[Cymon]

Originally Posted by Saker

Nice Overlanding Adventure Chris!

BTW, I think what you have pictured is not a water moccasin, but as Diamond-backed Water Snake....
They get quite large and are common here too!

Awesome, thanks for the heads-up, I'm sure you're right. Still learning the indigenous (and shitload of non-indigenous) wildlife down here.

[Cymon]

So after almost 2 years and 28,000 miles of research I have finally replaced my OEM Dunlop AT20’s. The replacement choice… Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT 275 70r 17 load range C. The ultimate compromise tire for the ultimate compromise vehicle…let me explain.


Tires I wanted: Cooper ST Maxx 275 70r 17.
Tires I need: Any stock size p-rated All terrain.
Compromise: C Rated LT AT Tire


To me the 4runner is the ultimate compromise SUV, and for me that is exactly what I need. It is not the best at any one thing but it is really good at everything. Mine is used as part mall crawler, part mini-van, part family expedition vehicle, part off-roader, part bike hauler, part road-tripper, part home-depot supply getter...you get the point. Are there other vehicles that can handle each one of these tasks better then the 4runner, yes. Is there another vehicle that can handle ALL of these things as well as the 4runner has for me…at this point I would have to say no. Because of all of the various uses I put my vehicle through I needed a tire that was really good at everything, but could compromise not being the best at any one thing. That is what kept leading me back to the Cooper AT3. Good on road, great wet traction (a big plus in South Florida), good mud traction (which I run into more then I want down here as well).

I have read every tire thread on this forum for the past 2 years, researching the best tires for my application (I mean I have spreadsheets and spreadsheets that I created that included every spec for about 8 different tires ranging in size from 265 70r 17 to 285 70r 17 as well as some pizza cutter sizes as well). This was where I had to balance want vs. need.

I was really close to pulling the trigger on the new Falken AT3W and giving them a try, but I wanted something more than a P-rated stock size tire and because of all of the wet and potential muddy off road conditions down here, something with deeper then 13/32” of tread depth. Once I jumped up to an E-rated AT3W (overkill for me) to get the tread depth the weight was the same as the 275 C-rated AT3’s (which have 17/32's of tread depth). Heck C-rated LT tires may even be overkill for me but I wanted the tread depth and a little extra structure and protection for the times off-road. 275 KO2's only come in LRE and are also heavier with less tread depth (although both the Falken's and BFG's do have a better Off-Road look to them). My dream tire the 275 ST MAXX are also only in LRE and are honestly too much tire for my current purposes.

My local Toyota dealer then sent out a flyer saying that they were having a Cooper Tires sale, buy 3 get 1 for a dollar plus $100 manufacturer rebate from Cooper, which included the AT3….Sold!

In the end, I went with ole reliable. Not the flashiest looking tire (doesn’t matter to me, I’m a science teacher with 2 kids, cool went out the window a long time ago), or the best at any one thing but gets the job done, just like our 4runners. 55k mile treadwear warranty as well.

Only have 10 miles on them so far, I can notice the weight increase when I really try to notice it. On the 5 miles of highway, no noticeable sound difference then the stock tires. They are slightly stiffer (I had them inflated to 42psi), but I would say that it makes it less “floaty” more than stiff or harsh. I can’t wait to put some more miles on them and come back with another review, hopefully with some of them being off-road.


Oh by the way…Stock Wheels = No Rub…have we heard that anywhere before?

Before and after Pics.

[Vinsil]

A very well thought out choice!

I like it, even those tires look kinda tame compared to others, your logic wins.

[Ron4RNevada]

Congrats on the new tires! Between them and the A-Trac you will never ever be wishing for lockers cause you'll never need them.

I wish we had some of your trees here - but not your mud and mosquitos!

[Cymon]

Originally Posted by Ron4RNevada

Congrats on the new tires! Between them and the A-Trac you will never ever be wishing for lockers cause you'll never need them.

I wish we had some of your trees here - but not your mud and mosquitos!

Thanks, that's the plan!

I guess we all would love more of what we don't have (I could do without the mud and mosquitos as well though). When I see your thread all I wish for is to get back to some mountains lol! Keep up all of the awesome photography so we flatlanders can live vicariously!

[Saker]

Let us know how they do in the FLA sand/mud gumbo stuff....

I see coconuts in those trees, throw me some mister!

[Cymon]

Originally Posted by Saker

Let us know how they do in the FLA sand/mud gumbo stuff....

I see coconuts in those trees, throw me some mister!

Will do, hopefully I can find some time soon to get out on more than just canal trails.

You have a good eye for those. We do have a pretty big tree in the front of our new house, the coconut water from them is pretty amazing. Next time you're in the area stop by and I'll toss you a bunch!

[Cymon]

I was tired of putting my phone in the cup holder so finally got one of these, so far so good.

Cell Phone Holder and Tablet Mount | MagicMount by Scosche

[Cymon]

After living down here in South Florida for a year and a half I still had not made my way down to Key West, a destination I had never visited before. We lucked into a free night’s stay at the Mariott Beachside in their Presidential Suite from my brother-in-law. He got it from his work but it had to be used by the end of June, since he is up in Anchorage and couldn’t make it down by the time it expired he was nice enough to give it to us. Perfect excuse to make the trip we had been wanting to do anyway.

We packed up the 4runner for a short weekend trip. Leaving from our house at 6:00 a.m. (it is only a 3.5 hour drive) we set out for a 2 day 1 night exploration. The kids were getting hungry for breakfast as we passed through Key Largo so we stopped at a small roadside diner named Hariette’s. At 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday the only people in the parking lot were local police, which means this place was either a really good local joint or a shithole. Luckily it was the first. I highly recommend the Conch Benedict on homemade biscuits. We also indulged in a homemade Key-Lime muffin (the size of a plate) for desert.

[Cymon]

Back on the road by 8:30 a.m. we crossed the famous “7 Mile Bridge” by 9:30 a.m.. This was a very cool drive. Did the best with the iphone to document the trip across, but the pictures of course don’t do it justice.


We arrived at the hotel a little after 10:00 a.m. and decided to go tour the island. We took a historic trolley tour where you could get off at a number of stops along the way, walk around and pick up the next trolley when ready to move on. A couple of pics from the tour.

[Cymon]

We ended up eating a late lunch at “Sloppy Joe’s”. This local establishment was opened in 1937 and is still going strong. The coolest thing was every place had live music from about noon until closing. I liken it to Beale Street in Nashville meets Bourbon Street in New Orleans with a Jimmy Buffet twist. My son loved all of the live music and was rocking out with the local musicians. His request was his new favorite song… “Ironman” by Black Sabbath. They did a great acoustic rendition as he air guitared for the crowd in front of the stage. Late we made our way down to Mallory Square for the famous Sunset view over the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately it was cloudy, but the view was still amazing. I guess this just means that we’ll just have to come back for a clear sunset. On our way back to the hotel I found this sign on a tree “Hemmingway Pissed Here”, definitely my favorite of the trip.


After sleeping in (at least as much as can be hoped for with a almost 5 year old and 2 year old) we went back into town for brunch and to see the aquarium (excellent option if you ever visit with kids) we hit the road. Key West was a very cool experience. The wife and I definitely need to find a way to come back without the kiddos or at least bring Grandparents for some babysitting. The food is great just about everywhere and the live entertainment was amazing. Can’t wait to get back!

[Vinsil]

Very cool! It's on my bucket list and hoping to get to Florida for some sport fishing, I want to catch some dolphins!

Thanks for sharing.

[Cymon]

Originally Posted by Vinsil

Very cool! It's on my bucket list and hoping to get to Florida for some sport fishing, I want to catch some dolphins!

Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, our kids are still a little young for the fishing excursions, but there is an infinite amount of charter tours down there from Fishing, Reef Scuba/Snorkeling, Swimming with mammal dolphins etc. It really is a cool place and actually more family friendly than expected, although late night is a different story

[Vinsil]

Originally Posted by Cymon

Yeah, our kids are still a little young for the fishing excursions, but there is an infinite amount of charter tours down there from Fishing, Reef Scuba/Snorkeling, Swimming with mammal dolphins etc. It really is a cool place and actually more family friendly than expected, although late night is a different story

Yeah my boys are 12, 9 and 6 and they are just old enough to start to enjoy the world of fishing.

I could use a vacation....

[Saker]

Very nice my friend....
I recognize everything you photo'd, except the Hemmingway sign!

Old Town KW reminds me a lot of Bourbon Street area of N.O., LA.

And yes, it changes a lot when the sun goes down!

Here are a couple from a while back....