OZK Customs + Cooper Discoverer AT3 Tire Options

You may have already discovered that your standard Sprinter or Transit van does not come from the factory with tires intended for off-road use. Which may be fine if you intend to primarily take paved roads to your destination, or maybe spend a few miles on some groomed gravel. But, if you intend to do any sort of off-road driving with your new adventure van, then a tire upgrade may be an important order of business. All-terrain tires like the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT or LT offer many key benefits for conversion van owners who intend to take their adventure rig to places where roads are not likely to be paved.

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 line of tires are specifically manufactured to be the premier E-rated tire for trucks, large SUV’s, and heavy vans that need to work hard off road and on road. Designed with the durability and versatility to keep up with even the toughest driving conditions, and ready to tackle dirt, gravel, and that slightly-iffy trail to your campsite. The Discoverer AT3 tires feature Cooper’s next generation all-terrain tread pattern and trademarked Durable-Tread Technology, crafted with a shred-resistant silica compound to prevent rocks and gravel from chipping the tread. Stone Ejector ledges integrated into the tread prevent punctures due to rocks getting wedged in the tread pattern, and the circumferential channels and lateral notches are engineered to help the tire grip the road in wet conditions and resist hydroplaning.

While these two Cooper tires offer a similar set of features for heavy-duty use, they each offer some unique engineering features. The AT3 XLT also features Rugged Traction Shoulders, with biting edges and alternating scoop and cleat lugs along the sidewall contact patch. These features offer superior grip on tough terrain and thus increase your control in off road situations. While AT3 LT integrates Snow Groove Technology to offer a Three-Peak Mountain rating signifying a non-winter tire that offers additional snow traction past that commonly offered by all-season tires.

If this sounds like a lot of technology for what you may not plan to be intense off-roading, it's important to keep in mind that fully upfitted camper vans, especially already large van models like the Sprinter 170 or 170 EXT, are likely to end up far heavier than they came from the factory. Fully upfitted Sprinters can push 10,000 lbs. and the heavier your rig, the more important your off-road traction and tire structural integrity and durability are. Most road tires are simply not meant to take vehicles of that weight on rough or rocky overland type terrain. But, the Cooper AT3 line of tires are built specifically for those tough situations and the vehicles that can take them on.

And, if you are concerned about an all-terrain tire’s performance on asphalt – you may be familiar with the distinctive howl of knobby off-road mud tires on an interstate – Cooper has engineered these tires to function smoothly on pavement, with the comfort and year-round traction you’d like to find in a road tire, as well as rugged prowess off-road. Among these tire’s many innovative features is Cooper’s innovative Even Wear Arc Technology optimizes the tire’s footprint on the road for balanced weight distribution on the contact patch, improving both on-road treadwear and handling over the life of the tire. In addition, Whisper Grooves integrated between the outboard tread blocks diminishes road noise, offering that quiet interstate ride you are looking for.

Both the AT3 LT and XLT tires come with a 60,000 mile tread warranty, and are truly manufactured as a multi-purpose On-Road and All Terrain tire, with the highest level of technological innovation and best features of heavy-duty tires for both situations.