Need Some New Diggers For My Truck

hunterjoe21

It’s that time again. I need to put a new set of tires on my 07 Silverado. The factory tires lasted around 89k miles and the Coopers I have on it now got me nearly 60k. They’ve performed well, but with hunting season starting in 3 weeks and snow falling this morning, I gotta bite the bullet.

Online research shows that Cooper came out with a new light truck tire line this year. One of the new ones I’ve been looking at is the Discoverer At3 LT. I’m having trouble finding reviews online and was wondering if anyone here has tried them.

There are more expensive (a LOT more expensive) tires out there, but I’m trying not to go crazy, since the truck will probably only remain in my possession 2-3 more years.

us.coopertire.com/tire...t3-lt.aspx

Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

PaulS

Huterjoe,
The AT3 LT tires are all weather tires that are designed for hiway use. If you are going to be in deep snow or mud you might want to think about a more aggressive tread. The all weather tires are better for low noise and if you don't mind using chains they are OK for snow in moderate amounts. My brother lives at 4000 feet on the side of a mountain and he removed his all weathers for a much more aggressive tire. He travels unimproved and gravel roads and maintains the road up to the cabin all year. It is just a question of what you need to get to where you are going.

Elvis

our terrano...had something similar on it when we bought it... soon changed for a semi aggressive allterrain set...they were OK lasted well enough but when half worn we blew one and shredded the plurry thing leaving us with 3 half worn and a different tread from the spare...we bit the bullet and got $7NZ change from $1000 for that money we got 4 aggro traed tyres,4 wheel alignments and trye rotations a life of tyre guarantee that means if I poke rock through side of tyre at ANY stage of its life it gets replaced with a new one....they are wearing ok arent as noisy as expected and truck handles plurry well ,the peace of mind when we go off road or down a boat ramp etc is worth the extra $$$ and lower milage before tyre completely bauld... we still have 3 half worn other tyres so will be fine for ages....I will go down same path again the good grip is well worth it.

slimjim

I just had to replace all 4 Goodyear Wangler tires that have been nothing but problems with balance for the last 20,000 miles. I had a flat and took it in for repair and asked them to investigate. They found one separated ply with tear on inside of tire and two where the tread wiggled 1/8" when but under load. I do lots of highway driving so stayed with street tire. I had no time to take a chance on having future problems so went with Michelin Defenders. They have been very smooth and quiet on the highway.

I've got a 2sd RAM 1500 with 20" rims. The AT3 LT doesn't come in that size. Do you have 4wd? Their tread pattern is certainly more aggressive than the Defenders and wraps around on to the sidewall. Description says

"Designed to prevent shredding on rocky and gravel terrain"

hunterjoe21

My Silverado is an extended cab 4x4 with the Z71 package. I looked and can’t find any pictures of it. It’s getting old and since it originated and spent most of it’s life back east, the salt is taking it’s toll. That’s the reason I think I’ll get 2-3 more years out of it.

Since the move to Montana, I don’t put nearly the miles I did previously. I’m not required to provide a vehicle for work anymore, so it is mainly used on weekends. In fact, other than a recent move from Great Falls to Billings, the most miles it sees annually is during hunting season. I picked up a set of tire chains for it last year after it got a little dicey coming down out of the Little Belt Mountains. Chevy says NEVER install chains on this truck, but I figured If I get in that situation again, I’ll put them on and risk it.

I did a little more research and decided to go with the Cooper Discoverer S/T MAXX. They’re more aggressive than the AT3 LT’s and cost about $40/ea more, but I found plenty of reviews online and the vast majority are positive.

us.coopertire.com/tire...-maxx.aspx

slimjim

Interesting, I couldn't find a Traction/Temp/Wear rating on their website. I drove 600 miles today. I was please to have a quite truck with no tire shimmy as I cruised along.

Man you have to take a plunge to go for a different set of tires now a days. That is what holds me back from trying an aggressive tire as I do so much highway at 70+ mph.

I hope these tires do well for you. Give us an update when you get some miles on them.

Elvis

they look heaps better...very similar to what we had on last year bridgestone desert dueller a/t we now have bridgestone dueller MT on her...keep us posted on how they ride/wear etc.

hunterjoe21

A couple pics of where this truck has taken me

Elvis

beautiful piece of countryside.

slimjim

Yep, HJ, you bought the right tires. Not the type of terrain for my 2wd truck. I bought the life-time warrantee on parts and labor so I can't get myself to part with it. About to hit the highway for another 550 miles. I may be hunting pronghorn after lunch.

hunterjoe21

I picked up the truck this evening. Turns out I needed lower ball joints and tie rod ends too. That bill HURT...

Took it for a short ride and pretty happy. They are only slightly louder than the old tires. Got it up to speed outside of town (70ish) and was OK with the ride too. The only real difference I noticed was at low speeds (10-20 mph) you can feel the difference, but that’s to be expected with the aggressive tread.

We’ll see what they do once I get some miles on ‘em.