New Tires, Finally!
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.
eep: :snacker: :jaw:
