Grrr... shredded sidewall

[codemonkey]

Well ok, not shredded, but punctured in a few places. I was doing Top of the World near Moab this morning (alone, no spotter - I know, believe me I know - bad idea) and caught a protruding rock on my right front tire/wheel. Tire is punctured in two places on the sidewall, wheel lip has several chunks taken out of it. I got my spare on OK and got out without problems, believe me I won't be going alone like that again.

I'm running Cooper Zeon LTZ's and was wondering if anything out there is known for better sidewall strength. I think the Nitto has 10 plys or something - does this translate into a real world resistance to puncture? I realize that at some point rock will win over any rubber, just wondering if there's something better out there than the Zeon's for "toughness". How about the MTR Kevlars? I'd get the rod mod to run those.

 

[codemonkey]

Here's a pic of the flat, FWIW

 

[Boaz]

I had the Nittos before, but took them off when the Coopers came out. I like the Coopers better. I have been through some very sharp rocks all through CO, UT, and here in CA, and have never had a problem. Once I was forced, due to a narrow passage, to squeeze up against a sharp rock. I heard a big squeal, and was sure I had sidewalled myself. But it was only the sound of the tires rubbing so hard against the rock. Came out great. I was aired down to about 25 lbs, which I think is what saved me. The tire was able to flex enough around the rock without getting punctured. All of which to say, I think the Coopers are great, and have even surprised me when it comes to sidewall strength. But that is still the most vulnerable part of any off road vehicle. Rover on...

 

[duckdive]

C-Monkey, I understand you wanting somthing with a little more sidewall protection,
but do you really want to go out and spend the money for 4 new tires because
of one blown sidewall? Just replace your torn Cooper and your off to the races
again. My $.02

 

[Houm_WA]

...what is the load rating on those Coopers? The MT/Rs are E...but in the 275/65R18 size the MT/Rs with Kevlar are only rated C.

 

[duckdive]

I have never seen a letter load rating applied to the coopers. It just says XL or extra
load next to the tire specs.

 

[codemonkey]

C-Monkey, I understand you wanting somthing with a little more sidewall protection,
but do you really want to go out and spend the money for 4 new tires because
of one blown sidewall? Just replace your torn Cooper and your off to the races
again. My $.02

Oh, I probably should have explained my tire wear situation, which is what has me contemplating new tires over just replacing the spare. My current two rears have about 20k miles on them and are pretty close to being replaced anyway. My fronts have maybe 10k on them and aren't quite as close. But, I didn't want to buy two new rears + new spare of the Coopers if I was going to decide to go with something different.

I'll have to look into this MTR/load rating thing. I've had the MTRs on other vehicles and loved them.

 

[Disco Mike]

What size tire are you running and were you aired down, if so to what air pressure.
The "C", "D", "E" rating has nothing to do with side wall strength, only tread rating. Look at the BFG, especially the old MT's or the newer replacement, they have a full, actual 3 ply side wall, not a rated 3 ply wall.

 

[duckdive]

Good advice Mike, but BFG does not make a mud tire that fits the LR3. What size
tire, pressure ect. are you running on your LR3?

 

[jimbiram]

I'm really surprised that you only have 20k miles on two of your Coopers. Mine are at 43k and counting. Like Boaz said, why don't you just pick up another couple of tires. I really don't believe there is another tire out there that is as versatile as the Coopers. I have more problems with nails, bolts, etc on the freeways than I do. Three GD trips, numerous desert trips, and never had an offroad issue, like Boaz.