2015 1500 hemi finally needing tires....what are your suggestions & providers?

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Jeepwalker

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The other nice thing I like about those Coopers (Walmart link above), is the tread blocks go ALL the way down to the carcass. No connecting ribs between treadblocks (I'm not talking about wear ribs). Some mfgrs have an annoying practice of having 'ribs' which is raised rubber connecting between some or many of the tread blocks. I quit buying tires like that.

The problem with connecting ribs between the tread blocks is when the tire wears to about 1/3, (but still a lot of 'meat' left on the tire), they *seem* bald because the tread blocks don't really stick up much anymore. They aren't worth crap in the rain, mud or snow, even somewhat dangerous ..even though there's still 'meat' on the tires. Conversely, on tires where the tread blocks go all the way to the carcass, the tread blocks ssstill protrude when worn down to 1/3 or even 1/4 or less, and are still usable. Therefore you get your full mileage out of them and they ultimately are a better value if there is enough tread to safely go through another winter.

Hope that doesn't sound confusing. But whatever tires you're looking at, OP, take a good close look at the tread arrangement and at least know what you're buying.
 
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TomB 1269

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If you live in the northeast or somewhere that gets snow (sometimes a good amount) but then it tends to melt and want a tire that can run all year and is damn near as good as a snow tire in the winter then you really want the Cooper Discover AT3 4S.... That's the AT3 4S, which is different from the regular AT3. The 4S has a "softer" rubber compound but more silicate to keep it from wearing in the heat. Years ago they were called the ATW +4. You can get the 17in in a p rated tire to keep the softer more comfortable ride of the factory tire, or in LTs in most common truck sizes.
I had the ATW +4 in LT on my 05 F150 FX4 it was a beast in the snow, to the point I would be comfortable in a snow fall upwards of 24 inches without question.

Now with my Ram (that sits lower than my Ford, both Factory height) running the AT3 4S I would be comfortable running in snow fall upwards of 3ft. They are the bomb and with the way our 4hi (part time system not the Auto / all wheel Transfer case) they are unstoppable.

I have ran in a 26in storm with some light drifting, the only issue I had was I had to drop to a crawl ( i.e 10-15mph) vs what I prefer to run in deep snow (about 20mph) due to sport front end chin spoiler hooking the snow and causing a white out. I had to pull a car out of the snow by driving in to 18inches unplowed with another 6 or on top that was thrown on it from a snow blower. Needless to say when I got the car loose I went to back out and the tires spun. I let off the gas and hit it again, and this time the truck took over and varied RPM between 3500 and 3000 and ROCKED ITSELF OUT, and that was on the factory wranglers that were at least half worn.

So image that level of capability with a tire that literally grips the snow like a race car on a dry track. There is testing that was done by Cooper particularly under the old name ATW+4 against snow tires and standard all season all terrain tires on a snow course.

In braking the snow had the best performance with the all season AT taking like 4 times further. The 4S was these then a 1/4 of the distance the All Season AT took.

In handling the 4S out preformed the snow tire, which makes sense since its a firmer rubber compound then the snow.

The thing to understand is that normal all season tire rugger glassifiaction or hardening due to tempture starts around 40*F. That's why in late fall under the same throttle amount you spin tires leaving a gas station or parking lot where you did not in the summer. The 4S has a lower temp rubber compound and does not harden. In addition there are more sips in each block then in the All Season AT3. So a more plyable tire in the cold and more sips means more traction.

PS, they also hook well in the summer so you can launch like crazy.
 

Jeepwalker

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A thoughtful and well-written response (above).

Yeah the Cooper AT3/AT4 is a very good tire. The regular A/T (Walmart link above) is kind of an entry-level tire. The stiffer sidewall of the AT 3-4 would provide more crisp handling, better for towing and hauling too.
 

huntergreen

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If you live in the northeast or somewhere that gets snow (sometimes a good amount) but then it tends to melt and want a tire that can run all year and is damn near as good as a snow tire in the winter then you really want the Cooper Discover AT3 4S.... That's the AT3 4S, which is different from the regular AT3. The 4S has a "softer" rubber compound but more silicate to keep it from wearing in the heat. Years ago they were called the ATW +4. You can get the 17in in a p rated tire to keep the softer more comfortable ride of the factory tire, or in LTs in most common truck sizes.
I had the ATW +4 in LT on my 05 F150 FX4 it was a beast in the snow, to the point I would be comfortable in a snow fall upwards of 24 inches without question.

Now with my Ram (that sits lower than my Ford, both Factory height) running the AT3 4S I would be comfortable running in snow fall upwards of 3ft. They are the bomb and with the way our 4hi (part time system not the Auto / all wheel Transfer case) they are unstoppable.

I have ran in a 26in storm with some light drifting, the only issue I had was I had to drop to a crawl ( i.e 10-15mph) vs what I prefer to run in deep snow (about 20mph) due to sport front end chin spoiler hooking the snow and causing a white out. I had to pull a car out of the snow by driving in to 18inches unplowed with another 6 or on top that was thrown on it from a snow blower. Needless to say when I got the car loose I went to back out and the tires spun. I let off the gas and hit it again, and this time the truck took over and varied RPM between 3500 and 3000 and ROCKED ITSELF OUT, and that was on the factory wranglers that were at least half worn.

So image that level of capability with a tire that literally grips the snow like a race car on a dry track. There is testing that was done by Cooper particularly under the old name ATW+4 against snow tires and standard all season all terrain tires on a snow course.

In braking the snow had the best performance with the all season AT taking like 4 times further. The 4S was these then a 1/4 of the distance the All Season AT took.

In handling the 4S out preformed the snow tire, which makes sense since its a firmer rubber compound then the snow.

The thing to understand is that normal all season tire rugger glassifiaction or hardening due to tempture starts around 40*F. That's why in late fall under the same throttle amount you spin tires leaving a gas station or parking lot where you did not in the summer. The 4S has a lower temp rubber compound and does not harden. In addition there are more sips in each block then in the All Season AT3. So a more plyable tire in the cold and more sips means more traction.

PS, they also hook well in the summer so you can launch like crazy.
Everything in this post is correct. My AT3 4S were the best tires I ever ran in all 4 seasons of far north Jersey weather. My coopers only lasted 30000 miles. Rotated every 5000 miles and kept air pressure at at 40 psi. Also lost 1.5 mpg. I’m now running Continental contact terrain HT. So far so good,.
 

turkeybird56

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I just bought this exact set of Coopers (below) for my Ram 2 days ago. $123 ea. I have the exact same set (different size) on another SUV and they run out nice. I don't usually buy tires on price, and quite often I buy expensive tires, but these both fit my needs AND are on sale! :)

I bought them because:
1) Great Price,
2) I don't drive my pickup a whole lot post pandemic, and NEED a tire that'll last a good loonng time before they crack up. I've had 15-16 y/o old Coopers that didn't have dry-rot or weather checks, and 5-6 y/o Michelins which were cracking up.
3) OWL sidewall,
4) Good mix of road/dirt tread
5) USA company.

They're a 115T load range tire. Good for highway driving, but you'd want a higher load range if you tow/haul much.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cooper-D...on-265-70R17-115T-Tire/392022338?athbdg=L1200

You can't go wrong with any of the tire brands other guys have mentioned. I've run most of them over the yrs. Michelins are probably top notch, Japanese tire brands have been great tires in my experience, run out really 'true' ..and a little better value. I've actually had good luck with Firestone tires (Ka-Booom! ...lol, no really the Firestone's have run out great for me). Anything I buy MUST have OWL's ....lol (sorry, can't shake the 80's!!)

View attachment 502680
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cooper-D...on-265-70R17-115T-Tire/392022338?athbdg=L1200
Next, you gonna be putting wide white walls on them shoes? LOL.

ww tires.JPG
 

turkeybird56

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My truck being all white, is very plain. But with a clean set of aluminum wheels and bit of tire bling it looks half-way respectable.. LOL
Them there whitewalls add some bling, LOL.
 
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Alweeja

Alweeja

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Cooper seems very popular choice. I really appreciate all the tips. My Ram is a Highway delivery truck(so to speak) so longevity is a big deal. Also any tire that decreases mpg is out as well.
I may have to pay more but increased longevity/mileage will return the up-front cost.
 

CAGEYAR

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2017 RAM 1500 Laramie Longhorn 4wd Crew Cab
Cooper AT3 XLT 275/65R20, 5% increase in aspect ratio over stock.
On my 2nd set.
Pros: Improved cornering, excellent in the wet, low noise considering tread, look great.
Cons: Pricey
To offset the price, I change them out at 45K with 6-7/32" left and sell them.
Pays for one of the four new tires. Keep them on and you'll get 65K or so.
IMG_7462.jpeg
 

turkeybird56

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Cooper seems very popular choice. I really appreciate all the tips. My Ram is a Highway delivery truck(so to speak) so longevity is a big deal. Also any tire that decreases mpg is out as well.
I may have to pay more but increased longevity/mileage will return the up-front cost.
Just FYI. Any heavier tire U put on especially a slightly more aggressive AT or even more AT3W will drop mpg a lil (I lost 1 to 1 1/2 mpg going to AT3W;s). Just the nature of the beast as the AT and AT3w's are a lot heavier than stock SRA Balloons. The tradeoff is U get a heck of a better tire with very good handling characteristics as opposed to SRA's. Just IMHO.
 

Mopar440

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I have a 2017 RAM 1500 Limited. 136,000Km (about 85,000 Miles). I still have the original Good Year Wrangler SRA on it but have just bought a set of Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 for it for next year. I may still get one more season out of the Good Years. I got the set for $1000 CAD ($250 ea). Super deal and I am not sure what they would cost a year from now or if I would be able to afford them a year from now, with the way the economy is heading. In all fairness, I run a set of Rebel wheels during the winter season (as seen in the pic) with the factory Toyo Open Country tires on it. I still have at least two or three winters left on them before I run them through a summer. My focus for summer tires was fuel mileage, wear and performance with ride and noise last.

These Pirelli's have good wear resistance, smooth and comfortable ride, excellent handling and perform well in the wet as well as dry road conditions.

Here are the specs:

 

CAGEYAR

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"I have a 2017 RAM 1500 Limited. 136,000Km (about 85,000 Miles). I still have the original Good Year Wrangler SRA on it but have just bought a set of Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 for it for next year. I may still get one more season out of the Good Years."

Wow, my SRA's were half gone by 19K miles when I got a fatal side wall cut. Then I switched to the Cooper AT3 XLT's. Are you sure those SRA's aren't bald?....:oops:
 

Jeepwalker

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I may have to pay more but increased longevity/mileage will return the up-front cost.

Then you'll probably want to buy Michelins/Continentals/or a tire with a tall street tread which generally lasts a long time. Usually tires like that are harder compound, and more actual rubber on the surface. But less-good in snow (if you live in the snow-belt). So be aware of that.

But, like I said before, also pay attention that the tread blocks go all the way to the carcass ...because an *advertised* long-life tread isn't much good if the last 1/3 of the tire's tread looks/feels dangerous and you are forced to buy a new set of tires sooner than you otherwise would have (didn't get your full *useful* life out of the tires). I've been down that road with tires (when I wasn't paying attention) ...and felt I got hosed.
 

Mopar440

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Wow, my SRA's were half gone by 19K miles when I got a fatal side wall cut. Then I switched to the Cooper AT3 XLT's. Are you sure those SRA's aren't bald?....:oops:
Well if they were half gone at 19K miles and you replaced them as a result of a sidewall cut, then you theoretically should have gotten 38-40K miles from them. I currently have about 42-43K miles on mine, as I only run them in the summer. I keep them properly inflated and try not to spin them (20" tires aren't cheap like the old 15" were...LOL).

Here's a pic of one of the tires. I'll probably run the Pirellis' in the spring.

1664142892029.jpeg
 

CAGEYAR

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"Here's a pic of one of the tires. I'll probably run the Pirellis' in the spring."
That makes more sense. Still you're getting a lot more out of them than I did. Here's mine at 19K just before I sold the 3 remaining for $45.
Those things were tipsy while cornering:
IMG_3503.jpeg
 

anchorsaweigh

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I have had excellent results with Nokian Rotiiva ATs. Got 70K out of my last set.
 
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