cities close to me. I'll give them a call.

12Tac

 

if you ever get off the road i'd go with the coopers, have a look at the toyo's from 10ft away and you would swear they belonged on a car. the at 2 extreme are a little more aggressive if they come in the size you want and might be a better road tire. i ran the st maxx on my f150 reg cab 4x4 for a yr and loved them until the truck was sold.

 

Why no Discoverer AT3?