Cooper Discoverer A/T3, The Ranger's Review

I have them on my truck now and absolutely love them!

 

Size?

 

me?

 

Yep, of your old and new.

 

Top (old) 265/70r17 Nitto Trail Grapplers.

Bottom (new) 285/75r16 AT3s.

 

Love the new tires on your truck!
Just got my AT3s installed. What an improvement over my rugged trails!

 

They handle and perform really well too. They've never let me down.

 

First, a clarification: my previous tires were Bridgestone Dueler H/T. When I was typing my post I was looking at probably ten different tire brands and Michelin was stuck in my head.

I did get the P rated tires.

Things I noticed:

While steering, it's hard to explain but I needed to "convince" them a bit more than when steering with my other tires but they're pretty much as the Ranger described--straight and true. I actually prefer that feel to driving now than I did with the other, less aggressive tread I had before which felt kinda muddy in comparison.

They sure are quiet. I was worried that the beefier tread would make things loud, but again as the Ranger says they're drowned out by wind and silent at lower speeds.

I've had a great time in them already just doing my daily commute! I had a highway detour the other day and had to cut across the median which was thick muddy grass and the tires cut through the stuff no problem. I never missed a beat as I was trying to merge back into highway traffic from a muddy shoulder. I would have spun out in the Bridgestones.

I also have a mile long stretch of dirt road full of holes, washboards and huge puddles to get through before arriving at work. With all the idiots on that stretch of road you have to do some creative driving which was no problem with the better tires. They even feel like they've added some shock absorption when hitting uneven patches.

If I hit the gas a bit hard on the pavement, they'll squawk a bit more easily than the Bridgestones.

Gas mileage is slightly down, though I haven't gotten scientific with it. I have noticed that I fill up about a half day earlier (I usually get five days on a tank commuting to work.) If I don't fill up on Friday morning I'll be out of gas for the ride home instead of making it to the weekend.

Comfort - added shock absorption and improved steering in my opinion makes for a comfy ride.

Road Noise - minimal.

Wet traction - serious traction difference in mud, dirt. Cuts through highway puddles without hydroplaning. Haven't noticed any real difference with pavement traction except when hitting it off the line.

I'm not a tire expert by any stretch and I certainly haven't put these through a rigorous test, but I feel almost as if I have a new truck. Would recommend the Coopers.

 

I noted this as well in my original post. Now with a couple thousand miles on them, I'm not sure if that sensation has gone away or if I've just gotten used to the feeling because I don't notice it anymore.

 

I'll try to remember to think about it once I've gotten some miles on mine.

I basically decided on these tires after reading your review. I'm glad to see that my experience has been consistent with what you said earlier in the original post--you were spot on!

I should add that I have the Limited trim, so I don't think I have as much going on in terms of off-road suspension as some of the other trims if that helps anyone to further interpret my experience with the Coopers.

 

I've got these tires on my work Tacoma as well which is an SR5 with only upgraded front shocks. Still feels the same.

 

Any updates?

 

@Maticuno great review, I'm finally ready to pull the trigger and get rid of the at20( @ 20,000 miles, cupped badly in back and front are bald on outer edge). The at3 and terra trac were a coin flip apart. Boiled down to $, I found a shop in town that carries the terra trac and I can get a discount from work.
After reading the review I feel confident that they are both equal in there ride/handling. And since they are cousins there won't be any remorse over getting one vs. the other.

 

OP updated with 15,000 mile impressions.

 

I appreciate that you put in the effort for a 15,000 mile update - with observations regarding the difference in long term performance of the C-loads vs. the SL rated tires.

 

So I have been looking at the AT3 for a couple weeks. My truck will see NE mud, rock, snow, trail driving, and some heavy loads of firewood I am going to an LT tire in 265/75/16. I was looking at the Duratracs, Toyo AT2, and Cooper AT3. After your review of the Load C AT3 it sounds like a good choice. My only complaint is the non-aggressive looking sidewalls of the AT3. The tread depth is really nice. The Duretracs are a great tire had them on my 2nd gen. just worried the really aggressive tread will kill my mpgs.

 

I've been looking at the 265/75R16 at3, and after reading this feel pretty confident. So what rating would you suggest for mostly pavement and occasional off-road? I'm almost afraid the c would be to much for me.

 

With what I've seen so far, I would completely avoid the SL tires and go with the C load.

 

I agree. Thats whats keeping me from the Falken AT3W. Only make a P265 and a E 265. Going with the Coopers or the Toyo AT2.

 

Could you add a few pics of the tires wear? I was initially planning on having these installed last Friday but was told by the counterperson that they were going on a buy 3 get 1free sale. Now I'm contemplating just switching to General Grabber At2.