Wildpeak MTs or Cooper ST-MAXX? Daily driver, weekend warrior

Hey everyone,

So I know this is comparing apples to oranges, but I'm hoping with a few details, you guys can help me make a decision.

I currently have Wildpeaks AT3ws in 265/75R16s that I really like, but I want 33s

This is my daily driver, however when I go off roading, I love mud and water, which is why I wanted the MTs

However, I found a pretty good deal on some used ST MAXXes, which is weighing heavily on my mind.

Mileage and wear take a backseat to performance both on and off road, in wet, dry and snow. I also do not care about road sound. I've heard the Coopers pull a lot on the highway, and that MTs have come a long way in daily driveability. Honestly if the ST MAXXes were not the price they are, I probably wouldn't even consider them, but I know they are highly regarded, and it feels like such a good bargain since I am already in the market for a 255.

What would you all go with? For arguments sake let's say they are the same price. I am mainly looking for traction off road, mainly mud, but also not a shitty road feel. I enjoy my AT3ws on the street, for what it's worth. Thanks everyone!

 

You in the northeast?

The Maxx’s are not for that kind of snow. They’ll do fine in big deep stuff but not icy winters. I’ve got them here in MN and I run winters for half the year. In that case you’d be way better off with the wildpeaks.

 

I am, and we're supposed to get 12-24 inches tonight... Even with Wildpeak MTs you think would be better? I know the AT3ws are snowflake rated or whatever, but wasn't sure the MTs were

 

My truck is not my DD and I run mud terrains on it. There's no way I could run MT's if I had to drive this thing everywhere, way too noisy. Plus MT's tend to wear down faster.

I've had the maxx before and they are AWESOME. They do great in everything I've thrown at it for what they are (somewhere between an AT and MT). They last a long time and have excellent road manners as well. If my truck was my DD and I still wanted it to get down off road, there's no doubt in my mind I'd have the maxx on there.

 

Damnit, just when I thought I had settled on the MTs... The reviews are showing that the Coopers are not great in icy weather, possibly because they are so stiff to avoid punctures. You're down south a bit right?

I'm not concerned about wear or noise, but getting through snow is a big one for me

 

I used to live in MD and we got some snow. I've also wheeled plenty up in PA in the wintertime. I've also run multiple types of MT's in snowy weather. Nothing crazy, but ranging from icy/wet/slush/tiny bit of snow up to ~5" deep snow offroad. The only time I noticed any difference was in the deep stuff offroad. The MT's did a bit better, but that's to be expected.

edit: you think you may not care about noise, but that shit gets old, fast. Plus having to replace a MT twice as frequent as the maxx would add up. People regularly report 60k+ out of the maxx.

 

I literally check out with DTD on the MTs, until I realized they don't offer 255s and in my haste I bought 235s... I got too excited about the $750 after taxes, certificates, etc.

I'll look more into the Coopers, thank you. I'm new to this and to be honest, my ego thinks it would be cool to daily big loud mud tires, but you're probably right that it will get old, fast.

 

I’ll chime in tonight. I have experience with the falkens

 

How do you like them? Do you daily them? If so, what size?

Thank you!

Edit: I didn't see "Tonight" I'm sorry!

 

No problem. I didn’t have time for a full response but thought I had some useful information...

first off I daily drive my truck 20k miles a year. Also an Avid weekend off-roader...

I had the falken MT101 in size 285/75r16 (so a 33 inch tire) and they were okay at best. I will say they sucked in the snow. They didn’t clean out well when in the mud, and they were terrible in the rain. They did very well in the sand though! They were loud and didn’t balance well. The good... I never got a flat, nail, puncture, or anything. I got 45k miles out of them. Probably could have gotten 50k miles if I really pushed it.

I recently changed it up and went with the falken AT3W instead (also in size 287/75r16). These seem to do better offroad and onroad. Much better in wet conditions. Much quieter. I expect the same quality out of them as I got with the MT101s. I have had them in the mud, no issues. I’ve had them on the sand, no issues. Much better rod manners. I would really call this tire a true all terrain. Seems to do well everywhere I go. I haven’t had them in the snow yet though... however we are expecting nearly 2 feet of snow tonight!! I expect to get 50k + miles out of these tires.

moral of the story, I think you’d be downgrading going from the AT3W to the MT101. I’d recommend staying with the AT3W and getting the size you prefer. Hope this helps you make your decision.

 

Oh sorry didn’t catch the MT bit....I’d say no dice on either tire then, get some real all seasons if you are only gonna do one tire

 

I do really like the AT3w, but sadly it doesn't come in a 255. I may have to do the ST Maxx since Bork you and EatSleepTacos recommends against the MT... Maybe I should just pull the trigger on a CMC and go 285.



I really appreciate your response, thank you!

 

I have the 285s without a cab mount chop and have no rubbing after some minor plastic trimming

 

I have the ST Maxx in the LT 265/75 16 10 PLY on my 2005. I have had them on there for almost 2 years and 40,000 miles. I will say they are Probably the Best tire I have ever used Next To the Old Style Big O XT which they are very close to the same tread pattern. I don't get a lot of road noise, I don't get the pull like others talk about. They are fine in the rain, Great in the mud and snow. And yes my truck is my daily driver with 217,457 miles. I can notice some wear on the tires since they were put on new but not much, I would recommend the ST Maxx.

 

Another high mileage Tacoma! I’ve got 245k miles now. I had duratracs before too and those tires were honestly just unstoppable! Loved them.

 

I had the BFG AT KO2's before the Coopers. They would never stay balanced for more then a week. Discount Tire did a warranty on them for me after some time of trying to get them to keep a balance. And I had the Coopers put on, I am glad I did. Enjoy the Nor Easter!!!!! I am from Connecticut living in the Desert now.

 

I work in Connecticut. Tomorrow’s commute will definitely take a while

 

Hartford Area? I am from Torrington over in Litchfield County.

 

Hey checkers10160, fwiw, I'm running Cooper Discoverer AT3LT 265/75R17 (Load Range E) on my 18SRDCSB and like them a lot, except they are not great in deep snow. Mostly of my driving is on road but work takes me into the woods once in a while. I was thinking of changing over to the ST Maxx because I though that they would be better in deep snow and prbly better off-road also. I woul dbe interested in finding out what you decide and how you think these tires are for our area - we are probably neighbors - I am in Mt. Kisco area but spend a lot of time in Stamford/Norwalk.

 

Yo chessss. Still feels funny to come upon a thread from a person ones knows in real life lol.
Love reading the responses, you get those ST-Maxxs yet?
Have you considered the toyo open country MT? The 255 is on the larger side more like a 265/90/16 almost I’ve heard.
Anyway cool thread, looking forward to seeing whatever tire you get sloshing in the puddles come spring!