Responsiveness certainly suffers due to this decision on Cooper’s part. Cooper Tire and General Tire are closely matched in almost every category, and it’s the same here. Thanks for reading and I hope you found this Cooper Discoverer AT3 review helpful. There is also something about having fat tires with rugged tread design on your pickup. While visiting Southern California we spent a day bouncing around the desert with a good friend and his 4Runner. Thanks for sharing your experience Max. That said, the design is a very subjective thing and comparing this is only my personal opinion, so keep that in mind before attacking me for that decision.
For those on a budget, the Discoverer AT3 line is still a great choice – it offers a unique blend of high-tech solutions and low price. Very interested in these tires. Still, the differences are pretty small and perhaps only noticeable by the most hardcore off-road enthusiasts. Happily, both tires have silica-enriched compound, which works well in warm and cold conditions. At nearly 40 psi, they do a good job of smoothing out road turbulence here in California where most dirt roads are better than our paved ones. One thing I have noticed is the tread pattern likes to collect some small rocks that will fling off once you hit the highway. They are holding up much better than the K02s did, but are still chunking more than I’d like from my high-speed offroad runs. In the end, the ATP has much shorter treadlife when compared to the AT3 series of tires, which is the final nail in the coffin for this model line. Both offer safe and reliable traction in wet conditions, high levels of grip and very short braking distances. I have found the XLT to be everything I want out of a well-rounded all-terrain. While it is certainly no slouch and can be used for light hauling or towing, the 4S is not even close to the capabilities of the XLT, with SL (standard load) and XL (extra load) load ratings. One of the big selling points for me regarding these Cooper tires is that they are designed with some key features to keep them rolling for many tough miles. Seriously, if you only use your truck or SUV on the street, you will be much better served by a touring or highway tire.
With this added off-road capability, they were chosen for the next set of tires for the 4Runner. Glad that this was able to help you finalize the investment! So, the Mastercraft Courser is cheaper and can save you around $100 for a set of four tires, but is it worth going that road? Sounds like a great plan! Getting the Cooper AT3 4S for my 2015 Ram 1500 crew cab Laramie. Trail Impressions: Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT, https://trail4runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Trail_4R_Logo-4.png, https://trail4runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/AT3_XLT-Reduced-14-1.jpg, Snow Wheeling with Goodyear DuraTrac Tires, 5th Gen Mods, Off-Road, Reviews, Trail Tested, I reviewed my trusty set of S/T Maxx tires, Dongar Technologies Dashcam Adapter for 5th Gen 4Runner – Install, Review & Overview, Unique Style Racing (USR) Interior LED Light Kit: Dome, Hatch, Map and Door Lights, Fuel Treatment for The 4Runner – Is it Worth It? Over 12 years of experience in the area, writing for popular websites and blogs. Thanks to this, both tires offer surprisingly good traction in the snow when compared to other tires in this category, and also shorter braking distances. Then, performance on the road is much better, both in dry and wet conditions. Max Sheehan // A California native, Max has always had an eye for the outdoors and the vehicles that get you there. According to Cooper Tire, the AT3 4S is specifically designed to grip rocky or smooth surface, under the most severe weather, rain or shine. Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT Review. It also differs greatly from one size to another. I think I’ll follow your lead and go for the 285’s next time! BestLine Racing Fuel Treatment Review. I do wish that they offered more key sizes in this particular model, namely a 255/80R17 version that is currently offered in the S/T Maxx. I had a set of 275/70R18’s installed yesterday and they are 3PMSF rated. Wondering if you can comment on any height or width issues you are having with the 285/70’s vs the stock 265/70 size which I’m running. Turn off the beaten path and you’ll find these tires perform very well over varying terrain.
Not that the XLT is bad, mind you. BUT, there is a fine line to be walked between a capable off-road design and a tire that can withstand the many miles between the pavement and the dirt; the XLT walks…er…rolls that line with balance and precision. AT3 tires will also last much longer – the A/TW line has only 50,000-mile tread warranty. For the long haul this is a very welcomed feature for an all-terrain tire. // Max. The sidewalls are built with a prominent design adding toughness to the typically weaker part of the tire as well as enhancing off-road capability by providing extra traction when the tire is searching for grip. We’ve come to the part the most of you were probably waiting for. The tire pressure depends on the specifications provided by the manufacturer of your SUV or truck, and not by the manufacturer of the tires. That’s just the way things are. Check back in the next few weeks .
I was hesitant at first to move away from my proven S/T Maxx to a more all-terrain style tire. Cooper’s proprietary Aqua Vac Channels and wide lateral notches help in severe rain by evacuating the water and lowering hydroplaning, while the Micro-Gauge zig-zag sipes provide additional biting edges for better traction in slippery conditions. Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT: A Review on Durability, Versatility & Long Term Use on the 5th Gen 4Runner. Still, Cooper incorporated their Even Wear Arc Technology, that optimizes the shape of the footprint for steady pressure of the contact patch.
Cooper has designed small rubberized barriers in between the outer tread blocks called Whisper Grooves™ that reduce overall tire noise by blocking lateral air movement in the tread blocks. Here the XLT shows much better results, which is no surprise really. While it is not even close to its brother, the 4S still offers good off-road traction and ability. In sand at lower pressures, the XLT does a good job providing floatation to keep the 4Runner on top of the sand and out of trouble. BestLine Racing Fuel Treatment Review. Cooper Tire promises traction on light snow as well, but the XLT is not 3PMSF rated like its less-tough brother. They have incorporated their Durable Tread Technology™ to the XLT’s, optimizing tread wear and durability by using a series of compounds designed to provide superior off-road traction and a long lived tread life. At a lower tire pressure, the AT3 tread design does a good job clearing the voids with a bit of wheel speed. . Buying terrain-specific tires can be a daunting task, and it can quickly become a compromise of one quality over another. The Snow Groove Technology is here to improve traction in the snow by utilizing saw-tooth block edges in the outboard grooves.
Including the tire wear from 55,000 miles of use, the new XLTs are well over an inch taller than the S/T Maxx’s, but the width is similar for both. GET PAID FOR WRITING A 4RUNNER PRODUCT REVIEW OR STEP BY STEP INSTALL. It not only offers better traction and grip in dry and wet conditions, but it is also better in snow. The Discoverer AT3 4S and Discoverer AT3 XLT are the best examples of that. And how is rubbing in the back? Compared to the 3-ply S/T Maxx, they make smaller bumps and cracks less noticeable, and larger potholes easier to deal with. Cooper’s proprietary Aqua Vac Channels and wide lateral notches help in severe rain by evacuating the water and lowering hydroplaning, while the Micro-Gauge zig-zag sipes provide additional biting edges for better traction in slippery conditions. Happily, if you’re into that sort of stuff, both the Discoverer AT3 4S and the Discoverer AT3 XLT will offer very good off-road performance in every condition. For the new rubber, I decided I wanted to stay in the Cooper Tire family. There is minor rubbing when at full lock in reverse, but only on the mud flap which can be modified. In my opinion, the AT3 series tires are a better choice for almost everybody. Yes, Cooper Tire designs and manufactures their products only in the USA. The short answer is: No. But the footprint of the 285/70R17 that I have been using has been a good match for the 4Runner, so there isn’t much room for complaining on my end. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT All-Season LT275/70R18 125/122S Tire at Amazon.com. I couldn’t have been more wrong; Cooper hit the nail on the head with this tire design. Snow on snow contact is key for winter drivability on a set of tires. The main difference between the 4S and XLT tires seems to be durability, with the latter equipped with the Durable Tread TechnologyTM that helps the tire haul heavy loads with less wear. They crawl, claw and grip at rocks with ease due to their bold tread pattern and studdable design, ready to tackle any terrain. Our newsletter is pretty much the best thing you'll ever read! Thanks! Read the full article > I just took the plunge and ordered some of these in 285’s for my 4Runner and cant wait to test em out! For what it is worth, the ST Maxx absolutely destroys the K02 in performance, only being slightly louder and having similar wet traction. The ruggedized traction shoulders incorporate the sidewall pattern into the tread pattern, allowing for a seamless contact area for additional traction off-road and in snowy conditions. Last winter I drove through a few good snowstorms, once on a highway as the last vehicle before they closed the road down due to heavy drifts. To help you choose between the different Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires, I prepared a comparison between the AT3 4S and AT3 XLS. I have liked them so much, that I put them on my nine to five work truck which sees almost 20,000 miles per year of commuting, hauling and towing heavy loads. However, things change if you use the tires in off-road conditions most of the time. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. Braking distances are also very short – up there with the best tires in this category. Then, they continue with saying that this tire offers a blend of off-road performance and on-road comfort, with traction on every type of surface. — Max, Excellent review, thanks for posting. In numbers, they seem close when it comes to warranty. Cooper pioneered the popular AT3 tread pattern years ago and it has been an unsung all terrain hero amongst off-road enthusiasts since its debut. An excellent result for Cooper Tire! We've driven the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT for a good 13,000 km over mud, sand, rock gravel and highway terrain. Cooper’s site still doesn’t mention anything thou.
GET PAID FOR WRITING A 4RUNNER PRODUCT REVIEW OR STEP BY STEP INSTALL. Tires are the vehicle’s connection to the ground. I’m told a 295 will but that’s just Facebook whatever. Traction and handling in all other conditions is much improved. Thanks for the comparison! The more detailed answer is that the Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires simply offer better performance in every category. All Discoverer AT3 tires are snow rated, but they have different ratings. Kelyn // Excellent!
Almost every all-terrain tire offers some traction on snow, due to the aggressive tread design. Designed to prevent shredding on rocky and gravel terrain; Extreme durability for hauling; Rugged, biting edges on the shoulder of the tire, for extra grip and resistance to punctures