295/50R-15 and 245/60R-15 tire options

[Fullchat289]

Larry:

What is the Tread Wear Rating (TWR) indicated on the sidewall of the S/T? Your post has sparked my interest in these tires.

Thanks,

- Allen.

Originally Posted by Larry N Johnson

M/T S/T on the left; Billboard on the right

[Larry N Johnson]

Originally Posted by Fullchat289

Larry:

What is the Tread Wear Rating (TWR) indicated on the sidewall of the S/T? Your post has sparked my interest in these tires.

Thanks,

- Allen.

My S/T's say this:
Tread Wear 440
Traction A
Temperature C

Have no idea what that means, but these are fantastic tires.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by Larry N Johnson

My S/T's say this:
Tread Wear 440
Traction A
Temperature C

Have no idea what that means, but these are fantastic tires.

That's great news Larry, I just picked up a set of Mastercraft Avenger GTs for my car, and my buddy has the Cooper Cobra Radial GTs; and likes his alot too. I was looking at the MTs, they were backordered on the 295 rears, and discovered these others.... at first I sort of overlooked them thinking they are just some generic garbage, but after more research and even feeling the rubber in comparison to my former Yok-Avids, wondered if there might be something here. I remember when the Yok Avids were a "cheap tire" sold by Summit almost a decade ago when the Yok 352s ran out. A friend and I said "what the heck", tried a set of Avids and loved them. Seemed like it was not too long before Superformance and others were running them on their stock rollers, etc. I'm hoping these Cooper MTs/Cobras/Mastercrafts are a similar situation to how the expired Yoks were as a less expensive option for many of us still stuck (or still preferring) 15" fat sidewall radial street tires.

FYI: The Cooper Cobra Radial GT and MasterCraft Avenger Radial GT tires (also made by Cooper) read the same thing, and even have the exact same groove pattern in the sides of the tires. So if a retailer is ever back ordered on the MTs, or someone is charging more for the MT name on the side of the tire and you want an alternative, these other two are available in the exact same sizes, made in the exact same two Cooper Cobra manufacturing plants.


Its GREAT to have some new options in decent and regular 15" street radials for our 245/295 tire combo's 'eh! A few years ago it started to look like game over until the new Avons and some of these other radials started getting produced...

[bret a ewing]

Originally Posted by Larry N Johnson

My S/T's say this:
Tread Wear 440
Traction A
Temperature C

Have no idea what that means, but these are fantastic tires.

I use the tread wear number as a compound "guide", generally speaking, lower the number, softer the compound.

The Hoosier A6/R6's are a 40 (if I remember correctly) and the Avon's are 80.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by bret a ewing

I use the tread wear number as a compound "guide", generally speaking, lower the number, softer the compound.

The Hoosier A6/R6's are a 40 (if I remember correctly) and the Avon's are 80.

The tyre rating system isn't quite that simple. The UTQS (Uniform Tyre Quality grading System) for treadwear / traction / temperature ratings is an attempt to have a system for comparison of tyre properties. It’ s not perfect for a number of reason, but it at least provides some guidance.

Treadwear is based on a reference tyre that has a rating of 100, so a rating of 40 means the tyre will last 40% as long. Nothing else implied.

The traction rating is closer to a 'compound guide'. It is however a tyre’s traction rating on a wet road. Traction is rated as AA, A, B or C. AA is of course the highest rating.

Temperature is rated as A, B or C. It indicates a tyre’s resistance to building up heat (ie combination of generation and dissipation of heat). A is the highest rating.

Hope that helps.
Glen

[fastd]

learjockey,

Does Avon make a 235? where did you find it? Roger Kraus only has 225 & 245s...

[strictlypersonl]

Size-wise, the Avon 225-60 is almost identical to other's 235. (Creative sizing, I think.) That's what I recommend for the front of ERAs.

[fastd]

Anyone have a worn out Avon 245/60/15 they could send me? I am trying to see if they would fit on my 68 mustang...Of course, I'll pay for shipping. I'll even send it back to you if you want; or buy it...

[ERA 778]

Just a heads-up to everyone. The BFG 295/50's should be available within the next few weeks. They aren't a great traction tire, but inexpensive and can be good for lots of everyday driving.

I'll try to get more specific timing info on the 295's this week.

ERA 778

[decooney]

I recently completed some updated research on 15" ST radial tires 295/50-15s & 245/60-15s over the past few months, and made a few phone calls to confirm bits of information I picked up around product sources and relationships between Avon Tire (Co.), Cooper Tires, Mickey Thompson STs, Cooper Cobras, Mastercraft Tires, Dick Cepek tires, and a few others. Its all public info, you just have to piece it together to see what I'm referring to.

With regard to the street ST radials, a few might be surprised to learn how some parent companies actually manufacture tires for other brands/labels made right in the exact same factories, with the exact same materials and compounds, just using different tread designs and names on the sidewalls! I picked up a set of generics myself recently just to try it and see, and confirmed its the same same thing (functionally) as another brand or size that may be sold out because people are familiar with one name vs. another. What's in a name any more...

[4pipes]

Did you have a recommendation from your research, Duane?

[decooney]

Originally Posted by 4pipes

Did you have a recommendation from your research, Duane?

Hey David, no recommendation yet, formerly had the Goodyear billboards, Yokohama Avid STs, and was going to try Avons until I recently painted my car after it got sandblasted with the oringal set pebble-blaster tires. I will be trying a different set of radials soon I hope... D

[4pipes]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to install AVONs next month and paint them with big letter Avon stencils I purchased. My Avids still have lots of tread, but they're over 6 years old and I want stickier tires.

[Fullchat289]

Comment deleted by poster.

- Allen.

[decooney]

Allen, I received an email from CC with your (now deleted) post. I'm Not sure what can be shared or not, but a few phone calls can be made after one reads this link.

Scroll down to the bottom; this may or may not help someone. If not, please disregard my previous post and have a nice day.

Link:http://www.coopertire.com/html/compa...rtId=2&rId=863

[Excaliber]

Nothing really new about who makes tires. It's always been a just a handful of actual manufacturers compared to the immense number of "brands" available. You give them your specs, they make your tire with your name. Or, your name on one of their basic tire products already being produced. Whatever works for the customer.

Same thing applies to batteries. Johnson Controls battery division makes a LOT of different "brand names". Some with nearly the same specs, but using different marketing techniques. Nothing new about it, always been that way.

Some specs is better than others, which is why some brand names are better than others, even if they are made by the same company.

Johnson Controls will make you a really nice battery or a really cheap one, your call, your brand name, same plant.

[decooney]

...for the three radial units I was researching, the only difference in the specs was the tread pattern and lettering on the sidewalls; exact same compound and composition on all three tires - all made in the US by Cooper Tire Co.

[joyridin']

Cooper makes off brand name tires for many companies. I think they make more off brand named tires than they do Cooper branded tires! Usually, the compound is different due to liability issues, but in this size of a tire that is not a high user, I wouldn't doubt there is nothing but a tread pattern change.

[Stentor]

Originally Posted by decooney

...for the three radial units I was researching, the only difference in the specs was the tread pattern and lettering on the sidewalls; exact same compound and composition on all three tires - all made in the US by Cooper Tire Co.

Duane,

Based on your research, does Cooper produce the Avon CR6ZZ tires that are used on Cobras (it appears that they might based on the link you provided)? And do the Avon CR6ZZs have a similar tire that's made by Cooper?

Thanks,

Stentor

[Mark IV]

Avon is owned by Cooper, but they don't make an "off brand" version of the CR6Zs.