Cooper S/T Maxx Real Reviews

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A

aboisvert

10 Year 15 Year
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Location
South Berwick, Maine
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www.sullivansquarefitness.com
So I'm interested in getting these tires in a few months when I need some new ones for my 80. Seeing that they are new design, I thought others may also be interested in real, live MUD reviews.

After doing some searching I have found a few threads with references to the S/T Maxx, but I would like this one to be ONLY about the Maxx.

Remember, this is not about the older S/T or the STT, or anything thing else! Please, don't say you had STT and loved them unless you have also had the Maxx and can do a real comparison! Also, keep the heresay about a friend of your brother's neighbor hating them to a minimum.

Let's have reviews from people who have driven the tires, and if they can do a comparison that would be great!

Vehicle, miles driven, performance on certain terrains, road noise, all etc would be great. PICS (with lift & tire size info) is even better.

I contacted a person who sold his recently, and with his generous permission I will add his review to the next post.

Thanks to all in advance for some information and photos.
 
Cooper Maxx

Originally Posted by no-pistons
Hi. I really loved the ST-Maxx tires. Only reason I sold them was I got a free set of Toyos from a contest I won, otherwise I would still be running them.

They are a good inbetween mud and all terrain tire. Noise level was much lower than my new Toyo MT tires. I also used the tires in pretty much all conditions; sand, rocks, mud, and snow. They performed great in everything. Lots of my off-roading was on razor sharp California rocks and I never experienced any problems other than very minor chunking, but I honestly think alot of that can be blamed on the 100 series very short travel which causes the tires to always lift and spin over rough terrain. They are extremely tough and I was always supprised that I never experienced any failures after all the things I threw at it.

I would definitely recommend them if you are looking for more off road traction than an AT tire, but something much quieter than a MT tire.
 
Here is a picture of them in 285/75R16- when they were brand new...
aimimg_f.webp
 
I had the opportunity to test the Cooper ST-Maxx earlier this summer at the Cooper Tire test facility in Texas. I was impressed with them...we did a wet-climb test on a 30 degree slope (ie: garage floor smooth) and our test vehicles were able to stop on that steep surface and re-start without spinning.

I only wish their size offering was larger, or I'd have a set of 315's on my FZJ80.
 
I have had them for a year and they are he best tire I have had. Snow, rocks, and rain. They are predictable in all and seem to be wearing well with 10k on them.

TOUGH SIDEWALLS
80 snow 3.webp
80 snow 7.webp
LC 3.3.webp
 
Now this is the review I have been looking for. I have read lots about these tires but didn't find any definitive reviews on their performance. Wish they came in a 15" but looks like I will save my pennies for some 16" steelies and these when I do my lift.

Keep the reviews coming.
 
aboisvert said:
Awesome. I have been waiting months for more reviews. Any comments about road noise when compared to any other tires you may have had?
Click to expand...

The ST Maxx was much quieter than the Toyo MT tires I'm currently running.
 
I'll chime in. I just put a set of these on my 100 last week; size 285/75r16. I came from a set of Cooper STs that I got over 40k out of, despite picking the set up used. I was impressed with Cooper and liked the Maxx, so I went with them.

In just over a week, I've put nearly 2,000 miles on the tires. Much of it highway miles as I took the 100 back to Portland for Christmas. Though I've seen plenty of city driving, dirt and lots of snow and ice. It's also of note is that I syped the center tread blocks for improved ice and hard snow traction.

In short, I'm really impressed with these tires. I mean, really really impressed. I had waffled for nearly two months between these and the DuraTracs.

Some initial observations:
- These things are much quieter than the worn out STs I replaced. Noticeably quieter. I like that.
- I love the looks of these tires. I was worried that I'd lose a bit in the steeze department. Quite the opposite really. (And let's be honest, there are some vanity in tire choices. :D)
- The STs I came from were Load Range D and the ST Maxx are E. It is noticeable. They feel more substantial and less ballon-like. It is a marked improvement.
- The steering response is improved as is bumps and vibrations. Though some of that could be due to the fact that the tire shop recommended these at 35psi. I think the front could use a few more pounds, while the rear seem to be good at 35. (I don't have my third row seats in.)
- The Maxx is heavy. Remarkably so, in fact. It was very apparent in both acceleration and in braking. Steering is enough to notice, but I like a bit of steering resistance; it reminds me of my days driving my FJ40. :cool:
- The weight definitely contributed to a noticeable loss in fuel economy. Now to be fair, I was running a ski rack with three pairs of skis and a loaded rig. I also have an incredible knack for finding gas stations with 10% or even E85 fuel. My Cruiser hates any ethanol. That might contribute to this. However, I typically get about 330 miles out of tank, give or take. I was seeing as low as 250 miles in a tank. On the way back yesterday, economy continued to improve as I think the ECU adjusted shift points and timing to compensate for the increased rotating mass.
- In snow and ice - my primary deciding factor in buying tires - these things were absolutely incredible. The STs were quite good but these were just flat out excellent. I suspect the syping has a lot to do with this. In the PNWet, not a slip, shudder or slide. Rock solid. Deep snow was also terrific, but that's to be expected due to the voids and tread depth.
- Back here in Montana, the ice was no match and still isn't. In typical driving around Bozeman in spots where I knew I would slip if I stabbed the gas or took a corner a bit too fast, the Maxx was excellent; no slipping or sliding.

I'll continue to update this as I see it relevant. Overall, I'm exceptionally happy with these tires so far. Holler with questions.

BTW, at what pressure is everyone running their Maxxs?
 
So what is the weight of your S/T MAXX? I have been reading about them and really like what I see and the tread design for my stock FJ60 but I am concerned about the weight increase truly killing my gas mileage.
 
They won't kill your gas mileage, I but it will noticeably impact it. I haven't weighed them, but I recall reading somewhere that in my size, and they tip the scale at over 60 pounds, but I don't remember where I read that.

Nonetheless, they have been a terrific tire and have vastly improved the ride over the Load Range D S/Ts I was previously running.
 
gregnash said:
So what is the weight of your S/T MAXX? I have been reading about them and really like what I see and the tread design for my stock FJ60 but I am concerned about the weight increase truly killing my gas mileage.
Click to expand...
Cooper does not publish the tire weights - SHAME on them!. But you can email with a question and they will give you the bad news.

cooperinfo@coopertire.com

Cooper truck tires are frigging heavy. I wish they could make them 10% lighter and still be so awesomely tough....

The S/T Maxx tires sound great - I would like the off-pavement toughness of the STT but with better road manners.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA
 
Yeah I read something similar that a guys 265/75r16s we something like 64lbs a piece!!!! :eek:
For me in my old 2F currently using stock, crappy tires they would kill my gas mileage (along with the fact that new rims would be needed).
 
Just got notification from Cooper that they are now making 3 different 15" size tires.
They are making the 31x10.5x15, 33x12.5x15, and 35x12.5x15.
The first two have just been released to the market with the 35" being released late in the 1Q. So far the only place I have found them sold is on Tirecrawler.com and the 31s are $153/ea. however any Cooper dealer should be able to get a hold of them. I called my local Big-O and they quoted me $200 plus shipping so will be about $70 cheaper a tire through Tirecrawler, going to do some more calling around today.
 
Okay okay, my turn.

I sell tires for a living, and yes I can get you some too :D

Anyway, the new Maxx is about as heavy a tire for its size on the market, and to be honest its almost like an all steel tire (in weight)

The biggest drawback is price and weight, I also dont like the lack of sizes avail, but hey, thats American production, take it or leave it.

I have sold in the last year maybe 15 sets, all are happy customers with zero complaints.

I have also sold countless DuraTracs and have little to none complaints, if they do complain its the road noise.

I currently have a set of STTs and my next set will be 100% DuraTrac, sorry folks but the cooper is too expensive and heavy. Dont get me wrong, I like the tire but not that much.

HTH
 
I was told that the 31s weighed in at 48# which does not seem all that heavy to me comparitively. Am I wrong in that assumption? And the price seem right along with most ATs (BFGs TAs cost about that in my neck of the woods).
 
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