Talk me out of Cooper Discoverer AT3??

[watson6505]

I am in the middle of my lift (waiting on LCAs to arrive). I am doing the following to my 2006 SR5 V6 with 115k.:

Rear:
Icon2 shocks, Icon2" lift springs, New Swaybar End Links

Front:
5100s on .85 with 885's, SPC UCAs, New LCAs (had to cut old ones out), Moog outer tie rods, New End links, New CV Axles

Tires:
TBD

I do 95% paved roads, but I am hoping to lower that to 85% once I get the lift and tires done. I really really wanted to get the BFG KO2 in 275/70/17 but I am concerned about the Load E, and weight to both ride quality and wear and tear pulling that heavy of a tire. I changed my focus to an alternative that I can get in a C load and that lead me to either:
- Cooper AT3 (why are they referred to as 'entry level' and 'not an AT tire'
- Firestone Destination AT (too all-season looking for me)
- Kumho Road Venture

What am I missing in a Load C that is 275/70/17.

FYI - I ruled out 285/70/17 due to size, weight, and having to hack my truck apart to get them to fit.

Please share opinions and suggestions.


Thanks in advance

 

[k3v11n]

Great tire. But I think a lot of people are choosing Falken Wildpeak AT3 over these. A little more aggressive look but great on pavement and off-road.

 

[Frontier4Runner]

I ran the Cooper AT3's on another SUV that was a daily driver/off-roader and was really pleased with the on-road performance. They probably sacrifice a little on the off-road performance compared to the BFG's, but since I was in a similar "mostly on-road" situation it was a good compromise for me and they were equal to the task in all of the off-road situations I presented to them.

 

[99problems]

I did so much research when I finally decided to order a set of the AT3's... and as soon as I did I regretted it (like 5 minutes later). I cancelled that order and found a deal on some 265/75/16 BFG KO2's from CostCo. I'm sure the Cooper's are great and all, but if you want the KO2's then I'd say go for those. I love them so far.

 

[T4R2014]

I have them. They suck in the rain. I'd recommend the Firestones.

 

[COSteve]

Would you guys put the Hankook Dynapro ATM in this group as well?

 

[watson6505]

I did so much research when I finally decided to order a set of the AT3's... and as soon as I did I regretted it (like 5 minutes later). I cancelled that order and found a deal on some 265/75/16 BFG KO2's from CostCo. I'm sure the Cooper's are great and all, but if you want the KO2's then I'd say go for those. I love them so far.

I would order the KO2 tonight if they had a C load 275/70/17, but the E load is just going to be too heavy/stiff/rough. I am NOT talking from experience I am talking from the many many threads, posts, articles, etc...

I'm already starting to hear a slight rear diff whine when decelerating and stressing with 55# tires will accelerate the inevitable.

 

[JeffMerr]

Falken Wildpeak AT3


I'd be all over the Coopers if they had a more aggressive sidewall, as my rig is about 95% road as well, but the performance, price, and look of the Wildpeaks have me sold.

 

[cmorrow]

I just picked up the Cooper ATP, it’s a Discount Tire exclusive that looks just a tad more aggressive than the AT3. They literally came last week though, so I haven’t even mounted them yet. I went with 255/75r17 for some taller skinnies.

 

[having fun]

When using 885s, not really advisable to go above the 0 lift on the billies, too much stress on them.
Better to put a thin top hat spacer in.

If you have no bumper/armor, should be able to get 3".

 

[watson6505]

When using 885s, not really advisable to go above the 0 lift on the billies, too much stress on them.
Better to put a thin top hat spacer in.

If you have no bumper/armor, should be able to get 3".

I bought them pre-assembled on the forum and never asked/checked what setting they were on until after installing them. I'm kinda screwed now cause I aint pulling them out and adjusting and reinstalling. I'd rather let them go bad earlier then they normally would and replace them then. I only took rear measurements post lift as the front isn't complete yet. Rear is about 24"/25" from the middle of the wheel to wheel well with the drivers side obviously listed first (lower number). Before the lift, the rear was 21"/21.5", so 3"-3 1/2" from the sagging suspension I took off.

 

[f250ben]

I ran through 2 sets of cooper discoverer AT3’s on my Tacoma. And ran a set of Khumo ventures on my F250. Wouldn’t buy the khumos again. Terrible traction in the rain once the top 3rd of the tread wore down.
The coopers are good. I liked them. Good on road and off. Got a bit loud when they wore down but not too bad. Never got over 50k off of a set though. They don’t wear like iron.

Planning on going with cooper ST maxx’s for my next tire, just want a bit more aggressive tire in the tall skinny size. Copper is a good brand. Given what I’ve read about the KO2’s lack of traction in the rain, I’m sticking with coopers.

My.02.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[derekdevasia]

I have them. They suck in the rain. I'd recommend the Firestones.

Weird. I've had BFGoodrich AT's, Yokohama Geolanders, Michelin LTX's, and now AT3's.

AT3's are probably the best tires i've ever had for rain performance. As for the K02 i'm not sure, as I had the older versions, which were terrible once you wore them down a bit.

Have at3's right now and I have literally no complaints. They're a much cheaper tire too. Phenomenal on road and have been fine in mud, gravel, and snow at least enoug for me. That's my .02

 

[Diamond_D]

Cooper AT3s have been outstanding on my '07 for 3 years now. 265/70/17 C-rated. Wearing about 2/16s per 10,000 miles. Great on dirt, rocks (very little chunking even on sharp Colorado trails), and fine in mud. Great on pavement dry and wet, good on snow. Driven through plenty of summer monsoons including towing a teardrop and was always connected to the road. Lousy on ice, but no surprise there.

I too would like to get something a bit more aggressive looking when I eventually wear these out, but it will be very difficult to go away from something that's done everything I asked and never skipped a beat.

 

[watson6505]

I'm Sold!

I'll be going over to ebay to use the $100 code that expires today and get what I hope ends up being a great value.

Thanks for all the quick replies and feedback.

 

[having fun]

I bought them pre-assembled on the forum and never asked/checked what setting they were on until after installing them. I'm kinda screwed now cause I aint pulling them out and adjusting and reinstalling. I'd rather let them go bad earlier then they normally would and replace them then. I only took rear measurements post lift as the front isn't complete yet. Rear is about 24"/25" from the middle of the wheel to wheel well with the drivers side obviously listed first (lower number). Before the lift, the rear was 21"/21.5", so 3"-3 1/2" from the sagging suspension I took off.

If your going to install LCAs, just use a bungee cord to hold the coil in place around the top mount. Remove shock nut on top first, then pull the shock out when removing the LCA.
You can re adjust the setting.

 

[watson6505]

If your going to install LCAs, just use a bungee cord to hold the coil in place around the top mount. Remove shock nut on top first, then pull the shock out when removing the LCA.
You can re adjust the setting.

pardon my noobness, but I thought I would have to pull the spring OFF the shock or something and compress and re-install to 'change the perch'. If that is not the case, than I will certainly do that because I can unscrew them by hand right now as I am waiting for the LCA.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Weird. I've had BFGoodrich AT's, Yokohama Geolanders, Michelin LTX's, and now AT3's.

AT3's are probably the best tires i've ever had for rain performance. As for the K02 i'm not sure, as I had the older versions, which were terrible once you wore them down a bit.

Have at3's right now and I have literally no complaints. They're a much cheaper tire too. Phenomenal on road and have been fine in mud, gravel, and snow at least enoug for me. That's my .02

Second set of Cooper AT3s. Love them.

Will never go back to BFG AT KOs. No warranty on them and have had a number of belt separation failures, as well as poor tread wear life.

 

[T4R2014]

Weird. I've had BFGoodrich AT's, Yokohama Geolanders, Michelin LTX's, and now AT3's.

AT3's are probably the best tires i've ever had for rain performance. As for the K02 i'm not sure, as I had the older versions, which were terrible once you wore them down a bit.

Have at3's right now and I have literally no complaints. They're a much cheaper tire too. Phenomenal on road and have been fine in mud, gravel, and snow at least enoug for me. That's my .02

You have fulltime 4x4 as well. In rear wheel drive, I can get these to spin like nobody's business. Not comparable since it's a street tire, but I can't even get my General HTS tires to break loose on wet pavement.

 

[fleshandblood]

Go with falken wildpeaks. If you are ruling out an E rated tire that makes me think this is going to be more daily driver than trail. At least the Wildpeaks have an aggresive look at a very attractive price. They look better than the AT3's too