Cooper Discoverer AT3 tire review

[Steak]

Hi folks!

When looking for tires, did not find too much about these tires here, so I figured I would start a new thread.

This is my first set of Coopers, and just got them installed on my 2007 4runner SR5 4WD. Looked at MANY other tires, and my last set was Dueler AT Revo.

So, I took them for a test drive, and did not go easy on them. I live in the northern rockies (N Idaho) and know of a rough trail that brings everything.

First off, on the way, very nice on the highway, never got above 65 mph but no noticeable road noise. Once I got to the trail, WOW! This trail has everything from washboard, to loose gravel, slick/smooth rock to big muddy ruts. I did not even need to switch to 4WD until i was very high on the mountain, and figured it was a good idea for safety. (terribly steep cliffs, tiny road, lol)

One shining moment was in very loose gravel on a steep climb. These sneakers shined! Far better than my revo's would have ever done!

Sorry, no pics yet, but will put them up in a couple days. I will also continue the thread, especially once the big snow starts to blow. They do not salt the roads here, so it can get pretty icy. I dislike running studded tires, so I hope they live up to my expectations

 

[shaftymcgee7]

looking at replacing my stock tires with those once they wear out may i ask how much you paid for them?

 

[Synister]

I just pulled the trigger on a set of AT3's in 285/70r17. I went with the P-rated to replace my P-rated GYSA 255/75's simply because I had zero issues with running a P-rated AT either on or off road and the reduced weight over a C or D rated was compelling enough to sway me. Also, for some reason, the P-rated 285/70 has a super high load capacity, likely suited for mounting on a Tahoe or Suburban or something much heavier than my 4runner. Pretty fantastic deal right now at treaddepot.com, $40 instant rebate put me at $758.44 shipped, however, there is a $75 mail in rebate through Cooper...$683.44 after all is said and done or $170.86 per tire.

 

[Steak]

Hi Shafty. Actually got a screaming deal, so bought a bit earlier than I initially expected. I got LT265/75/16 in C load. Considered E load but thought it would be a rough ride on a lighter vehicle like the 4runner.

Anyways, I ordered from discounttiredirect. Price was 168 per tire with free shipping, BUT discount tire had a $100 rebate that weekend, and cooper had a $75 rebate as well. $175 off in the end. So, tires were roughly $125 each. One heck of a deal. If you have some time before you replace the stock sneakers, discounttire has the $100 rebate every now and then, need to watch for it. Cooper has the $75 rebate through early November I believe.

 

[millertime]

I think I am also going with these tires. They have great reviews everywhere and I had a set of cooper a/t tires like 6-7 years ago on my '93 Isuzu rodeo and they used to tear up the deep snow. The only other tire I looked at is the new Toyo open country a/t 2s. They just came out, can't find much on them. Has anyone heard anything about them?

 

[Steak]

Toyo Open country are quite popular in the area. Seem to work well, and you would probably be just fine with them. Another popular tire is yokohama Geolander AT. These were both considered, as well as others before I went with Cooper AT3's.

Ha! Hoping for an early snowfall so I can see how the new sneakers stand up. After my time with sand, gravel, and mud, I have a feeling they will be wonderful. Also very glad to buy an American Made tire.

 

[millertime]

i think the american buy may be putting me over the edge. plus i think i like the sidewall on the coopers without the tread. do you have any picks of yours? i have an '07 limited...

 

[2StepsAhead]

Anyone having the balancing issues with these? It seems really hit or miss...the tacoma guys have a instances, fj and 4r forums seem to only have one or two cases.

 

[millertime]

i just got mine put on, on wednesday. a little after i left the tire place the tire light went on. i went to check the air pressure and they had filled it to 44psi (which the tire reads as the max). i lowered it to 40psi for now....should they be at 32psi like the manual reads? after i lowered it to 40, the light still didnt go off... is this the balancing issue you are talking about?

 

[millertime]

otherwise love them so far...very smooth and look awesome. i stuck to the stock size, 265/60/18

 

[2StepsAhead]

Some people (I noticed a few cases on the ford and tacoma forums) had problems where the tire wouldnt balance and they would feel a shaking at highway speeds, some people got rid of the tires and some people road force balanced and it cured it.

As for how much pressure do a calk test, 44psi seems high...now that you have aftermarket tires the manual wont be 'that' accurate, depending on the load rating and how much thicker / thinner the sidewall is will dictate how much more / less air they will need vs the factory tires.

 

[oljedi11950]

Cooper discoverer AT3

Man I really like these tires so far , lt 275/70/17 & spare fits snug but it does , didn't want to go bigger & it looks sweet . Not sure if one could if the receiver will fit in the hitch but I don't tow so ........

 

[kenski]

Any Snow?

Requesting review follow-ups on the cooper's performance on snow and ice.

Thanks in advance!

 

[oljedi11950]

Cooper discoverer AT3

No snow or ice but recent rain on our roads with oil mix these were great !! Even tried to spin em , I have mine @ 42 psi not to harsh & they are lt , they have a wide channel so ( just a guess ) snow would be good , ice ? And I had them road-forced very nice.

 

[Synister]

Just played with these in the snow up at Big Bear and on packed snow they grip very well. They bite very well in about 6" of unpacked snow and I never felt them slip even under braking or when climbing a hill from a stop. All driving was on forest roads and where the snow had melted there was mud...again, no issues. On ice they do about what you expect...slip. Anything but a dedicated snow tire is going to struggle on ice and these were no exception. They were better than my old GYSA's and seemed to work with the traction control on the icy bits but don't expect Blizzak performance...they will slip on ice so with just a little awareness it was no big deal. Overall I've had the chance to use these on pretty much every surface you can think of and they have met or exceeded my expectations of what an A/T tire should be able to do. I am very happy with them with 3.5k on the clock.

 

[IdahoHonkey]

AT3's Installed

I just bought a set of 265/70/17 10 ply AT3s for my 4runner today. I like having LT tires on a rig that is going to be driven offroad. It might be a little overkill for how much we will use the 4runner, but its peace of mind when out in the backcountry.

 

[millertime]

Just an update on the AT3 in the snow...after 3+ feet of snow here in CT these tires performed awesome. I had to go to work the morning after the blizzard and my road wasn't plowed yet. These tires beasted over the snow. Then, after parking on the street i got plowed in with the snow half way up my drivers side door, had to sneak in the passenger side, and again beasted through it...needless to say, these tires performed awesome in the snow. Very happy with them.

 

[Fourbtgait]

AT3 6 ply

Just installed the 6 ply AT3 with less than 400 miles on the stock tires.
They weigh 47 pounds each.
Dropped my fuel mileage, same roads, same speeds, from combined 19 mpg to 18 mpg. I like that, for a heavier tire with a more aggressive tread that is very quiet.
The 6 ply is not that much rougher riding than the P rated dunlaps, handle much better.

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

Installed the OEM sized P version back in November on stock 16" wheels and haven't had a real chance to put them to the test for extended off-road (coming in July) but I did want to note that I've towed at 6000 lb for 600 miles on the highway in March and closer to 5000 lb for 600 miles just last week with temps around 100F in the central valley of California and Mojave Desert and these tires seem to have no problem handling the load. I up the rears to 40-44 (forget which right now) PSI since you only ever get the max load rating out of a tire when it is is at it's max cold pressure and set the fronts at 38 PSI and everything ran well. Note my tongue weights are pretty substantial as my 4Runner looked about level with my air bags at 40 PSI on this most recent trip and I managed to get a few flashes from oncoming traffic once night set in on the two-lane section of my trip.

When I decided to use my 4Runner to tow relatively heavy loads for my business I started to wonder if I should have moved up to something of the LT variety which I knew wouldn't behave as nicely when I wasn't towing and when I was off-roading. Now I'm completely happy with my decision. These tires have a modest bit of road hum noticable mostly in the 40-50 MPH range but it's a plesant noise that sounds "proper" for my 4Runner.

 

[ScoMey]

Overland Journal AT tire comparison - Summer '14 issue...

In the Summer 2014 issue of Overland Journal, they conducted a comparison test of several popular all-terrain tires - the Cooper AT3 came out on top.

Summer 2014 | Overland Journal

Very interesting read for those of us considering our next tire change/upgrade.

op2: