Tire width and contact patch: BFG vs. Cooper

badfnz · November 19, 2011

I've been looking for some 275/60/20 for my OEM GMC 20" rims. I know everyone here recommends the Cooper LTZ, but I've never owned Coopers but have had good experiences w/ BFGs on my Camaro.

On Discount Tire Direct, I was comparing the LTZ to the newish BFG Rugged Terrain. Both get great reviews. One thing that caught my eye was it appears the LTZ has a much larger contact patch due to the sidewall design versus the BFG. So I'm wondering if anyone knows whether or not the LTZ will appear wider than the BFG once they are mounted and have weight on them. In theory, with equal rim width and air pressure, the contact patch should be the same, but the design has thrown me off a bit. I'm not looking for recommendations on which tire is best, I'd just like any info on the widths given the sidewall design.

Cooper vs. BFG

I realize that the pics may not be the same tire size so don't compare the size, just the design.

mattcrawford512 · November 19, 2011

First according to the cooper website the ltz doesn't come in 60 only 275/65/20 and 305/55/20 with the 275 being 10.8 section width and the 305 being 12.44 on a 8" wide rim. The BF does come in your size and the section width is 11 on a 8 inch rim. If you are looking for looks both look great with the ltz winning out slightly for a more sporty look. If you are looking for a longer wearing tire I think the BFG will get you more miles from the research I have done. I just put on a set of cooper discoverer at3's and I picked them for there 55k warranty and felt they had a good look also. And yes the picture is not going to be a good comparing tool because size is size pretty much but check out the specs on both manufactures pages to see actual dimensions.

Knowklew · November 19, 2011

Just to clarify....the Copper Zeon LTZ does in fact come in 275/60/20

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tires/cooper/product/submitProductSize.do?r=ILCINT%7Cpc%7C60103&pc=27497

However, I think that when mounted the tires will both look "normal" and you can't let the pictures they took fool you.

mattcrawford512 · November 19, 2011

I stand corrected. There are 2 different categories on the cooper website for LTZ's one for LT and one for sport utility and the 60's show up under sport utility not LT and LT was where I looked. Thanks for the clarification.

Carder09 · November 20, 2011

I stand corrected. There are 2 different categories on the cooper website for LTZ's one for LT and one for sport utility and the 60's show up under sport utility not LT and LT was where I looked. Thanks for the clarification.

That 94 sure is clean. Nice truck. Always liked the way the short bed single cabs looked.

badfnz · November 22, 2011

Just FYI, I went by Discount Tire yesterday and looked at both of these tires in 275/60/20. The Cooper had a far wider contact patch. It looked a solid inch wider at a minimum. The tread design of the BFG looked more conservative and more oriented for street use, whereas the Cooper was more aggressive and was a good balance between on and off road. I think I'll be going with the Cooper.

mhenshaw · November 22, 2011

Just FYI, I went by Discount Tire yesterday and looked at both of these tires in 275/60/20. The Cooper had a far wider contact patch. It looked a solid inch wider at a minimum. The tread design of the BFG looked more conservative and more oriented for street use, whereas the Cooper was more aggressive and was a good balance between on and off road. I think I'll be going with the Cooper.

Good choice those BFG look like street tires to me when mounted up.

aharper00 · December 1, 2011

Not sure if you've yet committed, but steer clear (pun intended) of the Coopers. I heard great things about them and love the tread design. I just got a set installed on my Avalanche and they whine much more than any other tire I've owned. I used to have the BFG AT KO's on a Suburban and loved them. I also have a set of GY DuraTrac's on my wife's Jeep that I love. If you can get either of them I'd give them a nod long before the Cooper (if you drive on the highway at all). I'm having the Coopers replaced on Saturday with some Goodyear tires.

xGMCx · December 1, 2011

Odd...I just got a set of Cooper Zeon LTZ's (285/70r17), and they are stealth quiet. It's actually strange just how quiet they really are.

To each their own I guess.

mhenshaw · December 1, 2011

Mine have a little whine but no where close to mud tires. Maybe his truck wasn't aligned properly and wore the tires wrong. I have heard car tires whine from never being rotated or aligned.

badfnz · December 3, 2011

My Coopers are slightly louder than my stock Goodyears, but they should be considering the tread design. No complaints so far.

Fallz · December 4, 2011

Is the LTZ Zeons considered an AT tire ??

I have been looking at the AT3's . I have never had Coopers , but we put a set on my mom's SUV and my dad's SUV and they are so happy with them . Although they have the all season tires .

JMann2380 · December 4, 2011

I just got a set of the Coopers installed in my Denali and LOVE them. They look awesome and are quiet for me. Great price too through a local shop, $900 installed.