Torn between tires... Cooper AT3 or ATP? vs BFG?

[Jernik]

Yes, another dreaded tire thread. Wondering how much different Cooper ATP's are in relation to AT3? We had a set of AT3 on our Jeep Grand Cherokee and really liked them. However, Discount Tire currently only shows "E" load range on available AT3's - the "C" load range will be sufficient for our use. They have the ATP available in what they call the "SL" load range - which I'm assuming is closer to the "C" range?

The third option, and I've seen mixed reviews on this one, is the BFG AT KO. My concern here is wet traction more than anything. Some say they're great, some say they like to hydroplane. Which is it? We tend to get quick, heavy rains here at times, so this is important to us.

Our driving style - mostly on road/highway road trips - we can handle/expect a little noise, but the quieter the better. When we do go offroad, it'll be mild for getting to outdoor rec spots. No extreme rock crawling, deep mud, or deep water crossings.

Just got our 4R a couple days ago (2014 TEP). Hoping to snag a set while Discount Tire is running their pre-labor day double discount sale tomorrow. In the end, if the AT3 has to be ordered I'll sacrifice the discount for a better tire. But if the ATP or BFG is just as good, might as well save some dough. Any thoughts/info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[FullCircleHook]

Yes, another dreaded tire thread. Wondering how much different Cooper ATP's are in relation to AT3? We had a set of AT3 on our Jeep Grand Cherokee and really liked them. However, Discount Tire currently only shows "E" load range on available AT3's - the "C" load range will be sufficient for our use. They have the ATP available in what they call the "SL" load range - which I'm assuming is closer to the "C" range?

Haha, it's ironic that you ask this question because I was just looking at both of these tires yesterday for my Tundra. My BFG's are about to go and I'll probably be switching over to the Coopers, since I'm a big fan.

I can't provide a lot of insight on the ATPs, but SL load range is generally a "P" designation. Strange that Discount Tire doesn't state it in the description. I know that they are the only ones that sell it though. Looks like a good tire though and at a great price.

Right now I'm debating on the AT3 in a C or an E. They do stock the C's in the size for my Tundra. I can't decide because I do tow a small travel trailer quite a lot, but it's only an 18footer with a dry weight of 3300 pounds.

My next tires on the 4Runner will no doubt be the ST Maxx's. I love those tires!

 

[2014 Warthog]

I've worn through a lot of BFGs and a couple other AT tires.

I've always liked how quiet the BFGs were on road and they are good offroad.

Rain? Well the differing opinion may be what people experience when they are new (Decent in the rain) and when they are older (Crap in the rain).

The thing is, all big lug AT tires have this problem. When they are new and the rubber is soft and the lugs are long they do ok (not great! Just ok). But when you are down to like 1/4 inch or less, the lugs are hard and cant travel and not much place for the water to go and they can get extremely slippery in the rain.

Some ATs are better than others but you would have to find some site that does a rain comparison of various types or something. Otherwise, just replace your tires when they get worn down even if they look like they have "plenty" of tread left. You'll know when, you'll be sliding around corners without even trying

 

[1engineer]

Yes, another dreaded tire thread. Wondering how much different Cooper ATP's are in relation to AT3? We had a set of AT3 on our Jeep Grand Cherokee and really liked them. However, Discount Tire currently only shows "E" load range on available AT3's - the "C" load range will be sufficient for our use. They have the ATP available in what they call the "SL" load range - which I'm assuming is closer to the "C" range?

The third option, and I've seen mixed reviews on this one, is the BFG AT KO. My concern here is wet traction more than anything. Some say they're great, some say they like to hydroplane. Which is it? We tend to get quick, heavy rains here at times, so this is important to us.

Our driving style - mostly on road/highway road trips - we can handle/expect a little noise, but the quieter the better. When we do go offroad, it'll be mild for getting to outdoor rec spots. No extreme rock crawling, deep mud, or deep water crossings.

Just got our 4R a couple days ago (2014 TEP). Hoping to snag a set while Discount Tire is running their pre-labor day double discount sale tomorrow. In the end, if the AT3 has to be ordered I'll sacrifice the discount for a better tire. But if the ATP or BFG is just as good, might as well save some dough. Any thoughts/info would be greatly appreciated!

Read this whole thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114342-tires.html

 

[Jernik]

Thanks for the thread link 1engineer! :thumb3: Great info. Think I'll call them up and ask about the AT3 (maybe website is wrong), and if not I'll go with the ATP.

I'm not one to run tires down to get every last mile out of them. But we're not hard on tires either (anymore - got that out of my system after buying 3 sets before my 18th birthday!) Generally, we put around 50K on them in 4 years, and they'll still have decent tread left - but I replace 'em anyway.

To all - I appreciate the feedback! :cheers:

 

[Maz]

I've driven the BFG AT's on multiple vehicles (all 4X4) and think they're an excellent tire for dry climates. They do particularly well on gravel / dirt roads, and are well better than average on sand also.

However they're only moderate on wet surfaces, and after about half the tread life is gon could fairly be described as poor in the wet. In addition due to the strongly angled tread (away from running square / parallel to the spinning direction) they load of with mud very fast and don't shed it worth a darn.

In short in much of the Southwest or dryer areas of the West and plains states, the BFG is a great choice. However if you're in the Mountains, South, Northeast or Midwest I'd go with another choice in a heartbeat.

Your looking at the AT3 and ATP remind me of my research last winter. I ended up with the Nitto Terra Grappler, which is somewhat like the ATP tread, but with a little more sidewall to work with. I've driven now on wet / very soft sand beaches where it performed better than any AT I've used, including the Duratrac. Also numerous times in rather serious mud, where it went right through and was very, very impressive for an AT.

Add to that the on road performance was surprisingly quiet and almost as smooth as the useless street tires the Trail come with stock. The down side was a little lower gas mileage due to the wider tread on Nittos that puts more rubber on the road. That's made up for though in stopping power, which again for a fairly aggressive AT tread was impressive.

Good luck on your search.

 

[Donkey]

Why not keep the OEM tires and purchase the cooper tires when new tires are actually required? Despite the 300 tread wear and temp/trac B rating they are ideal for your described use. In a few years (Weeks if you keep reading this forum) you may have different "wants" anyway...

 

[DannyLlama]

That's strange that DTD would only carry them in E and that's a problem for all of people of that's really the case. I hope not, keep us posted.

BTW I have the AT3's and I LOVE them, really good all around tires!
They have been wearing extremely well, I have close to 20k on them and they look almost brand new. They are starting to get a little more noisy but that's to be expected.

 

[Okki]

For what it's worth, Overland Journal picked the Cooper AT3 as their recommended tire (see the summer issue). I have the ATP's on my truck and love them. The main difference with the AT3 is a slightly more aggressive shoulder.

The ATP's I run are:
Tire Details:
121/118S
Load Range: E
LT265/70 R17

Someone posted the summary of the Overland Journal findings here: http://www.wranglerforum.com/f27/overland-journal-all-terrain-tire-test-789625.html

Okki

 

[Jernik]

Donkey - I've done that in the past, and every time I've waited until a situation came up where I wish I'd have gotten rid of the stock rubber sooner.

From what I've read, the stock tires (I have the bridgestones, which seem to be better than the dunlops) are not well liked in the long run. The comments I'm reading are generally similar to what I used to read about the stock goodyear wrangler series that has been used on many stock SUV/Truck offerings (at least from GM/Chrysler, which I've had the most experience with up until recently). I've hated those stock issue goodyears on everything I've had them on, so this time I figure I'll upgrade now and not worry about it.

Our plans are not to use the 4Runner any differently than we did the Jeep, and the AT3's were the best tire we ever had on it (stock goodyears, and then Revos were the previous tires on it).

For others in this thread, I called my local Discount Tire and they can get the AT3 in the "C" load range, but he still quoted me $200 a tire and had to order them. Sounds high since the "E" rated tire was the same price. Due to the minimal differences between the two, I decided to save $50 a tire, get the $100 of gift card rebates, and go with the ATP - which they have in stock. Will be getting those installed tomorrow morning!

 

[JSparky]

For what it's worth, Overland Journal picked the Cooper AT3 as their recommended tire (see the summer issue). I have the ATP's on my truck and love them. The main difference with the AT3 is a slightly more aggressive shoulder.

The ATP's I run are:
Tire Details:
121/118S
Load Range: E
LT265/70 R17

Someone posted the summary of the Overland Journal findings here: Overland Journal all-terrain tire test - Jeep Wrangler Forum

Okki

x2 on this, it's a good read

 

[FullCircleHook]

For others in this thread, I called my local Discount Tire and they can get the AT3 in the "C" load range, but he still quoted me $200 a tire and had to order them. Sounds high since the "E" rated tire was the same price. Due to the minimal differences between the two, I decided to save $50 a tire, get the $100 of gift card rebates, and go with the ATP - which they have in stock. Will be getting those installed tomorrow morning!

Nice that they had them in stock! I think I like the appearance of the ATP's better anyways. I guess I'll have to call my local shop. Let's see some pics after you get them! :tea:

 

[Okki]

Nice that they had them in stock! I think I like the appearance of the ATP's better anyways. I guess I'll have to call my local shop. Let's see some pics after you get them! :tea:

There you go.. in stock 265 size. Since I have lifted suspension now, the next batch will be 285's (and possibly the SST Maxx that [MENTION=64685]TOY2G[/MENTION] mentioned)

Okki

 

[FullCircleHook]

Looks good!! Thanks

Yeah those ST Maxx's are good looking tires. I have yet to read a bad review of them either. When my Dunlops wear out, I'll be throwing them on as well.

 

[Jernik]

UPDATE: Got the Discoverer ATP's on Saturday, and really like them so far. Not sure if it's just placebo affect, but it seem to be more stable under braking and less "lean" in the turns. Acceleration seems unchanged. Don't know about mpg, because the other tires only had 100 miles on them. It looks a lot better too, IMO, although I'm sure to catch hell for bucking the trend and going "Old School" with the lettering!

Pics. Not sure why the one is sideways...

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

I was between the ATP and AT3. The ATP is also know as the Zeon AT LTZ or something like that on the Cooper website so you can side by side compare. If you're considering the BFG KO, I think the Cooper STMaxx should be considered. I just put them on on Monday (see what did you do in your 5th gen thread for pics). I like them a lot. I was nervous at first of the slight hum like the KOs but I've decided I like it and the look and off-road capabilities seeing others than run them appear to be great for the tire type.

 

[Jim82]

I was between the ATP and AT3. The ATP is also know as the Zeon AT LTZ or something like that on the Cooper website so you can side by side compare. If you're considering the BFG KO, I think the Cooper STMaxx should be considered. I just put them on on Monday (see what did you do in your 5th gen thread for pics). I like them a lot. I was nervous at first of the slight hum like the KOs but I've decided I like it and the look and off-road capabilities seeing others than run them appear to be great for the tire type.

Now we can finally hit the dirt. Walker Valley ORV is waiting!

 

[ben550]

Those ATP's look great. Wouldn't mind a set of those for my own truck. I prefer the OWL facing out too... They seem plenty good enough for some light off roading and inclimate weather.

 

[Okki]

Those ATP's look great. Wouldn't mind a set of those for my own truck. I prefer the OWL facing out too... They seem plenty good enough for some light off roading and inclimate weather.

I've had mine on for several 4K+ road trips that include trails ranging from rocky trails and shelf roads in Colorado, to slickrock and sand in Utah. I've been very happy with them in terms of dealing with Indiana snowy winters, rain and road noise (or lack thereof).

Okki

 

[fattire]

I've got the ATP's in 285/70/17 E-load flavor and have been extremely happy with them. I have about 2,500 miles on them most of that highway with 3 - 4 trips to the off-road park in there.

They handle great on the road, air down (from 44 psi to 20 psi), and they're like velcro on the rock we have around here. I've only been in very light mud but they seemed to shed it pretty well for what they are. I don't have a ton of wet pavement miles (summer in TX and all), but have been happy in the little rain we've had.