Way back when, I ran a set of Cooper Discoverers on my Series 60 Land Cruiser. They were a good tyre - no problems in most terrains - but the salient point in the memory is that they lasted forever. They were Cooper Discoverer LT's, but the range has expanded radically since those days.

Now you've the choice of Discoverer A/T (an all-terrain), the H/T (predominantly an on-road 4WD tyre), the STT (biased towards dirt and mud), to name but a few. The 'newie' is the Cooper Discoverer S/T (Sure Trac); a rather radical tyre.

First, here's a little information on the Cooper company. Established in 1914, Cooper took its name from Ira Cooper, an entrepreneurial gent with a nationwide chain of auto-part stores, who took over the company in the early '20s. The first involvement with off-road tyres came in WWII, when Cooper supplied the right rubber to the US military.

In 1997, the company bought British firm Avon tyres, giving it a sales gateway to Europe via Avon's existing distributor network.

The 8th largest tyre manufacturer in the world (in contrast to the way many of us think of Cooper as a 'boutique' manufacturer), the company has factories from northern Ohio to way south of the Mason-Dixon Line. It also turned over US$3.6 billion last year, and is still a US company - only one of two. Of the original 134 American-owned tyre manufacturers, Firestone is owned by Japan's Bridgestone, BFG has been taken over by France's Michelin, Armstrong is a subsidiary of Italy's Pirelli, and the General marches to the beat of Germany's Continental. For Statesiders, the list is patriotically depressing. Only Goodyear joins Cooper on the survivors' podium.

Also significant is that Cooper has not pursued the OE market, preferring to remain purely an aftermarket tyre manufacturer, now sold throughout the world.

So, what's special about the new tyre? Well, in the parlance of the motor trade, it would appear to have a few 'USPs' (Unique Selling Points). Many tyres, especially high-performance ones, have 'siping'; tiny cuts in the tread blocks to assist water dispersal. Usually, they run across the block, but the S/T's sipes are longitudinal, the rationale being to reduce chipping on harsh, gravel roads.

Cooper 4WD Tyres and 7 reasons why you should choose them

Four Wheel Drive enthusiast and Australia's distributor of Cooper 4WD Tyres, Terry Smith, explains why Cooper is America's most trusted 4x4 tyre. He summarises this into seven reasons that are important benefits for the 4WD tyre buyer.

Cooper 4WD tyres have deeper treads, up to 30% more than some brands, which means you get more tyre for your money, more kilometres, more grip, more puncture resistance.
Cooper 4WD tyres have deeper tread patterns. Today many manufacturers are lowering tread pattern depths. A cooper tyres lateral tread grooves are 67% deeper compared to most original equipment tyres. This is possible because of wider and stronger steel belts under the tread.
Cooper 4WD tyres stand up straighter. Most non-American brands of 4x4 tyres have a round or 'belly' shape in the sidewalls. Cooper, by design, stands up straighter to deflect objects.
Cooper 4WD tyres have see through treads, meaning the latest tread designs have open straight grooves for wet grip and self-cleaning - Cooper tread designs are all the most current designs.
Cooper 4WD tyres have round edge treads, not square. The current trend in 4WD tyre design is self-cleaning patterns with round shoulders, V shaped tread grooves and deeper tread patterns, Square edges track on the road, causing irregular shoulder wear.
Cooper are aftermarket producers. In tyre manufacturing there are two types, original equipment suppliers, and after market suppliers. Cooper produce exclusively for the aftermarket so they don't compromise on quality or performance to meet a price or the criteria of a vehicle manufacturer, which means you get more for your money.
Cooper 4WD tyres have high quality inner liners. The most important characteristic of a tyre is its ability to hold air. Cooper uses one of the best quality inner liners (Halobutyl) combined with the proper liner thickness to give excellent air retention, where others may vary the quality and thickness of the compound to reduce cost, sacrificing air retention properties.

Manufacturers description of this tire:

Cooper Discoverer S/T

The Discoverer S/T is Cooper’s premium all-purpose SUV/light truck traction tire that is a hybrid of three designs – all-terrain, high void and commercial traction. The Discoverer S/T fits a wide range of SUVs and light trucks up to 1 ton, but it is especially suitable for high-powered, high-torque light trucks where optimum wear and traction are required.

GUARANTEED TO LAST UP TO 80,000 KMS (At all capital city authorised dealers) The H/T has stronger steel belts which means less tread squirm and longer life. Cooper H/T belts are up to 27.5% stronger than most original tyres.

DEEPER TREAD PATTERN FOR INCREDIBLE WET WEATHER GRIP
The lateral tread grooves are 67% deeper compared to most original equipment tyres. That is possible because the H/T has wider and stronger belts inside!

QUIET RIDE
The H/T has all the qualities of a passenger tyre including variable tread block pitch, which reduces noise on the road. The solid rib centre & close pitch shoulder rib improves steering response while also reducing noise, this means it will handle better than most other tyres.

EXTRA STRENGTH TO REDUCE OFF ROAD DAMAGE
Cooper has a multi-layered steel cord belt and an extra rubber layer fitted between the belts to absorb more impact and reduce damage. Straight Sidewall design also deflects objects and reduces damage.

Tire Specifications

Tire Size	Service Description	Load Range	Sidewall	Approved Rim Width	Measured Rim Width	Section Width	Overall Diameter	Tread Width	Max Load	Tread Depth
30X9.50R15LT	104 Q	C	OWL	6.5 - 8.5	7.5	9.63	29.35	7.4	1985	18
31X10.50R15LT	109 Q	C	OWL	7 - 9	8.5	10.71	30.47	8.2	2270	18
33X12.50R15LT	108 Q	C	OWL	8.5 - 11	10	12.36	32.63	9.8	2205	20
35X12.50R15LT	113 Q	C	OWL	8.5 - 11	10	12.87	34.88	10.2	2535	20
235/75R15	105 S	STD	OWL	6 - 8	6.5	9.4	29	7.4	2039	15
235/75R15	109 S	RE	OWL	6 - 7.5	6.5	9.4	29	7.4	2271	15
LT235/75R15	104 Q	C	OWL	6 - 7	6.5	9.14	28.62	7.2	1985	18
LT215/85R16	115 N	E	BLK	5.5 - 7	6	8.41	30.48	6.1	2680	18
LT235/85R16	120 N	E	BLK	6 - 7	6.5	9.29	31.9	7	3042	18
LT255/85R16	119 N	D	OWL	6.5 - 8	7	10.04	33.21	7.2	3000	18
LT225/75R16	115 N	E	BLK	6 - 7	6	8.54	29.35	6.6	2680	18
245/75R16	111 S	STD	OWL	6.5 - 8	7	9.65	30.4	7.6	2403	15
LT245/75R16	120 N	E	BLK	6.5 - 7.5	7	9.76	30.53	7.45	3042	18
265/75R16	116 S	STD	OWL	7 - 9	7.5	10.55	31.55	8.3	2756	15
LT265/75R16	112 N	C	OWL	7 - 8	7.5	10.5	31.64	8.1	2470	18
LT265/75R16	119 N	D	OWL	7 - 8	7.5	10.52	31.73	8.1	3000	18
LT265/75R16	123 N	E	OWL	7 - 8	7.5	10.59	31.76	8.1	3415	18
LT285/75R16	122 N	D	OWL	7.5 - 9	8	11.3	32.8	9.2	3305	20
LT315/75R16	121 N	D	OWL	8 - 10	8.5	12.87	34.6	10	3195	20
235/70R16	106 S	STD	OWL	6 - 8	7	9.5	28.9	7.4	2094	15
255/70R16	111 S	STD	OWL	6.5 - 8.5	7.5	10.15	30.1	7.8	2403	15
265/70R16	112 S	STD	OWL	7 - 9	8	10.71	30.63	8.4	2469	15
LT305/70R16	118 N	D	OWL	8 - 9.5	9	12.29	32.81	10	2910	18
33X12.50R17LT	114 Q	D	OWL	8.5 - 11	10	12.36	32.63	9.8	2600	20
35X12.50R17LT	119 Q	D	OWL	8.5 - 11	10	12.87	34.88	10.2	3000	20
LT235/80R17	120 Q	E	OWL	6 - 8	6.5	9.4	31.85	7	3085	18
LT245/75R17	121 Q	E	OWL	6.5 - 8	7	9.59	31.75	7.67	3195	18
245/70R17	110 S	STD	OWL	6.5 - 8	7	9.96	30.43	7.6	2337	15
LT245/70R17	119 Q	E	OWL	6.5 - 8	7	10.07	30.45	7.45	3000	18
LT265/70R17	112 Q	C	OWL	7 - 9	8	10.71	31.65	8.4	2470	18
LT265/70R17	121 Q	E	OWL	7 - 9	8	11.03	31.65	8.4	3195	18
LT275/70R17	114 Q	C	OWL	7 - 9	8	11.32	32.2	8.8	2600	18
LT285/70R17	121 Q	D	OWL	7.5 - 9.5	8.5	11.35	32.8	9.1	3195	18
LT275/70R18	125 Q	E	OWL	7 - 9	8	10.95	33.3	8.8	3640	18
LT275/65R18	113 R	C	OWL	7.5 - 9.5	8	10.98	32.2	8.8	2535	18
LT275/65R18	123 Q	E	OWL	7.5 - 9.5	8	10.9	32.3	8.8	3415	18
275/60R20	119 S	RE	BLK	8 - 9.5	8.5	12.69	31.92	9.1	2998	15

Manufacturer Info:

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company - Findlay, Ohio
Corporate and Tire Headquarters
701 Lima Avenue
Findlay, OH 45840
419-423-1321

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User Reviews

Below are reviews by people who have had experience with this tire. Opinions below are not necessarily that of Offroaders.com. If you'd like to submit a review of your own, please use the form below to review this tire. Please restrict your comments to only tires you have had experience with.

Reviewed by: Ldiamo
Year: 2000
Model: GMC Sierra Extended Cab Z71
Price Paid: $135.00 at Local Service Statio
Summary:
This Truck originally came with very poor performing Firestones (Widerness HT). At the recommendation of my mechanic (who services many off roaders) I switched to Cooper Discoverers. These performed quite well in all conditions (and I mean all conditions), but wore extraordinarily fast. Gone after about 9K. After that, there was an apology, and the recommendation was to switch to the improved model: the A/T, as the previous version had been discontinued (for good reason). These Disco A/T's may be the best I ever experienced. I immediately set off for a trip to northern New Hampshire and Maine with a big load and logging roads in my sights. These tires were just superb. Once they broke in and got over some awesome squirming, they settled into some serious business. In three weeks I put them through everything but snow. High speed, rough terrain, HEAVY rain, and big loads. Never had experienced anything better, and after a couple of 1000 miles they still look new. Very quiet. Beautiful response. Incredible grip....on anything. I can't wait for snow.

Strengths:
Wonderful control and grip, rain or shine, highway or dirt, loaded or not. And quiet on the highway. Tremendous value.

Weaknesses:
None so far. If their winter performance is as good as I suspect, they may be the best ever.

Similar Products Used:
Old version of Cooper Discoverer (very good performers, but wore poorly and were noisy). Firestone Wilderness HT (avoid/OEM).

Reviewed by: Jason(Unregistered User)
Year: 1992
Model: Dodge Dakota
Price Paid: $65.00 at Big Wheel
Summary:
I bought the truck used with 60,000 miles and immediately got rid of the Michelins that were on it. They produced lots of road noise as well as poor wet weather traction. Purchased a set of Cooper Discoverer A/T's I now have 135,000 on the truck and I still have distance to go to get to the tread indicators. These tires have been quiet and excellent in inclement weather including snow. Never buy a different set of truck tires again.

Strengths:
Tread life
quietness
traction

Weaknesses:
None to think of

Reviewed by: medic319(Unregistered User), from Canton, OH, USA
Model: 1998 Dodge Ram 265 70 R16 10 ply
Price Paid: $135.00 at Canton Discount Tire
Summary:
The best Tires I have ever owned, hands down. I noticed a smoother ride in my Ram 2500HD 4x4 as soon as I had these put on. I have put 16000 miles on these now, and they have excellent tread left. I will never buy another set of tires. I have never been stuck. I rarely need 4x4. I do not hear the tires after about 3000 miles. I constantly run 80PSI in rears, and my truck still rides nice. The truck came with Firestone AT's on it, and I hated the ride, so did my wife.

Strengths:
Great treadlife, low noise, good handling, great ride, nice looks on truck.

Weaknesses:
Cannot think of any

Similar Products Used:
Goodyear wrangler, Firestone Wilderness AT

Reviewed by: Gary (Unregistered User)
Model: Cooper A/T
Price Paid: $100.00 at Perfection Tire
Summary:
Best tires I have ever owned (on a pickup).
Winter traction is exceptional. 60,000 miles on a GMC K-1500.

Reviewed by: Jason Evans(Unregistered User), from St. Ignace, MI
Model: 235/75R/15
Price Paid: $55.00
Summary:
I have had these tires for about 2 years and the tread is probably half gone. I probably have 40k miles on them. The thing about these tires is that they rock in mud for an all-terrain tire. This tire is an all around good tire for the price. If you want a tire that is good on pavement, and you go off-road once a week or more, get this.

Strengths:
Good traction in rain, snow, mud. They shine is mud. They have good self cleaning tread.

Weaknesses:
Would be better with side lugs.

Similar Products Used:
Mastercraft Courser AT

Rating Key - The star rating keys are specific to the terrain being rated in the review. To the Top

	Don't even consider it if this is your main terrain. This tire will not perform well at all in this terrain.

	Its trying but not doing too well. You'd be better off choosing another for this terrain.

	Average. Its doing ok, not great but its holding its own. A decent choice if you're compromising.

	This tire does very well in this terrain but its not the best tire available however still a very good choice.

	This tire performs exceptionally well in this terrain. Among the best suited for this terrain.

	Size Availability - This is a one to three thumbs up snapshot rating where one mean poor selection, two means ok and three means great. Check with suppliers or manufacturers for actual available sizes. While this rating system is vague, we couldn't possibly list all available sizes with size selection changing over time. Please see manufacturer for list of sizes in production.

	Money Bags - This is an average cost scale based on an averaged advertised cost of this tire when compared to other tires. One money bag represents the tire is typically one of the cheapest available while 5 money bags indicates that this tire is one of the most expensive. Averages are based on the tires reviewed.