Show off your Cooper ST Maxx

I'm deciding between the duratracs and the ST Maxx what made you want to switch

 

Currently 285/75/17 (34s) Maxxs with Icons up front and Biltein B110s in the rear

 

I know you were asking @Taco.Dan , but i'll tell you what I experienced with my Duratrac. Mine were 265 70R17 and my truck is stock.

They were noisy (I know, I know)
Slick as hell in wet asphalt
Had to rebalance more frequently than other A/T or M/T tires I've had.

 

3 inch lift I'm Guessing?

 

Very nice rig!

Bilstien 110 = 5100 ??

 

Anyone else finding they have trouble with their ST Maxx in snow this season?

Its weird, when we got our first couple of big snow falls in the mountains out here, the tires performed great...hardly any slipping or loss of traction unless I was trying to go up a really steep incline, which is expected.

But the past couple of weekends, even when doing some trails that I did 3 months ago in the same snow conditions, I've been struggling hard to go up the same hills with the same amount of snow. I even had to get strapped to the back of my buddies truck to get up one of them while he climbed up it no problem.

I can't really make sense of it other than that maybe there's more ice underneath the snow this late in the winter/early spring, or maybe these tires just aren't as good in the snow as I thought they were? My buddy that went up the hill no problem had Toyo ATs on, but he also had a 2nd gen with considerably more weight than my first gen so maybe that had something to do with it.

Just an observation I've had lately, wondering how you guys find your STMaxx in the snow?

 

You've identified the challenge - the snow is not the same. For one the early season snow you encountered right after a snow fall, likely was much less dense. Later in the season, those early snow falls have condensed, have had ice layers from temperature fluctuations, sun, and freezing cycles, and if driven on previously are now packed down into potentially very icy conditions. End result is more resistance in the depth of snow you are pushing through, and less friction available at your point of tire contact. A predictable result. Wait till you climb up a road you've gone up before, and feel yourself loose momentum and start sliding backwards downhill. Conditions will change between morning, afternoon and night.

 

I suspected that might be the case, thanks!

Yeah a couple weeks ago me and a few other guys were on an otherwise fairly simple trail, but came upon a shadowy hill climb that was still snowed over. I went first and got maybe halfway up before the tires started spinning and next thing I know I'm sliding downhill with a big drop-off to one side. Luckily I could still steer myself and managed to control it but yeah, packed/icy snow is no joke

 

Chains are the answer there. Rear wheels - V block style, Front wheels, chains are risky - you have clearance issues between the tire and UCA, and if they come loose, a lot of damage can occur. Watch your transmission temp if you have that capability, crawling in snow can be very hard on the transmission.

 

I had V bar chains for my 255/80/17, I sold them when I got 285/75/17 and bout a set of non V bar. Straight chain will work good without the risk of V bars tearing out your wheel wells lol

https://youtu.be/Pms2Kh1yGYU

 

Got a manual so don't really need to worry about the trans, but yeah I think next year I'm going to get some chains for this scenario...I have a set of "show 'em chains" (for getting through the chains checkpoint on the highway up the mountain) but they're for my older 32" KO2s, gotta get a new set to fit the Coopers

 

On the manual, the clutch takes the abuse.

 

Oh believe me I know lol

 

@TacoGoonin

 

-ish. Whatever the OME 886 springs and dakars with AAL give me. I'm usually weighed down so I don't see the full lift an empty truck would have

 

Ever noticed on the tire has holes on the outer edge? I was wondering if those are meant for Tires Stud for traction control for snow?

 

Yep


From TIRE RACK:

The Discoverer S/T Maxx is Cooper's On-/Off- Road Commercial Traction light truck tire developed for the drivers of pickup trucks, SUVs, full-size crossovers and vans looking for a tough tire that provides the traction needed to navigate the loose terrain of job sites, gravel roads and off-road use. In addition to off-road capabilities, the Discoverer S/T Maxx is designed to deliver confident paved-road performance in dry, wet and wintry conditions, including snow.

The Discoverer S/T Maxx utilizes a cut- and chip-resistance compound molded into a symmetric, hybrid four-five rib design for low pattern noise and to promote even wear. The open pattern and multiple block edges provide the clawing traction necessary when negotiating soft, uneven soil, rocks or gravel. Stone ejector ribs and the non-parallel groove walls help resist rock retention, improving longevity by preventing stone drills that may potentially damage a tire. In-block sipes create the biting edges needed for traction in wet conditions, and the high-void pattern provides ample drainage away from the footprint for hydroplaning resistance. Discoverer S/T Maxx tires are molded to accept optional #15 metal studs to enhance traction on packed snow and ice.

Cooper's Armor Tek3 construction utilizes two 90 degree radial body plies, in addition to a third body ply with an eight degree bias to help reduce gaps between sidewall body cord. Two high-strength steel belts support the tread, while the nylon reinforcement above the steel belts provide high speed durability.

 

Yes, these are studdable tires.

 

Putting 16” on next to see how I like them.

 

255/85r16 put on my 2016 today, ever so slight pull to the right. Easy to mitigate.