If it weren't for bad luck...

CapitalTruck · December 22, 2013

Got a set of four Cooper Discoverer AT3s P series to replace the original Goodyear Wrangler ST's on my Silverado. This was before October hunting season when I'm always in mud, snow, and nasty. I had a vibration at about 60 or so. After about three weeks I took them to a place that I think knows how to use their Roadforce balancer and the vibration was improved, but it was still there. So, fast forward one day and I'm taking an old stove from church to the local scrapyard (640 lbs. old Vulcan commercial range). The next day I decide to use my little TPMS reset tool to relearn the sensors after the balancing/rotation. Right after I do it I get a low air RR tire signal. "Damn computers" I think, "something must be wrong, these are brand new tires." Just to be sure I check the pressure. Sure enough, it's down. Right next to the sidewall, in the tread, is a G.D. screw. Way too close to the sidewall to be repaired. Thank goodness my little 3 year old nephew wasn't around. So, I bought a new tire. Vibration is now almost completely gone, which leads me to believe that the tire had been slightly out of round since new.

My point is this: One thing we are still behind the times on in this country is the quality of our tires. You know darn well the manufacturers could make the things perfectly round if they wanted to. It would cost more, and there would be more rejected tires on the assembly line, but geez. The tolerances are just too loose right now. You know the Germans wouldn't put up with this crap on their cars/tires. We shouldn't have out of round new tires, period.

That's my rant.

kstruckcountry · December 22, 2013

I agree. I usually get lucky with tires, other than the only set of P range tires I've had, which picked up tons of flats. Never had an issue with balancing or vibration.

mike94silverado · December 28, 2013

Not sure but Cooper was running a Plant with replacement workers for awhile last year (Disclamer: I am a Rep for the USW But I don't want to get political here) When a whole group of new workers enter a plant and try to run it it takes them awhile to get it down you may possibly have gotten one of those tires

Update: I did check out the emails I got on the lockout and there was one "report" from dealers of quality issues with the tires being produced during that period. Obviously this was a Union newsletter (so take it with a grain of salt) but it would make sense... I've ran 2 sets of cooper tires and I never had balance issues just thought they wore much faster than the BFG's I buy now...