New Tire Advice: BFG KM3 or Cooper ST Maxx

2017 TRD OR 4x4. Current tires are BFG All Terrain 265/75/16. 80% of my driving is on pavement. The terrain for off road driving varies. It includes dirt roads, rock crawling, washes, gravel, some water crossings and mud and some soft sand.

My next set of tires will be 255/85/16. I have narrowed my selection to two brands. They are the BFG Mud Terrain KM3 and Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx. I want a 3-ply sidewall.

I have searched TW and read the various forum posts regarding these tires and the 255/85/16 tire size. I have also read other online forums and watched several YouTube videos.

What I am looking for is input from TW members who have first hand experience with either tire.

Thanks in advance...........................

 

@Boston10Taco you have the KM3's correct

 

I had the ST Maxx in a 255 before my Cooper MTPs and I loved them. Great road manners, did well off road. Only downside is weight (due to the armortek 3 sidewall or whatever)

It is an all around good AT tire and if I didnt want to go bigger, I'd still have that set.

Edit: A few of the guys I wheel with have (or have had) the st maxx in a 255 and I havent heard any complaints.

 

I have the maxx and have really liked them. Fyi I think the km3 is a little larger and will probably rub a bit more. I think the maxx is a more rounded tire with the km3 better in mud.

 

you don't hear many complaints regarding the STMaxx, great great tires. i have run them range E for 2 sets but am on AT3'S now due to all my highway use. the only minor compromise in STMaxx performance for me was wet weather traction on tarmac. but i hear other tires are worse and these were not bad. i would buy again if i wasn't like 97% highway.

 

ST Maxx

 

Almost 25K on mine. deep sand, rock, road, dirt, snow, still love them in 33 skinny.

 

There really is no tire like the St Maxx on the market. I have done everything from rock crawling to lurching through mud. It really is a tire that does it all. They also work great in snow, a bonus for me in the NE.

The only downside, as already said, is the weight.

 

I’ll vote ST Maxx....I’ve got 255/85/16s on my truck and they’re great. Most of my driving is highway too

Whatever little you’ll be giving up in off-road capability by going with the ST Maxx over the KM3s you’ll more than make up for on-road.

Edit: hey OP, add a poll at the top!

 

Thank you everyone! Your input is greatly appreciated.

I will be going with the ST Maxx.........................

 

Good choice. You will notice the weight and larger tire when driving but I think it is less compared to the 33 wide tires.

 

FWIW I wheel 255's with 4.10 gears and a 2.7L+5-speed manual. I can keep it movin' no problem. The only issue is on larger rocks/boulders. My clutch ain't happy. Sooner or later I will upgrade gears.

I imagine you are a 6 cyl auto. You'll be fine with 255s. The only combo I would not use with the 255s (without a regear) is a 4cyl auto.

 

I did consider the weight issue.

My current BFG AT's weigh in at 54 pounds. The ST Maxx is slightly heavier at 58 pounds per tire.

I don't plan on doing any regearing in the near future, so I will just adapt to the added weight of these tires. And I will appreciate the added ground clearance. My truck is also lifted, Bilstein 6112/5160 and an add a leaf.

 

The only thing you need to worry about then is clearing the UCA. On 2nd gens 4.5 to 4.75 backspacing on the wheels is perfect. Not sure about the third gen, although I imagine its the same.

 

Yes, mine is the 6 cyl with AT.

 

That'll be fine for 255s! You mau notice your tranny behaving a little different, but you'll be golden

 

According to TW posts I have read, there should not be an issue with the UCA's. I have the stock UCA's but am planning on replacing them. There are a couple reports of minor rubbing on the front mud flaps.

 

I love my KM3’s! I have them on my FJ and Taco. FJ is 35”s and Taco is 285 75/16. Ride great, off road great (rocky, sand, OHV PARKS, highway) pretty quiet for MT also.

 

I have run KM2's on a couple different vehicles. I see that the KM3's are a much improved tire.

 

I have both