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Cooper Discoverer Stronghold AT

I ran the Cooper S/T Maxx during the winters on our 2016 Ram Power Wagon. Those tires became rock hard in our cold and entirely loss the grip on snow. Horrible in winter. Strongholds are 3PMSF rated, whereas, the S/T Maxx aren't. Hopefully, it's a different rubber compound for cold temperatures. We loss a 4x4 Jeep into a tree in Gunnison, CO with a new driver. Had brand new BFG KO2's 3PMSF rated on it. Those tires had the same issue of turning into hockey pucks with tire grip.

I'm happy with not sliding around on our Toyo C/T's. The very long tread life longevity while towing with both our 2024 Ram 3500 and our PW is really their outstanding feature. Just doesn't come in a 285 75R18 size. 3PMSF rated with outstanding grip in cold winter conditions.
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Bull Creek said:
I ran the Cooper S/T Maxx during the winters on our 2016 Ram Power Wagon. Those tires became rock hard in our cold and entirely lost the grip on snow. Horrible in winter. Strongholds are 3PMSF rated, whereas, the S/T Maxx aren't. Hopefully, it's a different rubber compound for cold temperatures. We loss a 4x4 Jeep into a tree in Gunnison, CO with a new driver. Had brand new BFG KO2's 3PMSF rated on it. Those tires had the same issue of turning into hockey pucks with tire grip.

I'm happy with not sliding around on our Toyo C/T's. The very long tread life longevity while towing with both our 2024 Ram 3500 and our PW is really their outstanding feature. Just doesn't come in a 285 75R18 size.
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Even in the heat of summer S/T Maxx’s are hockey puck hard. I hated my first set in winter, but tried a second set just for elk hunting due to their durability, but I’m still not happy. Even studded they are horrible on ice. They likely will get sold this summer and something else will go on the 18” wheels for hunting season.
 
AH64ID said:
Even in the heat of summer S/T Maxx’s are hockey puck hard. I hated my first set in winter, but tried a second set just for elk hunting due to their durability, but I’m still not happy. Even studded they are horrible on ice. They likely will get sold this summer and something else will go on the 18” wheels for hunting season.
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I liked the treads on them but I ended up adding sipes for the winter as they were brutal on ice. What a game changer with 2 sipes per lug
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
I liked the treads on them but I ended up adding sipes for the winter as they were brutal on ice. What a game changer with 2 sipes per lug
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I bet, my problem is that with sipes and the hard compound they’d chunk off in one or two trips up the mountain at elk camp.
 
AH64ID said:
I bet, my problem is that with sipes and the hard compound they’d chunk off in one or two trips up the mountain at elk camp.
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I did not have any big chunking issues and they were used hard offroad with rocky terrain.
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
I did not have any big chunking issues and they were used hard offroad with rocky terrain.
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Mine already chunk off big time, more than most tires but the roads are brutal, so it’s just an assumption of what I’ve seen those roads do to other tires that are siped vs non-siped.
 
AH64ID said:
Mine already chunk off big time, more than most tires but the roads are brutal, so it’s just an assumption of what I’ve seen those roads do to other tires that are siped vs non-siped.
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Could also be the weight difference as mine were on a jeep not a one ton pickup lol
 
RiverRunner1775 said:
Got the tires installed today and put about 25 wet miles on them. It’s gonna take a bit for me to adjust to them visually coming from the Rugged Trek, especially white letters out (still not so sure about that decision ). My main reason for swapping to an AT from an RT was for improved ride quality on road. Initial impressions: Smoother and softer ride compared to the Rugged’s. I know some of that is due to the age of the Rugged’s vs these. Also the 295s being slightly taller allows for a little more sidewall flex. Nothing drastic but definitely noticeable and an on road improvement. Also the less aggressive tread seems to offer a slightly smoother ride. Wet traction seems good, I wouldn’t call it great yet until I’ve had a chance to put more miles on them in wet conditions. However definitely an improvement vs my worn out tires. Lastly noise, From 0-60 not much really. When you get around 65+ you start to notice a hum. I wouldn’t called it MT loud but it’s pretty noticeable. It’s not a deal breaker for me, I’d say they are a tad less noisy than the Rugged’s.View attachment 81067View attachment 81068
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I second the noise deal, they start to talk a bit on the free-way. I personally like it, its nothing you cant have a conversation over or listen to music. But its there!

The Wet road performance thus far has been 100%!
 
RiverRunner1775 said:
Got the tires installed today and put about 25 wet miles on them. It’s gonna take a bit for me to adjust to them visually coming from the Rugged Trek, especially white letters out (still not so sure about that decision ). My main reason for swapping to an AT from an RT was for improved ride quality on road. Initial impressions: Smoother and softer ride compared to the Rugged’s. I know some of that is due to the age of the Rugged’s vs these. Also the 295s being slightly taller allows for a little more sidewall flex. Nothing drastic but definitely noticeable and an on road improvement. Also the less aggressive tread seems to offer a slightly smoother ride. Wet traction seems good, I wouldn’t call it great yet until I’ve had a chance to put more miles on them in wet conditions. However definitely an improvement vs my worn out tires. Lastly noise, From 0-60 not much really. When you get around 65+ you start to notice a hum. I wouldn’t called it MT loud but it’s pretty noticeable. It’s not a deal breaker for me, I’d say they are a tad less noisy than the Rugged’s.View attachment 81067View attachment 81068
Click to expand...
Any updates on them? They are significantly cheaper than any other tire right now and I'm leaning towards giving cooper one more chance.
 
Just an update for these Cooper Discover Strongholds. I had 285/75R18 installed yesterday they are rated at 4080LBS per tire which is nice. We are getting lots of freezing rain right now so I had to test them of course. I am really impressed with the traction on snow and ice, did a moderate braking test from 50MPH on these ice pellet covered roads and it was really good no ABS kicking on and no sliding. Time will tell how these last/ handle the abuse I put them through but so far so good.
 
Nothing fancy but here they are. I adjusted the speedo with Ez-Lynk. Tires were at 55psi after install which was too much I dropped them to 44F/35R “unloaded” and its pretty good. I say unloaded but the truck still has the old tires and 365lbs 5th wheel hitch in the box
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