Cooper ST Maxx or BF Goodrich T/A KO2

ok thanks, My truck came with 16 that's why I was asking

 

Mine did too, but this size 17’s are “stock”.

 

Kinda baffled by the overwhelming support for st maxx over ko2. I’ve never run a st maxx, so I know nothing about them. They look fantastic, but here in the Pacific Northwest, I care about how they’re gonna handle in torrential downpour with 50-70mph winds. Most of the info I’ve found on both on sellers sites completely give the edge to the Ko2’s as well, so do most of you folks not get a lot of rainfall where you are?

 

The rim size will not throw off your speedometer, but the total diameter of the tire will.

 

Shoot, I really wish someone would do that test with a Ko2 also.
From what I can gather based on what I see at most overland type shows, Cooper and BFG are the most commonly found tires in use on peoples vehicles that come to the show.

I've had great luck with a set of Ko2s on my last truck but I also never abused them...
I thought they did pretty well overall and were decent in snow.

Side note, as this is the only tool I have to measure a Ko2, Andrew White (big BFG guy) did the Canning Stock in AU and didn't have any issues .
I also know BFGs are in some of the baja 1000 races and do pretty well...but I have yet to sadly come across a decent puncture test like that video.

 

We get some pretty nasty down pours here in ohio and I have never had an issue with the st maxx. They seem to handle water rather well. Those ratings for the st. Maxx look like a joke Compared to the ko2. Almost look likes they get some money from BFG. I mean come on, ko2 has a “good” rating in ice? Only studded tires should have anything close to a good rating on ice. Definitely not any plain old all terrain tire. I can assure you the ST Maxx’s are legit.

 

Had 2 sets of Ko2s on my 04 before my STMaxx. I prefer the STMaxx over the KO2s by a long shot.

As far as offroad performance I can't really say which is better, they both do great. But both sets of Ko2s chunked up like no ones business especially on the rockier terrain. The STmaxx don't chunk up at all. Had to ditch both sets of BFGs while they still had plenty of deep tread left because of all the little chunks and pieces that would break off of the tread.

 

Well Ive had both and the ST Maxx were better year around than pretty much every other tire Ive had, except maybe the Cooper XLT. They make good tires. Ridge Grapplers were great too, but Cooper edged them out in my opinion. Coopers were a bit more comfortable and less noisy. I have nothing good to say about the KO2s, I personally would avoid them here, I had a lot of wet traction issues with them.

 

Really odd considering the Maxx is stud-able too, whereas the KO2 is not.

 

Agreed

Currently deciding on ST Maxx’s or XLTs for my next tire.

X2 on BFG. Both trucks ive owned had BFGs when purchased, one KO2s, the current taco had rugged fails on it and all were replaced rather quick. Okay-ish off-road traction couldn’t make up for terrible wet traction.

 

I’ve had no issues with the KO2 in the rain here in BC, one of the best all round all terrain tires. The ST Maxx is a tire I’ll try at some point.
The Aussie 4wd guys tested the KO2 vs the KM2 and on the mud test they made it just as far as the KM2, took more work but they completed the run.
The guys run Goodyear MTRs and other tires so it’s not a BF fan club.

 

Appreciate everyone’s opinions...
I’m gonna give the coopers a go in the next few weeks.

 

If youre going to off road more than say just service roads Id go with the ST Maxx, otherwise, the XLTs are a better on road daily driver tire.

 

I used to run BFG exclusively on 2 previous Taco's. The traction in the rain was marginal to ok, the snow traction sucked. Went with 255 ST Maxx in load range E after they came out. Traction in the rain is better and now I have snow traction too. I was so impressed with the Coopers I put a set on my GX470 too. Unless Cooper wrecks the tire or BFG steps up their game, I'm a Cooper buyer from now on.

 

Oh nice, that's a decent test.

I'm kind of bummed there aren't more comparisons/test done that way.
I feel like generally I have a hard time gauging things based on peoples personal experiences as one can't express the feel of a tire super well...

Worth adding to the thread in general, I have a build requirement of 33" tires no wider then 10.5"s on a 16" or 17" wheel.
So far, this is what I have below on the sizing I was able to track down.
--- 235/85 R16 (SKINNY)
BFG KO2 255/75R17 (32" x 10")
BFG KO2 LT 34X10.50R17 (33.5" x 10.6) 255/85R16 (32.8" x 10.2")
Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx 255/80R17 (32.8" x 10.2") 255/85 R16 (33.1" x 10")

---

Due to the sizing I may end up personally going with Cooper even though they are heavier for their size.

 

I like seeing tires being used/reviewed in the bush, if someone can be unbiased.
You might want to check out the Kendals Klever RT in 33 x 10.5 x 17 if you have 17 inch wheels.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-33”-tire-option-and-might-avoid-cmc.628703/

 

Im pretty certain the Coopers are more popular in Australia than they are here, lol. At least it seems that way.

If tread width matters pay attention to the wheel width. The wider the wheel the wider the measured tire width will be. My 255/80r17 ST Maxx measured 10.5 on an 8.5" wheel. They were as wide as my 275 KO2s, KO2s run small.

 

Any pics of your truck from the front ? thinking about trying 255s, I have 285s in my garage waiting to get mounted.

 

With the 255 Maxxs?