Like the title asks, what Brand & Model of tire do you like the best on your H3?


Have you ever regretted buying a tire before?

 

Tires are the most subjective item to install on a vehicle next to shocks and RIMZ.
First, you didn't tell us your region, climate, or use of the H3 (daily driver, trail ridin', rock crawlin', cousin lovin', mud boggin', trailer towin', wife beatin', etc.)

 

Before I buy any tire I research what is available and evaluate those with my intended use. Therefore, I have never had any regrets regarding a tire purchase, and I always buy Made in USA!.

Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ 305/70R16 on stock double spoke wheels. Had two sets of the original MTZs before this set.

 

Yes tires are very subjective, but that also makes for a great discussion as there are so many variables, and opinions. But that’s how we all learn.

I’m in So. Cal. Not a daily driver. Will also tow behind the RV, and use for recreation like trails and exploring, but not hard core stuff. I have other toys for that. The H3 does have the Adventure package, and will use it if needed. Will keep the stock wheels, and probably not go over a 295/75-16 tire, which is a true 33 or a tick over.

I’ve used Toyo Open Country AT2’s on my Silverado with great success. Love them, but they are discontinued for the AT3. I now have the new AT3 on the Silverado, and they are still a good tire, but I’m not as impressed as I was with the multiple sets of Toyo AT2’s I’ve had over the years.

Toyo has a new hybrid tire out called the R/T Trail which looks nice. It was designed for the overlander crowd. Its spec & ratings are comparable to the AT3. I But I don’t know anyone yet who’s used them?

Ive also heard great things about the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT. It’s not as aggressive as some other AT tires. Also I’ve never bought a Cooper tire before, but that does not mean I would not.

I’ve learned over they years what works great on one vehicle does not always perform the best on another. So that’s why I thought this could be a good discussion to see what others use and like on the H3?



Toyo Open Country R/T Trail



Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT

 

Never had a problem(NO:air loss nor lack of traction, & quiet) after many years driving on:Grabber A/T

 

I prefer to purchase in this order.
American Owned company, American Made product, American Assembled product.

So for me the decision is simple between the 2 you listed.
American-made Cooper tires come from one of four US-based Cooper production facilities in Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi, or Arkansas.
These factories produce the Cooper A/T3 XLT, the Cooper Zeon LTZ, the Cooper Discoverer H/T Plus, the Cooper Discoverer SRX, the Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx, the Cooper Discoverer STT PRO, and the Cooper Discoverer HT3.
https://tirehungry.com/which-cooper-...de-in-the-usa/

 

I agree, except, I am 100% American made, assembled with 50% German descent.
General Tire, is an American manufacturer of tires for motor vehicles. Founded in 1915 in Akron, Ohio

The brand

General Tire, founded by William F. O’Neill (“W.O”) and his partner Winfred E. Fouse in 1915. When the pair started manufacturing tyres, there were over 300 companies that also made tyres. O’Neill made the decision to skip the original equipment market (OE) and focus on quality tyres for the replacement market. This led to the General Jumbo tyre.

In the twenties, the company built an independent dealer network, which ensured the General Tire was presented as a premium brand. During this period, the development team of General Tire produced the Low Pressure Ballon Jumbos, which only requires 0.8 bar of air pressure. This was the first of many innovations such as the Dual Ballon, Dual 8, Dual 10, Squeegee, and Dual 90 that strengthened General Tire’s position as one of the best brands on the market.

International growth

In 1930 General Tire went international with the acquisition of a number of factories. The General Tire & Rubber Company in Mexico and the Tire Fabric Operation in Barnesville. The acquisition of these factories strengthened General Tire’s position both nationally and internationally.

Around 1944-1945, the US was dealing with a tyre shortage, partly due to the Second World War. General Tire and a number of other manufacturers decided to end this shortage. General Tire built a second factory in Texas and resumed the production of tyres in November 1944.

In 1955 General Tire made its first entry on the original equipment market. First as supplier for General Motors and later for a number of other large car manufacturers. Because of this step, General Tire had a serious shortage of modern factories. In 1959 General Tire builds its third factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, followed by the fourth and fifth factory in 1967. A humongous complex in Bryan, Ohio and a personal car and truck tyre factory in Charlotte, New York.

In 1973 General Tire builds its final factory in Mt. Vermon, Illinois. This allowed for the closing of the seriously outdated factory in Waco, Texas.

General Tire’s R&D Team is one of the best in the world. In 1943 they solved the 40-year-old problem with “carbon black – latex masterbatches”, which basically ensured the new rubber composition enhances the tyre’s lifespan. Diluting rubber with oil is an invention from 1949, a patent for this was applied for in 1960.

The shareholders of General Tire decided in 1984 to change the name to GenCorp and GenCorp Inc. as patent holder of all innovations General Tire has made over the years.

At the start of 1987, Continental AG indicates to be interested in the acquisition of General Tire, in October 1987 the acquisition is completed and Continental Tire becomes the owner of one of the strongest brands of America.

WHERE IS GENERAL TIRE TODAY?

Where is General Tire today

To this day, General Tire still gives great importance to quality. The brand offers a complete range of Car, Delivery van, SUV, Off-Road, and Truck tyres of really high quality. The General Tire R&D Team is now continuing the innovations that the brand achieved in the past, with technologies like: Duragen, 3D Sipe, and Monitor Technology.

The factory in Mt. Vernon, Illinois still manufactures three million car tyres every year. Although the largest part of that is now manufactured in Europe, General Tire is still the manufacturer of American quality.

 

Not that it matters but General Tire is owned by Continental AG and they have proven to make good tires too.

I personally am not stuck on the brand having to be a USA brand, as all the major brands own or contract with factories all over the world. There are allot of good brands out there. Toyo is a Japanese brand yet most of their light truck tires are built in the USA. I will stay away from a China built tire as I don’t know of one that’s tested and listed as a first tier tire.

 

BFG All-Terrain KOs, 305/70R-16 on stock wheels

 

Looks good. Curious why did you chose the 305/70R16 vs the 285/75R16 as they both measure 32.8 inches tall? The 305 is 1 inch wider, but I’m not sure if it’s noticeable on the stock width wheel?

I had actually consider the 295/75R16 as that tire is actually 33.5 inches tall making it a more true 33 inch tall tire. But like the 305, the 295 is not as common if I needed to buy a replacement, and not have to have the shop order it.