Question for people running Cooper A/T3's

[lunarsnowstorm]

After endless searching, I am going to go with the Cooper A/T3's 275-70 -17. Picking tires is such a daunting task. I average about 30,000 miles a year but live in the mountains, so off road performance is still important. Would like to here some feedback on how they handle on and off road. More importantly, for you people who live in the northern half, how do they handle in the snow? Any feed back would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wbstru]

I have the cooper AT-3's. about 10,000 miles on them. in stock size they are great in snow. low road noise too. you will be very happy

 

[lunarsnowstorm]

See stickies.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-t...far-more-accurately-than-standard-method.html

Thanks for the advice. I'm new to this computer thing. My computer skills are severely lacking, but I'm slowly figuring things out. Hopefully one day i will be able to attach some pictures !

 

[Mason]

I think these are the tires that [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] has on his vehicle. I believe he went into detail about his reasoning behind choosing these as well. I was looking online at different tire sites and many people seem to have good things to say...


Edit:
Here is the thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114342-tires.html

 

[desertred]

I've only have about 1500 miles on mine, but used them through the last snow storm that went through Colorado a couple of weeks ago. I did not have any issues in the snow with the AT3s in conditions that would have the OEM Dunlops sliding around. Reports from forum members indicate good off road capabilities. I did notice a *slight* increase in road noise and feel, but the handling is MUCH better than the stockers.

 

[desertred]

I think these are the tires that [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] has on his vehicle. I believe he went into detail about his reasoning behind choosing these as well. I was looking online at different tire sites and many people seem to have good things to say...

Yup. 1E's write up is here. Read post #17 as it talks about his planned usage. It sounds like it may be similar to your needs/questions.

[Edit]: [MENTION=60729]Mason[/MENTION] edited the thread into his post before I finished quoting his post.

 

[1engineer]

Yep. Just went through several weeks with snow totals around 20". No issues.

 

[alpinemoto]

I recently replaced the stock Bridgestone Duelers with Cooper Discoverer A/T3 in the same size P265/70R15 on my 2011 SR5 and experienced immediate buyer's remorse that I didn't opt for the LT version. I would agree with desertred's comments about an increase in road noise, but I would disagree on the improved ride. I thought the ride was neutral improvement.

I've been a long time fan of Cooper Discoverer and have replaced nearly all of my previous vehicles' shoes with Cooper Discoverers, including a 1st gen 4Runner, a Grand Cherokee, and a Suburban. This was the first time that I was disappointed.

I would agree that the heavy snow performance is excellent, but for a "P" rated tire, overall it doesn't live up to the hype. I would strongly recommend the LT version instead, which is about $50/tire more.

 

[DesertDog]

Without any other change to the truck, I lost about 2.5 mpg with these tires in LT C. I can't stand that mpg loss, and I'm looking to replace them with Michelin LTX's.

 

[Racervx%$]

Buy them you will not regret it I just put a set on my 2013 great so far.

 

[thebwlife]

Without any other change to the truck, I lost about 2.5 mpg with these tires in LT C. I can't stand that mpg loss, and I'm looking to replace them with Michelin LTX's.

That's how much I lost with lift and 285/70/17 load D's!

 

[Bicepus Maximus]

I recently replaced the stock Bridgestone Duelers with Cooper Discoverer A/T3 in the same size P265/70R15 on my 2011 SR5 and experienced immediate buyer's remorse that I didn't opt for the LT version. I would agree with desertred's comments about an increase in road noise, but I would disagree on the improved ride. I thought the ride was neutral improvement.

I've been a long time fan of Cooper Discoverer and have replaced nearly all of my previous vehicles' shoes with Cooper Discoverers, including a 1st gen 4Runner, a Grand Cherokee, and a Suburban. This was the first time that I was disappointed.

I would agree that the heavy snow performance is excellent, but for a "P" rated tire, overall it doesn't live up to the hype. I would strongly recommend the LT version instead, which is about $50/tire more.

What's the problem with the P-rated tire? I've gone through the decision process, and couldn't find one substantial reason why an LT tire would be better unless you're airing down or hauling heavy loads a lot.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

What's the problem with the P-rated tire? I've gone through the decision process, and couldn't find one substantial reason why an LT tire would be better unless you're airing down or hauling heavy loads a lot.

Sidewall puncture resistance is a major reason people use them off road. If you're on road all the time then they are good for towing and making your teeth rattle out. This I learned the hard way.....
-As far as snow performance goes, there will be very little difference. Going from a P to a LT tire of the same type would be a waste of time and money if you are unhappy in the snow. Going to a snow tire would be a huge improvement over all AT tires.

 

[Racervx%$]

Without any other change to the truck, I lost about 2.5 mpg with these tires in LT C. I can't stand that mpg loss, and I'm looking to replace them with Michelin LTX's.

That's funny I put them on and my mileage has stayed the same.

 

[1engineer]

MPG stays the same if you choose "P" rated stock size.
"D" or "E" rated will reduce your mpg a bit due to weight but not much if stock size. Go to an "E" in a 285 you will lose a few mpg's.
However "E" rated tires are good to have in rocks and big thorns because the sidewall is tougher. These tires are a good all around tire and inexpensive too.
YOU have to make the decision yourself if you need the extra cut resistance of light truck tires or is P rating good enough. P tires have been just fine for me and I go off road quite a bit. I am in dirt the woods mostly and not the rock and thorns of desert driving.

 

[Davemon]

Without any other change to the truck, I lost about 2.5 mpg with these tires in LT C. I can't stand that mpg loss, and I'm looking to replace them with Michelin LTX's.

I lost the same. And they are hard as hell to balance (at least mine were, according to the tech at my dealer). One tire took about 5 oz. Otherwise, I like them alot. Good wear so far (22,000 mi), low road noise, and great in rain and snow. But I don't think I'll get another set when its time. Probably go back to BFGs in 275. Never had a single issue with those.

 

[1engineer]

Why did you get "C" instead of "P" tires? Just curious.

 

[DesertDog]

I got C's because I drive a fair amount in the mountains and deserts of the southwest and was worried about the sidewalls.

I've been debating getting lighter rims, perhaps the Konigs, to see if the weight savings offsets the tire weight increase. It's not just the MPG hit, but it has noticeably less acceleration. Have had the tires now for 9-months... otherwise, they've have performed well.

 

[drewm]

I got C's because I drive a fair amount in the mountains and deserts of the southwest and was worried about the sidewalls.

I've been debating getting lighter rims, perhaps the Konigs, to see if the weight savings offsets the tire weight increase. It's not just the MPG hit, but it has noticeably less acceleration. Have had the tires now for 9-months... otherwise, they've have performed well.

Lighter rims won't offset the tire weight much on a truck because the tire is very far away from the rotation axis as compared to the barrel of the wheel. If anything a truck's wheel weight has a very minimum effect on it at all. Even dropping the wheel weight to 5 lbs probably wouldn't be enough to make up for the heavier tire.

The only reason it works on cars is because the wheel's barrel is very close to the tire on a low profile tire setup in terms of distance from the rotation point.

To gain back mileage, make sure you are running at least 38psi in LT tires if not a bit more. The rolling resistance of an LT tire is a lot more than a P tire due to the rubber thickness. You can minimize that by adding more air.

Also changing the size of tire makes your mileage gauge useless, so know how off it is by comparing it with a gps mileage tracker when you calculate your mpg during a fill up.

And yes, I'm also an engineer.

 

[dhylander]

Without any other change to the truck, I lost about 2.5 mpg with these tires in LT C. I can't stand that mpg loss, and I'm looking to replace them with Michelin LTX's.

A couple of weeks ago I replaced the 275/55/20 Michelin LTX MS2 that I've been running on my LE, and I went with the AT3 265/70/17 in the LT C rating, mounted on Konig six shooters. I read a lot including 1E's review on these tires and they seem to be a good all around tire. I went with the LT C for the deeper tread and a stiffer side wall for handling. I just did a run from NJ up to my house in VT and got 19.4 mpg, pretty much the same as I was getting with the MS2 on the same trip. I'm sure I'd get better mileage if I slowed down a bit, I averaged about 75 mph for the trip. I have the pressure at 38, and I feel the road a little more than the Michelin's. When I got to my house I found about 3 ft of snow plowed across my driveway, and had no problem getting through it. Overall I'm very happy with the Coopers.