Worried about AT Tire Rain Performance

alext72888

alext72888

New member
Currently wearing out the Dunlop at20 tires and doing as much research as I can on which tires to get next.

I've read on the forum and reviews that there is a big difference in rain performance on a new vs worn all terrain tire. Stories of hydroplaning with ko2's freak me out since 99% of my driving is on pavement.

Based on user experience from this forum, which all terrain tire offers "good" rain performance once they are worn in?

I tried to find some objective reviews online but since its such an opinion based question, those reviews are rare. Any links would be appreciated.

Ps. It kills me to make another "tire" thread, but I couldn't find any conclusive information while searching the thread.
 
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And after you read all that stuff, don't buy KO2 tires.

Buy Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires at a fraction of a price and have good traction in wet weather.

Problem solved.

:p
 
I've Nitto Terra Grapler tires in 285 wide ratio and never had any hydroplaning issues even in worst storms at 60mph.
 
I've never had trouble with my KO2s in the rain. Maybe I just don't know any better? I've been very happy overall and we're 99.5% on road. I have heard that the old KOs were crappy in the rain though.
 
Exactly. I have had BFG's for years and while they are great trail tires I have always had pucker moments on wet asphalt once they get a little mileage on them.

After reading through the AT tire thread I decided that I would run either Cooper AT3 or ATP's.

chitown40 said:
And after you read all that stuff, don't buy KO2 tires.

Buy Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires at a fraction of a price and have good traction in wet weather.

Problem solved.

:p
Click to expand...
 
alext72888 said:
Currently wearing out the Dunlop at20 tires and doing as much research as I can on which tires to get next.

I've read on the forum and reviews that there is a big difference in rain performance on a new vs worn all terrain tire. Stories of hydroplaning with ko2's freak me out since 99% of my driving is on pavement.

Based on user experience from this forum, which all terrain tire offers "good" rain performance once they are worn in?

I tried to find some objective reviews online but since its such an opinion based question, those reviews are rare. Any links would be appreciated.

Ps. It kills me to make another "tire" thread, but I couldn't find any conclusive information while searching the thread.
Click to expand...


Tires performance is 50% compound and 50% displacement. You cannot get good wet traction out of a natural rubber tire (like BFG) unless your vehicle weights enough to compensate for the hard compound.

Please read this entire post before making a decision. TIRE TECH 101 you may find yourself shopping Cooper, Hankook or General tires.

Simply put, people buy BFG tires because they typically last a long time, they cost 30% more and last 15% longer and have far less wet and ice traction compared to similar high silicate compound tires.
 
alext72888 said:
Currently wearing out the Dunlop at20 tires and doing as much research as I can on which tires to get next.

I've read on the forum and reviews that there is a big difference in rain performance on a new vs worn all terrain tire. Stories of hydroplaning with ko2's freak me out since 99% of my driving is on pavement.

Based on user experience from this forum, which all terrain tire offers "good" rain performance once they are worn in?

I tried to find some objective reviews online but since its such an opinion based question, those reviews are rare. Any links would be appreciated.

Ps. It kills me to make another "tire" thread, but I couldn't find any conclusive information while searching the thread.
Click to expand...

I now have 5K miles on my 3rd set of Cooper AT3's. If you have any questions ask away. BTW there is very little difference between the Cooper AT3 and the ATP. Let me know. BFG KO2 are prettier, more expensive, better off road but I didn't go that route because most of my driving, like everyone else, is on the road. Many reviews said the KO2's were marginal in the rain. The AT3's (and I'm sure the ATP's) are excellent in the rain and snow even 1/2 worn.

Edit: Read [MENTION=64685]TOY2G[/MENTION] link he posted above on tire tech 101!
 
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If you're driving 99% of the time on pavement, get P rated tires. I have Hankook Dynapro Atm on my Taco and they do awesome in the rain on pavement. Currently have about 30k miles on them.
 
I also have about 5k on my Cooper Discoverer AT3s. I just returned from a 1400 mile round trip from Chicago to Maryland. During that trip my observations of the Coopers were:

  • Quiet on the highway
  • Handled well on both dry and wet pvement
  • Wore evenly (even though I haven't noticed any real wear yet)
  • Look good
  • Priced very very well compared to similar tires

I run them on my 2009 GX470 in the stock size 265/65/R17.
 
My BFG AT's break loose in the rain when ever i'm entering the highway on a curved entrance ramp in the rain. I have to take it really slow. But the snow performance is what keeps me with them. I have had good luck with the toyo open country's. I know some don't like them, but I loved mine. Snow and rain.
 
I have a little different opinion. So far I have been pleased with the on-road performance of my KO2s. They perform just as good or better in the wet than the Nitto Terra Grapplers they replaced.
 
Bevo said:
I have a little different opinion. So far I have been pleased with the on-road performance of my KO2s. They perform just as good or better in the wet than the Nitto Terra Grapplers they replaced.
Click to expand...

I just removed my experiment with Nitto Terra Grappler G2's because the Coopers have much better wet road traction lol.
 
I have the Cooper AT3s in stock size load C and have about 15,000 miles on them. I live up in the PNW where it's wet quite often and after coming from the worn Dunlops it's made a world of difference. Much more planted feel and they have been great offroad (forest service roads) and really great on road. Plan to get the same ones on my next vehicle too.
 
I'll be watching my KO2s closely

If my KO2s give me issues in the wet or ice I'll get a second set of dedicated winter rims and tires going (a good excuse to get the TRD rims right? :cheers:

I spoke with the salesman at DT and he pointed out that these a "new" design and have a winter snowflake rating.....We'll see.

Cheers, Steve.
 
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Bevo said:
I have a little different opinion. So far I have been pleased with the on-road performance of my KO2s. They perform just as good or better in the wet than the Nitto Terra Grapplers they replaced.
Click to expand...

Natural rubber tires tend to perform better in climates where it it warm, so your feedback is likely valid. However, by nature, the natural rubber tires will be soft (good wet traction) when its hot warm outside and rock hard (bad for wet traction) when it's cold outside.

There are more factors like contact PSI (the pressure the tire puts on the ground, ambient air temperature, tire PSI and driving surface. This is the reason it so hard to say without a doubt what tire is in fact the best for any particular application. Your BFG tires are great in Texas, but would be sketchy in West Virginia
 
Get the Cooper AT-W, just like the AT3, but more sipes for better snow/wet traction. They are also severe snow rated. They are pretty much as close to a winter tire as you can get that can be used all year round. I just got a set and they are amazing so far.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company - Discoverer A/TW?

DiscovererATW_LgTread.png
 
Great. I'm on a new set of stock size C load range KO2s and haven't had them in rain since we're in a drought in Georgia. I expect that will change once winter sets in though.

I'm still inside my 30-day window at Discount Tire and this thread makes me think I should consider swapping for Cooper AT3s since we get a lot of cold rainy days in the winter here.

I'm 90% on-road, but do gravel mountain trails whenever I get the opportunity on the weekends.
 
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