all-terrain tires; BFG vs Cooper

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
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Even if my run-down truck only lasts another week, I still need tires a.s.a.p., as in an Emergency.

My size is 31x10.5r15. Most miles are highway, but 4WD is critical on a regular basis. Deep mud, sharp rocks, snow and ice, steep mountain climbs, and clay as slippery as wet snot.

I've always run with BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A and I've been happy overall, especially with the desert mesquite-resistant sidewalls. But I've always admired the Cooper tires, particularly the Discover ST. The local tire shop offered a competitive quote for a set (actually slightly less than the BFG) and I'm tempted to give them a try.

Anyone have experience with the Cooper Discover ST?
Anyone have any pros/cons between the Cooper and the BFG?

Any input is appreciated,
-Bob
 
I have always had good service from the Coopers.

However, they have been having problems with many of their SUV/truck tires that are being made in China.

I have used a set of the Goodrich tires and they did not last as long as the Coopers. They seemed to wear out quite a bit quicker.

Both worked well in desert, cactus, rock, snow, and mud conditions-good traction and the sidewalls held up to severe conditions in this area. I can be pretty hard on off road tires.
 
Can't help with the Coopers, but I run the same BF Goodrich tires as you on my truck and they have been great. I don't think I'd change unless I was sure I was getting something better or something good for a lot cheaper.
 
I've used the BFG's for many miles and have some experience with the Coopers. I'd be fine with the Coopers, but if they are only 'slightly less' than the Goodrich's, I'd go with the Goodrich's in a heartbeat. Good for general off road use, tends to be long wearing and I think it has one of the tougher sidewalls for a class c rating.
Good luck, Craig
 
Stick with the BFG AT-ko tire - it can't really be beat for an all round, decent off the beaten track tire.
 
I had the BFG's on my Landcruiser and loved them, good in the snow too... I'ld buy them again anytime. My Dodge had Goodyear's and I didn't care for them at all...
 
Thanks for the thoughts. I probably will go with the BFGs again.

Something just irritated me though... shopping around online I found the BFGs for $20 cheaper per tire at Sams Club, so a savings of $80 over the local WalMart or tire shop prices. Of course it costs me $100 in gas to drive up there. :mad:

BFG All Terrain T/A
local tire shop: $159
Big-O Tires: $175
Wal Mart: $147
Sams Club 90 miles away: $125.

And it's a special-order tire size at all three places!! :rolleyes:

Other tire prices:
Yokohama Geolander AT, at Big-O Tires, $122
Cooper Discoverer ST, at local tire shop: $151

Oh Well, gotta go to Pew-Town (Pueblo) for screen doors and bathroom tile anyway...

-Bob
 
I think you're probably making a good decision, Bob. I've run BFG ATs exclusively on my Bronco and then F-250 for 15 years now. All of my offroading is either in the desert or on the forest roads and truck trails of the Sierra Nevadas. In all that time I've never- knock on wood- had a sidewall puncture of any kind. I've also had them run reliably for quite a while with damage that was downright scary when I finally discovered it.

That all having been said, two weeks ago I had four Cooper Discoverer ATRs installed on my truck and I have to admit that I've been happy thus far. To make a long story short, I ended up with these because I finally ditched my stock 16" rims for some new Weld 17" wheels. The manager of the tire shop threw in the nearly new Coopers for nothing in the deal. I haven't done any offroading with them yet, so I can't comment in that regard. I've also noted that in the size tire I run (315s), the Coopers are almost $50 cheaper per tire. Still, when these wear out, I plan to go back to the BFGs, this time with the proper "E" load rating.
 
I'd go with the best price since the truck may not last anyway. That price for Cooper seems awful high though. I sell Hankook tires and looked up my wholesale price on the RF04 and it's $80.78 to my dealers. 31x1050R-15 is not that popular, anymore.

I honestly don't think you can get a bad tire, it's just how fussy you are or brand conscience.

http://www.hankooktireusa.com/product/tire_detail.asp?pid=14

Win
 
Thanks for the input. I just ordered the BFG All Terrrain T/A from SamsClub.com. I would have liked to try the Coopers, had they been priced competitively.

-Bob
 
A BFG AT fell apart (literally) on me on a trail a week after it was installed by a professional tire guy. Goodrich reimbursed me for all five tires including installation, upgraded them to 33's from 31's and gave me a nifty t-shirt and hat.

Obviously an attempt to cover a manufacturing or design flaw but BFG handled it decently and I'll be buying another set from them when these wear out.
 
Watch the load ratings comparing tire to tire. I bought 6 ply rated (D) for my Cherokee, rotate them with every oil change, and they are doing fine.

I also am keeping an ear to the ground on other brands, the Bridgestones are highly appreciated and priced competitivly in this market. But the A/T KO's are a pretty good all around 4WD tire, and BFG has good service.
 
Just an update, and to say THANKS for all the suggestions. I did buy the BFGs at Sam's Club. Had a bit of trouble there though. Tires that size were listed at the website as Special Order. So I ordered four, and after three weeks only a single tire had been delivered. Then I find out it's not a Special Order and that store keeps them in stock always...

The good news, the tires' prices were even lower than advertised. $113/tire so the total bill came to $530 including all taxes and fees. That's $400 lower than Big-O and $100 lower than the local tire shop.

Thanks again. I love this forum section...

-Bob
 
JUST PUT A SET OF BFG'S ON MY DODGE 315 70 17 (HUMMER TIRES) AFTER 4 TRIPS BACK TO DEALER 3 NEW TIRES TOTAL OF 7 TIRES REPLACED COULDN'T GET THEM TO BALANCE .TOTALY FRUSTRATED DROVE TO GOODYEAR DEALER HAD THEM TAKE OFF THE BFG'S INSTALL SAME SIZE WRANGLER AT'S.PERFECT.BTW I HAD 31 BFGS ON TRUCK AND WENT TO 33.5
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