Unhappy with Cooper AT3 - Bridgestone 697's?

**Gords** · 17th September 2012, 12:57 PM

Hey all,

I'm currently on a 4 week road trip through the Simpson, flinders, high country etc in the D3 (report to follow!!!) and have had a few problems with my brand new set of cooper AT3's. Recently, from 6 new AT3's I have had;
- 1 sidewall cut & written off on bitumen (probably metal so hard to avoid);
- 3 punctures on gravel with two punctures writing off the tyre (one was my fault as didn't hear the puncture on rocky roads till it was too late and consequently chewed out the sidewall)

The 3 punctures were all on gravel roads with my pressures at 30psi. After approx 2500km of use since new. The worst puncture which wrote the tyre off was in the flinders on gravel when doing 40km/h where sedans were going! Also, the rears are chewed up with fractures appearing- not impressed to say the least!

As a result I'm in need of 2 fairly urgent replacements and am obviously hesitant to go with the AT3's again after their poor performance.*

I'm not too fussed about the Mickey Thompsons either as they're effectively a rebranded, cooper.

I just found out that Bridgestone recently (6 months back) brought out a 'dueler 697' 265/60/18 in a light truck construction with a load rating of 114, this replaces the older dueler 694 I think I was. Anyone had any experience with this tyre? Not cheap though - $485 a throw!*

I understand the other size tyres out there however would like to stick with the same size to match my other Tyres and multiple spares (which really paid off taking!)

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

On a positive note- the D3 absolutely killed the Simpson desert, traveling solo, east to west. See the report in a few weeks

Cheers!
Rob

**gghaggis** · 17th September 2012, 02:03 PM

The Mickey's are constructed in the same factory as the Cooper's (well, some of them), but they're not a "rebranded Cooper". Quite a different tyre.

Sorry, no experience with the new Bridgestone's

Cheers,

Gordon

**oldsalt** · 17th September 2012, 02:04 PM

What about General Grabber AT2's ?.
I've got GG's on my D3 and they have been very good, the new AT2 looks even better, probably worth a look at as you are in the market for new shoes.
I look forward to your trip report - and lots of pictures...

cheers

**gghaggis** · 17th September 2012, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Gords

I just found out that Bridgestone recently (6 months back) brought out a 'dueler 697' 265/60/18 in a light truck construction with a load rating of 114, this replaces the older dueler 694 I think I was. Anyone had any experience with this tyre? Not cheap though - $485 a throw!*

Hmm - a cursory look at the US and Oz Bridgestone sites fails to bring up such a tyre? Not in that size, and not with that load rating?

I've had clients with good reports on the Goodyear Silent Armor, the Mickey STZ and the Pirelli ATR in 265/60R18. Also for the Cooper AT3, I'd have to add?

Cheers,

Gordon

**Gords** · 17th September 2012, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by gghaggis

Hmm - a cursory look at the US and Oz Bridgestone sites fails to bring up such a tyre? Not in that size, and not with that load rating?

I've had clients with good reports on the Goodyear Silent Armor, the Mickey STZ and the Pirelli ATR in 265/60R18. Also for the Cooper AT3, I'd have to add?

Cheers,

Gordon

Thanks Gordon, and Oldsalt- ill check them out.

Gordon I also couldn't find that in the net after speaking with a dealer... Hmmm but was assured that option was possible over the phone.

I have just had a chat with a Cooper distributor and he has offered me a good deal on two more AT3's after the full story which was good of him. I might just get those and hopefully put it down to bad luck!!!

Thanks all.

**Graeme** · 17th September 2012, 02:59 PM

Some people found the D694 wore rather quickly but I see that Bridgestone says the D697 has better wear rates. The D694 & now the D697 were/are made in other sizes as LT (eg 255/65-17 & 265/65-17) that are usually passenger tyres so I'm not surprised to read you've found 265/60-18 in LT.

**gghaggis** · 17th September 2012, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Graeme

Some people found the D694 wore rather quickly but I see that Bridgestone says the D697 has better wear rates. The D694 & now the D697 were/are made in other sizes as LT (eg 255/65-17 & 265/65-17) that are usually passenger tyres so I'm not surprised to read you've found 265/60-18 in LT.

I found a 285/60R18, but it wasn't in LT, although it has an 118 load rating. No other 18" sizes are listed. I'd be interested to know if an LT is available in the smaller 18" size.

Cheers,

Gordon

**roamer** · 17th September 2012, 03:50 PM

Pictures are a BFG A/T top and a Bridgestone D697 bottom

You can see the thickness of the steel belts,

It took 4000 lb with a hydrolic ram to pierce the tread on the D697

These D697s are the tyre recommended by a leading offroad caravan manufacturer, whose van get up to 3.5 ton

Cheers Ken

**Graeme** · 17th September 2012, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by gghaggis

I found a 285/60R18, but it wasn't in LT, although it has an 118 load rating. No other 18" sizes are listed. I'd be interested to know if an LT is available in the smaller 18" size.

They'd go well with your rims for virtually std diameter.

**~Rich~** · 17th September 2012, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by roamer

Pictures are a BFG A/T top and a Bridgestone D697 bottom

You can see the thickness of the steel belts,

It took 4000 lb with a hydrolic ram to pierce the tread on the D697

These D697s are the tyre recommended by a leading offroad caravan manufacturer, whose van get up to 3.5 ton

Cheers Ken

Most punctures are through the sidewall not the tread.
Rocks slicing the sidewall and sticks piecing it.
I also believe in observing closely the terrain ahead and steering clear of as much possible damage as I can, yes it will make you tired with all the constant scanning but it's worth it.

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