Forum Discussion

C_Schomer's avatar
C_Schomer
Explorer
Oct 28, 2014

Cooper Discoverer HT3 or Firestone Transforce HT

I'm down to these two LT 245/75/R16s for my 5er. They are both the same on-line price. Discount recommends the Discoverer HT (and Cooper approves them for trailers) mainly cuz they don't stock the HT3. I would rather go one-better by going to the all steel HT3. I haven't been able to find out if the TransForce HT is all steel or not. Anyone know? If one is all steel and the other one isn't and they are the same price, I'd rather have all steel. Also, does anyone know which brand has the longest lasting rubber... sidewall cracking? TIA! Craig
  • JIMNLIN wrote:
    The OP wants tires for his trailer so traction or wear issues as a truck needs isn't much of a concern.


    Correct Jim but if anyone is considering the Transforce in the future I consider them a poor selection for a truck tire. 17,000 on my 2013 and tires are at least half gone.
  • I think I'll get the Coopers cuz of all steel plus I've always wanted to try Coopers. I've had FS on a P/U and they were some of the best I've had. Not the greatest wearing tho but very good handling, even wear and quiet. They were even the Steeltex 4RS right after the Exploder problems. Ford did that to themselves. Thanks for the replies. Craig
  • Just bought the Transforce for my Winnebago, 12300lb chassis, the Cooper was also offered for 100 less in price. They recommended the Transforce for the RV because of the top heavyness, they said the Transforce will wear better as long as they are kept to max psi. I know this is a month late, but I thought I would chime in. There are different reasons to run different tires.
  • I think either one is far better than any ST. I just took the first trip with the Coopers and I like them a LOT... very very stable. They aren't all steel - a magnet won't stick to the sides. Oh well, I'm not worried about that! A friend had 4+ year old FS TF HTs on his 5er and a month ago, he almost rolled it with his 4 seat Ranger on his first trip with a new toy tote attached to the 5er. The trailer was sliding across the road and tipped up on both sides til the front of the 5er crushed his bed down on both sides. The 5er came down so hard, the frame bent (completely buckling the I beam and smashing the spring hangers) over the axles, cracking the 5er sides (it's totaled) and all four springs are reverse arched now. The tires look fine except for some rubber scuffed off the tread. STs won't even last 4 years in these parts, let alone take that kind of punishment. FS TF is definitely a good choice. Craig
  • The transforces are OK given their price point and as an HT tire, but personally I'd go with something else. Got 20k on mine and I think I still have 2/3rds tread, last rotated at 15k miles and will rotate at 30k when I get there. The other thing that I didn't like about these tires though is that they seem to track heavily when driving on grooved pavement. Really annoying. I'm not sure if that's inherent with rib-designed tires, but I typically like to use a good All-terrain with severe weather ratings.