road noise: toyo mt, bfg km2, cooper st?

[themorb]

Looking at 255/85R16 tires to complete my flareless rig. Not many choices... Truck will see 90% highway, 10% gravel...

Had my heart set on Toyo M-55, but I borrowed a buddy's set and they whine real loud like a semi. Not cool for road trips.

So looks like my only real options are:

-Toyo MT
-BFG KM2
-Cooper ST

Unfortunately these are all pretty much mud tires, so my question is... based on EXPERIENCE, can anyone tell me which is the quietest on pavement? I've read lots of reviews on each tire, but what I'm looking for is somebody who can say "I have X, my buddy has Y, and his are quieter."

I would prefer AT or even all-seasons, but I cannot find them in a skinny 33 for a 16 inch wheel. I need to retain 16's to fit over my brakes, I want skinny so they don't stick out since my truck is flareless, and to save on fuel, and I want 33s both for the clearance and the rubber overdrive since my H151 has a pretty low 5th gear.

 

[george_tlc]

I have cooper STT (not ST) on my patrol in oz. They are quiet and don't whine. Of course in a old diesel patrol anything louder than the engine would likely be a low flying jet about to plow into the back of your head

cheers,
george.

 

[Roc Doc]

I had KM2's on my 80 and they made less noise than the Goodyear Duratracs I have now, and my buddy that is a tire junkie runs the Toyo's even though they are noisy. I run ATKO's on my F250 and they are real quiet. If you step up to a 285/75 there are a bunch more choices and they're only about 1.5" wider than the 255's.

If you've got your heart set on the 255's I don't think you can go wrong with the KM2's.

 

[80t0ylc]

.............Had my heart set on Toyo M-55, but I borrowed a buddy's set and they whine real loud like a semi. Not cool for road trips.

So looks like my only real options are:

-Toyo MT
-BFG KM2
-Cooper ST

Unfortunately these are all pretty much mud tires, so my question is... based on EXPERIENCE, can anyone tell me which is the quietest on pavement? I've read lots of reviews on each tire, but what I'm looking for is somebody who can say "I have X, my buddy has Y, and his are quieter."........

Sounds like low road noise is pretty high on your priority list. You get all kinds of reviews and opinions about noise - even opposite opinions on the same tire. So I think it's mainly a personal perception or threshhold as to what is acceptible. I run M55's on two of my rigs and don't mind the noise a bit, compared to other M/T tires that I've had.

I did some reading and research and could not conclude any real clues to base how you should choose a tire for quietness other than the obvious which is: usually the more agressive the tread - the louder it will be at speed on hard surfaces. Then, in a forum that was discussing the subject of tire noise, a post mentioned that the stiffer and shorter the sidewall, the louder the tire noise would result. It makes sense when you think about it. The M55s have a very stout sidewall and also have a E load rating. I recalled my other noisy tires also had the E rating. So I think there maybe some truth to it. It's food for thought and worth kicking around for opinions.
Correction to Load range above originally read 'D' but is 'E' and is now corrected.

 

[SHREDwagon]

I have 255 MT's on my flairless 81. They've been really quiet over the last 15k kms. Same volume as Duratrac's.

If you're interested, here's the pro's I've observed so far:
Great traction in all conditions, including wet rock
Aired down to 20 psi front, 30 rear - conform very well for a load E and float well in sand
Aired up to 40 psi front, 50 psi rear - great sidewall stiffness when cornering loaded at 6700 lbs
Not harsh riding at all for a load E
Larger dia (33.5") than other 255 options
Tripple ply steel belt - good luck trying to puncture these
Have not tested them in snow yet, but no doubt they'll perform with factory siping and soft durometer rubber

Cons:
Price - not worth it for DD
Wear - again, not worth it for DD
Weight? Well, the heavier the tire - the more rubber and steel and the longer they'll survive
The 255 tire profile does not, by aspect ratio, lend itself well to being aired down past 15 psi if you have a heavier rig like an 80. Feels more tippy compared to a 315. But they did great in Moab at 20 psi

In summary, best tire I've ever ran and perfectly suited for a heavy 80.

I'd recommend these for anyone who can't afford a flat and can afford the best. Otherwise they're just not worth it. The KM2's and Coopers are a bargain. I believe the Coopers are a direct rip-off of the Toyo's (?)- yet cheaper.

Good luck choosing - took me awhile.

 

[ranchero7]

a new option

Just heard from Les at the Cooper factory this morning. I had asked about ST/MAXX availability he replied "...the LT255/85R16 size will be available in the November to December 2013 time frame. Thanks, Les"

 

[themorb]

Now THAT is some great news! I will totally wait for those!

Just heard from Les at the Cooper factory this morning. I had asked about ST/MAXX availability he replied "...the LT255/85R16 size will be available in the November to December 2013 time frame. Thanks, Les"

 

[themorb]

Just heard from Les at the Cooper factory this morning. I had asked about ST/MAXX availability he replied "...the LT255/85R16 size will be available in the November to December 2013 time frame. Thanks, Les"

Emailed Cooper about availability in Canada... Here is their reply:

"That size in the S/Tmaxx should be available in the last part of the first quarter in 2014."

Guess I'll have to keep waiting a few more months...

 

[nukegoat]

I have km2s. For a mud terrain, they are not bad. They are certainly noisier than the ATs I had prior.

 

[kybishop]

Old thread but... I have Cooper STs in 255 85 16s and I like them alright. They were pretty quiet when I got them but hum pretty good down the road now with some miles on them. Do very well off road and have done well in snow.