RAV4 - Cooper Discoverer ATR
The Discoverer ATR is a top rated tire for gravel and sand, but it isn't really suitable for mud. These are 235/65R17, which measure 29.1 inches OD (0.6 larger than stock) and 9.54 inches in section width (0.7 inches wider). I wanted to be able to actually use the spare, so I bought five new tires and discarded the hard cover. (It's now hanging like some strange mushroom from my garage ceiling.) I'll install a matching alloy and then be able to get some mileage from the spare.
The tires are smooth riding and handle well, and are only a little louder than the Yokohama Geolanders they replace. The noise is most noticeable at highway speeds, but it is in no way bothersome. The tires are superb on loose surfaces and the wet, and should do moderately well in snow, though they won't match a dedicated winter tire for ice performance. Tread depth (new) is 13.5/32 inches vs 10/32 inches for the Geolanders, a significant increase.
The trucklet sits a little higher, which adds some much needed ground clearance and helps the approach and departure angles, and the wider stance and exposed spare make it look tougher. These tires are much more aggressive in person than they appear in the photos.
The hard Limited spare tire cover "barely" fit, but it wouldn't latch, no way. I didn't try trimming the four rubber spacer blocks, but I suspect that would allow the cover to go on. It would take some wrestling though, and some tongue biting. After I removed the hard cover, my wife Jac is no longer paranoid about lowering the garage door onto the back of the vehicle - the door would just bounce off the tire and retract safely... one would hope.
For those misguided souls who want to keep the original junky spare tire, consider the 235/60R17 ATR which is the same OD and aspect ratio as stock, but has the same 9.5 inch section width as these 65 series tires.
Cost including new lug nuts and 8.8% WA sales tax was a little less than US$850 from my local Discount Tire store. That is with the minimal trade-in of $30 per tire for my four remaining good OEM tires - one had a gashed sidewall due to smacking a curb.
Update 04/10/08: I finally took some pics of the alloy spare wheel - it came from eBay Motors as a pristene "take-off" for US$95 plus shipping. That compares very well to the approximately US$400 for a new one from the dealer.
The matching wheel is much nicer than the cheap
steelie supplied by Toyota. I like the exposed look... it makes the RAV4 look a
little more "trucky" - and it matches the back of my LX450 now.
Detail showing the reduced clearance around the tire
perimeter and at the bottom. There is plenty of bumper clearance - the recess is
the limiting factor when going larger in diameter.
Update 03/30/08 SNOW TEST: I had removed my regular snow tires (Cooper Discoverer M&S) three weeks before, and then Spokane had a late season, wet, three inch snowfall on top of clear pavement. Temperature was 28 degrees F and the ground was not frozen. The streets had not been sanded, deiced or plowed.
The ATRs performed adequately, but they offered NOWHERE near the grip of a set of soft compound snow tires with lots of siping. Compared to driving with snow tires, the Traction Control System activated more often and the ABS engaged MUCH sooner and more often when braking, I didn't feel exactly unsafe going out into traffic.... I just didn't feel very confident about being able to stop suddenly or maneuver in an emergency situation. On slick packed snow and ice, I think they would have been dangerous.
CONCLUSION: If you rarely have snow and it is short lived, then these tires will be fine year round. If you just have to make a couple of trips each winter over a high mountain pass, they will be OK, but you should carry chains (required most states anyway). However, if you regularly drive in snow and experience continuous sub-freezing temperatures, please buy a set of dedicated snow tires and BE SAFE!.
More Mileage From New Cooper ATR Excellent articles on the tire from Oz.
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Updated April 10, 2008 |