[Just Logan’s dad]

Installed the Cooper AT3 245/70/16 a few weeks ago, first HW trip this weekend. No trimming required (my area uses a lot of road salt). Ride quality much improved over stock tires, even at high pressure than I ran on Conti's, need to play with pressure a bit to tune the ride when the van is mostly empty. Road noise increase not noticeable. Roughly 1-2 MPG hit, spedo off by 3-4 MPH, mostly due to AT and not the diameter I think. Shifts more, but not too much, not gear hunting at any speed. Feels like the engine boggs more prior to a downshift, with the 3.7L I'm not sure I'd want bigger AT tires without a final drive ratio change. A little more body roll with the taller/softer side walls, but the ride is SO much better - felt every crack in the road with the Conti's. Tracting MUCH improved, even rolling onto the leveling blocks is easier, diameter and tracking both helping. And most importantly... they look bad ass with the Ultra Toil wheels on a MR LWB (passenger wagon / basic weekend camper). I was convinced I'd want a lift, but now not sure, very proportional looking.

outta curiosity, what wheels did you mount them on? I was hoping to keep the OE wheels for now, so I could use that money elsewhere...

 

[tja]

Well, it’s also possible that Tirerack just doesn’t list the LT version of that tire, so I jumped on you based on their info. That said, I’ve been watching tire availability for 4 years, and have never seen tires with ~3000 lb load rating in something larger than 225/75r16, but smaller than 245/75r16, except for the Cooper AT3. So I wish you had been right.


2015 Tall, Medium Length, Cargo, 3.5EB, pretty generic-looking, DIY camper

Hey there. I posted this on another tire thread, but given what you mentioned about your ongoing search, I thought I'd reply here.

I recently installed some Yokohama GO15s in 245/70 16r. They're E rated and 118 load index. That's what, ~2900lbs? Not quite OEM rating, but close, and covers GVWR on both axles of a 148" standard length 350.

Tire rack doesn't list them for whatever reason, but I got them at Discount Tire.

Great tire so far (but I only have about 500 miles on them). Improvement in all ways over the OEMs except mileage. Seems to be about a 1mpg hit. Severe weather rated unlike the Cooper AT3 LT. No mods necessary. Spare fits in the space of a 148" standard length. However, the tire does contact the differential when just stuffed in there. I aired it down a bit (55psi) and used a ratchet strap like moreysintransit's page to pull it about a 1/4 inch away from the differential.

 

[Just Logan’s dad]

Perfect!!!! 🤘🏻 Just what I wanted to hear!!!

I also meant to ask you, does the Cooper fit on the OE wheel for the spare or did you replace all 5 wheels w/ black rhino wheels?

 

[gf293guy]

outta curiosity, what wheels did you mount them on? I was hoping to keep the OE wheels for now, so I could use that money elsewhere...

Ultra 450 Toil, here's a link: Amazon.com: Ultra 450 Toil Сustom Wheel - Satin Black with Clear Coat 16" x 6.5", 45 Offset, 5x160 Bolt Pattern, 65.1mm Hub: Automotive

 

[jdharrin]

Not doubting you but where do you see that the Cooper AT3 LTs are NOT severe snow service rated? Tire Rack indicates that they are. I'm heavily leaning towards these for my 2020 AWD and snow performance is my most important criterion.

Hey there. I posted this on another tire thread, but given what you mentioned about your ongoing search, I thought I'd reply here.

I recently installed some Yokohama GO15s in 245/70 16r. They're E rated and 118 load index. That's what, ~2900lbs? Not quite OEM rating, but close, and covers GVWR on both axles of a 148" standard length 350.

Tire rack doesn't list them for whatever reason, but I got them at Discount Tire.

Great tire so far (but I only have about 500 miles on them). Improvement in all ways over the OEMs except mileage. Seems to be about a 1mpg hit. Severe weather rated unlike the Cooper AT3 LT. No mods necessary. Spare fits in the space of a 148" standard length. However, the tire does contact the differential when just stuffed in there. I aired it down a bit (55psi) and used a ratchet strap like moreysintransit's page to pull it about a 1/4 inch away from the differential.

 

[tja]

Not doubting you but where do you see that the Cooper AT3 LTs are NOT severe snow service rated? Tire Rack indicates that they are. I'm heavily leaning towards these for my 2020 AWD and snow performance is my most important criterion.

Interesting. I stand corrected. At the time I was looking, I could only see that the Discoverer AT3 4S had the 3 peak snowflake rating, but not the LT. It appears that at least according to Tirerack, that has now changed. I suppose much like a few months ago Yokohama didn't have the Geolander in a 118 rating for the 245/70/16 (and still don't on Tirerack), but then I suddenly found it available on Discount's site. I'd imagine you can't go wrong with either.

Thanks for the head's up. But my purchase has already been made. And I've been happy so far.

 

[Bargeman]

Don’t know if these have been mentioned but I just transferred a set of Yokohama Geolander AT’s 245/75/16 from my 4X4 Ranger To my Transit (the Ranger is sadly going for sale soon. It’s been a great ride for about 20 years.) The clearance on the front is a litttle dicey but I’m going to run them as is for awhile to see if I have to do any “body work”. This is my second set of these tires and I’ve been very happy with them. Moderately aggressive tread, not loud at all and they wear like iron. The tire guy said he hated to sell them because he doesn’t see the customer again for ages! I have a compressor on board and they take well to decreased pressure, ideal for Mojave and Death/Panamint/Saline Valley washboard. I didn’t mess with the spare; it remains stock.

 

[Bargeman]

Geeze! If I’d just read up thread a bit would have seen tja’s post. 🥴 Seconded, tja!

 

[ford99]

got some new tires put on today. 265/60R18 (30.5”) I had bfg AT KO2 on previously which were load E rated tires. The new Duratracs are of a lesser load. Max ~50 PSI where as the old ones were 70plus PSI which kept the TPMS happy. The shop I took the van to got rid of the TPMS light for me. Bottom line, the van rides so much better. I’m not a camperized or contractor van loaded up with weight and don’t need that load rating.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kevin54]

Installed Goodyear A/T Wrangler Adventure w/ Kevlar LT245/75R16 (Load E) on my 2017 Transit 350 Passenger conversion with no lift kit, no issue.

The tires gave the van at least a 1”-2” increase in ground clearance. Expected increase in road noise but nothing like the BFG KO2s on my Jeep.

Thank you to everyone that posted on this thread, here’s pic of the tires. It was super helpful to see the dialogue from everyone.

 

[Incredulocious]

I've got a high roof 148" non-extended Transit newly converted by QuadVan (w/lift, etc) and built out into a campervan. I had 245/75R16 BFG KO2's added but I've had difficulty getting the spare underneath despite deflating it to 25 psi and using a ratchet strap against the factory hitch. And of course it'll sit right up against that heat shield. My upfitter also tried it but ended up recommending against it and so I ended up with an Aluminess rear door tire carrier that I haven't installed yet.

However, now I'm thinking to switch out to the slightly smaller Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT245 / 70R16's. As per other posts here, it would seem these do fit underneath at 29.5" diameter vs. 30.5" for the KO2's. I think I'd prefer to keep the spare underneath and out-of-the-way and still be able to fully open the rear door (270 degrees), particularly given how rare the need for the spare tire normally is.

My KO2's only have about 800 miles on them so I imagine I could sell them and the uninstalled Aluminess carrier. So, keep the KO2's and install the carrier or switch out to the AT3's and get the spare underneath? And, is that right – does the AT3 fit underneath non-extended 148" Transit without trouble?

 

[Bargeman]

I wanted to update my post above about the Yokahama Geolanders.
Just put a little over 1000 miles on them on a trip SoCal to the North Rim, Grand Canyon and around southern Utah. No issues with the tires although there is some rubbing (only on the right side) front when fully locked over. A little shine on the front suspension part, whatever it's called. The tires and TruTrac performed exceptionally well in over a hundred miles of off road, some of it marginally close to four wheel required. Stay out of the soft stuff, though. Came perilously close to getting stuck in some deepish sand.

Sorry for the focus 🤫.

 

[eckyBay]

Pardon my massive ignorance on this tire question but here goes. We've got a 2015 148 medium roof that currently has Continental 235/65 R16's. I'm assuming the spare is the same.

We'd like to be able to do gravel roads, not any serious off roading madness with giant trenches, streams or boulder navigation. And we'd like to be able to handle snow on paved roads. We do a lot of highway driving to get to national parks etc out west, so it would be nice if they weren't loud road noise wise. We're old ladies who just want to see as much of the western US as possible.

What should we get that doesn't require altering the suspension or lifting it, and won't screw up the speedometer??

I was looking at the BF Goodrich KO2's but am wondering if there's a better solution.

 

[Bargeman]

The larger tires I installed changed my speedometer. It now reads about 10% low. I just do the math in my head. Any tire size change will change the speedo. We went with the larger size because I wanted a little more ground clearance. If that's not an issue for you the KO's would be fine if you got the stock size. They would handle the gravel and rocky roads (any offroad tire would be good for that) better than the stock. The Yokhamas I have do increase the road noise but not much. I can't speak to the KO's 'cause I don't have 'em but anything with a more "aggressive" tread and stiffer tire (=offroad or AT tires) will produce more noise.

 

[OldMadBrit]

I found the 245 75 16 KO2's that we fitted were the same as stock for noise but vastly superior for everything else. As above 10% error on the Speedo but that's easy to live with. They also fit on the OEM wheels as many do.

 

[JCliftonB]

I just had BFG KO2's installed on my 2020 High Roof Extended in 245/75R16 yesterday. They fit without any issue or rubbing anywhere at either locked steering position and the inflated spare fits in the stock spare position. Very pleased with the setup!

 

[perchancetodream]

Anyone with the short 130" wheelbase: how difficult is the spare tire fit for 225/75/R16 or 245/70R16 on stock steel rim?

 

[J_of_Today]

Hi all, great thread here. I have scanned most of it and searched all over, but have not been able to find a post on mounting KO2s in 245/75/R16 on a 148" AWD T250. Has anyone done this? If so, experiencing any rubbing? If so, is it on the bodywork, or is it rubbing on any suspension parts?
Thanks!
J.

 

[JCliftonB]

Hi all, great thread here. I have scanned most of it and searched all over, but have not been able to find a post on mounting KO2s in 245/75/R16 on a 148" AWD T250. Has anyone done this? If so, experiencing any rubbing? If so, is it on the bodywork, or is it rubbing on any suspension parts?
Thanks!
J.

I mounted them on mine as posted above. I do not have the AWD model, but I imagine it should be exactly the same if not a little more front clearance if the AWD model has any height advantages compared to the RWD model.

 

[J_of_Today]

I mounted them on mine as posted above. I do not have the AWD model, but I imagine it should be exactly the same if not a little more front clearance if the AWD model has any height advantages compared to the RWD model.

@JCliftonB Good to know. But it could be different on the AWD because of potential clearance differences and different stock wheels. Thanks though!