Worried about AT Tire Rain Performance

[1engineer]

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?

Believe it or not that is a regional tire. Only available in select markets without special order. I checked on them for this set.

 

[T4R2014]

If 99% of your driving is on pavement, then why are you wasting money on A/T's? They will never be as good on pavement as an H/T tire. Michelin LTX Defender is what you should be looking at.

 

[Throwback]

Man, I have beat this to death reading threads on this forum and all over google. I bought the KO2s because I've read stories about gravel roads and rocky trails destroying P-metric sidewalls. I figured the C load range BFG would be good for the once a month that I get up into the mountains.

Now I'm reading about how the KO2s are allegedly poor performers on wet pavement.

1engineer, I know you like the C range Cooper AT3s, but say you only use them in mud. What are your thoughts on running those on rocky forest service roads and light trails from a sidewall durability perspective, and do you know if the KO2s are indeed poor performers on wet asphalt?

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Cooper AT-W. End of story. They will be the best for your application. Order them from Discount Tire's e-bay site and get $100 off + a $70 rebate card and free shipping (for the next few days). There is not a better wet weather / snow AT tire out there. They are not the king of anything off road, but that is not your application. Buy them, be safe, and enjoy the Runner!

 

[Srt4runner]

Believe it or not that is a regional tire. Only available in select markets without special order. I checked on them for this set.

Yeah I had a hard time finding a set. None of the local places had them, same with discount tire direct. I ended up getting them from tread depot.com

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Believe it or not that is a regional tire. Only available in select markets without special order. I checked on them for this set.

My grandfather likes to use words like "regional" and "select markets", but then again he is not aware of this thing we call the "internet". Does your Hoveround have AT's?

 

[Throwback]

Can anyone comment on the BFG KO2 C Load Range rain performance?

 

[Fidgets]

Can anyone comment on the BFG KO2 C Load Range rain performance?

They handle the rain fine for me, certainly better than OEM tires. It could be that I'm not driving fast enough to get them to spin in water.

 

[Watchdogg]

They handle the rain fine for me, certainly better than OEM tires. It could be that I'm not driving fast enough to get them to spin in water.

Exactly

 

[Brandonium]

I might just have to do AT3 instead of ATP since the closest Discount Tire is 2.5 hours away and if there are balancing issues or warranty issues then I am out of my way getting it addressed. I could order them on the DT ebay site but that still doesn't help me if I have tire issues.

The AT-W does look interesting. Just additional siping right?

Cooper AT-W. End of story. They will be the best for your application. Order them from Discount Tire's e-bay site and get $100 off + a $70 rebate card and free shipping (for the next few days). There is not a better wet weather / snow AT tire out there. They are not the king of anything off road, but that is not your application. Buy them, be safe, and enjoy the Runner!

 

[jwkilgore]

If 99% of your driving is on pavement, then why are you wasting money on A/T's? They will never be as good on pavement as an H/T tire. Michelin LTX Defender is what you should be looking at.

Because if that 1% is in mud or rocks, you need something to get you back out.

Looking at total miles driven, I'm more like 99.5% road/ 0.5% off road. For every 10000 miles driven maybe only 50 of that is off-road. I haven't been off-road since early summer. This is why I'll never run full-on mud tires.

But when I'm off road I absolutely need a tire that can pull me through. Right now I'm running a store-brand set of Coopers (Pep-Boys - see my sig) which are OK, but I've had a few issues with slipping on freshly-wet pavement. Not hydroplaning, just brief friction slips. But I won't buy another pair.

They will be replaced with whatever tire has the best technology at the time. That may be a Cooper AT3 (different and better tread compound than the ones I have on now), but if I were to make the decision right this second I would purchase a set of Falken Wildpeak AT3W.

 

[4Reak Show]

FWIW, I've ran BFG Mud Terrains on a pretty much Pavement-Only rig and have had zero issues in any weather. Just had to replace 2 with the KO2's (that's a newer style/tread than my older 2 from like 2006) and again, zero issues.
Tires are relatively quiet, smooth and so damn beefy I never worry. But I'm a very defensive and cautious driver as well.
Just sucks 'cause it's such an expensive investment. (My 2 tires were $520)

 

[TRDfan2011]

I installed Revos this summer after reading reviews on this forum. So far I don't have any complaints in dry/wet roads.
Handling & nose dive during braking improved a little. Waiting for the snow. You may want to consider immediate availability vs waiting, in the event you need to replace a tire.

 

[1engineer]

My grandfather likes to use words like "regional" and "select markets", but then again he is not aware of this thing we call the "internet". Does your Hoveround have AT's?

I know. Sometimes my oldness shows through...

My point being is none of the dealers stock that tire around here like they do in Canada or the northern tier states. With tires I like to see and touch them before buying, especially one I have not seen in person like the HT.

BTW I hate mud and try to go around it every chance I get but sometimes it cannot be helped. Most of my off road consists of old dirt roads, temporary dirt roads and some trails. I would love to have the Michelin LTX again but unfortunately, that is a terrible tire off road and every now and then I have to go off road for work. And play lol.

 

[philsey]

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.

Unless it's for looks (which many favor but don't admit to), I don't understand your interest in an AT tire.

You've been driving OEMs since (presumably) 5/2015 and it sounds as if you intend to wear them out ... so that's maybe ~2 years without ATs. How have you made out so far?

What "road" conditions do you anticipate for your 1%? If you're truly concerned with wet conditions, seems to me a quality Continental or Michelin P-rated would be your choice.

 

[swva]

I'm closing in on 35,000 miles on a set of Cooper AT3's. I can say they have excellent wet road traction. I have never been nervous driving in the rain at all with this tire. That was a major reason I decided to buy them.

This Expedition Portal article helped me down that path.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road | Expedition Portal
They did a great evaluation of several popular all terrain tires in the article. The AT3 had the fastest speed on wet pavement. They said the speed was so high with the AT3's on wet pavement they decided to stop the test for safety reasons.

My only issue with them has been balancing, six times. They also had less grip in slushy snow than I was expecting.

 

[Elan750]

fyi Cooper discoverer AT3's can be had for $338 right now with free shipping. Mine are being delivered on monday :hungry:

4 NEW P265/70-17 COOPER DISCOVERER AT3 70R R17 TIRES | eBay

 

[T4R2014]

Unless it's for looks (which many favor but don't admit to), I don't understand your interest in an AT tire.

You've been driving OEMs since (presumably) 5/2015 and it sounds as if you intend to wear them out ... so that's maybe ~2 years without ATs. How have you made out so far?

What "road" conditions do you anticipate for your 1%? If you're truly concerned with wet conditions, seems to me a quality Continental or Michelin P-rated would be your choice.

This. Get some A/T's of you want to look cool on the forums. Otherwise, you're just sacrificing pavement performance. There's already enough assistance from engaging 4WD and traction control. I guess you could get the A/T's if you're that guy who does the Rubicon once a year.

 

[veloindy]

I got my KO2's right after they came out. Has it been a year and half? Anyway, zero issues in rain, sleet, snow, you name it. I'll buy them again in a heartbeat. The Cooper and the KO2 are different animals in my eyes. I never see anybody offroad with AT3's or ATP's. At least in CO / UT. If you need more of a highway tire, which I suspect is fine because you kept your Dunflop's until they're ready for replacement, then the Coopers will be fine.

 

[Throwback]

A guy who used to work for me has a 4th Gen and has had KOs, KO2s (18" and then 17"), and now runs 33" STT Pros. He said his KO2s in both 18" and 17" stuck like glue in rain on pavement.

I'm going to hang on to my KO2s and see how they do in the wet season. I have very little to complain about them so far in the dry weather, both highway and trail riding.

Regarding the *NEED* aspect of AT tires that is being discussed - only an extremely small percentage of people here *need* a 4x4 4Runner when it comes down to it. Most of us bought the vehicle because it can carry a decent amount of stuff and isn't a lame Honda Accord station wagon.

Owning the 4x4 4Runner is pretty much a fun toy that lets us go play in the woods in the weekends. It's hilarious that some folks would try to justify that any of this is *needed* at all.