Unhappy with Cooper AT3 - Bridgestone 697's?

Quote:

---

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

---

Nice pics. But what has this to do with whether they're available in 18" (LT) construction??

Cheers,

Gordon

I have a set of 245.70x16 LT D694s and am very happy, with good wear IMHO,
I have only done about 30Kk but up the Cape including Northern OTT and quite a bit of dirt. No punctures but then I had none in 30 years of BFG AT ownership.
They are a bit noisier than new now but still quiet, and great traction on dirt, and I have seen a comment that the best AT in mud.

I will get 697's next time if possible.
Regards Philip A

I have had 3 sets of Mickey Thompsons over the years and found them to be great.
Two sets of MTZ's one set of ATZ's.

Good grip, good wear & never had a puncture.

Cheers

Had no problems with the 265x60x18 AT3's on our D3 even when towing our 2.5 ton van off road or on rough dirt roads

cheers,
Terry

Hi Gords,
I had the coopers, much the same as yourself, I shredded two with about the same klms on the GCR on the way over to Uluru, running about the same pressures as yourself, both rears, N/S first then the O/S, funnily enough it happened within 500 klms of crossing over from WA to the NT. The fronts looked average, I think the road had been graded recently, anyway when i got back I swapped them out for a set of GG AT's never looked back, when I sold my D3 I took them off and swapped them onto my RRS, look real good and not to noisy.
I have a set of Bridgestone 694's on my D1, very impressed with the performance so far. A good all round tyre in my opinion.

Hi Nomad9,

If you don't mind me asking how long ago did you have these failures and were they AT3's or some other earlier model Coopers?

Cheers,
Terry

Cheers everyone, another theory I have heard is that when steering to avoid large/ sharp rocks often the front wheels kick up the sharp side of the seemilgly harmless rock then when you drive over it the sharp side smashes the rears. Seems about right looking at my rears!

Hi TerryO,
The tyres were 18 inch HT plus XL +, I bought them because of the load rating and I was told at the time they were more puncture resistant. These tyres have a better load rating than the AT3, with the rear wheel carrier, the long range tank, the fridge, drawer system, hi lift jack and the camper trailer I was looking for the best load rating I could get in an 18 inch tyre.
Took the advice of the guy selling the tyres. If I could have got BF Goodrich AT's I would have, just couldn't get the size. Personally I went against my better judgement and decided to give Coopers a go seeing they have such a good advertising regime, warranty etc, etc. I tried to get the warranty but hadn't had a Cooper tyre dealer do the wheel alignment, I only wanted LR dog things to my vehicle. Pays you money you tkes your chance. Personally won't go near them again,thats my personal opinion.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ~Rich~

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.

---

Exactly.

Gords,

There are no LT tyres readily available in 18's unless you want to go oversize.

Going to 17's would give you a wide range of options in LT rated tyres,with a same/ similar size as the OEM tyre size(diameter)
If you hunt around you will find 17' rims are not that expensive & may actually help you save money in the long run.

I have run the BFG A/T on the D2's for around 12yrs,and then recently the D4,never had a flat:)

Hi Scarry,

What size BFG ATs do you use on your 17" rims