Time for tires, Michelin Defender LTX vs Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT

[Fasttimes]

Looking like it's about that time to replace the shoes. Looking for some feedback in differences between the two in performance. I'll preface in that the truck currently has the Defender LTX now, came with it. I do a lot of towing and I know there is a lot of feedback on this site about going to a LT tire, but so far with almost max inflation the tires have performed just fine pulling a 7000# TT.

But now that its getting time to replace them I'm looking at options. The Defender has been a good tire, but it sure is a boring looking tire. Those AT3s look a whole lot better for sure. Now, I live in the land of eternal summer in Miami, so snow performance is of no use, but performance in rain is. How would the AT3s peform in the rain on highways? I could consider the 4S version from Cooper, but then would loose the benefits of the stronger towing capabilities of the AT3 if I'm not mistaken?

Price wise the AT3 looks to be about $15 more per tire. If I replaced with the Defender I can get free installation and lifetime rotation and balance, road hazard at my local Bjs, but won't let that be a decision maker.

Those that have the AT3 XLT, how is it in the rain? Highway speeds? Towing?

 

[Kjhawkeye1]

I love my AT3 XLTs. Not loud and handle great at everything I have put them through. Snow, rain, corn fields at harvest and normal driving. Aired em up to 70 lbs for towing as well. Bought mine from Fleet Farm when they had a buy 3 get 1 free sale.

 

[Machete]

I had the Coopers AT3’s on my 1st gen. I pulled them after couple years 15,000 miles. They were great in snow but after a few months got loud during summer and on highway they were rough feeling.

Switched to General Grabbers HTM and like those way better but I know the Michelin’s Defender line are better.

 

[ExplorerTom]

No problems with my Coopers. I’m right at the 15k mike mark and they are still quiet.

 

[mnachreiner86]

You can’t go wrong with either of those, especially in your climate and for your uses. I’d say whichever you think looks best/deal. Good luck!


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[JasonH]

I'm on the Discover AT3 XLT as well. My vehicle is a 4x2. The tires have been great in the snow and ice I've had to deal with, both in New Mexico and here in Texas lately. I only have around 7,000 miles on them, but no issues with noise. They also handle and tow better than the Hankooks and Sailuns I had on the truck previously. They were expensive, but worth every cent.

 

[Fasttimes]

For sure the AT3s look way better than the defenders. If their rain handling is up to the task I’d rather that aggressive look. Noise I’m not so concerned with, but don’t want to spend more and get less performance in rain or towing.

Anybody running 20” versions of the AT3s? Go for exact size replacement, 275/55 or get a wider tire?

 

[07navi]

I run 275/60-20's and it is a good all around size plus there is still a good tire selection in that size.

 

[Fasttimes]

I run 275/60-20's and it is a good all around size plus there is still a good tire selection in that size.

No issues with tires rubbing at that size?

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Both good tires, but the AT3 is going to be better off-road and the Defender is going to be better on the highway. Noise is subjective and also depends on what you're comparing it against. I previously had Bridgestone KOs and I didn't find them especially loud on a universal scale. Compared to the LTX though, they were considerably louder at highway speeds.

 

[Alex Johnson]

I'm running the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S 22" on my 2016. I have a little bit of rubbing at full turn. So far I am really happy with them in all the weather I have seen. I have about 7k miles on them, since June. Worked great on highway, surface streets, rain and snow. Haven't towed with them yet got the camper out for a while due to work and covid.

 

[07navi]

No issues with tires rubbing at that size?

No lift and no rubbing ever.

 

[shinysideup2]

Those are different tires. The Michelin Defender LTX is an all-season. I wouldn't use these for off-roading.
I have the Cooper Discoverer AT3-XLT in 305/70-17 (34") on 17" Raptor wheels. I do have a very mild lift (about 1" all around) and have had to trim the inside of the fenders (plastic only - no metal). I disconnect my sway bars when off-roading, so my suspension does see greater-then-normal amounts of flex. I tow a 6500 lb travel trailer with them at 65psi (max for the 305mm Load Range E size) and off-road at about 20psi. They do very well in the rain compared to my Nitto Exo Grapplers. They are marketed as good rain performers vs other all-terrain (not all-season) tires.

They aren't the most aggressive off-road tire (I've also had Nitto Exo-Grapplers which had better grip on loose dirt, steep climbs), but they would offer much better protection from off-road hazards (sharp rocks) and better off-road grip than any Michelin, and they are surprisingly VERY quiet on-road.

If I had a 4x2 and NEVER went off-road, I might consider a street tire like the Michelin Defender LTX, but I've always found Michelins to be a bit over-priced for the level of performance they offer. You pay a premium for brand recognition / reputation. For other cars, I've owned Yokohama summer/intermediate, General all-season, Sumitomo summer, Good Year trailer & summer, Bridgestone summer, Nitto off-road, BF Goodrich summer tires and have never had any structural or quality issues with any of them. I've just never bought Michelins because they're just not worth the premium.

 

[07navi]

Those are different tires. The Michelin Defender LTX is an all-season. I wouldn't use these for off-roading.
I have the Cooper Discoverer AT3-XLT in 305/70-17 (34") on 17" Raptor wheels. I do have a very mild lift (about 1" all around) and have had to trim the inside of the fenders (plastic only - no metal). I disconnect my sway bars when off-roading, so my suspension does see greater-then-normal amounts of flex. I tow a 6500 lb travel trailer with them at 65psi (max for the 305mm Load Range E size) and off-road at about 20psi. They do very well in the rain compared to my Nitto Exo Grapplers. They are marketed as good rain performers vs other all-terrain (not all-season) tires.

They aren't the most aggressive off-road tire (I've also had Nitto Exo-Grapplers which had better grip on loose dirt, steep climbs), but they would offer much better protection from off-road hazards (sharp rocks) and better off-road grip than any Michelin, and they are surprisingly VERY quiet on-road.

If I had a 4x2 and NEVER went off-road, I might consider a street tire like the Michelin Defender LTX, but I've always found Michelins to be a bit over-priced for the level of performance they offer. You pay a premium for brand recognition / reputation. For other cars, I've owned Yokohama summer/intermediate, General all-season, Sumitomo summer, Good Year trailer & summer, Bridgestone summer, Nitto off-road, BF Goodrich summer tires and have never had any structural or quality issues with any of them. I've just never bought Michelins because they're just not worth the premium.

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I agree with your assessment of the Mich's, mine came with them but never buying them again. "because so much is riding on your tires".............lol. Yikes we could all die if we don't get Mich's !

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

If I had a 4x2 and NEVER went off-road, I might consider a street tire like the Michelin Defender LTX, but I've always found Michelins to be a bit over-priced for the level of performance they offer. You pay a premium for brand recognition / reputation. For other cars, I've owned Yokohama summer/intermediate, General all-season, Sumitomo summer, Good Year trailer & summer, Bridgestone summer, Nitto off-road, BF Goodrich summer tires and have never had any structural or quality issues with any of them. I've just never bought Michelins because they're just not worth the premium.

I agree that Michelins are overrated and overpriced and I don't share the widely held claims about how great the Defenders are in the snow (I think they're fair in the snow), but they're still my current favorite as a highway tire. I pay about $700 per set w/ mount/balance/lifetime road hazard/rotation which is certainly expensive, but not crazy for a 275/55 R20 tire. I've had Yokos a few times and had an usual number of blowouts and rapid treadwear, so I won't go that route again. I had Generals and those were great for about half their treadlife, after which point wet traction fell off a cliff. The Goodyears I've had were pretty much just mediocre all around - above average noise, got 2/3-3/4 their rated wear, were just ok in snow, etc. The only BFGs I had were KOs. Those handled great and while noticeably louder than a highway tire, were not unbearably so. The big issue with those was treadwear. After 2 sets wore down in 30-35K I gave up on them. I really liked the Pirelli Scorpions, but those wore down in ~35K also. That brought me back to Michelin mainly because they're great on the highway, wear incredibly well (gradual degradation of wet traction and 100%+ of rated treadwear), do well w/ towing for a non-LT tire and have a sidewall that in my experience can hold up to quite a bit of abuse (some of the roads I drive on in state/national park lands look like Sarajevo in the 90s).

Anyone looking for the "best tire" (or best anything for that matter) is on an impossible quest. There are compromises with every product, so you have to determine which product best suits your specific needs.

 

[sjwelds]

I do have a very mild lift (about 1" all around)

View attachment 40489

Off topic, but I would like about a 1" lift. Where did you purchase it or how was only a 1" lift accomplished?

 

[shinysideup2]

I agree that Michelins are overrated and overpriced and I don't share the widely held claims about how great the Defenders are in the snow (I think they're fair in the snow), but they're still my current favorite as a highway tire. I pay about $700 per set w/ mount/balance/lifetime road hazard/rotation which is certainly expensive, but not crazy for a 275/55 R20 tire.

< $200 per michelin tire in that size is a killer deal!


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[shinysideup2]

Off topic, but I would like about a 1" lift. Where did you purchase it or how was only a 1" lift accomplished?

Bilstein 6112 in front (adjustable height).

Rancho in back (adjustable damping, good for towing, but fixed height@about 3/4" to 1" over stock.

The Bilsteins aren't great. Under sprung and under damped... Likely because they're tuned for the f150 which is a few hundred pounds lighter.

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[Machete]

The quality of construction is what you pay for with Michelin’s. The performance is determined by the consumer in buying the right model for the right application.

All season and touring on trucks and for that matter performance on euros there is no better tire made.

I too have had them all. Conti’s, yoko’s, Bridgestone, Kumho, Pirelli and Michelin’s.

For my driving style and environment they’re just superior to the alternatives.

 

[Fasttimes]

I'm assuming the AT3 XLTs would have a benefit for towing being a LT class tire? Wonder if I would notice any difference to the Defenders while towing?