Cooper AT3 XLT

did your tires come with white lettering?

 

Yes, certain sizes come with RWL (raised white lettering) for some reason.

 

I run 285/75/17s and tend to agree that they may look a bit small, even though they’re close to 34” (33.8”). I think the reason, though, is that our Tundras are comparatively huge, especially with their longer wheelbase. To me, even 35s don’t look all that big on our trucks. By contrast, 35s look just right on a fullsize Bronco, with its much shorter wheelbase, and kind of big on a 1st gen Tacoma. But on a 2nd and 3rd gen Tundra, not so much. But that’s just my subjective opinion on how tires look on our big trucks.

But the bigger and heavier the tire, the more issues we need to address. MPG drop, clearance, premature wheel-bearing/tie-rod end/steering rack wear, braking effectiveness, etc. I’ve even read about lug stud issues with 37s and negative offset wheels on at least one Tundra owner on here some time ago.

I think 34s and 35s are a good max size tire for the purpose of preventing any additional risk of excessive premature wear or breakage on parts components for our trucks. The rear axles and rear diff can seem to handle bigger tires. I don’t know how the CV axles and front diff can handle them, but I do know there are a small number of Tundra owners who frequently off-road their trucks hard that can probably provide their experience with that (well, them and the Tundra that Toyota entered a few years back in the Baja race). But it’s a small number and may not be truly representative of this truck’s weaknesses, strengths, capabilities and limitations.

Now if the Tundra came with one-ton solid axles front and rear, that would be a different story. But we all know the expense and added weight and frame modifications would make that impractical. So sticking with a conservative max size, whatever that size may be (35”?), is probably best. And anything below that size should theoretically be good enough to lessen the risk of breakage and premature wear.

So for me, a true 34” and up to a 35” tire would be the ideal size to balance out our Tundras’ relatively larger outline while minimizing additional wear and clearance issues that may arise with 37s or bigger. Granted, I know there are a few in the “Dirty Seven” club who may either confirm or disagree. I have no experience running that size. Just my thoughts on the matter considering Toyota’s design and makeup of our Tundras.

 

I agree. We've discussed this before. It's all a balancing act.

When I was younger and dumber I wouldn't have cared about any of that. I would just want to make it look BA so I would have gone with at least a 35x12.5 or larger and everything else be damned. If I off-roaded my Tundra I would probably want at least a 35" tire too but I don't and I'm long past the days of worrying about impressing other people. That and I know the further from stock you go, the less reliable it becomes. I plan to keep this truck for as long as possible so why create potential problems just to make it look cooler?

Overall I think the 285/75r17 look fine on the Tundra and mojojo's truck was the first time I'd seen them on a Tundra where they looked a little small? They actually look kind of tall on your truck. I'm sure some of it's the angles and some of it is how much the truck is lifted?

I was surprised to read that dsotm's has 5100's at the top setting because his truck looks like it still has some forward rake but again, that could just be the angle?

Here are some other Tundra's with 285/75r17 (running KO2) on Rebounds with 5100's on the middle setting that I think look great...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/anyone-running-17-rims-on-your-3rd-gen.23617/page-8#post-1169031

https://www.tundras.com/threads/off...-setups-pics-and-info.95/page-59#post-1138071

 

Here we go! 285/75R18

 

no worries.

I think the black wheels also play a role in to their size appearance... However, knowing that appearance is subjective, I think the 285/75-17 is a great all around size with more benefit than not.

Admittedly, I had two other wheels chosen before settling on these wheels... There's a long story there.

When shopping tire size, I knew of a few things I wanted:
Fit - no cutting, retain the mud flaps and tread inside the fenders (this also played into my wheel selection)
Options - popular size with AT options
Weight - the least weight gain possible while meeting other requirements

So I chose the Cooper's. After reading reviews on them, it was clear that they were a good tire.

 

Did your tires come with white lettering on the other side? If not, can you take a pic of the other side? I’m just curious if the tires that don’t come with white letters have raised or flat black lettering on the other side.

 

These are black on both sides. Nonwhite lettering on either side.

 

3"/1.5" spacers. Nothing fancy, but it works for me.

 

I think you are spot on with everything you wrote! Cant wait until I can join the club

 

Agreed one hundred percent. I researched tires for the last year. How they were made, who really owns what company, the customer service, actual warranty and how they handle issues if any arise, etc.

The weight, rotational mass, quietness, look, pricing, reviews, cooper no questions 60k warranty and good off road capability make this tire one of the top ones out there for daily driver Tundras that also do off road trails, ranch work, hunting, etc.

It’s the most practical and good looking tire out there for its purpose. Is it a super swamper and best for muddin? No. Best for snow and ice in January in Idaho? Probably not. But most people that wheel or live in those conditions will have different tires for different seasons. If you don’t need that, this tire is in the top three for sure.

 

I'm happy with my 285/65/20s so far. I think I've had them for about a month now. They are quiet on the highway. They have better wet traction than those pos Terra grapplers.

 

Will the 285/75/17 on rock warriors fit stock suspension?

 

I just put on a set this past weekend of 315/70 R17 on my truck and the tires look amazing. pics to follow.
I had Goodyear Duratracs and they were a great tire, but right out of the driveway I can tell the Coppers AT3 XLT tire is smoother on the road, which it should be looking at the profile of the tire. The tire was designed for full size trucks that are towing and off road. I think the Duratracs were a softer tire, even though I got 52k miles on them.
The AT3 XLT is M+S rated but does not have the severe 3 peak symbol. I would take the 3 peaks with a grain of salt, since driving the Duratracs with the severe rating and knowing that how you drive is most important. Most truck tires with the 3 peak do handle a little better in snow, but they are not true winter tires. In most areas the M+S rating keeps you legal on the highway during storms.

 

I've been reading all over, looking to replace the sub par Michelin tires that came on my truck. Finally decided on these AT3 XLTs instead of Duratracks (could not get over a bad experience with Goodyear AT tires a couple of decades ago). Been using BFGs on my previous trucks but thought I would look around before buying BFGs again like a lemming. Finally ordered the XLTs today and will have them put on next weekend. My truck suspension is stock Limited TRD-OR, Michelins are 275-65 18 but as I don't see the XLTs in that size, I went with 275-70. What clinched it was all the positive reviews, the weight of the tire, the price and the white lettering which should look good on the white truck.
I think some sizes have the 3 peak as they had passed the test and I guess other sizes have yet to be tested. There is another post somewhere here about that. It feels good to have made up my mind finally.

 

Mine should be mounted and balanced by Monday and I will post pics here for you all.

 

You get those new rubbers mounted up yet my dude?

 

Funny you should write that today. Being balanced today so I have no information to give you as far as noise or anything else yet. As soon as I do I will post it here for you.

 

Daymn!! Looking good though! Hehe, nice rack!

 

The rack is the Leitner Designs active cargo system. It is like adult LEGO. To add or remove a gear pod or anything else takes minutes and the rear crossbar slides all the way to the front allowing the use of your truck bed for motorcycles, couches, refrigerators or bronze statues of yourself, you know. Normal stuff. I have that rack system and the decked storage system as well and that covers every thing I will ever carry. I did get the ESP under seat storage also so I think I have maximized potential on the tundra.

 

I like the look of these tires a lot. They have a very aggressive look from the sidewall pattern, but the tread itself looks perfect for what 99% of anyone would need for driving. I have Michelin defenders which are great except the look is so boring and ordinary. It would be nice to have a quiet tire with good all around traction that looks aggressive like these do. Idk if I could ever give up my Michelins but if I did, I'd take a hard look at these

 

They look good on Blue Ribbon trucks!

 

Shit man, you're right those look great. I'm surprised these arent more popular. They look as good as the duratracs or bfg ats, but the tread pattern seems like itll perform better all around and they save weight. Nice truck!
Mine looks wimpy in comparison, although I'm really starting to like the darker colors I've added. I also blacked out my exhaust. Badge might be coming off, not sure. And I hope my wheels hold up, they look good so far.
I wanted to paint my pro grille insert blue ribbon but idk, now it kinda fits. I do need to change the color of my TOYOTA letters in front. I changed them from the OEM dark gray to silver. I may match the wheels, or just go white. I want them to stand out

 

I like your wheel color a lot. I'm too chicken to try it and I'm ok with the aluminum as is. I'm debating going with color matched door handles and the Pro grill insert.

So far so good with the tires. I haven't had a chance to get them muddy or in the snow but I expect them to. Road noise is minimal - probably less the G2. Wet traction is good as well.

 

I didn't really mind the wheels either. Mine had some curb rash and started to look crappy. The dark color really hides the imperfections. I liked how the color matched my platinum badge, looked good.
I really would love color matched handles, my Tacoma had them. I did black on this truck because it was affordable and I like the look more than chrome.
Pro grill insert is easy to do. I actually did and ebay grill insert on my buddies tundra. It was only like $170 and looked as good as my OEM insert

 

These are the tires that came on mine when I picked her up. They are the factory size, ride smooth and balance easy. One thing I will say is they are not great in the snow. Here in MT we get quite a bit of wet sloshy snow with the occasional powder day. With 500 lbs of ballast in the bed it would still get a little squirrely. I chalk it up to being such a hard compound of tire. BFG's and Duratracs do well in the snow cause they are a little softer compound warm up quick and get tacky even while cold due to all the silica in them. Coopers I feel are more like Michelins in the rubber compound. I have around 8500 miles on them and they still have the mold nipples on them. Even though they are not great in the snow when I need another set I'll get them again just a bigger size.....

 

Just had mine installed. Big difference in the ride and steering feel. I always thought, and said in one of my earliest post, that the steering was less precise, required more little corrections as I drove, than my '02 Tundra, which tracked exactly where I expected it to go. I thought, maybe having it for 17 years, I was as used to it as I was with my left foot. In the 2 miles I drove the truck home, the new Tundra felt much more precise, with much less steering input and less of a 'wallowing around' feel. I think those Michelin tires that came with the truck were a bit overwhelmed on the Tundra. BTW they have the 3 Peak/Snowflake.
Chrominator waiting for his new shoes at America's Tire:
Looks good, no rub. Checked that in the parking lot.
275-70 R18

 

Looks good. I like the white letters out. They installed mine with the white letters inside; I would have liked them outside - didn't think to tell them and did not want to go through the hassle of remounting them.

 

Looks great brotha! My thoughts echo what you said about the steering too. I felt a noticeable difference in the feel and response of the steering wheel after swapping over to these tires.