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Toyota Prado Tyres - Cooper Discoverer ATR Vs Dunlop AT20 |
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Tyres for the PradoLast Updated: 18 October 2009 There aren't too many choices for the tyres the Prado uses. That said ONLY if you're looking for the same 265-65-17 size as the original tyres. If you're looking for other sizes then there's plenty to choose from. That said there is a slowly increasing number of models by other manufacturers. (2007) Most of the Prado models come with Dunlop AT20 or A/T 20 as OEM tyres. Now - if you look on the web you'll probably find that these are not the best tyres available. You've probably discovered that your self after a few thousand miles. However the Dunlop AT20 are not all bad, their sole redeeming quality is that they are quiet tyres. So looking around for replacements, the Bridgestone D694 is the most promoted tyres as a really good replacement but to date early 2007 you'd be hard pressed to find any retailers who can get them. In fact I waited 4 weeks in the hope that they would be available but in the end still weren't. So I didn't want to get a different size tyre for various reasons so I searched for other brands. BF Goodrich, and Goodyear all had various models by again size was the problem. In the end I got the Cooper Discoverer ATR.
There are not many comprehensive direct comparisons or statements about the two models so we decided to do this tyre review. Dunlop AT20 summary These are the OEM or standard tyres the Prado comes with. Looking at them they resemble normal car tyres except bigger. They have rounded edges and closely spaced tread and normal looking tread depth. Nothing out of the ordinary. Dunlop on-road experience For suburban driving these tires are OK. It gives good ride handling and so forth. However in deeper water puddles which you expect the car to cope with - it does aquaplane. When roads are wet the rear end does have the same issue as all solid axles but thanks to AWD and LSD the effect is only noticed in for a second or so. Dunlop AT20 Off-road experience Work quite well on easy dirt roads until you try a better tyre you wouldn't really know. It hasn't been raining very much since 2005 so hard to tell. Cooper Discoverer ATR summary At first glance you will notice that the tread pattern is blockier or aggressive. It has larger gaps between thread patterns and greater depth. The edges of the tyre are almost square. On one side reveals white lettering and the other black. I chose white on the outside because I think they look nicer. The initial installer did not get the balance right but once rectified they felt perfect. The Cooper ATRs so far have revealed the
following: Copper ATR on-road experience: Immediately noticeable was the tyres tendency to track straight or whatever the wheel alignment was set at. Braking performance was noticeably improved and cornering grip was much better. Road feel appeared to have improved but no by much. This tendency may change as the tyre wears so visit later for an update. We are quite picky about noise, because when the Prado does long distances, quietness is a very important factor in keeping alert and general comfort. The Cooper Discoverer ATR is not a noisy tyre but noisier than the Dunlop AT20 but not by much. I can't really complain. Finally they seemed harder than the Dunlops but again not by much. Off-road experience Dirt roads are handled in a much better fashion than the Dunlops. Definitely has more grip. On sand they seemed to dig rather than float. Since there's plenty of power it is only momentary.
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I initially had wheel alignment problems but solved by increasing the tyre pressures to 40psi. The ride is firmer but that's what you get. Tyre wear around the edges is absent - which bodes well for tyre life. So if you have wheel alignment problems try adjusting the tyre pressures.
The price of Dunlop AT20 vary: I was quoted between a price range of $200-280. The price of Cooper Discoverer ATR vary: I was quoted between $250-330. The retailer wasn't chosen wasn't the cheapest but the nicest to us.
The ATR is a better tire than the AT20 without any significant downsides. Admittedly you wouldn't choose these tyres if you're driving mainly on sealed roads but the extra grip does come in handy. Whether another tyre like the much promoted Bridgestone is better I don't know. Maybe at the next tyre change. After 10,000kms the tyres are holding up well. I've noticed very little wear. The extra road noise is not noticed around town and on freeways its still more than acceptable. UPDATE: 12 months after purchase the Discoverers ATR Still had plenty of thread left. Wish I kept track of how many kilometers they have covered! The tyres where rotated recently and I could tell that the newer ones where in the front. The initial tram lining returned and sensitivity to road imperfections where again immediately noticeable. It should disappear after the next interstate trip. UPDATE: After 40,000km there is still plenty of tread left so I anticipate at least 60,000km before I even nee to consider replacements. I have also found the sweet spot for me - at least in terms of the optimum tyre pressures. 42psi if you really want to know! The ride is firmer and the alignment, wear and handling is just to my liking. Considering the now worn in suspension it seems to balance it out? Well at least I think so. I think I will replace the tyres at 50,000km on the basis that a change is as good as a holiday and its something else to write about! |
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