Siping Cooper RM253's

[CYCLEPATH]

Earlier this summer I put Vision 81 rims, and Cooper RM253's in 245/70/19.5 load range H, on my 2005 SRW RAM 3500. I was heading up the Dalton Hwy (Haul Rd) with the camper on, and wanted the extra load capacity, and strength. They were excellent. I can't believe the beating they took, and not one problem.

The tire shop owner recommended siping them. I didn't want to before driving over all that gravel, and also wanted to see what they were like new, non-siped. Now that winter is fast approaching, I am going to do it.

Does anyone have any experience with that tire, and if so, with it after siping? The tire guy said they would be as good in snow as studded tires, but studs would be better on ice. Does siping, in general, help in winter conditions? I would really like to keep these tires, and rims, on year round. Thank you.

[joeshmoe]

sch911 wrote:
My take on Siping is the if the tires needed extra slits in them to function the manufacturer would have added them. Like filling with nitrogen, siping is a marketing tool used by tire shops to get your money....

My coopers are factory sipped, so there. 🙂

[CYCLEPATH]

Thanks, Grit Dog. I will get them siped. I had read something right before posting this topic that CR had put out. They weren't keen on it. I don't know if the tires are hard compound or not. I do like having them on, though, so will sipe them and see how it goes.

[Grit_dog]

sch911 wrote:
My take on Siping is the if the tires needed extra slits in them to function the manufacturer would have added them. Like filling with nitrogen, siping is a marketing tool used by tire shops to get your money....

Obviously from someone who's never siped a set of hard block tread tires......
To the OP, if they are hard compound then siping will not make them as good as a dedicated soft winter tire but it will make them way better in all respects except longevity hauling heavy loads like a camper.
I'd sipe em or find some winter tires.

I did a fair amount of gravel with siped Toyo MTs up there with the camper on and had no issues with tread damage or chunking out tread. Only downside, again, is increased wear. Prolly not as bad with a 19.5 tire though

[sch911]

My take on Siping is the if the tires needed extra slits in them to function the manufacturer would have added them. Like filling with nitrogen, siping is a marketing tool used by tire shops to get your money....

[Helimech]

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/should-you-slash-your-tires/index.htm