Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Review
One of three new tires in the Cooper Discoverer lineup, the AT3 XLT joins the AT3 4S and AT3 LT in an expanded lineup of specialized products for truck and SUV drivers.
Pros
- Incredible grip
- Fantastic mileage warranty
- Competitive price
- Aggressive looks
Cons
- 2-ply sidewall
- Not rated for winter weather
Cooper made a name for itself in the off-road industry with the original Discovery AT3. But as always, specific buyers asked for more. So rather than make one tire do the job of three, Cooper developed three unique tires.
You can read about the Discoverer AT3 4S here and the Discoverer LT here. As for the AT3 XLT, it delivers much of the same features as the LT, but is designed specifically for extreme off-roading with plenty of sizes for lifted trucks with customized suspension setups.
In many respects its like a hybrid terrain tire (a tire category that combines all-terrain and the more extreme mud-terrain segments) although Cooper doesn’t classify it as such.
To help in durability over time, Cooper has employed what it calls “Even Wear Arc” technology. What this means is that they designed the shape of the tire’s surface to wear more evenly over time, allowing it to come with an incredible 60,000 mile treadwear warranty. Getting a warranty of that level, on a tire designed for serious use on really big trucks, is remarkable.
And to point out, the tire is designed not just for impressive off-roading, but to also do real work, carrying heavy payloads and weight under towing.
Look at each tread lug and you’ll see small ledges before they join the base of the tire. Those are designed to help eject stones. Small stones getting caught in the tread is one of the key factors in uneven tire wear and, therefore, premature tire life.
Each tire lug also comes with ribbed sides for added grip, while the shoulder blocks have small ledges built into them for rock crawling. The lugs also feature siping to help in wet and snowy weather, although this isn’t a winter-certified tire – the AT3 4S is.
The sidewall itself also functions like a mud-terrain tire, with added features serving a dual purpose of protecting the sidewall against rock slices, while also delivering an added level of grip in deep loose earth or mud.
And if you closely inspect the shoulder lugs they are scalloped with an alternating pattern, giving this tire much more grip in loose earth or mud than a conventional all-terrain tire.
On-road, not only does it offer top-notch dry and wet weather grip on asphalt, but it’s plenty civilized too. Cooper’s “Whisper Grooves” are designed to diminish sound coming from the tire, so it continues to deliver a quiet ride.
We also just love the look of these new tires, from the aggressive tread pattern, to the detailed sidewall and the classic white block lettering.
On top of all this, Cooper continues to offer extremely competitive pricing for its tires, so the Discoverer AT3 XLT is even more of a bargain. We highly recommend this tire.
If there are any drawbacks to this tire, it’s that, first, it isn’t rated for winter use (as previously mentioned) and second, it uses a 2-ply sidewall and not a 3-ply setup for added protection. Cooper does sell proper mud-terrain tires if that’s what you’re looking for though.
Consumer reviews on Cooper’s own site rate this tire a 4.5 out of 5, and Discount Tire gives it a 94.3% recommended rating by owners.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Price
Pricing for the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT starts at around $160 for 15-inch tires and goes up to almost $400 for 20-inch versions.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Warranty
The Discoverer AT3 XLT comes with an impressive 60,000 mile limited treadwear warranty. Plus, like all Cooper tires, it comes with a 45-day road test warranty, where you can return the sites if you’re not completely satisfied.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Sizes
15-inch sizes
31X10.50R15LT
32X11.50R15LT
33X12.50R15LT
16-inch sizes
LT285/75R16
LT295/75R16
LT315/75R16
LT305/70R16
17-inch sizes
LT285/75R17
LT285/70R17
LT295/70R17
LT305/70R17
LT315/70R17
37X12.50R17LT
18-inch sizes
LT285/75R18
LT265/70R18
LT275/70R18
LT295/70R18
LT285/65R18
LT305/65R18
LT325/65R18
LT325/60R18
35X12.50R18LT
20-inch sizes
LT275/65R20
LT285/65R20
LT265/60R20
LT275/60R20
LT285/60R20
LT295/60R20
LT325/60R20
LT275/55R20
LT285/55R20
LT305/55R20
35X12.50R20LT
What Ply are Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT?
In terms of the tire sidewall, the AT3 XLT makes use of 2-ply setup. As for the tread casing, the XLT comes with either a 6, 8 or 10-ply rating with the vast majority of the sizes being the latter.
Are Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Tires Noisy?
We’d rate these tires are barely louder than conventional all-seasons tires. That is to say, they’re quiet enough that almost no one will notice a difference. More importantly, as far as all-terrain tires go, they are extremely quiet.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT vs AT3 LT
Looking at the tread pattern of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT and XLT it’s not easy to tell them apart. In fact, it’s almost impossible. And that’s because it’s not the tread that makes the difference here. In fact, no matter how you slice it, this is one impressive tire with great off-road grip and a civilized and responsive on-road ride.
The tires do differ in their intended use, however, with the LT designed for heavy duty pickup trucks, while the XLT is built specifically for lifted half-ton or midsize pickup trucks.
Visually you can tell the XLT apart thanks to its more aggressive sidewall which not only offers an extra level of grip in loose earth or mud, it also serves as added protection for the sidewall for more extreme off-roading situations.
The LT model isn’t as extreme looking and it’s main advantages are found under the surface. The tire makes use of a reinforced casing to handle the heavy loads of three-quarter and one-ton trucks, and wear slowly over that time. Both tires come with a 60,000 mile warranty.
Regardless of which one is right for you, Cooper says these tires will stop roughly 10 feel shorter (on road) than rival tires.